The YJM100 was introduced by Marshall as the official signature amp of ‘king of neo-classical shred’, Yngwie J Malmsteen. The amp is being produced as a limited edition run and is based on the power and tone of Marshall’s ‘Holy Grail’ 1959 Plexi head. It’s made in the UK and incorporates some incredible all-valve tone with state of the art features. The amp is deceptively simple to look at giving it a classic old school Marshall look however it’s at the back of the head where all the clever stuff is hidden.

The following extract is taken from the Marshall website

The YJM100 features a whole host of modern features including Booster, Noise Gate, FX loop and Marshall’s new Electronic Power Attenuation (EPA) technology which really drive this head into the super amp category. In addition to cutting the power to 50 watts at a flick of a switch the amp also allows you take the volume down from 100watts to 0.1 watts in a similar way to the Slash AFD100 signature head. This gives you an enormous level of control and allows you to capture incredible tones at low volume.

“I can’t say enough about my love for the sound, feel and look of the wall of Marshall’s. Since I was 10 years old, I’ve insisted on having them behind me at all times,” the guitarist revealed. “I must have had every amp company in the world ask me to endorse them, over the years. To finally have my own signature Marshall is an honour and this amp is truly a master piece!”

Yngwie Malmsteen

Specification

• Power: 100W/50W infinitely adjustable down to 0.05W
• Preamp Valves: ECC83
• Power amp Valves: 4x EL34
• Channels: 4 input 2 channel vintage style
• Booster: Bypassable / Footswitchable YJM custom booster
• Noise Gate: Bypassable / Footswitchable Studio class expander
• Reverb: Bypassable / Footswitchable Studio class digital reverb
• Effects Loop: Bypassable / Footswitchable Series loop.
• Power Selection: 100W using 4 EL34 valves down to 50W using 2 EL34 valves
• Attenuation: Marshall designed attenuation down to 0.05W
• Valve Bias circuit: Automatic Self Bias with valve fault indicator.
• Speaker Output: 2×4 2x 8 1×16
• Cabinet: Marshall Major sized head box with vintage finish.

*NOTE: A four-way Footcontroller (PEDL-00046) comes supplied with the YJM100, facilitating switching of Booster, Gate, Reverb and FX Loop features. This Footcontroller has been designed using Marshall Amplification’s patented STOMPWARE® Technology, allowing the user to connect it to the amp using a standard 1/4? guitar cable.

Fretpoint Verdict

I got to see this head in action at the Modern Music sponsored Marshall Roadshow in Truro. Demonstrated by the hugely talented Chris George. I actually wasn’t sure what to expect but this amp ended up being the star of the show. The YJM100 delivers some of the best classic Marshall tones I’ve ever heard and I’m sure the power selection and attenuation options helped Chris drive the amp into that ‘magic tone’ stage where all the valves are kicked into overdrive. He ran through a series of classic rock riffs from ‘Voodoo Chile’ to ‘Walk This Way’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Black Night’ and they all sounded epic! If you’re trying to nail that vintage Ritchie Blackmore or Jimi Hendrix tone then this is the amp for you!

Marshall has certainly delivered with the YJM100 and although they have produced some cracking amps in recent years this to me is the very best that Marshall have right now. With all the extra functionality thrown in I don’t think you could ask for a better Marshall amp. The only downsides are the price which puts it out of the range of less affluent guitarists and the fact it’s limited edition. I suspect the amp will sell-out pretty quickly and start commanding high prices on the secondary market very soon.

Price

£1515 / $2456

Check out the official Marshall demo video featuring Chris George

YJM100 Demo – Featuring a Strat/Les Paul Comparison

Fender’s Pro Tube series Super-Sonic amplifiers are widely acclaimed as high-performance, no-nonsense tube amps that create unmistakable Fender clean tones and expressive modern high-gain tones without masking the tonal character of the player’s guitar.

The range consists of the Super-Sonic 100 head, Super Sonic 100 412 Straight Enclosure, Super Sonic 100 412 Slant Enclosure and Super-Sonic Twin combo. Fender refers to these amps as beingg professional-level flagship amps and enclosures that raise the power of the Super-Sonic line to an arena-worthy 100 watts and introduce several sonically versatile new features.

