I tried the Fuchs ODS 30 recently and loved it. No HRM, so would the standard Overtone be most similar, or another version? Has anyone tried them both? I'm guessing the Overtone 50 watt would have louder cleans than the 30 watt Fuchs, though I don't necessarily need that. Thanks!

You've played a few Fuchs on your side  of the pond? They used to be a good deal, now there's many alternatives.

You folks get hosed with VAT and import duties. I can't imagine paying the equivalent of $6000 to $8000 for a Fuchs, ouch! $2000 for a Ceriatone, not so bad.

I think a 50 watt  HRM or HRM Bluesmaster might be your best deal, unless you get a great deal on the UK domestic clone.

Hey Pickmaster, I really appreciate you posting these, what a great and really helpful comparison! (I have to say, though,  that in my humble opinion the term "blues wankery" implies criticism, and is not needed here, especially as I've been guilty of the same thing for too many years!). I do love the tone you get through the Fuchs, though on further listening the 2x12 cab (presumably?) with the OTS definitely adds body and depth, particularly at the lower end, and it would be interesting to hear the Fuchs through that. There's some real soulful Albert Collins type stuff going on in that second clip which sounds excellent. The Crate sounds a little less distinct to me, but that could be due to any number of things. Also, I notice the guy playing the Strat also gets a good tone through the Fuchs, a good blues rock Strat sound with that on-the-edge type of break up; as a Strat (and 335) player I'd probably dirty it up a bit more, but that's just me. Anyway, thanks again, and I'll be listening to these some more, not just for the tones but also for the great playing.

 I believe all fuchs amps are non-hrm unless specified other when the amp is being built .

 Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Hi Pickmaster,
Those are nice clips - great playing from you and your mates. That drummer and bass player on the second and third clips really know how to make 'time stand still' There's an abyss betweeen each drum hit. Excellent. And your co-guitarist plays a great rythm guitar on the second clip, where he really places himself nicely in between the bass and drums, which gives great support to any soloist. Impressive. The blues is simple and therefore so tough to make interesting.

About those amps
a) Fuchs - IMO a lovely cremy lead tone - funny though to see a Parker Fly in a blues setting, but why not.
b) OTS - great tone, ..maybe its the guitar pickups, but the lead tone is 'smaller' compared to the other two.
c) Crate has a nice top with great clearity-  different from the fuchs clip (using the same guitar)

In spite of the different recording quality of the three clips. ...with the second one being very well recorded, I would say that the fuchs is focused and 'deep' - helping you melt better in with the backing band. The OTS is a little fuzzy on the low strings - perhaps the bass pot was set a little on the high side. The Crate is perhaps a little more 'forward' in the mix due to the extra top end.

We are taking small details here, that could easily stem from the recording gear used, and variations in  speaker cab, preamp/ poweramp tubes - and off course, guitars.

Interesting. I read the whole thread on TGP that Jay Mitchell started and have fitted his type of diffuser to my DC-30 1x12 combo and to my 4x10 closed back. I've not really had much chance to test them fully in a gig situation, but the combo is much less beamy, though it has lost a little top end, so I probably can use a slightly thinner foam.

Pickmaster, do you remember noticing whether the Fuchs had that much less available clean headroom or overall volume than your OTS?