Henning Cherry Bomb - quick review

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drewiv

drewiv

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Cherry Bomb arrived yesterday! I took a half day to make sure I didn't miss delivery. I was home from work @ 1:30 and setup some rigs; patiently awaiting the new arrival. I popped my head upstairs out the front window every 10 minutes or so, making sure I didn't get that dreaded, phantom delivery attempt slip (I think you all know what I'm talking about). Well, 4:25 and the FedEx truck is out front and I open the door. I stand in the door for about 5 minutes before the driver emerges and he tells me he can't deliver until 5:01. I didn't get why, he explained, but I wasn't listening (I thought he was kidding). He wasn't. So, I sat in wait until 5:01.

Okay, Cherry Bomb in the house.

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I had been trying to acquire one of these (and pulling Steve's chain) for almost a full year now. Something always came up when it was time to buy. Well, I finally made it happen just before the sale ended. First, Steve is a pleasure to deal with. He put up with me asking questions for almost a full year. Always very polite and professional.

The first thing that you'll notice upon opening is the attention to detail on the packaging. This is professional packaging.

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After what seemed like hours (which was like 15 minutes), it was setup. I made the typical rounds after receiving a shipped amp - check tubes, etc. and I was off. Steve had it dialed in to his "preferred" settings. He had the Master on the back all the way - he was DEFINITELY jamming this thing loud before he shipped it out. :) There was no one home here, so I left it there (for a while anyway). IT'S LOUD!

Steve recommends Celestion G12H30 Annys and my Cameron cabinet fit that bill. I did try it with a Friedman cabinet (Scumbacks) and my Voodoo cab (WGS). It sounds good through all of them, but the Cameron cabinet was the clear winner (really brought out the Mids, which I like). I tried a few different guitars and so far my Suhr Modern (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood board and DSV/DSH humbuckers) sounds the best.

Steve's preferred setting are definitely geared toward Hard Rock/Metal, what else would you be playing on this amp? The Plex channel is setup for full on 80's. I was expecting to be all over the Rod Channel, but he had the Plex setup almost perfectly for me. It's just oozing modded Marshall goodness. It's everything I love about that tone. Guitar volume all the way up and you're in Ratt territory, roll back guitar volume and you find yourself taking a step back to the 70's. I spent most of my 4 hours with the amp on this channel - in love.

The Rod channel is setup for a more Modern tone. Still all Marshall, but with a more "current" feel to it. There was a question floating out there about the capability of this amp doing the brootz - I'd say in the right hands it can. Those hands aren't mine. This channel has a more liquid feel to it. Mucho sustain to be had here. The Solo channel is Rod on steroids, fluid beyond your wildest dreams.

In a nutshell this amp is a Plexi, JCM800, hot-rodded JCM800, DSL and what the JVM dreamed of being, all in one (very sexy) headshell.

Today is the day I start messing with knobs and switches. The only thing I messed with yesterday was turning down the Density a touch. It was a little bottom heavy for me in my setup. Steve had it setup very much to my liking - I played it for almost four hours straight.

The inevitable outcry for clips... I will get around to it, BUT I'm not going to give you anything that's not already out there. It IS what you hear on the Henning website. Listen to the clips taken at Squid Music and that is what the amp sounds like to me in the room.

http://henningamps.com/video

I wish I could give you more, but I'm not the most articulate when it comes to describing an amp. It may still be the honeymoon period, but this amp is all it's cracked up to be and MORE. Steve did his homework on this one.
 
Came from Mission Viejo, huh? I grew up down there... Might have to check the amp out based off the review and locale
 
Congrats!!! :rock: :rock: This was my 2nd choice behind the KK++. Maybe I will buy one some day!!!
 
Interesting review.

You hit on two points I have experience with. The goodness of the DSL and the let down of the JVM.

Sounds like a great set of Marshall's in a box. It may be a good companion to my Rhodes...

Happy NAD and rock on!

:rock:
 
Heritage Softail":3lb4lk4p said:
Interesting review.

You hit on two points I have experience with. The goodness of the DSL and the let down of the JVM.

Sounds like a great set of Marshall's in a box. It may be a good companion to my Rhodes...

Happy NAD and rock on!

:rock:

Thanks!

One thing; I didn't hate the JVM. Many people love the amp and get good tones from it. My personal take on it, it was not as "Marshall" as I wanted. Something didn't feel right about it to me. It seems like Steve got the "modern" Marshall tone right in this amp. I guess, kind of what I was expecting the JVM to sound like when I bought one.
 
metalmaniac93":1tgb1j1j said:
Congrats!!! :rock: :rock: This was my 2nd choice behind the KK++. Maybe I will buy one some day!!!
We should try them out next to each other soon. :rock:
 
Congrats. Let me know when I can swing by and check it out Drew.
 
Congrats on your new amp, it is truly a work of art. Looking forward to the clips!
 
drewiv":1pnsewla said:
metalmaniac93":1pnsewla said:
Congrats!!! :rock: :rock: This was my 2nd choice behind the KK++. Maybe I will buy one some day!!!
We should try them out next to each other soon. :rock:


Yes, of course!!! :rock: :rock: :rock: I should get the amp sometime in October. I really want to check out the Cherry Bomb!!! Hopefully soon!!!
 
I don't get jealous (ever) but I am. Congrats on a killer amp!

I will have one someday!
 
Steve,

Is there any clip of a P90 into a Cherry Bomb? So many great songs with that wiry raspy crunch. I was listening to some Kix and April Wine today. Great iconic crunch there.

Peace
 
Heritage Softail":osse5eiv said:
Steve,

Is there any clip of a P90 into a Cherry Bomb? So many great songs with that wiry raspy crunch. I was listening to some Kix and April Wine today. Great iconic crunch there.

Peace
No, but I have a P90 equipped Collings guitar and I love the way it sounds through the Cherry Bomb. When I get a chance, I'll record a bit of ZZ Top with it... :rock:

Steve
 
Congrats on the new amp. Glad you were finally able to pull the trigger.
 
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