The Super-Sonic 100 head mates perfectly with Super-Sonic 100 412 Straight and Super-Sonic 100 412 Slant enclosures; the Super-Sonic Twin combo has dual 12” Celestion® Vintage 30 speakers. Both amps feature:

• New Fender Automatic Bias control, which lets you easily set the output tubes to the recommended factory setting and to your preference of “hotter” or “cooler” bias with no need for meters or tools.
• A Notch Tune control that lets you move the midrange notch and fine-tune distortion characteristics for a variety of American and British amp sounds.
• A rear-panel damping control that lets you select “normal,” “loose” or “tight” speaker response for sounds ranging from warm and loose to tight and focused.
• An Arena/Club switch that takes the power down from 100 to 25 watts to preserve great high-volume tube tone at lower club gig volume levels.
• Vintage channel for shimmering clean tone derived from Fender Twin Reverb® and Showman® amps or the thick, punchy sound of a 1960s-era Bassman® amp.
• Burn channel for edgy breakup and distortion with variable compression, thickness and sustain.
• Custom Schumacher transformers, tube-driven Fender long-spring reverb, effects loop with level control that also works as a footswitch-operated boost, Black/Silver and Blonde/Oxblood cosmetic treatments, cover and pedalboard-friendly four-button footswitch.

The Super Sonic 100 412 Straight Enclosure and Super Sonic 100 412 Slant Enclosure both feature four 12” Celestion® Vintage 30 speakers, Baltic birch-ply construction for increased resonance, Black/Silver and Blonde/Oxblood cosmetic treatments, casters and cover.

You can check a great video review below which features a maple-neck Custom Shop Telecaster® guitar played through the amp’s BURN channel.

Garage Band by Apple

Apple obviously saw the iPad’s potential for musicians  and guitarists in particular which is probably why they bundled the new iPad 2 with Garage Band. Garage Band allows you to strum chords on acoustic and electric guitars, trigger fingerpicking and strumming patterns, or tap out your own riffs and melodies. Songs can be mixed and arranged anywhere inspiration strikes using a powerful eight-track recording studio that can handle any combination of audio recordings, touch instruments, and loops. Guitarists can choose from ten stompbox effects including distortion, echo, and chorus.

Finally GarageBand makes it easy to email your song from your iPad, or export and add your song to your iTunes library. You can even send a project to your Mac and open it in GarageBand to keep refining your song.

You can find our more via Apple’s website.

Apogee JAM Guitar Input

With Apogee’s JAM, you can plug your guitar directly into your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Mac and experience studio quality sound with incredible ease of use. The Apogee JAM guitar input is recommended by Apple (although there are several other high quality audio interfaces available) and features;

• 1/4-in. instrument input for electric guitar or bass
• Best guitar tone in an extremely portable format
• Control knob for easy input level adjustment
• Plug in and play
• Made for GarageBand on iOS devices or with any Core Audio application on Mac

You can find out more via the Apple store:

Amplitude IK Multimedia iRig – Audio Interface Adapater

AmpliTube iRig is a combination of an easy-to-use instrument interface adapter and guitar and bass tone mobile software.

With AmpliTube iRig, you can plug your guitar into your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and jam anywhere with world class guitar and bass tones. Simply plug the iRig interface into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the appropriate input jack, plug in your headphones, amp or powered speakers. Add amps and effects as you need them — you can expand your rig with up to 11 stomps, 5 amps, 5 cabinets and 2 microphones in the AmpliTube iRig app custom shop.

Furthermore you can download AmpliTube’s FREE version for iPhone or for iPad via the iTunes store.

Read more about AmpliTube for iPad

PROGRESSION – Guitar TAB Editor for iPad

Progression is a guitar tab editor for the iPad that allows guitarists to easily create guitar tabs. The ‘Free’ version of Progression gives you the ability to write, edit, and playback guitar tablature using real audio samples. It sports a user fiendly interface and simple interactive entry fretboard which gives even the inexperienced guitarist an abundance of guitar functions, including but not limited to: vibrato, slides, string bending, hammer-ons, pull-offs, trills, whammy-bar methods and more.

Check out more on the website: www.notionmusic.com

Rock Prodigy
Rock Prodigy is hard to explain but is like a “live” guitar tab that listens to your guitar playing. You basically score points when you hit the correct notes. You can use your own guitar (acoustic or electric) and as long as you are in tune, the app will pick up your playing. Unlike other apps you can even use the built in microphone.

This is a really clever app and whether your a beginner or advanced guitarist looking to master the trickiest riffs note-for-note, this is going to provide both a great learning experience and a lot of fun.

The Rock Prodigy store has loads of songs from artists like Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Smashing Pumpkins, Keith Urban, Megadeth which you can also purchase individually.

Rock Prodigy demonstration video.

You can check out more via the Rock Prodigy website: www.rockprodigy.com

Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar App

Gibson were the first big name to produce a high quality app. In conjunction with Legacy Learning Systems they produced an app for guitarits that not only provided some great guitar lessons but also featured a professional quality guitar tuner and metronome. A list of all the features is included below.

