Anyone else got one of these little Yamaha THR amps?

[AndyR]

I did a search and apart from 64G highlighting them in a NAMM thread in 2012 when they came out, I couldn't find anything.

Basically, I'd never heard of them until last week. Someone over on Bare Knuckles was asking about them due to his practice volume issues etc... I followed a few links, watched a few vids and suffered from severe GAS for the first time in a couple of years (Yeah, I know I bought a bass a few months back, but that wasn't as the result of bad GAS cramps or anything... it was just a "I need a Jazz with frets on" kinda thing, missus went "you've got money", I went down the shop).

But with this little Yamaha thing I was suffering extreme lust for a THR10C, the black one with blues amps on it. I was also attracted to the USB stuff - especially decent playback off the laptop (Geir's Xmas at the mall is sounding quite good even as I type) and the ability to jam along at the same time.

It took me just two days to track one down and try it out then carry it home.

Mine had a slight issue, which appears to be a known QA issue at the moment - there's a power lead inside that is capable of drifting uncomfortably close to a cluster of signal leads. Causes an unfortunate whine/whistle on higher gain and treble settings (even the missus noticed it!). Once I'd found out what the issue was, I ummed and aahed about taking it back for a fix/replacement... But considering what the fix was, the likely hit-and-miss nature of getting satisfied quickly, and a general reluctance to be parted from it for longer than a working day - I decided to fix it myself. It was a five minute job involving opening the box sticking a cable tie in and closing the box again (if anyone else has the issue, I can point you at a thread on how to do it...)

The beast itself: WOWOWOWOWOW!

What attracted me was the size and portability. And the fact that I can get it and a guitar set up in the living room in minutes... and then find myself playing guitar again! I've not been playing much at all since the last song I did - it's just seemed like so much hard work to get things set up, and I've not wanted to go in my studio. Every time I lugged an amp or a modellor + headphones down to the sofa, I'd kinda tune up, go "hrrmph" and put it away again. With this thing... not anymore!

It's the size of a small radio-cassette player like we all used to have. But much lighter, and louder (and better sound quality). And when you plug a guitar in it actually sounds and behaves like the stonking valve amps it's impersonating. It really does - I'm amazed. I'd seen various youtube vids saying that's what it did, and it did seem to do it in their hands... but plug yourself into it and WOOF BABY! An old bluesbreaker Marshall running at full tilt, cleans up nice on the guitar volume, nice and juicy and responsive to pick/finger attack... AND Mrs R can still hear the TV over it!!

I've been using Line 6 modelling and Vox valvetronix modelling, and a small valve amp over the past x years. This beats them all into a cocked hat at domestic volumes and, in comparison, takes moments to set up and get a decent vibe going.

It's got 5 amp models of varying degrees of overdrive, each use Gain, Master, Bass, Middle, & Treble, with an overall volume control (and another one for the AUX/USB input). There's also a wobbly-effects control (chorus/flange/phase/tremelo) and a Delay/Reverb control.

In the THR10C the amps cover what a blues dude wants - Fender-y, Vox-y, early Marshall-y, early Boogie-y, and some overdriven saturated thing that is quite cute.

Added to that, it has a Bass, Acoustic, and Flat models. Unlikely to use the Acoustic and Flat - I don't own any electro acoustics... but you never know, I might try the Electric Double Bass through the Acoustic model, that might be just what it wants.

But the Bass model - OMIGOODNESS! I've run the Jazzes through it... BEST bass sound I've had in the living room (I don't own a bass amp, I just use modellor and studio monitors, or in the living room, run it through a guitar amp).

I love it, one of the best things I've bought for a long time. They need to sort that design/QA fault, though, otherwise there'll be a lot of pissed off punters.

[Geir]

I've spent an hour watching YouTube videos now .....


I've got GAS,!!

[AndyR]

I've spent an hour watching YouTube videos now .....


I've got GAS,!!

Glad to be of service!

[Hook]

I've got absolutely no reason to even contemplate one of these...but I want one!

[AndyR]

Hehe... it is the CUTEST thing.

I've been playing nearly 2 hours a day since I got it. And because there's only 5 main models, and they behave pretty much like amplifiers, most of that time is doodling on the fretboard, not doodling on the controls looking for a "better sound".

[alfstone]

I have to thank Andy.

I had been looking at this little combo for a while, then I came here to see if someone of the songcrafters had uesd it...I read the review by Andy and contacted him for some other opinion about it.

He has been so gentle, since he contributed to clear all my doubts.

I'm now the proud owner of a Yamaha THR10. It arrived today, and I'm already sure it's the most useful and important music gear I've bought since a very long time.

Incredible. It sounds just fantastic, and so rich of options and possibilities.

Andy is absolutely right, it's the kind of gear that pushes to play guitar more, and more, and more...

Grazie, Andy!

Alfredo

[Flash Harry]

Bugger.

And I was after a new bike....

[AndyR]

You're very welcome, Alfredo, glad I was able to help

I've been using it a lot. In fact, I'm about to switch it on and noodle about for an hour til the missus gets home...

[Oldrottenhead]

i am getting never ending gas from you guys,

tho i cant wait to hear what you do with your new boxes,


 oooh err missus i think i'm getting wet.

[Gnasty]

I was checking out where to get one of these and of all things BestBuy sold them but there was only 2 left so i pulled the trigger on it. I have 30 days to take it back if i don`t like it.
I`m in a cautious safe gas mode these days. I think if i like this i`ll sell my line 6 pod because the lagging notes are pissing me off since i`ve been playing my mesa amp (Which i`m selling too) loud lately.