The HT Venue line has a tube amp to suit every performance situation from the studio to the stage. For the first time, authentic ‘boutique’ cleans and super high gain overdrives are combined, in this innovative and highly portable tube amp line.
HT Studio 20 – 2 channels (1x12” combo or head)
The HT Studio 20 offers huge versatility for home, rehearsal or studio use. The carefully voiced preamp coupled with a cathode-biased EL34 power amp, provides the user with the ability to create wonderfully lush tube tones. From pure ‘boutique’ cleans, to mild overdrive that cleans up by backing off the guitar volume control, up to highly saturated distortion, this amp does it all.
Specs:
• 20 Watt valve combo
• 2xECC83, 2xEL34
• Two footswitchable channels
• 12˝ Celestion speaker (On Combo)
• Enhanced tone controls
• Unique Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Master volume
• Digital reverb
• Speaker emulated output
• Effects loop
• 1-way footswitch included
US Retail: $749.99 (combo)
US Retail: $629.99 (head)
HT Club 40 – 2 channels, 4 modes of operation
Equipped with 2 channels and 4 modes the HT Club 40 is the ideal gigging tube amp for club sized venues. The 40W EL34 driven power amplifier has amazing punch and dynamics that will easily cut through in a full band situation. The ‘boutique’ style clean channel is extremely versatile with two modes – ‘British Class-A’ and ‘dynamic US’. Switching to the amazing ISF equipped overdrive channel accesses a further two modes – ‘classic crunch’ and ‘super saturated lead’. With Celestion speakers, reverb, emulated output and effects loop this amplifier will set a new standard for flexible, gigging tube combos.
Specs:
• 40 Watt valve combo
• 2xECC83, 2xEL34
• Two footswitchable channels
• 12˝ Celestion speaker
• Enhanced tone controls
• Unique Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Clean Voice switch
• Overdrive Voice switch
• Master volume
• Digital reverb with dark/bright switch
• Speaker emulated output
• Effects loop
• 2-way footswitch included
US Retail: $879.99
HT Soloist 60 – 2 channels, 4 modes of operation
The ultimate compact gigging amp for players who want the power to handle larger venues but in a 1x12 combo format. The HT Soloist has two channels and four modes which are augmented by an additional footswitchable solo boost. The solo boost will add up to 10dB of level boost and can be used in conjunction with the Body switch for fat, singing leads. The ‘boutique’ style clean channel is extremely versatile with two modes – ‘British Class-A’ and ‘dynamic US’, while the overdrive channel has ‘classic’ and ‘super high gain lead’ voices. Built to last, this combo comes fully equipped with a Celestion speaker a reverb, advanced emulated output, 4-way footswitch and effects loop.
Specs:
• 60 Watt valve combo
• 2xECC83, 2xEL34
• Two footswitchable channels
• 12˝ Celestion speaker
• Enhanced tone controls
• Unique Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Clean Voice switch
• Overdrive Voice switch
• Footswitchable solo boost with body switch
• Presence
• Master volume
• Digital reverb with dark/bright switch
• Speaker emulated output with 1x12/4x12 voicing
• Effects loop with effects level switch
• 4-way footswitch included
US Retail: $999.99
HT Stage 60 – 3 channels, 6 modes of operation
The HT Stage 60’s selected duet of EL34s deliver 60W of glorious tube power through two high quality Celestion speakers, making for a combo that will deliver every night, even in the most testing live environment. The ‘boutique’ style clean channel is extremely versatile with two modes – ‘British Class-A’ and ‘dynamic US’. Each of the two ISF equipped overdrive channels allows a further two modes. OD1 has a ‘classic’ or ‘modern crunch’ mode and OD2 has a ‘standard’ or ‘super high gain lead’ mode. This no-compromise workhorse is fully equipped with Celestion speakers, reverb, advanced emulated output, 4-way footswitch and effects loop.
