THD Blues 410 Combo

This is a review of an amp I don't own anymore (though I do own other THD products).

Pretty much the same as the Plexi series, which, aside from the obvious volume and tone controls and on/off/standby switches, it boasted the voltage selector (a little more handy with the Plexis), Triode/Pentode selector (I think it had this), and tube buffered fx loop. Featurewise, this and the rock n roll Plexis are the exact same amp, other than cosmetic differences. This amp is a tweed covered 4x10 (along with "Fender Bassman"-style THD logo), and my current THD (the 2x10 Plexi) looks pretty much like a Type-O amp, with the "narrow panel" front cabinet width, and modern logo (like one of their current cabinets with an amp chassis dropped into the top).

Again, for what it is (and the market these amps are sold in), this is a pretty feature laden amp, if only for the internal "variac" and fx loop. The loop can be used as a footswitchable gain boost (since it is a tube gain stage, really), but I really didn't like that sound much. I thought it sounded a little loose and out of control. You're much better off with a stompbox into the front end. And trust me, there are plenty of great sounding overdrives, fuzzes and distortions on the market that work great with these amps. Then again, if you playin blues (like I'm not most of the time), you don't need no stinkin stopmbox. But I do (sorry). I like a wide variety of tones at my disposal, and not necessarily just subtle shades of the same thing (though I spend plenty of time there too).

Okay, so it's not exactly a modeling amp, or even a UniValve. But for what it's intended for, it's got everything anyone who would be interested in such an amp would ever need (probably the best way to put it). Though, next to a UniValve, I'd probably rate it a "5".

This is where the THD Tweed and Plexi models really differ. Both have the same kind of input jumpering already built in (so what the unused channel's volume does affects the other). But, well, mainly it's just the the "Blues" (tweed) is just that, made pretty much for blues and country applications (and maybe classic rock cover bands). A bit warmer than the Plexi (which can be very bright if you're not careful), it excels in very swampy, bluesy sounds. It doesn't (at least to my ears) sound just like an old 50's Fender 4x10 Bassman with blue Jensens, but it's close enough for all practical purposes. Really, it's ideal for getting the SRV sound as heard on "Family Style" (w/brother Jimmie V.) if you have a good Strat with good pickups, or many many old 70's ZZ Top stuff, like "Blue Jean Blues".

Every time I give it the "bassman" test (i.e. play things that I KNOW what they sound like on a Fender, low end response, etc), it performs exactly, but I still felt there was something keeping this amp from being as open as it could be, like it was just slightly hamstrung. I sent many e-mails to Andy Marshall about this, asking questions to hopefully get it pumpin just a little more. He was convinced it was the THD reactive rectifier that was causing what I didn't like. Though, I never did mess with that, and ended up selling the amp back to the guy I bought it from (miracle of miracles). This was back when I was looking for just one "be all, end all" amp to cover all my needs. Now, I A/B between my current THD Plexi for crunch and leads, and a nice little Fender 2x10 combo for clean sounds (and Boogie/Dumble type leads sounds with an overdrive pedal). Basically, the difference is that the "Blues" gets a nice old texture, from sweet to rough, rude, and gnarly "oil and gasoline" stained sounds, whereas the "Plexi" goes completely over the top and does backflips through my studio monitors.

I just know this amp is somebody's "10", but it's just not mine. The Plexi is, especially when miked for some reason. Really, I'd love to keep one of these on hand, just so I could occasionally get that swampy tone, but I couldn't justify spending the money again just so I could have that one sound that I liked. Yes, the Plexi is really a "one sound" amp as well, but for some reason I can turn that one sound into a million, and with the "Blues" just a few. But I will say, they are a few well-done tones.

Watch those 10" THD speakers, even in the 4x10. I think the reason one of mine went was that one guy who borrowed my amp, who plays both guitar and keys (I thought he was playing a guitar gig), ended up running his keyboards through it, using it as a sort of onstage monitor. It didn't blow on the gig, but a day later, with me playing my guitar through it, practicing in my bedroom. I think most should be problem free on the 4x10s (the 2x10 plexi has had the most problems with speakers blowing), so, the moral of this story is, when using an amp with THD speakers, don't let keyboard players use your amp.

Very attentive and responsive, and with the number of Hotplates and UniValves they've sold so far (already greatly surpassing that of their earlier years of combo amp production), you've have to know that some days they've got to be completely innundated with questions, information and schematic requests, comments, artist relations issues, and general innane banter. But, so far I've heard no one fuming online, "I e-mailed THD, and Andy was a total dick, man!". Even with everybody up their butt all day long, they somehow manage to never be short with anyone. Quite a feat, especially considering that this is a BUSINESS - they don't give away amps out of the kindness of their heart, they sell amps so that they can live and eat (and God willing, have at least a half-ass decent car to drive them around - this is America, you know). All that said, there is no greater customer support than what you'll find at THD. Even if they made a real clunker, this area will always get a solid "10" in my book.

All things considered, this is really a great amp. I might even still have it if the speaker hadn't blown and I had the reacive rectifier situation straightened out. Though, I do still have to say, I still very much prefer my THD Plexi, which is actually (I think) pretty much the same amp as the Type-"O". And I can't really comment on how this amp (or mine) compares to the Bi- and Uni-Valves, as I've never played either. But, after having this amp, I might consider investing (in the future) in a Uni-Valve, or maybe even a Bi-Valve, just to keep around the studio. Since this studio (even though it has ultra-professional equipment) is still inside a residential house (though soundproofed), a Uni, combined with maybe a Randall speaker enclosure box, would probably be ideal for late-night blasting, so as to not keep anyone else in the house awake.

But when it's all said and done, I can't say I really favor (for instance) a Victoria 4x10 model over the THD. I guess I just don't really like exact Bassman copies except for just a few things. They're good for ANY style of blues, whether that be boogie-woogie, house-rockin, jump/swing, Texas, Chicago, L.A., or even English blues (though you may get a more authentic "English blues" sound with a Marshall Bluesbreaker, if you just have to have it "exactly"). But I do maybe TWO blues numbers a night, and my other amps MORE than deliver that pulse-pounding, neo-psychedelic flair that the "Blues" just didn't get. And with a little more volume and pedals, my other amps cover ALL the bases. I mean, it just doesn't sound right playing Deep Purple or Van Halen covers through a Bassman (for example), if you catch my drift. Not to mention some of the originals we do. So, bottom line, this is someone else's dream amp. If you find one for reasonable money, they're definitely worth it. If you play one of the aforementioned styles, snag it for sure.