BluGuitar 1Control

I actually wanted all the BluGuitar Amp1 accessories but they were out of stock month after month. When the 1Control finally became available a year ago, I just ordered it - although I actually wanted that big fat foot switch/controller. The price ended up being extremely high due to customs, import taxes whatever. But that's not Thomann's or BluGuitar's fault. Ironically, as with the Amp1, I very rarely use it. I use my Hotone Ampero II Stomp and my recent purchase of the NUX Amp Academy Stomp almost exclusively. But why does this matter? Yes, granted, the 1Control is a solid build and does what it says. However, driving the Amp1 adds noise to the signal and the built-in noise gate doesn't do a great job once you get into full overdrive territory. So, while the 1 Control is as described, due to the increase in gain, compression and hiss-noise, I rarely use it. It's a novelty. But it looks great in my rack!

So, why did I mention the Hotone Ampero II Stomp and the NUX Amp Academy Stomp? I bought the Ampero around the same time I bought the Amp1 for its effects but I kept on going back to the Ampero because of its simplicity, programmability and awesome sound. I'm now fixated on the Nux because the Marshall 800 and Plexi sounds are better than the Amp1. Yep, just a few years between them and I prefer the sound of a modeller more than a mini-tube amp because it's more versatile, quieter, easier to program and just as small. I run the Nux through a Harley Benton GPA-400 power amp and into my 1970's genuine Celestion Greenbacks. Baby, the sound rocks!

So, the question is: since the 1Control has been lying idle for over a year, do I actually need it? Guess not. If you want bare bones tone, then the Amp1 and a basic 1Control box will suffice. But because I have 30-odd guitars, and I like to program a sound for each guitar and use different effects and EQ settings, I use modellers. I can't do that with the BluGuitar gear.