Specs:
• 60 Watt valve combo
• 2xECC83, 1xECC82, 2xEL34
• Three footswitchable channels
• 2x12˝ Celestion speaker
• Enhanced tone controls
• Patent-Applied-For Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Clean Voice switch
• Overdrive 1 Voiceswitch
• Overdrive 2 Voice switch
• Presence
• Resonance
• Master volume
• Digital reverb with dark/bright switch
• Speaker emulated output with 1x12/4x12 voicing
• Effects loop with effects level switch
• 4-way footswitch included
US Retail: $1129.99
HT Stage 100 – 3 channels, 6 modes of operation
The HT Stage 100 uses a quartet of selected EL34 power tubes to deliver 100W of British dynamics with 3 channels delivering 6 modes for amazing tonal versatility. The ‘boutique’ style clean channel has two modes – ‘British Class A’ and ‘dynamic US’. Each of the two ISF equipped overdrive channels accesses a further two modes. OD1 has a ‘classic’ or ‘modern crunch’ mode and OD2 has a ‘standard’ or ‘super high gain lead’ mode. This no-compromise workhorse is fully equipped with reverb, emulated output, 4-way footswitch and effects loop.
Specs:
• 100 Watt valve head
• 2xECC83, 1xECC82, 4xEL34
• Three footswitchable channels
• Enhanced tone controls
• Unique Infinite Shape Feature (ISF)
• Clean Voice switch
• Overdrive 1 Voice switch
• Overdrive 2 Voice switch
• Presence
• Resonance
• Master volume
• Digital reverb with dark/bright switch
• Speaker emulated output with1x12/4x12 voicing
• Effects loop with effects level switch
• 4-way footswitch included
US Retail: $1069.99
For more information:
Blackstar
Nineties-style high-gain heaviness that can be surgically tailored with a powerful EQ.
Excellent variations on high-gain modern distortion tones. Powerful EQ.
Not many low- or mid-gain sounds here.
$199
JHS Hard Drive
jhspedals.com
JHS makes many great and varied overdrive stomps. Their Pack Rat is a staple on one of my boards, and I can personally attest to the quality of their builds. The new Hard Drive has been in the works since as far back as 2016, when Josh Scott and his staff were finishing off workdays by jamming on ’90s hard rock riffs.
During these sessions, Scott’s go-to pedal was the Ibanez SM7 Smash Box. He realized that JHS had never offered anything along those lines, conferred with his then lead engineer, Cliff Smith, and the wheels were set in motion. Over several years of design, the Hard Drive evolved from an SM7 homage to a unique, original circuit.
JHS’ Hardest to Date
The Hard Drive’s control panel is streamlined, consisting of knobs for volume, mid frequency, drive, bass, middle, and treble. Driven by cascading gain stages, the Hard Drive can cop a wide range of modern distorted tones. Even at the lowest drive settings, the Hard Drive simmers, delivering massive bottom end on muted power chords. Nudging the drive up very slightly transforms the Hard Drive into a roaring Marshall JCM 900. And if you bring the drive all the way up, you’re in for all out chaos. Even with an amp set just louder than bedroom levels, the Hard Drive, with its volume at just 11 o’clock, is very loud and in-your-face. You don’t have to work hard to imagine how this could sound and feel like multiple stacks raging at Madison Square Garden in the context of a recorded track.
Even at the lowest drive settings, the Hard Drive simmers, delivering massive bottom end.
Zoning the Frequencies
Unlike some heavy pedals that concern themselves with mega-gain and little else, the Hard Drive’s EQ controls are very effective and powerful. Moving the treble knob from 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock changes the pedal’s tone and response characteristics completely, opening up and transforming the naturally relatively dark sound of my Fender Super Sonic amp. Turning the treble knob all the way off with the bass and mid knobs at noon gives me a vocal lead tone that’s creamy, warm, and still immediate and responsive.
The middle and mid frequency controls work in tandem. The mid control itself works as a cut or boost. The mid frequency control, however, lets you choose the specific frequency you cut or boost. I found these controls invaluable for sculpting tones that could leverage the copious gain without being abrasive. Meanwhile, adding more high midrange lends clarity to complex chords.
The Verdict
The Hard Drive is an unapologetically heavy pedal—if you’re looking for a dirt box that can double as a clean boost, well, the Hard Drive is not that. It’s meant to slay with gain, and it performs this task well and with a vengeance. There are countless dirt boxes on the market that deliver hot rodded, ’80s-style brown sound. Fewer cater to the subsequent generations of high-gain players that used the ’80s as a mere jumping-off point. The Hard Drive is very much voiced for this strain of heavy music. If that’s your jam, the Hard Drive is hard to beat.
Tailored for Yngwie Malmsteen's signature sound, the MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive is designd to offer simple controls for maximum impact.
