Last Updated on March 25 by Monty Python
If you are a guitarist looking to give a next-level performance or already doing it then you need to have the best equipment. If you are a live guitar performer then you need to get the sounds out of your instrument reaching the far and wide audience most desirably.
No matter, how good your guitar is at a concert but if it is not connected with the best-supporting equipment then things will not look good. An amp head is that thing about which you should be as careful as the selection of your guitar.
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Both of these complement each other and you couldn’t go wrong either way. If you are looking to pick one of the finest available products then how about going with the Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head. But, you must not take any decision so quickly or unless you know everything about this guitar amp head inside out. This review will cover all the features and other dimensions of this amp head so that you can take an informed decision.
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Table of Contents
Design
The Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head seems to have been constructed quite nicely. The relatively small size of this lunchbox kind of an amp head allows guitarists to pack and carry it easily to the music venues and concerts. The weight is also found to be quite light and that checks all the boxes that portability looks for. Upon the arrival of this amp head at home, you will not be able to find out any visible flaws or any type of factory damage.
On top of this, the amp head is not known for having any sort of hiss or unwanted noise. This is all thanks to the top-quality wiring of the equipment and also for using the top-quality components in its construction.
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The manufacturer has done well for the price as it doesn’t seem that they have cut corners or added lower quality components just for keeping the price low. This is a reasonably priced amp head and with its price tag, you couldn’t ask for any better-designed equipment.
Sound
The clean channel of the Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head takes on the effects pedal effectively. There will be a little bit of noise or buzz coming through it but mostly, it will sound fairly simulated and sterile. Many of the guitarists might love it for the clarity and reliability of the clean tone through the solid-state.
However, it is even more desirable to get the ability to dial in a bit of shimmer and chime. But, this is not a possibility or an option here. On the flip side, the OD channel is a perfect one and the amp head performs well when it is employed for its real intention or purpose, which is the high gain playing.
The versatility however is limited through it but, it will still offer excellent overall sound. Make sure that you need to be willing to employ it for selective tonal options only.
The Firebrand amp head is also known for providing a range of layers coming with thick or solid distortion tones. This makes it a tremendous option for the metallic and rock tunes to be played. The amp has been tried and tested to play well with the Guild Jester and ES-335 copy. The performance and sounds through them were amazing.
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Therefore, any guitar closer to these two models could be easily trusted in giving the best output. The drop tunings are superb with their sound especially the Drop D riffs maintaining the definition quite well. All this is done while still going through the mix along with the bass and mid-heavy drive. Once the tone is cranked then you could get the sound that will be close to a lead guitar.
The clarity will be more like the note to note which is ideal for tapping and picking. The one real drawback with the sound settings of distortion is that the singular preamp goes on to lose all of the definition, clarity, and finesse. In this scenario, the sound gets slightly muddy.
Operation
The Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head is a super straightforward system. It makes it a tremendous option for guitarists who look for a practice amp and as well as a reliable live option to be used in the smaller venues. The equipment has got three control knobs.
Accessing and using them is pretty straightforward. You can use them for controlling tone, gain, and volume. There is also an OD channel switch. The preamp of the system is made with a 12AX7 tube which is coupled with a solid-state preamp.
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This makes it a highly affordable option with a couple of cannel amplifier options. If you want, you can also connect a smartphone or any other smart device with this Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head using the Bluetooth option. This will then allow you to employ the amp head in the form of a speaker.
Moreover, it will also allow you to play it with your favorite music or songs. On the backside of the equipment, you will find an FX loop along with an AUX input jack. This specific FX loop is the one that will enable you to go with the modulated-based effects.
This includes a good range of Flanger, Phasers, Chorus and Tremolo, etc. These effects could only be maximized once the system delivers the much-needed drive magic. This FX loop is also good for keeping a good check on the modulated effects while ensuring purity in the output. It will restrict them from getting muddier which could otherwise be a possibility due to the amp gain.
Just as the name of this firebrand amp head system suggests, it is fore breathing equipment that is essentially designed for gain and distortion sounds. Moreover, it is also meant to produce crank or Marshall-like metallic sounds.
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If you feel any issues with the operations, performance sound, or any other aspect of the unit then its operation guide should be maximized. You will get precise instructions to ensure that every functionality and operation is employed with its best possible potential.
Final Verdict
This Joyo Bantamp Firebrand is a powerhouse of an amp head. The package comes with the main amp head unit, one power cable, and one user guide. The brand offers this with an excellent mix of the valve and much desirable solid-state technology. This is what offers this equipment with a very clear channel along with the distortion channel of excessively high gain. The toggle switch provided in the front of the amp head is the one that allows accessing either of the channels effortlessly. The Bluetooth connectivity, the effects loop, and built-in ca speaker amp simulation are other productive features of the equipment. One real limitation is with the distortion settings.
The single preamp loses clarity in the sound with such a model. Overall, this Joyo Bantamp Firebrand Amp Head is a small but extremely powerful system that is capable enough of catering to all the needs of the guitarists who mean serious business.
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