• A professional quality Chromatic Tuner that will allow you to tune any instrument using the iPhone microphone (or iPod Touch with microphone attachment)
• Alternate Tuning settings so you can quickly and easily tune your guitar to various alternate tunings, including Open G, Low C, Drop D, Eb and others.
• A Standard Mode Tuner that allows you to tune each string to a sample tone
• An accurate Metronome with multiple time signatures, visual and audio options, and a set-your-own tempo tap pad
• A Chord Library with a sample of the essential chords for every player beginner to advanced
• Free Videos Lessons from the Award Winning Learn & Master Guitar course.

For more details visit the www.learnandmaster.com website.

ESP Experience iPhone App

ESP Guitars followed hot on the heels of Gibson and released a very nice iPhone app. The ‘ESP Experience’ app isn’t free like Gibson’s app ( it correctly costs £0.59  from the iTunes app store) however is does feature some pretty cool stuff including;

• A professional chromatic tuner for guitar and bass.
• Exclusive and frequently updated ESP content including ESP artist interviews, ESP event coverage, free music downloads from ESP artists, tech tips from ESP’s head of guitar and bass design, a complete dealer locator, and more.
• An ESP Artist section with videos, lessons, and more.
• A full catalog of ESP and LTD guitars and basses.

Peavey Ampkit

Peavey have really done their homework on this app and have raised the bar for the iPhone platform. AmpKit LiNK is an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad interface for electric guitar, bass with an output that can be connected to headphones, powered speakers or a PA. Unlike unpowered guitar interfaces that suffer from feedback when using headphones, AmpKit Link is a powered device with circuitry that virtually eliminates feedback. AmpKit Link is also the first guitar interface that was specifically designed to provide solutions for the iPhone platform.

The AmpKit LiNK guitar interface is available from the Peavey online store as well as from dealers, distributors and retail stores  worldwide for $29.99.

AmpKit LiNK Specs:

• Connects to iPhone/iPad/iPod touch via 1/8-inch cable, automatically detected by iOS
• 1/4-inch mono input jack for electric guitar, bass, and line level signal sources
• 1/8-inch stereo output jack for connecting headphones, powered speaker, or PA system
• Works with most recording, processing and tuning apps, including GuitarToolkit

For more details check out www.peavey.com.

ReValver MK III.V from Peavey is a 64-bit amplifier modeling software package that claims to capture the true characteristics of vacuum tubes while giving players total control over their tone and gain structures. It has 81 linkable sub modules that model famous amps, stomp boxes and rack effects which is enough to give even the most demanding guitarists enough choice.

In terms of amp models it includes models of Peavey 6505®, Classic®, 3120™, Sensation™ 20, Masterpiece™ 50, ValveKing® and JSX® amps and Budda® SuperDrive and V-Series amps.

Features

• 20 amp models
• 12 Preamplifiers
• 9 Power Amplifiers
• 21 Stomp box / pedal-type effects
• 12 rack-style effects
• More than 778 speaker simulations using real-time convolution and membrane modeling
• 8 Utility Functions including tuners, analyzer, splitters, and more
• Fully MIDI mappable
• Tuner
• VST®, RTAS®, Audio Unitsâ„¢ compatible
• ASIO® / WDM, Core Audioâ„¢
• Standalone or Plugin

This looks like a great piece of kit for those guitarists into digital amp simulation and in addition to being one of the most advanced modelling software packages available it features the ability to tweak your amp setting at the circuit level which as far as I’m aware if completely unique.

At £149.00 this is also an affordable package. If you want to try Peavey’s ReValver MKIII.V then you can head over to www.peavey.com and download a demo now.

In the meantime check out the video demo from Peavey below.

The new Thunder 30 is an all-valve, class A, 30-watt twin channel amplifier that follows the recent trend for high quality low wattage valve amplification. The amp has all the class you would expect from Orange and has an incredible range of gain sounds that will satisfy many hard rock guitarists. You don’t need a distortion pedal with this baby!

Powered by four EL84 power valves. The amp is available in head and 1×12 configurations and includes an F/X loop and has two channels. The first is a classic vintage channel that has a range from crystal clean sounds to thunderous vintage power amp overdrive. The second overdrive/distortion channel, features a shape control as seen in the Thunderverb models and has a high gain British crunch.

The Thunder 30 combo is a great amp for gigging, is small and very portable. It’s wide tonal range also makes it perfect for use in the studio. There is fierce competition in the class A valve amp market at the moment but this is a strong contender and well worth your attention.

