Headrush CORE Close Up Review | A tube amp replacement? and what about Fender's Tone Master pro?

Headrush CORE released near Fender's Tone Master Pro. Could the Core hold a candle to the Fender Tone Master Pro? and what about real tube amps? Find out more in this inside and out review.

0:00 Start
0:20 Intro & preamble
0:45 Unboxing
3:30 Inside the Core
3:25 Power Supply
4:08 Inside overview
6:33 Processor Board overview
7:22 I/O board overview
10:07 Chips close up
10:16 Memory
10:44 Power management
11:02 Prime & Core Processors
13:51 Ancillary chips
14:01 I/O board
14:40 ADC converter
15:39 DAC converter
17:08 Relays
17:36 The ARM chip: Last chip
19:51 Summing up so far
21:20 Power supply
22:06 Top & screen controls
26:11 I/O available
31:12 More screen controls
32:21 Control of output
32:41 Preset pedal control
33:01 Assigned pedal controls
33:34 Moving pedal locations
34:26 General observations
36:29 Compared to Prime
36:56 Prime boards
37:49 The buying dilemma
38:42 More important features
39:03 ChopTones - IR's etc.
40:06 Amp cloning
41:17 Cloud storage
42:01 Music streams
44:52 The Looper
45:26 Assigning outputs
46:20 More Prime/Core points
47:37 Are Headrush wrong?
50:00 Fender changed it
52:06 Warranty
53:17 Summing up
54:01 Likes...
55:46 Dislikes...
56:43 Overall score
58:25 Manual
59:16 Final thoughts
1:01:30 Playing tones
1:06:45 Playing in context

Links:

End of chip section is 19:51 if you want to skip those.

Reviewing the Headrush CORE for guitar is not simple especially after the Prime I reviewed a while back. Inside there are amplifiers, effects, IR's (speaker sims) and a host of other features that I need to share with viewers.

When I looked at the Prime I considered that a bargain really, but with the CORE its a bargain and then some! With most of the features of the prime, and a smaller footprint there is not much to 'not like'!

Right from the start the Headrush CORE was better: the unit connected to the internet (something the Prime failed on in its review) and boom, it was online, updated, prepared (all by itself) and then immediately ready to rock. This was good!

Ha I can guarantee that I will have missed something in this Headrush CORE review but let's not worry too much as I show the truth of the device in all its glory right there in the video review.

The unit is very easy to use and that's a major feature that Headrush should be congratulated on, as was the Prime (when it worked). And anyone new to the simulator type of products won't have much trouble with the controls. Remember there is no editing software available and likely there won't be any!

The amp cloning (it actually can copy amps, cabs, effects and more) effects processors and other units all have their own particular way of creating copies of tones. This is NOT a Kemper Amp, nor a Neural Networks unit but how would it fare against the Fender Tone Master Pro pedal just released? That's a great question and while I don't compare here maybe that's for another day.

In this video, I'm looking at the new Headrush CORE Close Up pedalboard and answering some questions about the CORE regarding the recent Tone Master pro pedal.

Are you looking for a tube amp replacement? Or do you just want to add some extra distortion or other effects to your guitar sound? Check out this video to see what the Headrush Core Close Up pedalboard is all about and what it can do for your guitar playing!

And does the Headrush CORE come even close to what most tube amps provide - excellent tones AND feel? Somehow I don't think so, but it's all subjective and you might disagree...

All Headrush tones are unmodified.

My next big review from this one is the Fender Tone Master Pro!

I also give a fair score of the CORE based on my own experiences as a paying customer.

Lastly, there is tone examples and then a short rock piece showing the CORE in a musical context.

This video is entirely financed and sponsored by me with my own money so it's important for you to subscribe and thumbs up, ring the bell and click ALL to see more of my videos. Please do SUBSCRIBE to give my channel a boost and thank you for watching - I hope the video is enjoyable too.

