The LT25 is my living room amp for electric guitars and for acoustics I use Fender's AC40. For the price it is GREAT. It gives a nice range of presets, and you can create your own presets. My only real issue is that (for me) I find creating your presets to be a pain in the rear. It's worth it if you don't have any pedals, but if you do have some basic pedals you can just use the standard presets and color them with those. As for looks, some like the all black and modern look, and others prefer a more retro look. Me? I am fine with either. I prefer retro (as the AC40 is) but I have them both. My living room setup has the LT25 on the floor, and the AC40 on a stand, with my pedal-board leaning between them and can be used without moving anything. I don't use my feet to switch and stay with my "choices" throughout a song, so no need to manipulate with my feet. Are there better amps, and even better modeling amps? Sure. But are they so much better at the PRICE RANGE? I don't think so. It's why I purchased it years ago, and it has stood the test of time. It does what "I" want and need it to do.... realistically. So many people think they need more, or have to have more, but they don't. Get more, by all means.... but... this is one more than adequate little amp. Cheers!
What actually sold me on this amp is the aesthetics of it. The LT25 has a modern, plain look. I hate the vintage look that is in style, with antique grills, and material coverings. The handle is comfortably recessed into the body as are the dials, so there is nothing jutting out. Fits in a small space and makes a large sound and looks *modern*.
Great little amp for around the house. Have had one for 4 years or so and it is still something I plug into a lot. I'm not a computer guy, but the ability to set up your own presets is really fun. You can find them for the cheap right now. Are there better, yes but for the house it just works.thanks
Hi Rick, I had one for the last 5 years. Great little, easy, versatile amp for a quick plug in and play. I did end up selling mine just a few months ago. I’ve got a Katana for around the house now. Still love my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but not always practical. I’m currently on the hunt for a good amp for my archtop hollow body.
@@rickd-guitar has a bigger and better speaker. Way less presets. Easier to dial in a tone on the amp, but still incredibly flexible and versatile once plugged into the software. Better platform for pedals too. I’d say I prefer it.
After 1.5y of using mine I still like it. However, since I recently bought a looper I wish it had an FX loop. So now I not only bought the looper but also 2 overdrives, delay & reverb... What's cool about it is the ease of recording via USB, that it sounds good (although I find myself using the same few sounds all the time when practicing), and that it doesn't break the bank.
Yes the ease of recording and mostly being able to adjust the presets on the computer screen are something I missed with the LT25 when going to the GTX100. The GTX100 wants you to use a phone/tablet app through it's buggy Bluetooth system but it does have USB for recording and also XLR outputs for running into a USB audio interface... which might just be the better thing to buy for a lot of people over the LT25 unless they really need the portability. If you use a computer and especially if it's already connected to some halfway decent speakers just buying something like a Universal Audio or Focusrite USB interface and downloading a free amp sim like Tonocracy may be the way to go. I bought a Volt2 for recording but also enjoy just playing through it, can pretty much get any sound you want.
I have a GT40s I bought years ago. I like the small form factor and that it is stereo. The resale value sucked so I ended up keeping it, but you may want to look used market for a great deal. Good for low volume, but really not something to gig with. It has all of the effects that you will ever need which may be a rabbit hole for new players. It is a modeler, and sounds like one. Internally it uses the same cpu as a midrange cell phone of the day. It is probably built using embedded linux or android, this makes it much easier for a product to support wifi and bluetooth, but the software layer adds a bit of latency. I measured about the same latency as my tuned linux based computer. I never made a video on this one, I am not a fan of modelers in general and did not want to deal with the 'modelers are perfect crowd'. As an engineer that knows how these things work, and the compromises made, it is frustrating. The best analogy i came up with is modelers are like a picture of the Mona Lisa. Maybe a print is good enough but is not the same as the original.
I've owned a GT40 for around two years. Sold it off recently simply because the speakers really hold it back if you want sounds outside of the fender tone. There are people out there that have swapped out the speaker, but for the price of upgrading just the speakers you can just sell the GT40 and buy up an ID:Core v4 20 (or just a 10) or get a used katana 50 mk II. the ID:Core v4 10 sounds miles better than the GT40
Hi Rick. I almost bought one of these and still might because I am a champion of small amps. I don't think I would regret buying it. Seems to be a lot of amp in a small package with a lot of features for not much mula. I also like the Behringer 20 har, the Vox Pathfinder 10, or if you need tubes the Stage Right 5 watt model. However you will need some pedals with these. The Mustang has that built in. Nice review Rick, take care.
