MusicRadar

The Bandit 112: it's a rocker!

View in gallery

• Related News
• Review

The digital reverb is pretty convincing and provides a close approximation of an analogue spring-loaded circuit. The only problem is that adorning your clean sound with an abundance of reverb can make for a grainy and unfocused lead sound when switching channels.

At stage volumes, the Bandit doesn't exactly have the richest or most detailed clean sound we've ever heard, but it's possible to retain plenty of pristine cleanliness and compete with a drummer. The large 12-inch driver contributes to a chunky and firm bottom end response.

This pays dividends on the lead channel for palm-muted metal rhythms; obviously there's not the physical thump of a 4 x 12, but close mic'd through a PA it isn't an issue as the amp provides more than enough stage volume for effective monitoring of your sound, and the perennial beer crate should never be forgotten if you are having trouble hearing yourself.

The range of drive sounds on offer is broad, with the pre-gain control and classic/modern/high gain switching offering workmanlike voices for gritty blues, classic rock, eighties hard rock, alt-rock, modern metal and numerous other genres.

While none of these sounds could be described as definitive, there is more than enough variety for aspiring guitarists to find their voices.

At the highest end of the gain spectrum, proceedings can get a little fizzy and synthetic sounding, particularly on the modern voicing, so it's worth having another listen back to the heavy sounds that you like so much on record as there's often nowhere near as much preamp drive required as you might think.