Quick review on a couple lunchbox amps

Headache

Headache

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I decided to try a few of these little cheap guys out Simply for some new flavors and recording purposes.​

Here are my short reviews fwiw.

The first 1 I bought was the Joyo Bantamp Firebrand.(Engl Fireball copy)
I was blown away by the tone and volume of this 20w firebreathing monster that's not much bigger than a typical distortion pedal. In fact I loved it so much I figured I would order a second flavor of the Bantamp.
This voicing is an absolute favorite of mine now.
It pairs very well with my Marshall amps. And it sounds great in a mix. It's tight, but not super tight. Sounds ok without a boost, but really shines with any of my 12 flavors of OD pedals. It's now my favorite small amp. I got this one new off reverb for $125



After I had ordered another, the VIVO (5150 copy)
I made the mistake of opening up my OfferUp app and found a 6505mh for sale locally! I Messaged the guy and he was literally driving it down to sell it to SamAsh. Said they were going to give him 75bucks for it. He was out of work and was starting a welding business, so he needed the cash.
Luckily I talked him out of it and met him to pick up the mini head. I gave $300 for it. MSRP is $699
The 6505mh is an absolutely amazing little amp! It is every bit the same amp/tone as the full sized 6505+ I used to own. It has more gain than any other amp I think I've ever played. Both channels sound good for metal. It doesn't care what od pedal I put in front of it, it still sounds like itself. I would say it doesn't play with pedals as well as the other 2
The tone and grit of this amp makes it sound like a full 100w head. It flat rips!



Today my Joyo Bantamp VIVO showed up on my doorstep. I plugged it in and was slightly under amazed by this one. The gain is a little lacking, and quite a bit flubby. Unlike the other 2, this one needs a boost to kick it in the face. It does have a 5150 "flavor," but sitting next to the 6505mh, it pales slightly.

Now, the price was more than reasonable, I gave 112 +shipping bucks on ebay for it. I haven't recorded it yet, or even put it in a mix yet. It may be just fine for that. It has good tone, it seems that it needs the tone knob turned high to bring out the characteristics of the amp, but that also makes it a bit hissy.


My opinion/ findings on these 3 little guys, just in case it helps anyone decide to get one or not.

YMMV
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Great comparisons. Can you do the same riff you have going with the Firebrand and 6505mh thru the VIVO?

Funny how. much we think alike cause I've been considering grabbing a handful of these mini/lunchbox heads lately too. So far I have a DSL1, a 6505mh and a Boss Katana Mini (plus my Jet City JCA50 - although it can do quiet well, it's must more suited for LOUD). There's a local guy with a Blackstar HT5 I might go grab and I'd love to get either the small Bugera or Randall to round things out.

And, $300 for a 6505mh is a smoking deal. Sam Ash sucks for trying to rip that guy off - they would have put it out for sale for like $450... such a scam. Glad you were able to help that guy out in a pinch - and good on you for giving him a fair price.
 
Sp8ctre said:
Any reason for the different riff on the Vivo? I leaned toward it more because I like that riff better.

I'd like to hear the Vivo riff on the other two amps.
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Ya well... I got it in and didn't even think to do the same riff.
Truth is, it's already boxed up and on its way to LiveeviL2000! Ha ha.

I do have a drop C guitar sound byte which is going to be really close to the other 2 let me dig that up.
 
I only recorded 2 vids with the VIVO, been long days at school with coaching girls bball. Haven't seen my house in the daylight all week.
And then I sold it off right away.
This has different pickups but same tuning. Hope it helps at all.

 
Iron1 said:
Great comparisons. Can you do the same riff you have going with the Firebrand and 6505mh thru the VIVO?

Funny how. much we think alike cause I've been considering grabbing a handful of these mini/lunchbox heads lately too. So far I have a DSL1, a 6505mh and a Boss Katana Mini (plus my Jet City JCA50 - although it can do quiet well, it's must more suited for LOUD). There's a local guy with a Blackstar HT5 I might go grab and I'd love to get either the small Bugera or Randall to round things out.

And, $300 for a 6505mh is a smoking deal. Sam Ash sucks for trying to rip that guy off - they would have put it out for sale for like $450... such a scam. Glad you were able to help that guy out in a pinch - and good on you for giving him a fair price.
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That's so funny, I've been looking at the jet city as well! Having already owned a few DSLs and a Randall or 2 I think that's the next tone I may want to record with....that I can afford anyhow.
Once my other guitarist pays me for my Les Paul I may buy the 100w jet city.

How do you like the jca50?
 
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Headache said:
That's so funny, I've been looking at the jet city as well! Having already owned a few DSLs and a Randall or 2 I think that's the next tone I may want to record with....that I can afford anyhow.
Once my other guitarist pays me for my Les Paul I may buy the 100w jet city.

How do you like the jca50?
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I absolutely love it. It’s a beast. Best kept secret out there.
 
Headache said:
Oh hell Ya! Who do we need to beg to make that happen? I'll start looking.
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Hav you tried that Bugera T5 mini head? I've almost bought one several times, but never met anyone who had one, aside from people trying to sell 'em. Wonder how close it can get to Uber land?
eSGEe said:
well done dude-- yes -- smaller -- for home use (or even in public if mic'ed to house or going straight to a board--- ) work AWESOME cost very little and can be made to work at bedroom levels OR auditorium levels .....
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Do these little Joyos do bedroom level well? I read a review that said they only sound good at higher volumes, but that was just one review...
 
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