Whats would be the difference in this amp and the fender champion 2 25watt besides the computer side of things? Im new and looking for my forst amp. I like country music and heavy rock/metal so im on both side of the spectrum i think.
The are more amp options on this amp then the Champion. Also more effects. Looks like you could get both a cleaner country tone as well as some overdriven heavy tones on the champion. Either a good option for a first amp.
@@rickd-guitar thank you. I just ordered the LT25 for the pre-built-in sound effects. Seeing as I'm new and want to be able to pick different effects without having a true understanding of everything yet.
If you play metal no. Save 100 more and buy the katana 50mk2. There cheaper now. I had the lt25 and it was nice but sucked for metal. My fualt yeah, newb mistake but then i got the katana and agyer a while in the tone studio messing with the eq i can do alot with it and have all the distortion i need. Katana is by far the best cheap amp in my opinion. It comes with all of bosses pedals and effects built in and has downloadabke sneaky amps thru 3rd party sites and there sweet. I like the mesa dual rec sneaky amp the best.
I was thinking, one could try this, put more money towards a better guitar and put $50 towards a portable headphone amp that you can get all the sounds and also can be hook to a speaker if you want others to hear it and in the future when these little amps get better just replace it with another $50 and keep your good guitar for life.
The LT25 is my living room amp for electric guitars and for acoustics I use Fender's AC40. For the price it is GREAT. It gives a nice range of presets, and you can create your own presets. My only real issue is that (for me) I find creating your presets to be a pain in the rear. It's worth it if you don't have any pedals, but if you do have some basic pedals you can just use the standard presets and color them with those.
As for looks, some like the all black and modern look, and others prefer a more retro look. Me? I am fine with either. I prefer retro (as the AC40 is) but I have them both. My living room setup has the LT25 on the floor, and the AC40 on a stand, with my pedal-board leaning between them and can be used without moving anything. I don't use my feet to switch and stay with my "choices" throughout a song, so no need to manipulate with my feet.
Are there better amps, and even better modeling amps? Sure. But are they so much better at the PRICE RANGE? I don't think so. It's why I purchased it years ago, and it has stood the test of time. It does what "I" want and need it to do.... realistically. So many people think they need more, or have to have more, but they don't. Get more, by all means.... but... this is one more than adequate little amp.
Cheers!
Cool! Thanks for sharing.
What actually sold me on this amp is the aesthetics of it. The LT25 has a modern, plain look. I hate the vintage look that is in style, with antique grills, and material coverings. The handle is comfortably recessed into the body as are the dials, so there is nothing jutting out. Fits in a small space and makes a large sound and looks *modern*.
I agree on all your points. Thanks for sharing.
Great little amp for around the house. Have had one for 4 years or so and it is still something I plug into a lot. I'm not a computer guy, but the ability to set up your own presets is really fun. You can find them for the cheap right now. Are there better, yes but for the house it just works.thanks
Hi Rick, I had one for the last 5 years. Great little, easy, versatile amp for a quick plug in and play. I did end up selling mine just a few months ago. I’ve got a Katana for around the house now. Still love my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but not always practical. I’m currently on the hunt for a good amp for my archtop hollow body.
How does the Katana compare?
@@rickd-guitar has a bigger and better speaker. Way less presets. Easier to dial in a tone on the amp, but still incredibly flexible and versatile once plugged into the software. Better platform for pedals too. I’d say I prefer it.
Thanks for posting a follow up. It’s always good to get as much info as possible before making a purchase decision. Appreciate your contribution.
After 1.5y of using mine I still like it. However, since I recently bought a looper I wish it had an FX loop. So now I not only bought the looper but also 2 overdrives, delay & reverb...
What's cool about it is the ease of recording via USB, that it sounds good (although I find myself using the same few sounds all the time when practicing), and that it doesn't break the bank.
