Why should tubes get all the love?
The G I and II series Yamahas are some of the best solid state gear ever made, thanks in part to Mr. Rivera. They have lovely clean warm sound, better than many tube amps. They are built like leopard tanks - tough - rugged quality components through and through. If we qualify them as pedal platforms (a role in which they excel), they are incredibly versatile, sort of the Swiss Army Knife of amps - great Jazz guitar amp natively, excellent rock/blues amp (as a pedal platform), very good acoustic guitar amp natively, good voice/PA amp in an emergency. Good speakers. Good reverb tanks. And the II series has one of the best ever parametric equaliser tone control sections ever. If not a main A-line amp anymore, then a great all purpose B-line backup for anyone. Majorly underrated sleepers.
They were at one time the amps of choice for Mike Stern and Pat Metheny.
They were once amazingly cheap used. They are getting less so now.
The IIIs? Well ... I don't know why the IIIs don't get any love. I have never owned one.
The Cons are:
- They weigh as much as a leopard tank.
- Their distortion channels are very silly.
- Parts are now next to impossible to find if they break.
The 50s are a manageable size. The 100s need castors.
I have been watching for a local G50 210 II in mint condition at the right price.
Anyway my Yamaha G50-112 II:
Mine is a European conversion.