Working closely alongside Yngwie, the MXR design team created a circuit that delivers clarity, expressive dynamics, and rich harmonics—all perfectly tailored for his light-speed arpeggios, expressive vibrato, and big, bold riffs. The control setup is simple, with just Level and Gain knobs.
"Want to sound like Yngwie? Crank both knobs to the max."
“This pedal is the culmination of 45+ years developing a sound that’s perfect in every possible way,” Yngwie says. “I present to you: the MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive. Prepare to be amazed.”
MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive highlights:
- Perfectly tailored for Yngwie Malmsteen's signature sound and style
- Simple control setup tuned for maximum impact
- Boost every nuance with superior clarity, expressive dynamics, and rich harmonics
- Dig into light-speed arpeggios, expressive vibrato, and big, bold riffs
The MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive is available now at $129.99 street/$185.70 MSRP from your favorite retailer.
For more information, please visit jimdunlop.com.
Voltage Cable Company's new Voltage Vintage Coil 30-foot guitar cable is now protected with ISO-COAT technology to provide unsurpassed reliability.
The new coiled cables are available in four eye-grabbing retro colors – Surf Green, Electric Blue, Orange and Caramel – as well as three standard colors: Black, White and Red. There is also a CME exclusive “Chicago Cream” color on the way.
Guitarists can choose between three different connector configurations: straight/straight plugs, right angle/straight and right angle/right angle options.
The Voltage Vintage Coil offers superior sound quality and durability thanks to ISO-COAT treatment, a patent-pending hermetic seal applied to solder terminations. This first-of-its-kind airtight seal prevents corrosion and oxidization, a known factor in cable failure and degradation. ISO-COAT protected cables are for guitarists who value genuine lifetime durability and consistent tone throughout their career on stage and in the studio.
Voltage cables are hand made by qualified technical engineers using the finest components available and come with a lifetime warranty.
Voltage Vintage Coil features include:
- Lifetime guarantee, 1000+ gig durability
- ISO-COAT treatment - corrosion & oxidization resistant cable internals
- Strengthened structural integrity of solder terminations
Voltage Vintage Coils carry $89.00 USD pricing each and are available online at voltagecableco.com, as well as in select guitar stores in North America, Australia, Thailand, UK, Belgium and China.
About Voltage Cable: Established in 2021, Voltage Cable Co. is a family owned and operated guitar cable company based in Sydney, Australia. All their cables are designed to be played, and built for a lifetime. The company’s ISO-COAT is a patent pending hermetic seal applied to solder terminations.
Featuring dual-engine processing, dynamic room modeling, and classic mic/speaker pairings, this pedal delivers complete album-ready tones for rock and metal players.
Built on powerful dual‑engine processing and world‑class UAD modeling, ANTI 1992 High Gain Amp gives guitarists the unmistakable sound of an original "block letter" Peavey 5150 amplifier* – the notorious 120‑watt tube amp monster that fueled more than three decades of modern metal music, from Thrash and Death Metal, to Grunge, Black Metal, and more.
"With UAFX Dream, Ruby, Woodrow, and Lion amp emulators, we recreated four of the most famous guitar amps ever made," says UA Sr. Product Manager Tore Mogensen. "Now with ANTI, we're giving rock and metal players an authentic emulation of this punishing high gain amp – with the exact mic/speaker pairings and boost/noise gate effects that were responsible for some of the most groundbreaking modern metal tones ever captured."
Key Features:
- A complete emulation of the early '90s 120‑watt tone monster that defined new genres of modern metal
- Powerful UAFX dual-engine delivers the most authentic emulation of the amp ever placed in a stompbox
- Complete album‑ready sounds with built‑in noise gate, TS‑style overdrive, and TC‑style preamp boost
- Groundbreaking Dynamic Room Modeling derived from UA's award-winning OX Amp Top Box
- Six classic mic/speaker pairings used on decades of iconic metal and hard rock records
- Professional presets designed by the guitarists of Tetrarch, Jeff Loomis, and The Black Dahlia Murder
- UAFX mobile app lets you access hidden amp tweaks and mods, choose overdrive/boost, tweak noise gate, recall and archive your presets, download artist presets, and more
- Timeless UA design and craftsmanship, built to last decades
For more information, please visit uaudio.com.