ART DST-830 Rules Breaker

no idea when it was made, is a very very versatile amp

ive had a mesa, marshall 5150 and at the mo i have to say that the distortion on the xtream channel is one of the best ive heard...i cvan believe how cheap this amp is !!!!!
the clean sounds are swwweeeeeet
this is the amp if you play alot of sounds

never had a prob

na

unreal, cant believe how cheap it is and how someone could say that there was not enough gain there is lo0ads!!!!!!!!! i mean it loads !!!!
so easy to use also
only bad side that if it breaks im fooked !!!! as they dont make em anymore
GET ONE !!!! THEY ARE SO CHEAP WHY WOULDNT YOU !!!!!

well,it appears that mine was one of the first thousand made..so i guess it is an early 1997 model.it has five presets and 25 effect algorithims,that you can access by a footswitch..sadly not included.

well,when i bought it in 97..i had been usind an old sears silvertone with a boss gt whatsoever pedal,and i sounded like everyone else..but when i got this sucker..WHOA. it just rocks my socks..
i play everything thru it..i can't imagine why others cannot find good clean sounds on it,as i have found it has them in abundance

well,like all gear,you have to service it eventually.the battery that holds the memory needed to be replaced,and i replaced the tube with an RCA 12AX7..and the sound was even better.never had any build issues with it..have gigged it,and toured with it,never a problem.

unfortunatly..they do take their time getting back to you.which sucks if you're in the middle of nebraska,and the thing won't remember the effects programs..

been playing for over 20 years,and it still gives me the shivers running thru it.
if it died tomorrow,i'd be fucked..plain and simple.
i'd surely find another one.

This amp has a poweramp for each speaker and was dan pierce designed. has a humbucker /single coil button for if you are playing single or humbucker. has the heaviest most distortion ever created: EXTREME distortion. no toher is this brutal. also has pretty much every effect there is. even better with the midi ultrsafoot pedal because it has a volume conrtol and you can blend in and out of youre effects. at first mine sucked, but then i awitched out the 12ax7 preamp tube with a 60's mullard and it kicks major ass. blows away marshalls and all that bullshit boutique amp crap.

the distortion is the most brutal distortion there is PERIOD. gets the best effect sounds. on some channels it sounds like the sound is coming form beahind you way oof to the sides--- basically everywhere. youll shit yourself when you hear it . it really trippy to listen to. also, has the best harmonizers/octivizers.

some people say that they have problems, well it probably because they didnt TURN OFF THE VOLUME BEFAORE THEY TURNED OFF THE AMP. it is really crucial that you do that otherwise, ... ... ... ... YOUR FUCKED!!!

i have had no problems and had this amp for 7 years. bought it new for a $1000.00< the smartest thing i have ever done>

best amp. nuff' said

I've had this amp for a while, 3 years+. I've dragged this amp all over the country playen clubs. Its very very versatile for its time.
other amp provide more OD's these days and about the same useful effects. I like how easy this amp is to program.

well, from day one i have loved this amp. i think its a great amp. People say they've had sum problems, but i have had any. man, i kinda of wonder wut they're doing to the amp. I think the amp is extremely quiet. all the OD's channels are very useful. i can get rock blues, metal, jazz i can get anything. I replaced the original pre amp tube with a mesa boogie tube, i think it really added to the tone. recently i replaced the speakers with celestion vintage 30's. that really made the amp sound amazing, but i still think the originals are great.

NO PROBLEM GOING ON 3 years+ !!!!

Great amp and they're cheap on EBAY.
i personally think its a amp that can give you all you want in a amp.
you can play it as a 2x12 or a 1x12 or 2x12 stereo. it has a preamp out to play through the computer for recording.

I got this amp used, so I'm not sure how old it is. I got it in an even trade with Music-Go-Round in Buffalo NY for a Vox Cambridge Twin. They threw in an X-11 pedal, which was good. The copyright on the manual says 1997, so the amp's no more than a few years old. There are five different preamps to select from, as well as 25 algorhythms to choose from. Switching can be done right on the control panel, or through a MIDI pedal. I play various styles, so it's got about everything I need, plus it's loud as hell! :) I had to change my underwear when I dialed in a killer rockabilly setting for my old Silvertone Meteor......

As I said, you can get some killer sounds through this amp, but I play three guitars through it, and it's a pain in my ass to dial in the right tone for each one. I could do without two mid-frequency knobs. I use it at home and playing out, and it can do both well.

This is where I wonder. After reading all the other reviews, I was worried about reliability. After 3 weeks, so far, so good. The only problem I have noticed is the little plastic window over the display is loose.

The only encounter I have had with ART is through browsing their web site, where I found out that this amp is no longer being made. It seems like others have had problems with service, but I may skew the curve - I live in Buffalo, which is only an hour down the Thruway from Rochester. Since this amp is no longer in production, I don't know how easy it would be to fix.

