The LOUDEST Amps EVER MADE? | Friday Fretworks

A closer look at a 70's behemoth; the Simms Watts AP100.

Key points:

0:00 Intro
0:08 JAM!
1:16 The true sound of the loudest amp?
2:26 A little underwhelming?
3:15 What amp is it?
4:06 What is 'headroom'?
4:58 Why would you need so much power?
6:54 Marshall JMP 100 vs Simms Watts COMPARISON
7:41 JAM! Marshall vs Simms Watts
10:30 Is there any need for such power today?
12:37 In conclusion...
13:32 JAM! Fender Twin on 10

[johnmac]

Glad you're using ear protection Chris, we didn't worry about that in the 70s, and now I've got tinnitus

[kellyswoodyard]

I worked at a concert hire company here in Australia for a number of years. We had to get 4 × JCM 800, 100 watt Marshall's, and 8 × quads, for Ritchie Blackmore. We set the amps up in the wharehouse, and one of the staff cut loose with his 335. You could feel that in your soul. Loud wasn't a term you could use, it went beyond loud. I'll never forget that.

[whisperthiefmusic]

I've listened to that intro jam three times in a row now.... fookin hell!!

[stratmagic]

I saw Black Sabbath and Deep Purple on the same bill in a medium size venue. I was near the front and my ears rang for days after that show. I LOVED IT 😍

[lawrencetaylor]

Merci Chris. I live on the continent and didn't need to turn up the volume, nor even watch the video to hear you loud and clear.

[Charis-ulxh]

I think this is the first time I've ever posted on your page - I somehow only recently discovered you, but I'm really glad I did. I feel compelled to thank you for your great content as I can really appreciate all the effort that goes into this, particularly being a family man - you pick great topics (I'd never even heard of this amp, despite having sunk more than my fair share of time "studying" gear when I should have been playing it) and explore them in an informative, articulate and entertaining way.

Your playing truly merits all the praise I've seen on the internet - you are an amazing all-round musician, with all the myriad of skills and abilities that requires. I think you should above all be applauded for the way you've taken your influences and inspirations and learned from them, then developed your own original style without sounding derivative - perhaps one of the most difficult tasks for a guitarist, yet probably the most significant when you can pull it off. When I hear you playing a phrase I don't tend to find myself thinking "There's a Frusciante lick" or "Can hear the Jimmy Page in this" or whatever - instead, it sounds like Chris Buck. And in my book, more Chris Buck is definitely worth hearing.

Don't ever stop, mate - much love from New Zealand.

[alexclarkuk]

Friday fretworks is the official start of my weekend. Finish work, crack open a beer and start watching. Thanks Chris!

[jakethomas]

I used a Hiwatt 100 in the seventies with a 4x12cab.That was loud!
I have a Fender Pro 185 combo amp , solid state rated at 169 Watts and that is loud but not as loud as the Hiwatt.

[sam_uelson]

Hey can I make a suggestion? Next time you do a video about a massively loud amp, put a bobblehead infront of the speaker so we can gauge the vibration and amount of air moving in the room

[satevo]

That jam was awesome. Makes me want to play it.

[keef]

I once got a vintage Sunn 100 watt stack as backline, and being a novice at the time I was disappointed when I first saw it. Then I plugged in- OMG! Hands down the baddest, loudest, most incredible sounding amp I ever played. 🎸💥

[windsweptguitars]

Seriously, why the Buck do you only have 170k subscribers?
Amazing content

[aurora]

i like your phrasing. it's very simple, but well spoken.

[kevinbridger]

Flippin' 'eck!!..fabulous playing and knowledge AND a Trini? Surely not...🥰🥰

[darwinsaye]

I actually thought the Simms Watts sounded WAY better than the Marshall. That chime and note definition even at max volume was incredible.

[noahtenshen]

1970, Vanilla Fudge played at the college I was at and within the first couple minutes of their show, over 95% of the students left the field house because it was TOO LOUD. Or so they felt. (They were the follow-up act to The Guess Who--not nearly as loud). I believe they had double stacked Marshalls and about 30 of us got a long private concert by a loud rockin' band. I've never heard louder music from stage amps alone. But the Beauty of Chris Buck is--any volume is fine because the artistry shines. Stay Well Groovy One!

[CraigHollabaugh]

Years ago I found a 50W JCM800 with 4x10 Celestion cab. Having never played anything like it, brought it home and plugged in. OMG, sooo loud. After 5 mins, my wife comes in saying "what the hell is going on in here?...." enough said. Thanks Chris, enjoyed it. 🤘👍

[tiernanfoss]

The best explanation I've heard on this subject. Also liked hearing what gear you use to get different effects. On a different note, one commenter wondered why you only have so many subscribers. Well with the content you consistently create it's only a matter of time.
Then we can say we knew you when!
Thanks Chris!

[CIRCLEOFTONE]

Awesome vid. You know your amp has amazing clean headroom when you unlock the tinnitus achievement.

[davepilgrim]

You are the future of the guitar world