Fishman Loudbox ArtistFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 27 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 63%
CONS 37%

Rank based on 27 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a compact amp that doubles as a small PA with D.I. output to a bigger system
  • You need more volume and features than the Loudbox Mini offers
  • You value long-term reliability and don't mind cosmetic Tolex wear

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable 48V phantom power for demanding condenser mics
  • You're outside the US and may need warranty or repair support
  • You want a rugged exterior that resists scratches and peeling

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Fishman Loudbox Artist
Big, warm sound from a compact boxLong-term reliabilityVersatile PA-style connectivityTolex covering peels and delaminatesInconsistent international repair supportAudible hum on both channels
Fishman Loudbox Artist
Big, warm sound from a compact box
Long-term reliability
Versatile PA-style connectivity
Tolex covering peels and delaminates
Inconsistent international repair support
Audible hum on both channels

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Big, versatile sound in a compact package wins users over. Multiple owners describe the amp as sounding amazing and 'sooooo good,' with a sound that's bigger than the unit itself. Buyers chose it over the Bose S1, Boss Acoustic Singer, and even the Loudbox Mini for its extra volume, wattage, and PA-style D.I. output, calling it a Swiss Army knife for covering busking, coffee shops, and small venues.

The Tolex covering is a widely reported weak point. Several long-term owners report the brown Tolex covering peeling, delaminating, or tearing after just minor scratches or a couple of years of use. One user needed a full recover job, another called the frame cover 'super delicate.' While Fishman offers repair/recover service in the US, UK-based owners have no equivalent option locally.

Customer support experiences vary sharply by region. One US buyer praised Fishman's excellent email support and low-cost repair including new Tolex, and another received free schematics and spare parts for a 10-year-old discontinued model. In contrast, a UK owner described frustrating back-and-forth emails where Fishman refused to release schematics to local repair shops, leaving them without options.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?