Anyone have a Bluguitar Amp 1 Iridium edition?

[braintheory]

I tested one and I’m on oposite side. It has nowhere as good sound as mediocre tube amp (DSL, 6505, etc.) Very harsh on top end and very flat sounding. It has ultra sensitive knobs to dial in a sound. After one hour of tweaking when I thought I gotna usable sound, I switched back to tube amp (15W Orange) and I was massive difference in dynamic and warmth… But ymmv or maybe I am spoiled with some great amps an this kind of amps sound like toy to me ?

Agreed. Haven’t tried the iridium, but owned the first one for a few years and AB’ed with a Mercury one. They seem impressive at first especially since they are so small and light, but a semi decent tube amps will expose its flaws, especially when you hear it live with a band, it really struggles a lot more there cutting through where those other tube amps bury it

One reason is since they wanted to keep it so light and small it can’t have a legit transformer, so unless they can find a technology to do have legit transformer that’s light and small I don’t think it’ll ever really cut it imo

 

[JerEvil]

man my buddy sent me his to check out. It’s pretty cool for sure.

 

[Metalhex]

Agreed. Haven’t tried the iridium, but owned the first one for a few years and AB’ed with a Mercury one. They seem impressive at first especially since they are so small and light, but a semi decent tube amps will expose its flaws, especially when you hear it live with a band, it really struggles a lot more there cutting through where those other tube amps bury it

One reason is since they wanted to keep it so light and small it can’t have a legit transformer, so unless they can find a technology to do have legit transformer that’s light and small I don’t think it’ll ever really cut it imo

I have to strongly disagree because I use both in my band. Since the other guitarist hasn't been bringing his amp head to practice, I've been letting him use mine for practice. I let him take his pick and he can play any amp of mine he wants. He's been using the Iridium and it cuts like a knife, and my 6505 also cuts like a knife. I have a better idea also because I am used to playing the Iridium in the band and hearing it through my cab which I stand about 3 or 4 feet in front of and to the side. But now that he's using it, with his cab in the other side of the room, facing a few feet to my right, I hear it from a different perspective. And through this experience, I can say that it does cut just as well as my 100w Valveking and 120w 6505+ heads....and the other
band members agree.

 

[braintheory]

I have to strongly disagree because I use both in my band. Since the other guitarist hasn't been bringing his amp head to practice, I've been letting him use mine for practice. I let him take his pick and he can play any amp of mine he wants. He's been using the Iridium and it cuts like a knife, and my 6505 also cuts like a knife. I have a better idea also because I am used to playing the Iridium in the band and hearing it through my cab which I stand about 3 or 4 feet in front of and to the side. But now that he's using it, with his cab in the other side of the room, facing a few feet to my right, I hear it from a different perspective. And through this experience, I can say that it does cut just as well as my 100w Valveking and 120w 6505+ heads....and the other
band members agree.

My only experience was hearing my friends Mercury version in his band vs other amps at rehearsals and gigs, so maybe different with the Mercury vs Iridium (haven’t tried it). I had the 1st version and the Mercury sounded a lot more compressed than mine, so maybe that could be part of why it didn’t seem to cut well. Never had mine in a band context

 

[DanTravis62]

I have to strongly disagree because I use both in my band. Since the other guitarist hasn't been bringing his amp head to practice, I've been letting him use mine for practice. I let him take his pick and he can play any amp of mine he wants. He's been using the Iridium and it cuts like a knife, and my 6505 also cuts like a knife. I have a better idea also because I am used to playing the Iridium in the band and hearing it through my cab which I stand about 3 or 4 feet in front of and to the side. But now that he's using it, with his cab in the other side of the room, facing a few feet to my right, I hear it from a different perspective. And through this experience, I can say that it does cut just as well as my 100w Valveking and 120w 6505+ heads....and the other
band members agree.

My only experience was hearing my friends Mercury version in his band vs other amps at rehearsals and gigs, so maybe different with the Mercury vs Iridium (haven’t tried it). I had the 1st version and the Mercury sounded a lot more compressed than mine, so maybe that could be part of why it didn’t seem to cut well. Never had mine in a band context

I'm subbed to this discussion. I've owned both the mercury, and the iridium, and sold both of them.

I couldn't make up my mind. Sometimes it sounded at least as good as like a high quality modeler, sometimes I thought "okay, its better than like a 6505 or something," and sometimes I didn't like it at all. I played both, in both band and home situations. It seems like such a great idea, and my first impressions were high. And I do think it sounds good. But compared to big-iron amps? Played loud and live? I dunno, maybe its just the amps I used, but even though it sounds great, it seemed to lack the dynamic range of the tube amps.

