This amp sells in the "practice amp" category, but don't let that fool you. I have two, and I run them in stereo from my multi-effector. I got one a while back and the speaker was not-so-great, so I replaced it with a Jensen... wow. When I got the other one I promptly did the same speaker switch and now they are my main rig. I may never use my big combo again. The clean sounds on this amp are definitely stellar; chimey, crisp, with a nice combination of smooth and hi-fi to the tone. They have an almost acoustic-like immediacy that I like better than anything else I've tried. I'm not really a fan of amp distortion; I usually get mine from a box, but I have used the overdrive on this amp to play at open jams, and it is nice-- I actually like the transtube sound better than real tube distortion. It is more coherent than tubes usually are (unless you can afford a Dumble or the like), but with the smoothness and sparkle that makes tubes appealing. Like I said, the Blue Marvel speaker is not the greatest, but the amp itself is a total winner. I guess the one downer would be switching between clean and dirty because the amp isn't footswitchable, but other than that, this amp rules. If you get your crunch out of a box like I do it's not an issue. Buy this amp... or don't... More for me!

I've had this amp for almost two years and is clear as day. I got this amp with my Lotus and is is great for just having in your room. I reccomend that any one who wants to find a starter amp they should get the Rage 158. I have never had the need to take it up past 5 on pre gain because its a noisy little b*****d. It is awesome!!!!!

This amp is awesome! I've had it for 5 years now, and it's never failed me. For beginning, it is a great amp. The only complaint I have is: when you plug in an overdrive pedal, or distortion pedal, the speaker can't quite handle all the juice from the pedal. But I was fighting against a Marshall 250 DFX.

Twenty years after last playing electric, I decided to get back into relearning guitar. Got an Epi LP for an axe as I couldn't afford that dream Gibson. Bought this amp as a practice amp. Subsequently, began using it to play on the church music team. No need to project loud volumes from the platform as we mike the guitar amps and run them through the PA. I use an effects device with the amp on the clean channel as I don't care much for the amp's distortion settings. Good sound, except when the volume is pushed past 5 or 6 I have to roll off the Bass EQ as it starts to break up, regardless of what amp modelling is being used on the effects device. Now I'm looking to take that next step in an amp and get real tube sound. This is a good practice amp, not good for stage unless it's miked. Overall, satisfied as this amp delivered what I was looking for. No technical problems with it so far.

I've had the Rage 158 for about six years now, and I still use it on a daily basis. Other amps of this stature pale in comparison. Besides the speaker being blown out from the MANY days of cranking this thing to about 9 1/2 in my garage band days (easily replaced), I still use this thing for practicing and professional recording. Yeah it loses a lot as it gets louder, but it's 15 amps through 8 inches!!! This isn't a band amp, folks! It's got 3 EQ knobs, switch between metal/modern and vintage dirty, and it's got one heck of a clean sound -- at low volumes. It's not too gainy, and doesn't push either the high or low end too much...basically, it's the perfect happy medium. Play some EMGs and put a Beta 57A mic to this thing and you're golden for recording