My laptop was broken, sorry, so it took me a long time to write this review.
I've just returned from a concert and it's not that late, so I figured I'd finally write this review.
The amp has a 3-band EQ, a sweep button, a master volume and gain. It also has a boost button and a channel switching button.
On the clean channel the only know active is the gain one, which is also the volume at the same time. No EQ, but the boost switch works and makes the sound a bit brighter (along with louder).
I am really suprised by this channel, it doesn't need an EQ, it just sounds very warm and full with a sparkle of Fender. You could use this channel for a jazz band, just turn the tone down a bit and you're there. Crank the volume and you get great crunch sounds. This channel is not just an extra.
The gain channel is quite aggressive, I'd say it's more British than American. The sweep knob readjusts the whole EQ and tonality of the amp quite radical, there are many options here. You need to fiddle around with the EQ a bit though. You can go from huge, bassy rhythm sound to super tight treble sound. The gain boost gives a lot more metal attitude to it, without it the amp sounds more old-school Black Sabbath etc. I get a very nice, tight rhythm sound from it which reminds me a lot of HAMMERFALL.
THe cab is really nice, it sounds full and very large for a 1x12". The sound at low volumes is excellent and I credit the cab in part for this as well (oh yes, this amp can get very loud).
One thing I immediately noticed is how quick the amp reacts, it is so much more dynamic and direct compared to the VOX AD30-VT I was using before. It's in a completely different league, to be honest. The amp does not hide mistakes, it is very honest and even with quite a lot of gain you can still hear all the notes. It's definitely an amp above semi-pro level in terms of tonal quality and feel. It also has a bit of a Class A feel somehow, hard to describe, you just feel it come through sometimes.
The active effect loop makes the amp sound bigger, gainier and a lot louder... Death Metal fans will love this.
There are some points I am not happy with however:
First the 5881 tubes are directly next to each other, one even looks a bit crooked to fit in. I don't like this, but the amp comes with a lifetime warranty (!) in the UK (!), so I guess I do not need to worry about it too much. Apparently they wanted to use 6V6 or EL34s first, those tubes are smaller.
Second the footswitch issue... yeah I knew this but it still sucks that you even have to turn the gain button down (as it functions as the gain button in the lead channel). THankfully, the amp cleans up quite nicely if you back the volume on your guitar down (this depends on your type of guitar though).
Third I miss the reverb from my Marshall and Vox :-(
Fourth for some reason my Morley Wah sounds cr@p with it.
Fifth the high notes can sound a bit thin and trebly on some EQ settings (which however give a slamming and super-defined rhythm tone). THis is what i meant with that you have to fiddle around with the EQ.
Overall I am very happy with this amp, it is definitely an amp I will keep for a very long time. Biggest plus points besides the sound (of course) are the cab and the direct and precise feel of the amp.
Oh, and it is made in the US, not in China or Korea; I like that as well! :D