Yes the ease of recording and mostly being able to adjust the presets on the computer screen are something I missed with the LT25 when going to the GTX100. The GTX100 wants you to use a phone/tablet app through it's buggy Bluetooth system but it does have USB for recording and also XLR outputs for running into a USB audio interface... which might just be the better thing to buy for a lot of people over the LT25 unless they really need the portability. If you use a computer and especially if it's already connected to some halfway decent speakers just buying something like a Universal Audio or Focusrite USB interface and downloading a free amp sim like Tonocracy may be the way to go. I bought a Volt2 for recording but also enjoy just playing through it, can pretty much get any sound you want.
I am with you on the looper aspect. An effects loop would be a nice addition. I might mess with my looper more. Thanks for posting!
I have a GT40s I bought years ago. I like the small form factor and that it is stereo. The resale value sucked so I ended up keeping it, but you may want to look used market for a great deal. Good for low volume, but really not something to gig with. It has all of the effects that you will ever need which may be a rabbit hole for new players. It is a modeler, and sounds like one.
Internally it uses the same cpu as a midrange cell phone of the day. It is probably built using embedded linux or android, this makes it much easier for a product to support wifi and bluetooth, but the software layer adds a bit of latency. I measured about the same latency as my tuned linux based computer. I never made a video on this one, I am not a fan of modelers in general and did not want to deal with the 'modelers are perfect crowd'. As an engineer that knows how these things work, and the compromises made, it is frustrating. The best analogy i came up with is modelers are like a picture of the Mona Lisa. Maybe a print is good enough but is not the same as the original.
I've owned a GT40 for around two years. Sold it off recently simply because the speakers really hold it back if you want sounds outside of the fender tone. There are people out there that have swapped out the speaker, but for the price of upgrading just the speakers you can just sell the GT40 and buy up an ID:Core v4 20 (or just a 10) or get a used katana 50 mk II.
the ID:Core v4 10 sounds miles better than the GT40
Hi Rick. I almost bought one of these and still might because I am a champion of small amps. I don't think I would regret buying it. Seems to be a lot of amp in a small package with a lot of features for not much mula. I also like the Behringer 20 har, the Vox Pathfinder 10, or if you need tubes the Stage Right 5 watt model. However you will need some pedals with these. The Mustang has that built in. Nice review Rick, take care.
Thanks. I like that with small amps I can play at a low volume and still get the same tones. Appreciate your post.
Whats would be the difference in this amp and the fender champion 2 25watt besides the computer side of things? Im new and looking for my forst amp. I like country music and heavy rock/metal so im on both side of the spectrum i think.
The are more amp options on this amp then the Champion. Also more effects. Looks like you could get both a cleaner country tone as well as some overdriven heavy tones on the champion. Either a good option for a first amp.
@@rickd-guitar thank you. I just ordered the LT25 for the pre-built-in sound effects. Seeing as I'm new and want to be able to pick different effects without having a true understanding of everything yet.
@ hit me up if you have any questions.
@rickd-guitar will do. I'll sub so I don't lose you in the weeds. Just checked out one of your videos and the quality overall is clean. Keep it up
thanks for the sub and feedback. Appreciate it!!
If you play metal no. Save 100 more and buy the katana 50mk2. There cheaper now. I had the lt25 and it was nice but sucked for metal. My fualt yeah, newb mistake but then i got the katana and agyer a while in the tone studio messing with the eq i can do alot with it and have all the distortion i need. Katana is by far the best cheap amp in my opinion. It comes with all of bosses pedals and effects built in and has downloadabke sneaky amps thru 3rd party sites and there sweet. I like the mesa dual rec sneaky amp the best.
Thanks for commenting. The Katana looks pretty versatile. Maybe I need to get my hands on one. 😎
Sounds just fine for metal.
I am looking to buy the LT25. What footswitch do i need? Is the fender 2 buttons ok? (Ch select / effects)
Only the single button foot switch will work. amzn.to/4emgyMg
Decibels?
Not sure what you are asking?
How loud is the volume, which is usually measured in decibels
@@mine_all_the_time0793 I don’t know. I haven’t cranked it all the way up to measure the decibels. It’s pretty loud for only 25 Watts.
$100 used from GC and worth every cent
Well played! Used is the way to go.
I was thinking, one could try this, put more money towards a better guitar and put $50 towards a portable headphone amp that you can get all the sounds and also can be hook to a speaker if you want others to hear it and in the future when these little amps get better just replace it with another $50 and keep your good guitar for life.
I like it!