ROAD
TEST
BOSS Nextone Artist Guitar
Amplifier
By Omar Shabbar
F
ollowing the release of the extremely popular Katana Series
Guitar Amplifiers, BOSS recently introduced its Nextone Series
Guitar Amplifiers. Both series make use of amp modelling tech-
nology, with the Katana modelling higher-gain amps and the
Nextone modelling classic tube combos. Both series offer a
handful of amp models in one compact, light, and durable package, with
the Nextone models boasting an arsenal of genuinely convincing tube
tones loaded with tons of modern features.
Overview
The Nextone Series is currently comprised of two models: the 40-watt
Stage and 80-watt Artist, both of which include a single 12-in. speaker. I
opted for the 80 watts in hopes of keeping up with my band. Let me tell
you, this amp gets plenty loud.
The amp has a power control knob that lets you run at 0.5 watts, half-
watts (40 with the Artist, 20 with the Stage), and full. Most tube amps need
to be set at a certain volume in order to achieve that “pushed” saturated
tone that we’re looking for, though that’s often way too loud for home
use. This switch enables that desired “pushed” sound in your bedroom, in
the studio, or on stage.
The amp has a standard layout of volume (clean channel), volume
and gain (dirt channel), three EQ knobs, presence, and master volume, as
well as boost and tone buttons and an EFX loop. BOSS also adds in some
modern features like the power control knob, built-in delay and tremolo
with tap tempo, reverb, a headphone/recording out, a line out, and a USB
out that can be used in conjunction with BOSS’s free editor software to
unlock nearly infinite parameter tweakability.
Amp Models
Where the Nextone Artist really shines is in the Power Amp Select knob,
which allows you to switch between four different-sounding power amp
circuits. Now, every amp has a preamp, power amp, and speaker. The
power amp powers the amp and determines how the amp saturates and
compresses when pushed. You can feel the difference between the power
amps as they react differently to your playing. Each circuit has a clean and
drive channel and is named after the tubes used in it.
The selectable circuits are: EL84 (think Marshall); EL34 (think Vox AC30);
6V6 (think Fender Deluxe); and 6L6 (think Fender Princeton). As you may
assume, the drive channels in the first two sound great and are what I
gravitated towards first. On the other end of the spectrum, I leaned more
towards Fender power amp circuits for clean sounds.
I plugged in my trusty Telecaster and tried to recreate some tones I’m re-
ally familiar with. Princetons and Telecasters make me think of Jeff Buckley, so
I dialed in the 6L6 and a little bit of reverb. There it was: “Grace,” note for note.
Marshalls and Teles makes me think of Page; although he’s known as
a Les Paul player, he recorded a lot of Led Zeppelin records with a Tele-
caster, so I switched to the drive channel on the EL84 circuit, dialed in a
little delay, and was riffling on “Whole Lotta Love” for a good hour. Bottom
line: the amp sounds great, the tones are convincing, and above all else, I
found myself just playing, not thinking about amp settings. To me, that’s
extremely important – the gear isn’t an obstacle; it’s inspiring.
Tube Logic vs. Tube Amps
The Nextone, Katana, and Roland Blues Cube Series all use BOSS’s Tube
Logic technology, which emulates the sound and feel of a tube amp. When
I first plugged into the Nextone Artist, I was blown away by the genuine
tube tones; I thought this amp could do it all.
That said, my perception changed as soon as I fired up my Fender
Deville. There’s a feeling you get in your chest when you get real tube
amp cooking, and regardless of how I tweaked the Nextone Artist, I just
couldn’t emulate that midrange body and push that guitar players crave
when they’re hitting the chorus of their favourite tune.
In fairness, depending on how you dial in the amp, it can get pretty
close, and it still produces a wide array of amazingly rich guitar tones
that sound great; I just wouldn’t consider it a replacement for my Deville.
I should also note that the low end is pretty intense; I have the bass
knob fixed at nine o’clock.
Summary
While it may not give that same mid-range push that I’m crazy about in
tube amps, the Nextone Artist still has some stellar sounds and is less
temperamental, lighter, and offers more features than most tube combos.
Considering all of that, the price point is also very attractive.
Ultimately, in a market dominated by tube amps, BOSS has raised the
bar with the Nextone and Katana Series Guitar Amplifiers, demanding
your consideration if you’re searching for a new amp.
Omar Shabbar is a gigging musician based out of Toronto. He’s also an onsite
guitar tech at The Root Down Studio (www.therootddownstudio.com) and a
self-proclaimed gear head. In the rapidly changing industry of modern guitar
gear, Omar attempts to discern innovation from distraction. Check out his
YouTube channel, featuring dozens of gear reviews and performance clips, at
YouTube.com/OmarGearReview.
CANADIAN MUSICIAN 23