TEST: Harley Benton Tube 15

 If I can be honest, when it was announced that Harley Benton had brought an all-tube combo onto the market for under €230, plus a 12-inch Celestion speaker, which normally already accounts for 50% of the fixed costs, I was gripped by skepticism. How often have I had very inexpensive all-tube tops and combos on the dissecting table, where it became apparent from the first sound from the loudspeaker or at first glance in terms of workmanship that the attribute “full-tube construction” only served to promote sales and the reputation of most of them Higher quality construction did more harm than good. But this wouldn't fit the demands of the Thomann house brand at all, which is why I was struck by curiosity when it came to the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion. Let's see what the little Chinese has to offer in terms of sound.

The concept of the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion

“A single channel? Just a sound? Even my practice amp from manufacturer Anyone who is in the know knows about the concept of an all-tube single-channel speaker, which provides a highly dynamic clean or crunch sound as a basis; the variety comes from pedals and the guitar's volume control. More on this later in the practical part.

The Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion is in fact a single-channel all-tube combo, with a 12 inch speaker from Celestion (Seventy 80) and draws its power from 3 pieces of ECC83 (12AX7) in the preamplifier and 2 pieces of EL84 in the power amp. Using a switch you can switch the rehearsal room/club volume from 15 watts to 1 watt practice volume. The sound then changes somewhat, as expected, but largely retains the same tonal direction. Attention, don't forget, a noisy 50 watt combo is only about 30 - 40% louder than our protagonist, you can also play very loud club shows with 15 watts, especially since a 12-incher usually approaches the spectacle in a very mature way.

In addition to the classic three-band tone control (treble, middle, bass), gain and master, the channel strip consists of an unusual tone control and a reverb control. The first works on the basic tonal character of the combo with treble damping + stable bass, or bass clipping and more aggressive highs, the second controls the reverb level, which is actually generated by a small reverb spiral attached to the bottom of the housing. The effect can also be activated or deactivated by foot using a footswitch input on the back of the housing. A corresponding switch is not included with the combo but must be purchased separately.

The housing of the combo is pleasantly handy with dimensions (W x H x D): 427 mm x 435 mm x 235 mm and is comparatively light with a weight of 11.5 kilograms. The workmanship is impeccable; no imperfections could be found on edges, corners or transitions. On the back of the case there is also a serial FX loop and an additional speaker output, which requires an impedance between 8 - 16 ohms. If this input is occupied, the internal loudspeaker is deactivated. A very sensible setup, as in practice you can quickly decide whether the internally installed loudspeaker is sufficient for the show or whether you should switch to an external cabinet with 2 or 4 loudspeakers.

The power cable is permanently installed and, in the best Fender Combo style, is fixed to the side wall with a Velcro strip during transport so that the flying power plug does not accidentally damage the membrane of the speaker.


The Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion in practice

Well then, what do you expect from a single-channel all-tube combo? First of all, the amp should cover 2 gain ranges, such as a decent clean sound that should remain undistorted even at higher volumes or a good crunch sound that depends properly on the guitar's volume control. Why these two sounds?

Of course, as a guitarist you can also play the same sound for an entire show, but this turns out to be quite monotonous when separated from your role as a rhythm guitarist in a reggae band. But if you have a stable, clean sound, preferably with good touch dynamics, you can use 2 pedals, e.g. B. an overdrive and a distortion pedal can quickly turn your amp into a three-channel amplifier. If you have a very good distortion pedal, even a single pedal is enough, as you can also use the guitar's volume control to create your overdrive sound.

On the other hand, a good crunch sound, which is generated by the amp, ensures a more or less undistorted clean sound when the volume control on the guitar is turned down and can be expanded into a three-channel amplifier using a booster or overdrive. In addition, many single-channel amps have a much stronger basic sound than sophisticated multi-channel amps, which are more acoustically convincing on their own at first glance, but are much less effective in a band context.

So let's first take a look at the clean sound of the amp. 2 points jump out at you from the first tones. On the one hand, the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion has an incredibly high bass content for an open combo. A very useful feature, as with most combos you have to constantly keep the bass control at its maximum position in order to absorb the radiated energy that is “lost” to the rear.

Secondly, Harley Benton did really well to give the little combo a branded speaker. The Seventy 80 may not necessarily be everyone's favorite from Celestion, but the loudspeaker makes an excellent impression, especially when it comes to implementing the sometimes somewhat brittle sounds from the decade of the 1970s. The latently high-pitched reproduction fits very well with the always subtly nasal-sounding productions of his time and makes classic rock productions of the Plexi era with small cutlery very close. How often have I experienced that in the entry-level combo class the cheapest cardboard was used, which sometimes drowned out good amplifier concepts in a squawking, biting sound. Of course, you can save most of the production costs with this component, but that's what it all sounds like in the end.

The sound samples were recorded with a Strat Texas Special from 1994 and a Les Paul Standard from 2014. You can really hear how extremely differently the amp reacts to the different designs of the protagonists. Corresponding to an all-tube combo, the sound is (fortunately) never “transistor-clean”, but can be made very clean with the help of the volume control. The sound is independent, stands out very well and, as expected, works excellently with various distortion pedals.