Specification

• 30-Watts
• Powered by 4x EL84 tubes
• 2 Channels
• Class-A
• Switchable between 7, 15 and 30-watts
• Channel A: Volume, Shape, Gain
• Channel B: Bass, Treble, Volume
• FX Loop

Price: £550  / $1200 USD

You can find our more about this amp at the official Orange Amps website.

Orange Demo which covers all the amps in this range including the 30 watt combo

Pro Guitar Shop Review

The Marshall 2266C Combo is part of the Marshall Vintage Modern Series and is a 50 Watt, 2×12″, all-valve single channel amplifier with a choice of two ‘dynamic ranges’ selectable by footswitch. The Low range gives the performance you would associate with a stock vintage Marshall amplifier in terms of tone and gain. The High range adds an extra preamp valve into the signal path,which enables guitarists to access those classic hot rodded marshall tones from the seventies.

The amp features a master volume and plate reverb which can also be switched on and off by the foot switch. The Marshall 2266C Vintage Modern comes fitted with two Celestion G12C 25 Watt greenback speakers enabling stand alone performance. There is facility for using an extention cab if required.

There is no denying this amp has plenty to offer and gives you access to a wide range of Marshall tones. If your looking for that hot rodded Marshall tone from the seventies however then I’d urge you to splash out a few more bucks and investigate the Reeves Super 78 which for me has far more to offer.

The Marshall 2266C Guitar Tube Amplifier Combo main features include:

• Output (RMS): 50 Watts
• 2 x G12C Speakers
• Pre-amp Valves: 4 x ECC83
• Power Amp Valves: 2 x KT66
• Footswitch (supplied): PEDL-00041
• Dimensions (mm): 690 x 570 x 270
• Weight (Kg): 30

Price: $ 1,599 USD / £915 GBP

Video Reviews

Pro Guitar Shop Review of the 2266C Head

There is no mistaking the Class 5′s homage to Marshall’s 1960′s ‘Bluesbreaker’ and 18-watt combos, with its black vinyl and ‘Plexi’ style top-mounted control panel. The Marshall Class 5 is made in the UK at Bletchley and this is reflected in the price. Whilst it may not be the cheapest low wattage amp on the market this is a seriously classy rig with some high quality tonal range. For a start it’s important to note that the class 5 is extremely loud for 5 watts and the amp could definitely cut it at small gigs and reheasals. With the inclusion of the extension speaker output and connected to a 4 x 12 cabinet, the Class 5 is capable of sounding huge making it even more interesting for gigging guitarists.

With a stratocaster style guitar the class 5 is able to dial in everything from Beck to Hendrix and with a modern humbucker equipped guitar you’ll get plenty of Bluesbreakers era fat Clapton tones which are great for solo work. You’ll also be able to achieve that AC/DC style crunch so often associated with Marshall amplification.

Overall the class 5 Amplifier has all the classic Marshall tone that guitarists love in conjunction with some vintage Marshall styling. Many guitarists will still opt for the Marshall Haze as a more realistic and functional alternative but I can still see this guitar carving out a niche for itself.

Marshall Class 5 Valve Combo Specification

• Power: 5 Watts
• 2x ECC83 Preamp Valves
• 1xEL84Power Amp Valves
• Controls: volume, Treble, Middle, Bass
• Custom designed 10″ Internal Speaker (16? Celestion G10F-15)
• Headphone output
• Speaker / Headphone selector On rear panel
• Headphone output optimised for 32? headphones
• Extension speaker output 16? (Automatically mutes internal speaker)
• UK Made

Price: $399 USD / £299 GBP

The Fender Frontman 212R combo is a mainstay of young guitarists and although entirely solid state is capable of producing some classic Fender clean tones as well as plenty of raunchy overdrive. This is a versatile amp and  features three channels (“clean,” “drive” and “more drive”), on-board spring reverb and a “mid contour” switch which produces a multitude of distortion tones. And with its black control panel, chrome hardware and black vinyl covering and grille cloth, the FM 212R certainly looks the business.

Rated at 100 watts this isn’t a quiet amp by any means and can easily handle most gigs. Although some guitarists will never quite come to terms with solid state technology I’ve heard these used in many pub gigs and they always sound great in my opinion. Whilst it may lack the warm valve tones when playing lead I’d put the clean tones up against plenty of other amps at this price.

