Guitar Amp advice
- Thread starter SoSolid
- Start date
As ever I would advise trekking on down to your local music shop, have a play around with what they have there and see what you enjoy the feel of/sound of with your new axe
What guitar have you bought?
agreed with this man, its all about personal preference really and what YOU think sounds good.
As ever I would advise trekking on down to your local music shop, have a play around with what they have there and see what you enjoy the feel of/sound of with your new axe
What guitar have you bought?
I got this http://www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_lespaul_junior_dc_wc.htm I am very happy with it.
What a lovely first axe, you lucky so&so! 
I wish I had that kind of budget!
hehe, you will get great enjoyment from that guitar and it has the quality to grow with your learning progression also
I would ignore the above comment, size would not be an issue I would consider the make/break point of a sale- that said, anything above 90 watts should be ample for both practice and small venue playing
I personally recommend brands like Roland, VOX, Marshall and I have friends who greatly recommend Orange, yet I don't get along with them- highlighting the importance of personal preferance
Go along and try lots of different options out- remembering that although you might get a cheaper deal online with the same model number- each amp is individual, much like a guitar
I wish I had that kind of budget!
hehe, you will get great enjoyment from that guitar and it has the quality to grow with your learning progression also I would ignore the above comment, size would not be an issue I would consider the make/break point of a sale- that said, anything above 90 watts should be ample for both practice and small venue playing
I personally recommend brands like Roland, VOX, Marshall and I have friends who greatly recommend Orange, yet I don't get along with them- highlighting the importance of personal preferance
Go along and try lots of different options out- remembering that although you might get a cheaper deal online with the same model number- each amp is individual, much like a guitar
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Feb 2008
- Posts
- 11,114
Since it's your first guitar, you don't need anything mind-blowing for an amp. Besides, you really don't want to embarass yourself in those beginner stages by letting everyone in a 5-mile radius hear your twonking.
I'd say, for an amp go for a decent practice amp like this Marshall 15w one :
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Amplifiers_Speakers/Compact/sc1210/p187.aspx
With the extra cash, get yourself an effects deck or an amp simulator such as the Line 6 POD. The POD V2 is supposedly fantastic, along with the cheaper POD Pocket - both provide an amazing number of different amp sounds, tones, effects and presets to really help you find your sound. See them here :
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Electric_Guitars/Accessories/Pedals_Effects/sc1057/p831.aspx
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Effects_Pedals_&_Processors/Guitar_Effects/p5794.aspx
So, with those two you should have some extra money floating around to get yourself some extra strings, cleaning materials, a swanky strap, whatever.
I'd say, for an amp go for a decent practice amp like this Marshall 15w one :
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Amplifiers_Speakers/Compact/sc1210/p187.aspx
With the extra cash, get yourself an effects deck or an amp simulator such as the Line 6 POD. The POD V2 is supposedly fantastic, along with the cheaper POD Pocket - both provide an amazing number of different amp sounds, tones, effects and presets to really help you find your sound. See them here :
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Guitars/Electric_Guitars/Accessories/Pedals_Effects/sc1057/p831.aspx
http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/Effects_Pedals_&_Processors/Guitar_Effects/p5794.aspx
So, with those two you should have some extra money floating around to get yourself some extra strings, cleaning materials, a swanky strap, whatever.
Yup, I second Pestilence's suggestiong regarding the Pod. That would be a much better way of spending your money at this stage, much better than spending it all on an amp suitable for "small venue playing". Since you're just starting to learn I would have thought you'd want something which sounds good at low volumes (but maybe you don't - in which case do ignore my posts!). You won't necessarily get that from the larger more expensive amps, hence something in the 10-20w category is best. 90w is a little over the top!!!
One thing to consider though is whether you get something like a Roland Cube, which has many effects built into the amp. In this case you wouldn't really need the POD as well.
If I were you I'd look at getting a small solid state combo without effects and then a Line 6 POD v2, which is versatile enough that you can use it years down the line eg for recording. I have a couple of Peavey amps which are perfect (IMO) for bedroom play, and you can pick up a peavey rage 158 for next to nothing 2nd hand, but seeing as your first guitar is a gibson you can obviously afford something better
You want something which you're happy using, so you need something suitable for the environment in which you play.
One thing to consider though is whether you get something like a Roland Cube, which has many effects built into the amp. In this case you wouldn't really need the POD as well.
If I were you I'd look at getting a small solid state combo without effects and then a Line 6 POD v2, which is versatile enough that you can use it years down the line eg for recording. I have a couple of Peavey amps which are perfect (IMO) for bedroom play, and you can pick up a peavey rage 158 for next to nothing 2nd hand, but seeing as your first guitar is a gibson you can obviously afford something better
You want something which you're happy using, so you need something suitable for the environment in which you play.
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Feb 2008
- Posts
- 11,114
If you haven't played before, you'll be incredibly surprised by just how loud 15 watts is. At even half volume it'll be enough to make your neighbours quite upset. Trust me, at this stage you don't need anything more.
If you're not convinced, just pop down to your local guitar shop and try out some of the 10-15w practice amps there.
Tinny sound is rarely down to the individual amp, but rather the pickups on your guitar (which you don't need to worry about) and the config of the amp. Besides, using the POD mentioned previously "tinny" isn't something you need to worry about.
Actually, I have a Pocket POD arriving here tomorrow. I'll let you know when I've had a play whether it's worth 70 of your hard-earned.
If you're not convinced, just pop down to your local guitar shop and try out some of the 10-15w practice amps there.
Tinny sound is rarely down to the individual amp, but rather the pickups on your guitar (which you don't need to worry about) and the config of the amp. Besides, using the POD mentioned previously "tinny" isn't something you need to worry about.
Actually, I have a Pocket POD arriving here tomorrow. I'll let you know when I've had a play whether it's worth 70 of your hard-earned.
I used to have a pocket POD, didn't really get on with it in all honesty. You can't record over USB which is the main reason I bought one, you probably won't care much about this feature. In which case, it's a fantastic piece of kit. You can generate such a mix of great sounds. That being said, I wouldn't compare it to my X3 Live. 
The Vox Valvetronix is a fantastic amp, the Line 6 Spider III 112 is awesome, the Roland Cube is also a great amp. Echoing what has been mentioned above, definitely go and try a few out in your local shop.
The Vox Valvetronix is a fantastic amp, the Line 6 Spider III 112 is awesome, the Roland Cube is also a great amp. Echoing what has been mentioned above, definitely go and try a few out in your local shop.
Yeah Vox are great. I've just recently got a new home practise amp, a Valvetronix AD-50VT. Its got a great sound (I love the 70 + 80's UK presets,) but whats also really good about it for the new starter is the power level switch.
It lets you change the wattage level of the amp to suite your needs. So if you want a quiet evening session you can turn the wattage down and still get that clear sound. Which is something I've struggled with in the past with other high watt amps. With them you can turn the volume down but you dont get the same clear crunch sound.
The only problem I have with it is that the first few preset sounds are lower in volume than the rest. So changing between them isn't as smooth as I'd like, especially when you go from clean boutique to the US type high gain sounds.
It lets you change the wattage level of the amp to suite your needs. So if you want a quiet evening session you can turn the wattage down and still get that clear sound. Which is something I've struggled with in the past with other high watt amps. With them you can turn the volume down but you dont get the same clear crunch sound.
The only problem I have with it is that the first few preset sounds are lower in volume than the rest. So changing between them isn't as smooth as I'd like, especially when you go from clean boutique to the US type high gain sounds.
Just a tuner and a bank of sounds, basically a effects unit on the move...
Also a DI for recording.