Maybe it's because of the amps I'm comparing it to, but I waffled back and forth enough to sell them both and forget about it.

But I'm curious about MetalHex's band interactions, especially if he's had a lot of them. Because I tried it in a full band context maybe a half dozen times? and a couple of times I would change to a tube head during the practice, but it wasn't like a shitload of information. Just simple things like "okay, doesn't compare to the larry at all" and "hmm, through that v30 cab the iridium is probably better than that 5150 2x12 combo."

@Metalhex could you possibly go into more detail about why you thought it stacked up in band practice so well? And @braintheory would you mind going into specifics on what you found lacking compared to amps? I want to compare notes.

 

[braintheory]

I'm subbed to this discussion. I've owned both the mercury, and the iridium, and sold both of them.

I couldn't make up my mind. Sometimes it sounded at least as good as like a high quality modeler, sometimes I thought "okay, its better than like a 6505 or something," and sometimes I didn't like it at all. I played both, in both band and home situations. It seems like such a great idea, and my first impressions were high. And I do think it sounds good. But compared to big-iron amps? Played loud and live? I dunno, maybe its just the amps I used, but even though it sounds great, it seemed to lack the dynamic range of the tube amps.

Maybe it's because of the amps I'm comparing it to, but I waffled back and forth enough to sell them both and forget about it.

But I'm curious about MetalHex's band interactions, especially if he's had a lot of them. Because I tried it in a full band context maybe a half dozen times? and a couple of times I would change to a tube head during the practice, but it wasn't like a shitload of information. Just simple things like "okay, doesn't compare to the larry at all" and "hmm, through that v30 cab the iridium is probably better than that 5150 2x12 combo."

@Metalhex could you possibly go into more detail about why you thought it stacked up in band practice so well? And @braintheory would you mind going into specifics on what you found lacking compared to amps? I want to compare notes.

Might not be worth reading too much into my impression of it in a band because I wasn’t the one using it and not sure how they dialed it in or if it could’ve been the fault of the cabs, guitars or something else, but they did honestly sound terrible through them and better with other amps that weren’t anything special for whatever reason

With the one I owned, I only used it at home. I guess maybe it could sound 70-80% as good as my other amps I had at the time (hard to quantify it), just sounded somehow distant and not as real in comparison and the feel was off comparatively, but I was so impressed about it sounding the way it did given its size that it took me a while to realize that it just wasn’t needed or useful for my purposes

 

[DanTravis62]

Might not be worth reading too much into my impression of it in a band because I wasn’t the one using it and not sure how they dialed it in or if it could’ve been the fault of the cabs, guitars or something else, but they did honestly sound terrible through them and better with other amps that weren’t anything special for whatever reason

With the one I owned, I only used it at home. I guess maybe it could sound 70-80% as good as my other amps I had at the time (hard to quantify it), just sounded somehow distant and not as real in comparison and the feel was off comparatively, but I was so impressed about it sounding the way it did given its size that it took me a while to realize that it just wasn’t needed or useful for my purposes

That makes a lot of sense. And is a lot of why I ended up selling both of them.

 

[braintheory]

That makes a lot of sense. And is a lot of why I ended up selling both of them.

I was living in an apt in New York City at the time, so seemed like the perfect thing to have and thought if I gig it’ll be perfect, but realistically I only really gigged in classical guitar and even if I did gig it would still be impractical to bring all that stuff on a subway and if I get there by car then may as well just use a better amp I have. And even my classical guitar playing was too loud for my neighbors past 11pm then, so any amp was a no go there

 

[Elliott]

I haven't played one yet but the review videos always sound good.
I don't think Euge was faking it when he said that it souded like his bad boy.

Euge is wholesome incarnate. He cannot lie. When he smiles, it's because an amp sounds beautiful.

 

[DanTravis62]

I was living in an apt in New York City at the time, so seemed like the perfect thing to have and thought if I gig it’ll be perfect, but realistically I only really gigged in classical guitar and even if I did gig it would still be impractical to bring all that stuff on a subway and if I get there by car then may as well just use a better amp I have. And even my classical guitar playing was too loud for my neighbors past 11pm then, so any amp was a no go there

You know what's funny, is that even though our living situations were so different, we still ended up getting rid of it.

I live in rural central washington state, like the edge of the cascades, next to the columbia river, a super rural area. And to "get to band practice" or a gig your only options are your own car or your bandmates car. So it was almost NEVER a situation where it was like "Nah, I cant fit the larry."

It was more like "well I have to take the 4x12 either way, so might as well take the larry." Which is why I only tried the Blug stuff out at practice maybe 7 times or whatever. It just wasn't THAT convenient. Because the gigs I play, there is no "Direct", lol.