Fender Frontman 212 Specification

• Type: Solid State
• Output: 100 watts into 4 ohms
• Ohms: 4 ohms
• Speakers: 2x 12″ Special Design 8 ohm, 50 watt Speakers
• Channels: Three Selectable Channels (Normal, Drive and More Drive)
• Features: Dedicated Volume and Tone Controls in Both Channels, Effects Loop, Footswitch Jack (For Remote Drive Select with Optional Footswitch)
• Controls: Normal Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass; Drive Channel: Drive, Volume, Channel Select Switch, Treble, Mid, Mid Contour Switch, Bass, Reverb
• Footswitch Jack: Effects Loop, Preamp Out, Power Amp In
• Covering: Black Textured Vinyl with Silver Grille Cloth; Chrome Hardware; Blackface Control Panel
• Weight: 48 lbs. (21.7 kg)
• Dimensions: Height: 19.5″ (49.5 cm), Width: 26″ (66 cm), Depth: 9.5″ (24.13 cm)

Price: $399 USD / £229 GBP

This amp is a  fun and affordable tribute from Fender to one of their rarest and historical little practice amps. The new Champion 600 is a 5-watt valve amp with a 6″ speaker and vintage 1950 “two-tone” look. It features a higher-gain preamp circuit than the original to let the overdriven tone exceed what was previously capable, and Fender have also added a choice of high or low-gain inputs. The internal speaker jack also means this little amp can be used of a larger speaker cabinet which could come in handy for a small gig or two.

The amp sounds great and whilst you’ll need an overdrive pedal (see video below) to get much bite out of the amp, its clean tone is fantastic. Combined with a Strat or Telecaster you’ll get lots of vintage Fender sounds at a very affordable price. We’d recommend this amp for practising and recording.

Fender Champion 600 Specification

• Series: Vintage Modified
• Type: Tube Amplifier
• Output: 5 watts
• Ohms: 4 ohms
• Speakers: One 6″, 4-ohm Special Design driver with ceramic magnet
• Channels: Two (Instrument and Microphone) Controls: Volume
• Covering: Brown and blonde vinyl covering; vintage-correct 1950 “two-tone” cosmetics.
• Weight: 15 lbs. (7 kg)
• Dimensions Height 11″ (28 cm), Width 12″ (31 cm), Depth 7.5″ (19 cm)
• Tube Complement 1-12AX7A 1-6V6 (diode rectifier)

Price: $199 USD / £139 GBP

Video Reviews

Great Video Featuring a Stock Fender Champion 600 vs a Mercury Magnetics Modified Champion 600

The Fender 65 DELUXE REVERB is part of Fenders reissue series and is a 22watt all valve 1X12 combo with a Jensen Speaker. This amp is firmly in the rock, country or blues camp, combines classic retro looks and vintage sounds and is perfect for recording in the studio or small gigs.

Many of the classic Fender tones heard on famous recordings from the Memphis scene and Abbey Road were made using the Deluxe amp. As you’ll see from the video reviews below this amp is capable of producing some lush cleans tones as well as a great retro overdrive which sounds best when combines with either a Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster. The gain is limited however and you’ll have to push the amp hard (i.e. loud) to get the right kind of bluesy overdrive. This is something you could easily exploit at a small gig however.

The Fender Deluxe Reverb features a pair of 6V6 Groove Tube output tubes, one 5AR4 rectifier tube, four 12AX7 preamp tubes, two 12AT7 tubes, one 12 inch 8-ohm Jensen C-12K speaker. It has dual channels (normal and vibrato), a tube-driven Fender reverb, tube vibrato with a  two-button footswitch for reverb and vibrato on-off.

Fender 65 DELUXE REVERB Specification:

• Output: 22 watts into 8 ohms
• 8 ohms operation
• Speakers: 1-12 inch Jensen C-12K, 8 ohm Speaker with Ceramic Magnet
• Channels: Dual Channels (Normal and Vibrato)
• Features: Tube Driven Spring Reverb, Tube Vibrato, 2-Button footswitch, Baltic Birch Plywood Cabinet
• Controls: Normal Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass. Vibrato Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb. Vibrato: Speed, Intensity
• Covering: Black Textured Vinyl with Silver Grille Cloth
• Weight: 42 lbs. (19.05 kg)
• Dimensions: Height: 17.5 inches (44.45 cm), Width: 24.5 inches (62.23 cm), Depth: 9.5 inches (24.13 cm)
• Tube Complement: 4 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, 2 X 6V6, 1 X 5AR4 RectifierTube
• Fender 2-Button Footswitch for Reverb and Vibrato On/Off,  (included)

Price: $1,399 USD / £879 GBP

Video Reviews

World Music Supply Review

Pro Guitar Shop Review