Any Joy in the Joyo Bantam Line?

[Randypttt]

I'm interested in finding a Blackface tone for cheap. None of the youtube examples try to sound like a Fender even though the title of the amp might imply it. The players seem to be more interested in finding the Metal tones. Got them in spades already (ME-25). I thought the Tweedy might have been the one but I'm not sure. Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[Tim S]

I have several BantAmps and AFAIK there’s no model that’s meant to sound like a BF. There’s the Bluejay that’s supposed to sound like a Blues Junior (which is why I don’t own it). And there’s the Tweedy (a BantAmp XL model) that’s meant to sound like a Fender Tweed. It had so much gain, I tried substituting a 12AU7 for the stock 12AX7 and it didn’t make any difference (which should give you an idea of how dependent those amps are on the tube — but they won’t function without one)

If you are looking for a small amp head that can sound like a blackface Fender, check out the Vox MV50 Clean. It’s more likely to produce the sound you’re after than any Joyo BantAmp.

MV50 Clean - Vox Amps

MV50Clean

voxamps.com

 

[Randypttt]

Thanks Tim. Finally, a useful review. I'll check out the Vox

 

[tlsmack]

Also there is always the Joyo American Sound pedal. For $40 a great Fender clean, plus a powerful eq section and great dirty tweed tones when you dial things up. It works well with solid state and tube amps. Joyo really should use the American Sound as the preamp section of one of their amps.

 

[Randypttt]

Also there is always the Joyo American Sound pedal. For $40 a great Fender clean, plus a powerful eq section and great dirty tweed tones when you dial things up. It works well with solid state and tube amps. Joyo really should use the American Sound as the preamp section of one of their amps.

Wow. Saw some vids that were informative. This one sounds like it might work. Thanks tlsmack

 

[radiocaster]

There's a Mooer Little Monster BM, which is supposed to sound like a Bassman, but it doesn't to me in the demos.

For what it's worth. I also found a bunch of bad demos for the Joyo Bantamp Bass, and only one good one.

There are several copies of the Blackface/Silverface Champs. One is the Fender Champ 600, the tone stack is fixed, but can be modded. The VHT Special 6 also has the tone stack fixed, and a different tone control added. Not exactly what you're looking for, but it's the same preamp circuit basically.

 

[tacobender]

An American sound into a quilter micro block can get really close. I’ve done a comparison side by side.

 

[scrapyardblue]

An American sound into a quilter micro block can get really close. I’ve done a comparison side by side.

And it's not stolen Chinese technology like the Joyo.

 

[tacobender]

And it's not stolen Chinese technology like the Joyo.

The American sound is a joyo. But I don’t know what else does what it does. In regard to it being a copy of something, I’m sure they copied someone.

 

[PhredE]

The American sound is a joyo. But I don’t know what else does what it does. In regard to it being a copy of something, I’m sure they copied someone.

Even though it appears to be strongly patterned after the Tech 21 Blonde, it is not an exact duplicate.

If one wants more detailed info on the subject, search threads here by poster
J-Flanders on Joyo American Sound and Tech 21 Blonde.

The graphs included in that thread show they do differ in their response curves (with many users preferring the Joyo).

Another +1 for the American Sound suggestion. Hard to beat for $40.

 

[Alex_C]

And it's not stolen Chinese technology like the Joyo.

The Joyo is not a direct copy of the Tech 21 Blonde. Joyo seems to make their own circuit to mimic the sound of the target pedal. They aren't ripping off designs, which is a plus in their favor. Same thing with the Ultimate Drive, it isn't an OCD circuit but sounds somewhat like one.

 

[northernguitar]

I tried substituting a 12AU7 for the stock 12AX7 and it didn’t make any difference (which should give you an idea of how dependent those amps are on the tube — but they won’t function without one)

I believe that if a tube device is powered by a wall-wart, it’s in there as a glorified lightbulb.

 

[Alex_C]

Wow. Saw some vids that were informative. This one sounds like it might work. Thanks tlsmack

For the price of the American Sound, you really can't go wrong. I like it going directly into an amps power section, although it does work in the front of the amp.

 

[PhredE]

Here's the thread where poster J-Flanders does a detailed comparison of the Tech 21 Blonde vs the American Sound:

Joyo American vs Tech21 Blonde comparison (many graphs)

Since this pedal comes up a lot and since I owned both (as well as the original sansamp) I might as well post some info on the differences and similarities. A while ago I checked the frequency responses of both pedals. I owned the Blonde V2, which is identical to V1 apart from the extra speaker...

www.tdpri.com

Basically, the EQ sections work a tad differently from one another, especially in tweaking mids.

 

[scrapyardblue]

Here's the thread where poster J-Flanders does a detailed comparison of the Tech 21 Blonde vs the American Sound:

Joyo American vs Tech21 Blonde comparison (many graphs)

Since this pedal comes up a lot and since I owned both (as well as the original sansamp) I might as well post some info on the differences and similarities. A while ago I checked the frequency responses of both pedals. I owned the Blonde V2, which is identical to V1 apart from the extra speaker...

www.tdpri.com

Basically, the EQ sections work a tad differently from one another, especially in tweaking mids.

Yeah, probably just a coincidence.

 

[Randypttt]

Here's the thread where poster J-Flanders does a detailed comparison of the Tech 21 Blonde vs the American Sound:

Joyo American vs Tech21 Blonde comparison (many graphs)

Since this pedal comes up a lot and since I owned both (as well as the original sansamp) I might as well post some info on the differences and similarities. A while ago I checked the frequency responses of both pedals. I owned the Blonde V2, which is identical to V1 apart from the extra speaker...

www.tdpri.com

Basically, the EQ sections work a tad differently from one another, especially in tweaking mids.

Well, you can't get any more definitive than that! Thanks for the link. My interest doesn't go that deep but I appreciate the response to my question.

My interest is concerning my Superchamp X2 head, which I've managed to keep alive for about 4 years now. Unlike its predecessor and a couple of XD's I've had over the past 10 or 12 years. I love the little thing more than some of the other substitutes I've had in the past; Mustang 40(?) (tweaking hell!) Champion 40 (still have it. Just...meh) and a Bassbreaker 007. Not crazy about the 007. Generates a lot of hum.

These days I just record stuff and don't want to hassle with mics or noise but I love that Blackface tone. Everything else you can get in a box. Which I have enough already.

So, thanks all, I appreciate all the posts.