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#headrush #headrushfx #core #prime #ampsim #ampsimulator #capture #guitaramplifier #tonymckenzie #review #mckenzie

[MrRichardgower]

Anytime I'm in the market for new gear, I always make sure to check out Tony's video's on the product first. His channel is the ONLY one that will give you an honest evaluation, thank you again Tony for all these years of making video's helping out the little guy!

[fuzztremecho]

been a follower for years...love his honesty...and i bought the core after his review..thanks Tony

[dougworden]

I have tube amps and a HeadRush core. Love them all. They all have their place in music. It is called what makes a person happy and keeps them excited to play.

[stereosympathy]

This went deep and I'm here for it! I really like the teardown and chip breakdown. No One else does that!

[Obxhatman]

Dude, I thouroughly enjoyed your review, right till the last 4 minutes of the video. Then I said " Yep, thats gonna be me in ten years, that old man is tearin shit up, rippin." Kudos man, keep jamming, love it. Subbed

[markbrannigan]

Thanks for this review Tony. I purchased this device last week primarily because of all the features, and because it has vocal processing. I’ve had other multi effects units, but I’m enjoying this one very much. Good quality sounds and easy to use. Easy to use is key!

[jr]

Thanks for the video, Tony! I was on the fence but went ahead and bought one of these units after your thorough review!

[yhonmontes]

I’m in minute 23 and so far I love the detailed analysis of the hardware and specially about rhe chips of this unit which looks promising to me, mine will arrive in my country next week. Thanks Tony.

[austingreen]

Tony, as always, you’re the man!!! I just purchased one of these based on your detailed review. From what I can tell, you are the only true and trustworthy source for in-depth gear reviews. 99% or the stuff out there starts off with “The good folks at sent this over for review.”…….Next. On a side note, I called my wife over and put this on the big screen when you pulled out the Ibanez. Her jaw dropped to the floor. Haha exact quote: “could you imagine if your grandpa could do that.” 😂😂😂 Thanks Tony.

[zookiebudeck]

Wasn‘t expecting a Nirvana tone 🫣😅👌🏻 But thanks for this surprise. And of course for the detailed and in-depth review!

[treybatts]

Thanks for the granular reviews. Genuinely appreciate you honing in on hardware, quality of components, etc.. I bought one, and like most of these units they take little time to tweak. But your review helped me make the decision.

[makedaily]

I'm genuinely impressed by your video! -- "Challenges are opportunities in disguise.."

[GAZBLIN]

Great product review - appreciated, and thank you for a quality upload. 🎸👍

[lukesteverything]

Hi, Firstly thanks for this review, it's very helpful. I bought this a few days ago and I think it's great. I tried the Fender Tone master alternative but preferred this.

[imwoody]

I have a real dislike for pc editing on guitar multi effects units. Boss especially. I’m currently working with the Line 6 PodGo. I like it. Pretty easy to navigate and sounds good to me. I have owned several Headrush products and liked them as well but eventually they were sold. This one is intriguing. Thank you for your work in revealing all the warts and the beauty with these devices!

[STx.Fall]

Love the way you broke this down. Clear and concise. When it comes to stock sounds on all of these modelers, the consensus is they are all sh*t across the board. Most of us are using 3rd party irs and captures anyways. I've owned every modeler except for the quad cortex and the kemper, but have tried these, and the head rush core is the easiest to use. It's criminally underrated imo

[RamonChamadoira]

Awesome review, thanks! Do you plan to review the Ampero Stage II?

[willman]

Great review. I appreciate how thorough you are. Of course nothing beats a real amp and pedals, but out of all the units I’ve tried ( Quad Cortex, Boss GT100, Tone Master Pro and the Line 6 HX lineup) I stayed with the HeadRush Core. I also like the Line 6 lineup but the Helix was too big what I needed. The HR Core is a better size, easy to use and with the right IR combination, it’s not bad for digital. Thanks for the awesome reviews that you make.

[Izya__]

If Tony says - it good, that means it definitely good !
Thank you!!!

[craigthomson]

Great review as usual Tony, thank you.