The crunch area, in which the Celestion loudspeaker can also use its strengths, is just as convincing. The combo delivers a stable, very dynamic sound until around 12 o'clock in the master area, from this point onwards the combo slowly fades into the sag area. What initially has its charm quickly turns into a fuzz-like rattle, which certainly finds its friends in the avant-garde area, but was a bit too “fuzzy” for me personally.

If you turn the gain control all the way, you have to be careful that the sound doesn't become too biting or muddy. The first can be tackled with the tone control, but with some loss of freshness, the second can only be tackled with the appropriate pickup selection. Especially in the stronger gain ranges, you can hear the combo's EL84 power tubes, which tend to sound a bit sharp in this range and are somewhat behind in terms of stroke and compression compared to their larger colleagues from the EL34 or 6L6 departments. Instead, they reach saturation earlier and allow for subtle power amp saturation even at small club shows, while the big bottles try to get their 50 watts or more to the crowd without FOH tirades.

Conclusion

With the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion, the Thomann house brand manages to create a lot of all-tube culture from a very small wallet. The combo is impeccably manufactured and, for a retail price of under €230, offers many of the adjustment features that make a full-tube single-channel system so popular. In conjunction with the right pedals, you can easily generate 3 good to very good sounds, so that with an additional small pedalboard and the appropriate playing culture you can make an entire evening sound interesting.

————————

Additional Informations:


Introduction:
Harley Benton, recognized for delivering quality musical instruments and equipment at affordable prices, has made significant strides in the realm of all-tube amplifiers. These amplifiers, revered for their warm, dynamic tones and responsive touch, embody the essence of classic tube-driven sound. In this in-depth article, we embark on a journey to uncover the intricacies of Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers, exploring their history, features, sonic characteristics, and impact on the modern music landscape.

1. Legacy and Tradition:
The allure of all-tube amplifiers traces back to the early days of electric guitar amplification, where vacuum tubes served as the primary amplification technology. Harley Benton pays homage to this tradition by crafting amplifiers that harness the sonic richness and harmonic complexity of tube-driven circuits. With a keen understanding of vintage amplifier designs and modern manufacturing techniques, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers offer a nostalgic yet forward-thinking approach to amplification.

2. Craftsmanship and Construction:
At the heart of every Harley Benton all-tube amplifier lies a meticulously crafted circuit, comprising premium components and hand-selected vacuum tubes. From the iconic 12AX7 preamp tubes to the robust EL34 power tubes, each element is carefully chosen to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Moreover, Harley Benton amplifiers feature robust construction, with rugged enclosures and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring years of reliable operation on stage and in the studio.

3. Versatility and Flexibility:
While steeped in tradition, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers boast modern features and functionalities that cater to the diverse needs of today's musicians. Whether you're a blues guitarist seeking smooth, saturated overdrive tones or a metal shredder craving tight, articulate distortion, Harley Benton amplifiers deliver versatility and flexibility in spades. With intuitive controls, onboard effects, and extensive connectivity options, these amplifiers empower musicians to sculpt their signature sound with ease.

4. Sonic Characteristics:
The sonic signature of Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers is characterized by lush harmonics, creamy overdrive, and touch-sensitive response. Thanks to the inherent warmth and natural compression of vacuum tubes, these amplifiers exhibit a dynamic range and expressiveness that is unrivaled by solid-state counterparts. Whether pushed to the brink of breakup or cranked to ear-splitting volumes, Harley Benton amplifiers deliver a tonal palette that inspires creativity and captivates audiences.

5. Performance and Reliability:
Beyond their sonic prowess, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers excel in terms of performance and reliability. Designed to withstand the rigors of touring and intensive use, these amplifiers offer rock-solid reliability and consistent performance night after night. With robust power supplies, rugged chassis, and meticulous quality control, Harley Benton amplifiers instill confidence in musicians, allowing them to focus on their craft without worrying about equipment failures or malfunctions.

6. Value Proposition:
Despite their exceptional quality and performance, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers remain remarkably affordable, making them accessible to musicians of all budgets. By leveraging efficient manufacturing processes and economies of scale, Harley Benton delivers premium tube tone without the premium price tag. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, Harley Benton amplifiers offer unparalleled value for money, allowing you to experience the magic of tube-driven sound without breaking the bank.

7. Customer Satisfaction and Reviews:
Feedback from musicians and reviews of Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers have been overwhelmingly positive. Musicians praise the amplifiers for their authentic vintage tones, solid construction, and unbeatable value. Whether used in the studio for recording or on stage for live performances, Harley Benton amplifiers consistently exceed the expectations of players, earning praise from enthusiasts and professionals alike.

8. Conclusion:
In conclusion, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers represent a marriage of tradition and innovation, offering musicians a gateway to the timeless allure of tube-driven sound. With meticulous craftsmanship, versatile features, and unbeatable value, these amplifiers embody the essence of Harley Benton's commitment to providing quality gear for all. Whether you're seeking vintage-inspired tones or modern versatility, Harley Benton's all-tube amplifiers stand ready to ignite your musical journey with warmth, character, and sonic bliss.