Vox

ToTal GuiTar november 2017
102
Head To Head
Which amp should you
pop onto your shelf?
T
his quartet of desktop rockers
demonstrates how technology has
changed the humble practice amp
beyond recognition, with wireless
connectivity, digital modelling,
external audio and software apps that
considerably expand their functionality.
Yamaha’s THR was one of the rst in this genre
and while its voices have been improved, the
THR10 lacks a wireless link. However, the amp
voicings are superb and respond with valve-like
dynamics, making it great fun to play. Vox’s
Adio Air GT looks striking in a kind of Dali-
esque way that may invite some strong opinion,
however, there’s no dispute about the quality of
its sounds, which borrow from the mighty
Valvetronix catalogue and use the latest VET
(Virtual Elements Technology), thus digitally
recreating classic amp designs right down to
component level. Blackstar’s ID:Core BEAM’s
deceptively simple control panel is easy to
navigate and puts you in the driving seat with a
minimum of fuss. Fender’s Mustang GT40
stretches the desktop classication – it’s the
largest of the four, however, it’s more of a
proper amp. The Mustang is the only one not to
use an external power supply and its 40-watt
output and larger speakers give it a lot of
authority when turned up. You can use this one
for small gigs or band rehearsals as long as the
volume levels are sensible. The Mustang’s
Wi-Fi takes a little while to set up – you have to
register and create an account, but it’s worth
the wait for what’s in store inside Fender’s
Tone portal, with hundreds of artist-approved
patches, rmware updates and much more.
Downloads are practically instant and once
congured, the connection is reliable and quick
to hook up. All four amps provide astounding
tone; the Blackstar takes a little more tweaking
while the other three are more instantly
gratifying, especially the newly-updated
THR10, which is hard to beat. However, at the
price, the Mustang is unbeatable value.
Yamaha’s THR10’s
voicings are
top-notch and
respond with
valve-like dynamics
Vox’s box of tricks, the
Adio Air GT does
everything except
make your dinner
the iD:core BeAm’s
simple control
pAnel puts you in
the Driving seAt
the tg test
TGR299.gear_test.indd 102 10/10/17 4:31 PM