If you’re wondering if Yamaha THR5 is a good amp or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that really cool combo. Many guitarists consider it as one of the best cheap practice amps, but is it actually that good?
The truth is that Yamaha THR5 offers a really good quality for the money. It’s suitable for all-level players and it gives you access to a wide range of different tones. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the coolest amps for home practice that you can currently find on the market.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Yamaha THR5 so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll take a close look on the specifications and the main advantages of that model. We’ll also investigate if it has any potential flaws.
Of course, the sound demos will be included as well, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds! Hopefully, this guide will help you to understand if the THR5 model is a good fit for you.
Specs & Pricing
Yamaha THR5 is a small combo suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. Thanks to the compact size and affordable price, it’s actually one of the most popular amps manufactured by Yamaha.
What makes it so special? Well, this particular combo features 10 Watts of power, Dual 3.15″ speakers and a bunch of different amp voicings and built-in effects. It uses the Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) technology, which significantly improves the guitar tone.
What’s important, this is a battery-powered amp. Of course, you can also use it with the supplied AC adapter, but if you decide to use the batteries, you can be sure that it will last up to six hours of playing. This is a big advantage, especially for those who like to perform! It’s a really good combo for busking.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not the cheapest practice amp in the world, but it’s still relatively cheap. Surely, the affordable price will be appealing even for those who are on a tight budget.
Undoubtedly, Yamaha THR5 is one of the best small modulation amps that you can possibly find on the market right now. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who are searching for a compact and reliable combo for home practice. The THR5 won’t disappoint you!
Here’s a really good video about that amp – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Yamaha THR5 is suitable for both amateur and more intermediate guitar players. It doesn’t really matter how advanced you are – you will definitely appreciate the high quality and versatility of that combo during home practice.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s a really versatile amp, so it can be used for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into rock, blues, country or metal – the THR4 model won’t disappoint you. That’s for sure!
Although this combo offers only 10 Watts of power, it can actually get pretty loud. It’s mainly designed for home practice, but you should be okay if you’d like to use it for jam sessions with an another guitarist.
Overall, Yamaha THR5 offers a really good value for the money. It’s definitely worth every cent and it seems like it’s one of the best small combos that you can find at this price level. That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages Of Yamaha THR5
Although Yamaha THR5 is generally a really good practice amp, it’s not the best amp in the world. Here’s a few things that you should be aware of before you decide to add it to your gear collection! Don’t worry though – these things aren’t too serious.
Firstly, you have to bear in mind that this is a small practice amp – it’s okay for home use, but it’s not ideal for performing or recording. Of course, it’s possible to play intimate gigs with it, but it’s not the most optimal solution.
Additionally, although this amp does a great job at creating various different tones, it will never sound like a true tube amp. Hence, if you’re searching for a vintage, touch-sensitive overdrive – this amp is not for you.
Also, once you turn the volume up to maximum, it will sound a bit worse. This combo works absolutely amazing at low and mid volumes, but it’s not the best at high volumes.
Summing up, the main disadvantages of Yamaha THR5 are:
- limited power
- it will never sound like a real tube amp
- sounds a bit worse at high volumes
But overall, it’s still a great practice amp. In my opinion, it’s definitely one of the best modeling amps that you can choose for home practice. It’s affordable and it sounds great – who needs anything else? That’s why I think that the advantages of this combo outweigh its disadvantages!
Are There Any Other Good Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Yamaha THR5 or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s totally fine! There’s quite a few other really good cheap amps that also deserve a lot of attention. Nevertheless, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend on a new piece of gear.
Here’s a few other budget practice amps that you can check out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to consider getting the Fender Frontman 10G. This is actually one of the most popular practice amps in the world. It’s designed mainly for beginners, so more advanced players may not be satisfied with its sound quality. Still, it’s cheap and it does what it’s supposed to – isn’t it all that matters?
Alternatively, you can also check out the Marshall MG10. This combo is really similar to the Frontman 10G, but it has a bit different guitar tone. Again, the MG10 is suitable mainly for amateurs, but I think that even more intermediate players will appreciate its quality during home practice sessions. It has the classic Marshall tone, so it’s perfect for rock and metal!
Additionally, you can also check out the Fender Champion 20. This amp is slightly bigger than Yamaha HTR5, but it offers even more versatility. It’s packed with a lot of different amp voicings and built-in effects, so if you want to spice up your tone and discover some new sounds, you should definitely check it out.
But as I mentioned before, Yamaha THR5 is one of the best small practice amps that you can possibly find on the market right now. I think that if you can’t afford it right now, it’s really worth it to save up some money to eventually get it. I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed!
FAQ
How loud is the Yamaha THR5?
Yamaha THR5 is loud enough to efficiently practice at home without annoying your neighbors. It’s not the loudest amp in the world, but it can also work pretty well for small jam sessions or intimate performances.
Where can I find out more about Yamaha amps?
If you’re searching for more information about Yamaha amps, you should definitely check out the official website of Yamaha.
Summary
As you can see, Yamaha THR5 is a truly amazing combo. I’m not surprised that so many guitar players choose it as their main amp for practicing at home. Considering how versatile and affordable it is, it’s definitely one of the best small amps on the market right now. That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
What do you think about that Yamaha amp? Would you add it to your gear collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re looking for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
