This summer Laney released the Lionheart Foundry series.  A trio of 60w amps.  The LF60-112, LFSUPER60-112, and LFSUPER60-212.  All three sound great in the video clips I have listened to, and while I tend to shy away from the term "tube sound", I do agree that these sound pretty fantastic.

From Guitar World: "The LF60-112 ($429/£279) is the most affordable of the trio, offering the core spec for minimum outlay. Next up is the LFSUPER60-112 ($539/£349), which adds tremolo and chorus effects, with controls for Rate and Depth. Most intriguing, however, is the LFSUPER60-212 ($699/£429) – a vertical 2x12 combo."

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/laney-lionheart-foundry

Blackstar's Debut lineup has been quite impressive, and their new little amplifier is no exception.  The Debut 30E sports a 10 inch speaker and 30 watts of power.  Small enough to practice at home, large enough to practice with the band.  The official demo shows plenty of beautiful cleans, old school overdrive, punk rock distortion, and even some fairly thrashy tones.


MSRP is $209 USD

https://www.musicradar.com/news/blackstar-launches-the-tape-echo-equipped-debut-30e-practice-amp

Last month Quilter released the DirectAmp.  This is a new take on their existing SuperBlock amps, this time incorporating Fender, Vox, and Marshall sounds into one box - but not including a power amp, this is a preamp only.  The video linked in this review does show some decent tones, but I'm not sold yet and really want to get my hands on it myself.  Take a look yourself, what do you think?

MSRP is $399 USD and has stereo XLR output, headphone output, effects channel, and bluetooth input.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/quilter-direct-amp

Blackstar has decided to bring the volume up and release 100w versions of the Debut 50R.  That's right, not one but two versions.  The Debut 100R comes in 1x12 and 2x12 configurations.  Honestly, the 100R 1x12 is basically identical to the 50R except it has double the wattage.  This isn't really that helpful though as to get twice as loud requires 10x the wattage.  Bringing the power up to 100w really only adds about 3db of volume overall.  If you want this amp in a 1x12, just buy the 50R and save $100.

The big story here is the 2x12.  If you have been itching for that huge 2x12 sound, you can finally have it!  The bigger story, it's only an additional $20 over the 1x12 variant!

Sweetwater is currently selling the 1x12 100R for $379 USD and the 2x12 100R for $399 USD.  For reference, the 50R 1x12 is currently selling for $279 USD.

https://www.gearnews.com/blackstar-debut-100r-perfect-balance-for-pedals/

Laney is claiming that the new Lionheart and Ironheart Loudpedals provide 60 watts of power in a solid state pedalboard amp platform.  This certainly isn't a new concept as similar ideas have been done multiple times by many companies.  That said, this one sounds legit and I love the layout of the controls.  I also really appreciate that they include a reverb built in as this is super handy and cleans up the pedalboard nicely by not requiring an additional unit.

I do wonder how similar the circuitry is to the Laney LF60 combo amp that sells for $449 and has a 12" speaker.  The controls are almost identical and the sound seems pretty similar to me.

Pricing is listed as 399 GBP.  Sweetwater is currently selling them in the US for $499 USD.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/laney-martin-miller-tom-quayle-ironheart-lionheart-loudpedal-guitar-amplifiers

Last month Boss released the new Gen 3 version of the ever-popular Katana amp series.  Consisting of general model updates, this seems like a decent amp still but nothing to toss your old Gen 2 model out for.

https://www.gearnews.com/boss-katana-gen-3-amp-series-enhanced-tube-logic-tone/

Boss has expanded it's famous Katana line of amps to include a new headphone amp that fits easily into your pants pocket, enter the Katana:Go.  This is an interesting take on the headphone amp market and something that stands along with Fender's Mustang Micro amplifier in that it is a digital amplifier with multiple models, effects, and features.  One of the neat features with the Katana:Go is the app that you can use in Android or iOS to modify settings and saved presets.  You can also use this little guy as a USB C recording interface.

MSRP is $119 USD and they are available now.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/boss-katana-go-amp

There was a whole lot of stuff at NAMM, but most of it had to due with guitars, tube amps, or digital amps.  We did get a little bit focused on solid state gear though!

Blackstar has updated their ID:Core amps with the new v4 series. The new updates include: USB C connection, power reduction feature, and "other minor improvements to models".  While the power reduction is nice, the biggest thing for me here is the USB C hookup - finally!
 
Pricing is 219, 249, and 279 British pounds for the ID:Core 10, 20, and 40 respectively.

https://www.gearnews.com/blackstar-idcore-v4-revamped-and-now-with-new-1-watt-mode/

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Vox has updated their AmPlug series with the new AmPlug 3 range of headphone amps.  These new Amplug models have minor enhancements to each model and Vox has also adjusted the on-board effects to take advantage of "wide stereo" sound.

Pricing looks to be same as before, $49.99 USD.

https://www.gearnews.com/vox-amplug-3-7-new-revamped-headphone-amps/

I had a spare Isoblok I wasn't using, so I removed the built in plug and put in an IEC jack.

With Axe FX being around for 17 years, Fender has finally decided it's time for them to jump into the arena.  Being that Fender is a very traditional company, this isn't very surprising.  That said, this isn't just a little toe dipping into the water, this is a big SPLASH!  The Tone Master Pro is a full-on modeler featuring an 8 core processor, over 100 amps models, 60 second stereo looper, 7 inch digital display, and built in 4x4 USB audio interface.

MSRP is $1,699.99 USD.  With this price, it is definitely for the gigging musician rather than hobbyist.