I've been playing almost 15 years, I own a Silvertone Meteor, Lotus Les Paul, and a highly bastardized Memphis. I really like the versatility of this amp, but the thing weighs a ton. Considering that I traded in a little Vox twin for it, I got the better end of the deal. I like the fact that it was much easier to program that I thought - I hate having to RTFM, but this one was easy.

Lots of good things on this amp. The gain is really a good distinctive blend between tube and solid state. The effects aren't too shabby either. However you do sacrafice some features. On some effects patches a reverb is unavailable. However this amp comes with ARTs own reverb which is phenomenal. The MIDI customizability is nice as well. Real time effects and their X-15 board are a nice little feature as well. There's alot on this amp that works above average in alot of categories.

It gets good sounds. It goes from a nice clean gliss to an all out growl pretty easily. The five different amplifier types are pretty good at what they're supposed to sound like. It does well at replicating but purists beware; it isn't a Twin, or a Rectifier or a BluesBreaker; it's a modeling amp. Get over it.

Here's the part that gets me. I've bought two of these used and toasted both of them within a month of buying them. I don't feel the use I gave them was abusive or something a typical amp of this wattage couldn't handle which makes me suspicious. They both would break up randomly and, as time wore on, more often. The amp is almost completely unable to be serviced locally; it pretty much HAS to go back to ART in Rochester New York. If you can find one of these that works for an extended length of time then hang onto it...and let me know how the hell you did it!

Not bad....but not great. I e-mailed them questions about MIDI and they were reasonably quick to reply. There was a couple days worth of "in-between time" which I generally find unacceptable in alot of businesses. Since I haven't sent anything to them for repair I'm unaware of what their turnaround time for that is.

This is an amp I'd love to love. After toasting the first one I was so impressed that I refused to believe I could be burned again and scouted out a second one. Apparently I was wrong. When they both worked they were furious amps that were second to none. I've never played anything quite like it. If I could find another one that I knew wouldn't break down on me or could be replaced/fixed quickly I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. However since I can't afford to be out an amp for an extended length of time I have to pass on them. The second one is currently attempting to be repaired as of this writing. I'm doubtful that they'll be successful. However if they are I'd probably use it again as my main one and keep a backup for 6 months or so until it proved itself to me.

This amp is sick, I love it!!! I have been screwing around with other combinations forever, and this is it all in a tight little unit. Only bad comments I have is 1 it could use a lighter distortion for a bluesy tone and 2 It weighs a ton. Other than that I have never got a more versatile sound with anything else.....

I play Rock so I need a spectrum of tones and sounds, this has it all but the Wa!!!!!!!

I have never had a problem with it and I have had it for over a year now!

never used it

I love it......

Please see the previous reviews for details. I gave it a "7" for three reasons. First, I do NOT believe there is enough gain. Second, the preset algorithms are goofy. Thirdly, how about a stereo return, guys? It is a stereo amp after all.

Here's the scoop. Read reviews here and thought: cool, an all purpose amp I can plug and play without connecting processors, preamps, etc. I ordered it and asked to have it sent the day I was to return from vacation. On vacation I played the head version through a stereo 4 x 12. The gain was suitable, the stereo sound was lacking. I cancelled my order. After reading the reviews I figured it must have been the cab. I re-ordered the combo.
I received the amp and sent it back the following day. Ironically, I had the opposite experience: great stereo sound, not enough gain. I don't see where the "brutal" distortion is? Don't get me wrong, if you like a very good crunch with good harmonics, this is it. But running my Boss GX-700 preamp through my Roland GC-408 or Peavey Bandit will eat this thing for breakfast.
I also didn't find the presets as usable as the other reviewers apparently did. They seemed...quirky. The lack of parameters to adjust on the effects is a major drawback but not as much of a drawback as a lack of stereo returns. This has to be the first stereo amp I have ever seen with a mono effect loop. What happened?

I can't imagine why this amp would break. Keep in mind, I had it for less than 24 hours but it is solid state. Also, some reviewers claim poor build quality. During early production, ART used an outside company to build their cabs. Not anymore. I found it to be quite rugged.

I called twice and spoke to two different people. Both were amiable. The problem is that both people figured, as I did, that this stereo amp had a stereo return. There is not. I suppose friendly is one thing; knowing your product is another.

If you don't need a really hot, violin-like, distortion, this amp may be for you. Especially if you can get one cheap. (I got mine, a like new floor model for $400). Ironically, the ART guys said they discontinued all there guitar stuff and are sticking with their pro gear. Weird since Ty Tabor's endorsement could have helped their sales.
*Email me if you want the name of the store where I bought my RulesBreaker. They probably still have the amp I returned (5/15/99).

I bought this amp used, so I'm not quite sure as to how old it is.I really wasn't looking for an amp and was just looking around, spotted it,tried it and bought it immediatly. I play a wide variety of styles, and this is the perfect amp for that. there is a vast array of sounds from crystal clean to mind warping distortion. when I tried it at the store, I played a wolfgang thru it, once home I tried my Les Paul, Charvele, and Ibanez thru it and all sounded great! the built in effects are nice, although I wish the delay parameters went a little farther. It does have a headphone jack, but unless you use the effects board (x-15) the volume will make your ears bleed! the stereo sound is great!! I have read other reviews on this, and all say about how fradgile it is, but haven't had much of a problem.

