HCM15R Review

The Hardcore Max HCM15R offers 15 watts RMS of full on hardcore max power. Packed full of big amp features the HCM15R offers a clean channel with full three band EQ and a full on MAX distortion channel with independent Crunch and Level controls for full on extreme distortion. Combine this with Reverb, a CD input that allows you to play along with your favorite players and a headphone output for silent practice and you've got a killer little amp.

Features:	8
Sound:	7
Reliability:	9.5
Impression:	8
Overall rating:	8.1
Users rating:	7.1
Comments:	6

overall: 7.8

Featured review by: chckndmplngs, on december 27, 2006

Price paid: $ 299.99

Purchased from: Brookdale Music

Features: This 15 Watt amp is definitely a beginner's amplifier. I got this amp about three years ago in a beginner's package with a guitar. This amp has a clean setting and a "crunch" setting. It has a headphone jack, a line in jack, three equalizer knobs (Bass, Mid, Treble) and a reverb setting. The reverb isn't too great, but it is good for a beginning amplifier. I just use this amp at home and it is good for just playing around. // 8

Sound: I am using a Washburn X10 guitar and I usually play jazz with this amp and it doesn't give me the results I want for jazz, but it's fine. When I play with a lot of volume, it seems like it's on the crunch setting because it makes it fuzzy. The sound is okay for most guitar playing. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I never use this amp for playing outside of my house, but it has never broken down. I have carried it throughout my house to listen to different environments and it has never busted anything. Although, sometimes I'll move it and it will sound like a spring broke. // 9

Impression: I usually play jazz and this amp fits it well but there are sometimes where I wish the sound was a little bit "softer". I will probably upgrade to a 30 watt amp or something soon but for now, this amp is fine. I got this amp along with my first guitar, a Washburn X10, in a beginner's package. I really didn't know anything about guitars then so I really didn't care. Overall this amp is good for a beginner Who is just playing around in their home. // 7

overall: 8.5

Reviewed by: Rock Boy, on november 08, 2006

Price paid: $ 128.1

Purchased from: imuso

Features: This amp features 15-watts of power runned through a custom 8" speaker. There are two channels, clean and crunch. There is a three bands equalizer and a reverb knob. The name says Hardcore Max, and the amp keeps its promises! The crunch channel has an own knob for amount of crunch and a volume knob. There are line in and headphones jacks. This amp suits almost all styles of music, except from more overdrivy styles like country and blues. No footswich functions. // 8

Sound: You can make good sounds with this amp. The crunch channel is great, but can be noisy if you have too much high on max volume or if you have a noisy guitar or cable. It suits my style perfectly! I like that the clean channel stays clean when the volume turns greater. I use a DigiTech DF7 Distortion Factory pedal instead of the amp distortion, because there is a lot of more flexibility in the pedal. I also use a DigiTech Digital Delay pedal to make delay. I will get a modulation pedal soon. // 7

Reliability & Durability: It has never failed me practicing at home, and I don't think it would fail me at a gig either. I would gladly use it on a gig because of the solid construction and the great clean tone, but I will add distortion though via the DF7 because of the flexibelity. // 10

Impression: This amp is great! I usually play punk to rock to hard rock to metal and this amp can do it all. I only wish that it had a footswich and a digital effects loop included. If I were to lose it, I would buy a amp with more power though, I think a Marshall. I don't think Laney Make these amps anymore, they have replaced them with the LX series. The HCM15R have been switched with LX20R. But it's a great bought, especially because it costs under 150$. // 9

Comments

[zorched]

On most points I agree. I used to have this amp and its really nice. Seems loud for 15watts. Good distortion without too much feedback. The clean channel isn't anything to brag about, but with a reverb/delay pedal it works out nicely. Also handles overdrive/distortion effects nicely. Very solid beginners/practice amp.

[pawnluv]

this was actually my first amp, many years ago. As far this amp goes it CANNOT "do it all" its just a fuzz box, was a cool fuzz though, wish i didnt sell it, would have been great for playing Revolution, but thats about it.

[black_sabbath85]

I was very close to buying this amp 3 years ago.

[moz92]

its a great option for the beginning! maybe one of the best options..the distortion channel is great and it really seems loud for 15 watts..very good for practice.

[Ghopki02]

The name 'Hardcore max' kinda puts me off this amp. It sounds like something a greeby ****tard would buy.

[CAMMO202]

this is an alright amp for the beginners but im looking to upgrade