Fender has also released two full response self-powered cabs that are made to pair to this.  The Tone Master FR-10 and FR-12, both with 1,000w of class D power.

https://www.gearnews.com/fender-tone-master-pro-floor-revealed-a-new-helix-killer/

Brian Wampler has released his new take on the Bad Monkey overdrive - actually, two versions!  The Triumph Overdrive and the Phenom Distortion are 3 band EQ, toggle switch, crunch machines and apparently Josh Scott (JHS) loves them.


These pedals are listed for $99 USD.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/this-may-be-his-best-drive-bad-monkey-champion-and-jhs-founder-josh-scott-is-blown-away-by-wamplers-new-dollar99-overdrive-and-distortion-pedals

TC Electronic has released three new pedals that they say mimic three of the most sought after tube amplifiers of the 1960's.

Here is the trio:

DC30 - Modeled after the 1965 Vox AC30 Top Boost

Combo Deluxe 65' - Modeled after the 1965 Fender Blackface Reverb Deluxe

JIMS 45 - Modeled after a 1965 Marshall JTM45

The DC30 and JIMS 45 come with additional boost footswitch while the Combo Deluxe 65' comes with a switchable reverb.  All three units have in, out, and DI with cab sim.

These pedals are currently retailing for $149 USD on most online merchant sites.

https://www.gearnews.com/tc-electronic-ampworx-vintage-series-classic-60s-amp-in-a-pedal/

Hotone, known in these parts for their nano amp series mini heads, has released the Ampero Mini.  This is a small pedal-sized modeling amplifier with a touch screen interface and two stomp switches.  Using two 24 bit DSP chips, this little guy can utilize as many as 9 effects simultaneously.  It comes with 199 effects, 52 amps and 50 cabinets available. You can also change microphone type and position simulation.  Lastly, it includes 100 drum loops to use as backing, and has a built in stereo looper effect allowing for as much as 100 seconds of mono or 50 seconds of stereo loop!

These new little modeling platforms will be coming in 6 colors and selling for around $290 USD.  If you're into modeling amps and don't have the money for some of the fancy ones - this may be your next jam!

https://www.gearnews.com/hotone-ampero-mini-smaller-cheaper-and-powerful/

Fellow electronics enthusiast Paul Marossy (of DIYGuitarist.net fame) has done a 3 part series on The Honey Amp...as well as a bonus fourth video.

Thanks for the honest thoughts on this Paul, great job on the videos as well!

Part 1: Scratch Building the ssguitar.com "Honey Amp"

Part 2: The ssguitar.com "Honey Amp" - Sounds

Part 3: The ssguitar.com "Honey Amp" - Waveform Study

Bonus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_iZyBNgoIE

Mooer has released two new digital amps with two different takes on functionality.  The Mooer SD30i follows the concept driven by Spark.  Basic onboard controls, and deeper control through an app on your mobile device.  The Hornet 05i brings things to a whole other level of simplicity in the hardware, only allowing a physical volume knob (which doubles as the on/off).  All other changes to amp settings on the Hornet are made through an app only.

While I love simplicity, I personally don't care for being tied to a mobile device any time I want to make a change other than volume.  They may have taken it a bit too far in that direction.

The Mooer SD30i is a 30w amp with 2 x 4" speakers while the Hornet 05i is a 5w amp with 2" speaker.

Retail price for the SD30i is currently about $370 USD.  The Hornet 05i is substantially less expensive at about $140 USD.

https://www.gearnews.com/mooer-sd30i-modelling-amp-sparks-competition-for-positive-grid/

https://www.gearnews.com/mooer-hornet-05i-intelligent-amp-5-watts-feature-packed-amp/

As we run low on stock of Honey Amp kits (currently no more kits with speakers, and limited PCB and PCB w/parts kits), I have taken the time to look through where these have shipped.  We have shipped kits to 12 countries, with 22 states in the USA being represented.  Not bad!

I'm currently gearing up for working on the second version, Honey B.

Thank you to everyone who has watched the videos, shared opinions, purchased kits, and built these fun little amps - it's been a blast!

Vox has released new versions of the popular MV50 (not technically solid state as it uses nutube technology, but close) as well as the new Brian May amPlug (completely solid state).  Both units claim to have the "Brian May sound" and from the clips I've heard, they deliver in spades.  Definitely worth a look if you are a Queen fan, or really anyone who loves the cranked AC30 sound.

MSRP for the MV40 is $249 USD while the amPlug comes in at just $59 USD.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/vox-brian-may-amplug-mv50

Blackstar has released another amp in the Amped series, the Amped 3.  Boasting 3 channels, reverb, 100 watts of power, and more gain than either the original Amped 1 or Amped 2, this might be for you if you're looking for heavy tones powered completely from your board.

If you are a gigging musician, this could be for you.  Otherwise it may be out of your price range.  Preorder is currently available at $599 USD.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/blackstar-amped-3

Laney has put together a new pedalboard amp featuring two channels and a boost circuit.  Dubbed the Ironheart Loudpedal, this new Laney amp provides 60 watts of power running through a shared three band EQ and the aforementioned two channels.

MSRP is $299 USD.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/laney-ironheart-loudpedal

Positive Grid has released the Spark Go.  This is a 5 watt version of it's popular Spark Mini.  It swaps the knobs for a few push buttons, and drops to a single speaker configuration.  All of the usability is basically the same though, including USB recording output and all of the effects and amp models controlled from your mobile device as per usual for the Spark series.  It's also a whole lot cheaper coming in at only $149 USD.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/positive-grid-spark-go