 

[braintheory]

You know what's funny, is that even though our living situations were so different, we still ended up getting rid of it.

I live in rural central washington state, like the edge of the cascades, next to the columbia river, a super rural area. And to "get to band practice" or a gig your only options are your own car or your bandmates car. So it was almost NEVER a situation where it was like "Nah, I cant fit the larry."

It was more like "well I have to take the 4x12 either way, so might as well take the larry." Which is why I only tried the Blug stuff out at practice maybe 7 times or whatever. It just wasn't THAT convenient. Because the gigs I play, there is no "Direct", lol.

Since covid I’ve been in the suburbs about 40 minutes north of NYC. Surprisingly NYC really didn’t have many good gigging opportunities, at least not for metal, hard rock or classical guitar. Will eventually try living somewhere else hopefully

 

[DanTravis62]

Since covid I’ve been in the suburbs about 40 minutes north of NYC. Surprisingly NYC really didn’t have many good gigging opportunities, at least not for metal, hard rock or classical guitar. Will eventually try living somewhere else hopefully

Dude I end up playing in tribute bands and shit. There's nothing remotely close to my wheelhouse where I am, and its not a "useful" feeling for a gigging guitar player. I'm working on moving too. Its simply impossible to find the other people I need, musically. Especially a vocalist.

There's tons of gigs; its just post hardcore, doom, and punk music, and i dont really care for it. Ill do selected gigs when I feel like it, but it's not exactly fulfilling or "right."

I've been trying to network with the right people online, but that has its own complications - everyone I end up talking to is a beginner.

 

[braintheory]

Dude I end up playing in tribute bands and shit. There's nothing remotely close to my wheelhouse where I am, and its not a "useful" feeling for a gigging guitar player. I'm working on moving too. Its simply impossible to find the other people I need, musically. Especially a vocalist.

There's tons of gigs; its just post hardcore, doom, and punk music, and i dont really care for it. Ill do selected gigs when I feel like it, but it's not exactly fulfilling or "right."

I've been trying to network with the right people online, but that has its own complications - everyone I end up talking to is a beginner.

In NYC it’s a lot of jazz gigs and maybe some blues (not my thing at all) and then in Brooklyn you got the stereotypical pretentious hipsters doing mostly indie and some electronic stuff. Those indie bands there are a big part of my hate for modulation type pedals lol. They all think it’s making them unique

I’ve been focusing mostly on Classical guitar competitions and prepping for that, but not many in-person ones since covid and they’re just in general very hard, stressful and usually the same 4 guys always getting those top 4 spots in different orders

 

[DanTravis62]

In NYC it’s a lot of jazz gigs and maybe some blues (not my thing at all) and then in Brooklyn you got the stereotypical pretentious hipsters doing mostly indie and some electronic stuff. Those indie bands there are a big part of my hate for modulation type pedals lol. They all think it’s making them unique

I’ve been focusing mostly on Classical guitar competitions and prepping for that, but not many in-person ones since covid and they’re just in general very hard, stressful and usually the same 4 guys always getting those top 4 spots in different orders

So there's gigs, just not the right gigs for you. I totally get that, thats for sure.

I just hate that if i lived somewhere with a handful of power metal bands, I would eventually find the right fit - but i dont.

I have only gotten into the modulation thing because of old bands. The new indie hipsters make me want to jump off a bridge. And I can understand your disgust when theyre the only gigging bands around, lol.

 

[Metalhex]

@Metalhex could you possibly go into more detail about why you thought it stacked up in band practice so well?

My impression of it might not be worth much also, as braintheory said, but for different reasons.. The reason is because I have limited experience with different amps, extremely limited experience with playing live. I am just a bedroom player who grew up playing shitty crate gx15 combos, to a fender front man 25 combo; then I bought a house to which I bought my first tube head and 4x12 which was the Valevking. Then eventually got a used 6505+. All this time still just playing at home/band practice. But I have been hosting band practice at my house for several years, with rearranging the setup many times, different drummers and vocalists over the years.

I'm probably alot younger than most guys here, who have probably gigged and have been through tons of gear over decades. Whereas I am a set it and forget it minimalist, so my experiences with gear may seem short sighted and inexperienced, to those who are more experienced.

I say that it cuts through the band in the room simply because I and everyone else can hear me...whether it's because of the frequencies or cab placement or whatnot, I don't know. I do know that whenever I use my H&K BlackSpirit200, it doesn't cut as well and I think I have to turn it up louder to reach the same perceived volume.....I think. And as far as the perceived "cutting", I keep the Iridium and my Peavey amps at about the same perceived volume and amp settings.

