Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Wow, that's one lovely looking guitar, but I don't know about the quality on the neck, etc.

I had this amp query and consulted Tomo when I joined. He gave valuable insights that Boss Katana is a good option. It's versatile and it's good for controlling volume; but it's not a tube amp. There are other options that's great for practice: '68 Vibro Champ and Blues Jr. (and its 30th anniversary). Ultimately I got a B-stock Vibro Champ as it's a chance thing (hit the "jackpot", look and function like new) and it's closer to the price of a Boss Katana (still more expensive though). If it matters, Tomo used the Blues Jr. to record for one of his publications. He did praise all three for practice (Check respective Youtube videos and recent forum posts).

They are all good amplifiers but it depends on your needs. The first thing is: what style do you want to play? If you want the most bells and whistles, the Boss Katana has the most effects and tonal options; then Blues Jr. and Vibro Champ (Bronco) the last.

The second thing is important: the size of the venue. I practise mostly in a circa. 200 x 200 cm room, which is "mini-mini" by US standards I guess, and any amps more than 5W can be too loud. So, the Vibro Champ shines so well here. I can work on my clean tones using Volume 2 - 3 or even 5 without attenuation. 6 - 7 is the break-up sweet point, but it's best not to play it at night due to disturbances - you get the idea. Conversely, the Boss Katana and Blues Jr. are more suitable for gigging. 100W, especially without attenuation, is almost certainly way too loud for conventional household unless you live in a mansion (Actually 25 or 50W is crazy loud for most too. Music stores are generally very big or have nice treated areas, so I don't think it's good reference for home use).

Can't really say for Line 6 but I think Boss Katana Gen3 50W beats most options out there if you're really strapped for cash.

Hugo

I own a Boss Katana amp (50) Pretty good. It's simple and very useful. Great clean tone too. Simple is always better.

Tomo

Thank you sensei yeah simple is the way to go!

Also like that boss katana has switch to lower watts from 50W to 25w or even lower. As i live small space that will be helpful👍🎸

Like the Amp rundown Hugo. Your summary is well versed. Personally I like the Fender Blues junior for the potential dynamics.
-johno

Fender blues junior looks an awesome amp sadly its outside of my budget but perhaps one day i will get a premium tube amp.

I just ordered the boss katana 3rd gen 50W

I am still learning what "modeling amps" can do - they didn't exist back when I was first playing - but I figured out enough on mine to dial in the settings Tomo was describing on the livestream on Saturday and save it. Just like you say, Hugo, I named the setting "Tomo Bright" so now I can click right to it. (I'm using a Fender Mustang LT25. The Boss Katana 50 was on my short list but ultimately I decided it was too big for my current needs.)

I find effects and signal processing fascinating but don't have much background in it; I keep collecting bookmarks and open browser tabs about it like I'm researching for a vacation that's years away.

I must admit even the katana 50W is big for my needs. But on waching a video on the amp the review showed the different watt settings you can set it to 50w or reduce it 25 or even reduce it further to .05W

50W probably just for gigs, 25W and 0.5 for practice

I have to say im impressed with it everybody speaks highly of it, it has gleaming reviews . I think BOSS realised there has been a hole
In the market of practice amps for some time.

It seems unless your spending a lot of money it was difficult to get something good for only a few hundred dollars but boss katana and line 6 catalyst seem to have changed that

Also, I looked up that Gretsch - it's pretty. I hope it sounds as good as it looks.

50 is not only for gig. Just more headroom!

Tomo

Thanks for that jimmy. Theres certainly many options. Just like on the guitar neck , multiple different choices to acheive the same effect lol

I just also ordered a book called:

Guitar tone : pursuing the ultimate guitar sound by mitch gallagher

Looks to be a fairly comprehensive tome on all things tone which is something i hardly
Know anything about lol in my old gigging days id just rock up withy valvetronix ac330 and plug my guitar in and crank it up high. Porbably too high lol

Im excited to explore some new sounds

Haha I like your comparison with the guitar neck!
You were already following "the more simple the better" philosophy then :D

Just wanted to add: it's always good to consider pre-owned or B-stock amps as generally it's less risky than say, buying 2nd hand guitars. Amps are generally sturdier and much more durable and when they make "normal" sound, it's almost saying that it's fully functional. Cosmetics don't really matter (unless it's totally wrecked). This helps a lot for us who don't really have a fortune. I heard quite some good reviews on Sweetwater. Maybe others can check there occasionally for good stuff.

Hugo

But be mindful that we don't want the practice amp to sound too warm (too good sounding haha). A raw, cheap amp may do more if you can make magic out of your hands (well.. technique-wise; there's a limitation still).

Hugo

Tomo, you did follow this philosophy of "good amps go a long way"! Happy that I followed your advice and got my amp - it does satisfy me to the fullest and I don't think ever I will discard this amp (I am weird. I just don't trade 2nd hand gears).

Cheers

Hugo

That information about the Blue Jr is gold thank you Sensei! It's difficult to know what to look for when we cannot try the amps ourselves.

I see many versions of that amp (original, Tweed lacquered, III, IV) and they seem to come with different speakers.
Do you recommend any model specifically?

Think about this.... even you paid $3000USD amp... but if you can your another 20-30 years. Then this is not too expensive at all! Great education, great quality of life is not cheap! I told my former student Imahori... put a loan together and you must buy a vintage Fender Pro Reverb. He did!

I bought my 1967 Gibson ES335, Seymour Duncan Stratocaster, Fender Twin Reverb and Boss effects..... during when I was 13-17 (4 years) Without that paper route job... I could not afford these instrument. I was so lucky to fugure that out (To get that job) I only spent about 40-45 minutes a day...but I didnot watch TV. I only listen music and practice my guitar! Funny part is I don't know how to turn my TV on at my house!

Tomo

I second this Tomo. I have the same philosophy of buying "bigger" so that I don't have to sell or exchange gears ever - to the best of my knowledge and capacity. It's great to have a good teacher to introduce and teach about tone and what makes good quality of an instrument/gear.

To me, it's really frustrating to fathom selling and buying something new, or having to buy two similar gears for no reason (except cosmetic). It actually spends more money.

Yeah.. fight for what we love - it's very important. Tomo's story is exactly like my family in the earlier generation (strange coincidence; although they did it not for guitar). It was such tough but meaningful life.

Hugo

Thank you Hugo! I came to US with one guitar and one suitcase. Once I lost everything but that guitar, one amp and one suitcase. So I have been through real tough time when I was student at Berklee College of Music. So I don't rely on things too much. But I love good tube amps!

Tomo

Thank you Jordan for sharing your experience! So happy to hear that. You experienced between a digital amp v.s. a tube amp. (High quality frozen pasta v.s. decent homemade pasta or great quality instant Ramen v.s. good real Ramen!)

Tomo

Great story Jordan, and yes I prefer the good pasta, lol. Tube amps have a different sound than solid state and digital. My next Amp will be full tube. Leaning blues junior.

Thanks John! I had only heard the difference online/youtube, so when I switched the Vibro Champ on at home for the first time it was quite a difference. I do not have the experience or ear to judge the sonic difference, but what I was referring to is accepting the imperfections. At first I thought there was something wrong - a slight crackle or hum - so I did research, then I figured out it was because the outlet I plugged into was causing interference. I also noticed my guitar cable was loose in the switch jack in my telecaster.

All of this to say I feel like I am present in a physical space with it. Has a different feeling then every digital device I have where you "plug it in and it just works" is the norm. There is a different character. As someone new to electric guitar but loves music, it makes me feel closer to how the music is made. More involved somehow.

Yes, Happy Gear Day!! Cheers~