I mainly use my charvel thru it, with a h/s/h pickup configuration, and I get GREAT tones! I can really rip out the hard/metal rock, or with simple touch of peddles, go smooth and mellow. good blues tones for texas blues, although my guitars sorta make it a little tough, since all are set up for hard rock. especially get a great strat rock sound like Hendrix or Trower. I played Day of the eagle on it and sounded like the record.

this is a tough catagory for me to judge, since I always take into account what my other musician colleuges have to say. I personlly don't feel that this is the porcelin doll that the other reviews would make it out to be, but haven't really pushed the limits of road use to know. it seems durable enough to me. I am one of thos foolish types that, due to economic constraints, only take one amp, so hopefully won't run into any problems.

ahhh, here is the part that has become my MAJOR annoyance! I e-mailed this company 4 times, and never once got a reply! I had to figure everything out myself, including the x-15 peddle board, which takes a degree in rocket science to understand! couldn't get the volume and effect peddles to work. had to go to store, check new ones, and fix these based on what I saw. I did get them to work, but without any assistance from ART. THANX ART!! *&^%#$%^ !!!!

I have been playing for what seems like a lifetime, and been thru tones of diffrent amps, the last being a marshall, and I like this one the most. as I have gotten older, not better,my styles have broadened. this is the perfect amp for someone playing a wide variety of styles. the amp would be very tough to use without the x-15 board, so I guess that would be a drawback, but since I got the board and amp for $250, I guess I got a great deal. I would like to get a 4x12 cab for it, but it's really not a nessecity.

THIS THING CAN DO IT ALL. WANT A VAN HALEN SOUND GOT IT. BLUESY CLAPTON SOUND THERE IT IS. DEATH METAL SOUND ITS THERE. WHEN I PLAYED THIS IN THE MUSIC STORE I WAS SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT IT COULD DO. THE DRAWBACK HERE IS HOW TO ACCESS THESE SOUNDS. TRUTHFULLY ITS NOTE EAST AT ALL. IF FOUND IT TO BE A CONFUSING MESS AND I STILL AINT QUIT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT DOES SOUND INCREDIBLE BUT IF YOU WANT TO GO FROM A BLUESY RHYTHM WITH JUST A LITTLE DISTORTION. TO A FULL DISTORTED LEAD TONE YOU JUST CANT DO IT INSTANTLY. YOU WOULD HAVE TO STOP PLAYING DIAL UP A NEW SETTING AND THEN YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO JAM. HA, LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN. THE AMP DID HAVE THE CAPABILITIES TO BE HOOKED UP TO A BOARD OR PA SYSTEM OR WHATEVER. WHICH I LIKED. MY BIGGEST GRIPE IS THIS, IF ART WANTS THEIR AMPS TO COMPETE WITH THE COMPETITION THEY WILL HAVE TO IMPLEMENT SOME SORT OF FOOT CONTROLLER SO YOU CAN SUMMON UP THE SOUNDS YOU CREATE IN AN INSTANT.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER THE SOUND IS INCREDIBLE BEAUTIFUL. AS LONG AS YOU DONT WANT A GREAT CLEAN SOUND. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT HERE. THE DISTORTIONS GREAT, THE EFFECTS BEAUTIFUL. THE CLEAN CHANNELS PRETTY DISAPPOINTING. SERIOUSLY THEY SHOULD HAVE PUT MORE TIME INTO IMPLEMENTING NICE CLEAN SETTINGS. I PLAY ALOT OF CLEAN STUFF. AND THIS JUST AINT GOING TO CUT THE MUSTARD FOR MY MONEY.

NOW HERE I CANT HELP YOU. I DIDNT BY THE AMP BECAUSE I FELT IT WAS LIMITED. HOWEVER I DID SUBMIT AN OPINION BECAUSE I FEEL PEOPLE NEED TO HERE AN HONEST OPINION ABOUT IT IF THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT BUYING. I MEAN SOMEONE WHO JUST SHELLED OUT $900 FOR THIS THING ISNT GOING TO SAY YEAH I JUST BOUGHT A PIECE OF CRAP.

IF CLEAN TONE IS NOT WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR AND DONT NEED TO ACCESS TO SOUNDS IN AN INSTANT. IN OTHER IF JUST ONE SETTING IS ALL YOU NEED. WITH THIS AMP YOULL BE GOOD TO GO. BELIEVE THE TONE IS UNEARTHLY I LOVED IT IF IT HAD A FOOT CONTROLLER I WOULD TAKE IT HOME REGUARDLESS OF ITS LACKING IN THE CLEAN TONE DEPARTMENT. IN ALL HONESTLY IT REALLY IS IMPRESSIVE.