Shoot Out The Lights: Bartel vs Lazy J10 vs Two Rock - A LONG Review

Wazmeister

Hattigol

Waz, your reviews are legendary and I love them. Thanks for doing them. They are inimitable. 

But, in your own words, you are selling the 'most versatile and the best' amp of the three?

Wazmeister

Hattigol said:

Waz, your reviews are legendary and I love them. Thanks for doing them. They are inimitable. 

But, in your own words, you are selling the 'most versatile and the best' amp of the three?

It’s looking that way mate, although not decided really yet. The problem is one has to go… the other two are keepers…

Wazmeister

PS no matter how many times you proof read, typos and spelling mistakes are always found after publication!!

Moe_Zambeek

I knew the Bartel was going almost as soon as you bought it, there was a ghostly caveat in everything you wrote about it, a hint of regret 

I’d do the same in your position, lot of money to have in a single amp; IMO it has to be the one and only to justify that cost.

How are they with pedals?

I do love that mint suede, so 80s dumble.

Wazmeister

Moe_Zambeek said:

I knew the Bartel was going almost as soon as you bought it, there was a ghostly caveat in everything you wrote about it

I’d do the same in your position, lot of money to have in a single amp; IMO it has to be the one and only to justify that cost.

How are they with pedals?

I do love that mint suede, so 80s dumble.

The Bartel, like the Redplates, doesn’t need pedals ! That being said, they have taken every pedal I have thrown at them really well indeed.

Batman-GMT

Great stuff! 

fenderman1

Great review Waz, I’m very familiar with the Two Rock & Lazy J both excellent amps. There’s something about the Js organic nature that is addictive to play  also the blue will sound much better with a few hours on it  

tone1

Thanks Waz….We all love your reviews! I’ve wanted a J20 since forever, but they’ve always been a bit much (of everything) for my lowly home playing. I’ve settled for the poor man’s Lazyj in the form of a Cornell Romany Plus…So a J10 seemed the perfect solution. 

My thoughts are….if I desired an amp of the best quality/sound/versatility etc, and I could justify & afford the outlay, then whether I spent over £3K or £4K I would want to keep the best one for me. I wouldn’t like  to think I’d spent £3k on something I wasn’t truly happy with knowing what I really wanted was possible.

I think I’ve probably hit my ceiling of bang for buck, in that the Romany is more than enough in terms of quality for me…..I would absolutely adore a J10 but at £3,200 it’s a little out of my league I guess, as I’d sound similar to me playing through the Romany and I’d resent the fact I’d spent that much for very little gain…

Having said that, I do love your approach of slowly trading your way up to the big guns…..

garfy

Thanks for taking the time to create such an in depth review..the choices there are really mind blowing..I've not personally played a Bartel but going on all the comments within this forum alone, its a classic. The TR & Lazy J are both incredible choices and certainly top in their class for what they bring to the table imho..

good luck mate

idiotwindow

Coda stopped listing Bartel on their website a few weeks ago – I don't know if it means they won't be stocking them again in the future but something to bear in mind in terms of UK availability. 

I'm not sure why so much is made of the cost of these amps. Quality stuff costs money and I don't think £4k or so is all that much in today's world for something that could last decades. People routinely spend £1000+ on Apple gadgets that are often landfill within a few years.

The Two-Rock certainly looks good. Does it sound good when played at genuine home volumes? I'm a bit wary about the idea of 35W at home but if it has an effective master volume.

prlgmnr

The underlying message I'm getting from all this is that Redplate amps probably offer the best value for money?

bertie

idiotwindow said:

 
 . People routinely spend £1000+ on Apple gadgets that are often landfill within a few years.

 

and £10k on a push-bike to use at the week-ends

fretfinder

Nice review Waz and a good sales pitch for the Bartel.  

I’ve never heard anyone say their Lazy J is ‘humble’ and ‘recognises’ pickup changes though!

Good luck with the decision-making as it seems they’re all great amps. Or you could just sell all three and start again?  

Wazmeister

fretfinder said:

Nice review Waz and a good sales pitch for the Bartel.  

I’ve never heard anyone say their Lazy J is ‘humble’ and ‘recognises’ pickup changes though!

Good luck with the decision-making as it seems they’re all great amps. Or you could just sell all three and start again?  

 I don't think I need a sale pitch for the Bartel. to be honest. Amazing amps, truly...

I think I'm sorted for a wee while now; mind you, we've all said that a few times !

Wazmeister

tone1 said:

Thanks Waz….We all love your reviews! I’ve wanted a J20 since forever, but they’ve always been a bit much (of everything) for my lowly home playing. I’ve settled for the poor man’s Lazyj in the form of a Cornell Romany Plus…So a J10 seemed the perfect solution. 

My thoughts are….if I desired an amp of the best quality/sound/versatility etc, and I could justify & afford the outlay, then whether I spent over £3K or £4K I would want to keep the best one for me. I wouldn’t like  to think I’d spent £3k on something I wasn’t truly happy with knowing what I really wanted was possible.

I think I’ve probably hit my ceiling of bang for buck, in that the Romany is more than enough in terms of quality for me…..I would absolutely adore a J10 but at £3,200 it’s a little out of my league I guess, as I’d sound similar to me playing through the Romany and I’d resent the fact I’d spent that much for very little gain…

Having said that, I do love your approach of slowly trading your way up to the big guns…..

Thanks Tone

To be honest, I'm really pleased with the trading up over the last few years. I'm amazed more don't do it.
Some collection pedals and guitars, which is cool. I'd sooner sell em and get a pot for some great gear.

Always money in them, and always easy to sell.

Supportact

Enjoyed this review! They all seem great. If it was me i think I'd pick the Two Rock, but that's just based on the type of amp it is, so probably of no use to you. Must be fun trying them all out though. 

chris78

Finally got chance to read this- great review Waz.

Ive played all of these amps and owned 2 and agree with most of your thoughts.

The difference with a great amp is the cut. You especially notice this in a band situation. Both the bartel and two rock cut in a way you can’t imagine. The TR is the best clean pedal platform money can buy. I made the mistake with mine of thinking “well, it’s a clean amp, I might as well buy a cheaper clean amp.” Huge mistake. I miss the TR hugely. 

The Bartel colours the sound in a way that the TR doesn’t, but it makes every guitar you put through it sound better. The way it fills a room is indescribable. You have to be there to understand. 

Both have sensational master volumes, both get very loud and have massive headroom. 

All 3 are huge investments, but they’re the price of a Fender custom shop and less than a Gibson CS or about the same as a core PRS. Way more so than going custom shop, these are a big step up in class from, say, a fender DR. Tonally, I’d get an American vintage over a custom shop and one of these amps rather than a cs fender and an inferior amp.

ennspek

Great stuff as always Warren. Please keep the lazy J,l. It's the only one I don't want to buy!

Wazmeister

ennspek said:

Great stuff as always Warren. Please keep the lazy J,l. It's the only one I don't want to buy!

Thanks mate. The Lazy J is staying !

By the way, anybody spot the Shoot Out The Lights link ???

digitalkettle

Wazmeister said:

By the way, anybody spot the Shoot Out The Lights link ???

Aside from it being a Linda/Richard Thompson thing?