So I shouldnt say that it held up in practice "so well". But then I will ask, what is the criteria for measuring if an amp cuts through so well or not? What is that being based on exactly?

 

[DanTravis62]

My impression of it might not be worth much also, as braintheory said, but for different reasons.. The reason is because I have limited experience with different amps, extremely limited experience with playing live. I am just a bedroom player who grew up playing shitty crate gx15 combos, to a fender front man 25 combo; then I bought a house to which I bought my first tube head and 4x12 which was the Valevking. Then eventually got a used 6505+. All this time still just playing at home/band practice. But I have been hosting band practice at my house for several years, with rearranging the setup many times, different drummers and vocalists over the years.

I'm probably alot younger than most guys here, who have probably gigged and have been through tons of gear over decades. Whereas I am a set it and forget it minimalist, so my experiences with gear may seem short sighted and inexperienced, to those who are more experienced.

I say that it cuts through the band in the room simply because I and everyone else can hear me...whether it's because of the frequencies or cab placement or whatnot, I don't know. I do know that whenever I use my H&K BlackSpirit200, it doesn't cut as well and I think I have to turn it up louder to reach the same perceived volume.....I think.

So I shouldnt say that it held up in practice "so well". But then I will ask, what is the criteria for measuring if an amp cuts through so well or not? What is that being based on exactly?

Thank you for your thoughts, man. You might not think that your experience has that much weight, but at least for this, it does for me. And I appreciate your honesty.

as far as "what is the criteria for measuring if an amp cuts through so well or not? What is that being based on exactly?"

Long answer: That's perhaps stuff that can seem nebulous when you haven't played a lot of different shit. And there's no shame in that, and dont think that everyone discounts your opinions because of it. Because it's more easy for random RTers to put themselves in your MINDSET when you say where you are like that. Because with a group like this, lots of us have been in that position before. But basically it boils down to the specific dynamic relationship high headroom, big iron tube amplifiers have with their transformers, the transformers with the speakers.

Slightly short answer: it has alot to do with band arrangement and shit like that, but once you internalize that stuff, and get a good idea of how room acoustics work, it really starts to separate the wheat from the chaff as far as amps. A legit 2C+, or a Wizard, or a Cameron, or any of these legendary ass amps, are so much better than like an HRD or DSL that it makes a noticable, considerable difference with a loud ass band or on a recording.

There's a damn good reason everyone on this forum champions these huge transformer old school tube amps. Because, in a loud band situation, or a recording situation, they perform vastly superior to most of the stuff that's out there. You can get very close with modelers but if anyone tells you that you can sound and perform EXACTLY like a 2C+, Wizard, Fryette, Cameron, or similarly modded or specced out amp live with a band, theyre nuts.

 

[braintheory]

So there's gigs, just not the right gigs for you. I totally get that, thats for sure.

I just hate that if i lived somewhere with a handful of power metal bands, I would eventually find the right fit - but i dont.

I have only gotten into the modulation thing because of old bands. The new indie hipsters make me want to jump off a bridge. And I can understand your disgust when theyre the only gigging bands around, lol.

I’ve become close minded to them admittedly. Really can’t think of any examples at the top of my head where I really enjoyed hearing them

 

[Metalhex]

Thank you for your thoughts, man. You might not think that your experience has that much weight, but at least for this, it does for me. And I appreciate your honesty.

as far as "what is the criteria for measuring if an amp cuts through so well or not? What is that being based on exactly?"

Long answer: That's perhaps stuff that can seem nebulous when you haven't played a lot of different shit. And there's no shame in that, and dont think that everyone discounts your opinions because of it. Because it's more easy for random RTers to put themselves in your MINDSET when you say where you are like that. Because with a group like this, lots of us have been in that position before. But basically it boils down to the specific dynamic relationship high headroom, big iron tube amplifiers have with their transformers, the transformers with the speakers.

Slightly short answer: it has alot to do with band arrangement and shit like that, but once you internalize that stuff, and get a good idea of how room acoustics work, it really starts to separate the wheat from the chaff as far as amps. A legit 2C+, or a Wizard, or a Cameron, or any of these legendary ass amps, are so much better than like an HRD or DSL that it makes a noticable, considerable difference with a loud ass band or on a recording.

There's a damn good reason everyone on this forum champions these huge transformer old school tube amps. Because, in a loud band situation, or a recording situation, they perform vastly superior to most of the stuff that's out there. You can get very close with modelers but if anyone tells you that you can sound and perform EXACTLY like a 2C+, Wizard, Fryette, Cameron, or similarly modded or specced out amp live with a band, theyre nuts.

Excellent post. Thanks man!!