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[Guitar] Amp Recommendations
twmjr
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I've been playing guitar for around six years. Unfortunately, I don't know too much about amps and what would most provide me with what I'm looking for. Currently I've got a VOX Valvetronix 15w & an Epiphone Les Paul '65 Goldtop (which I'm quite happy with). The VOX is a nice enough amp, except I'd really like to mess around with some effects & eventually pick up a BOSS GT board (probably a 5 or 6 on the slightly cheap), and from what I can tell that won't work out well due to the fact that the VOX performs pre-amp modeling & does its own effects.
I'm not looking for anything too crazy, and I don't need anything gig ready. I'm just using it for playing at home. What kind of setup am I looking for that would work best with outside effects running to it? Any other information I need to give you guys to help give me some recommendations? I'm sure I might be overlooking something important. Thanks in advance!
I'm not looking for anything too crazy, and I don't need anything gig ready. I'm just using it for playing at home. What kind of setup am I looking for that would work best with outside effects running to it? Any other information I need to give you guys to help give me some recommendations? I'm sure I might be overlooking something important. Thanks in advance!
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I think he just wants a very straight-forward amp that he can mess with stuff afterwards.
I'd say get a nice plain boring Fender or Marshall and then do your effects externally.
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Yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking about. From what I can tell having pre-amp settings and effect settings within the amp itself doesn't work so well with that type of thing, correct? At least that's the problem I seem to be having with my Vox and the distortion pedal I have. Any specific model suggestions? Even just getting a look at what it has/doesn't have should be able to point me in the right direction.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Once your ready to upgrade, definitely go for the Marshall halfstack. I love my JCM 900 XL.
The Line 6s and the Pod, IMO, are just too digital for me.
If you have a multifx that can work as a preamp such as a GT or POD then the solution is to put it into your amp via the "fx return" jack. So it goes.
Guitar>>>(Into fx return jack)>>>amps poweramp>>>>speakers.
An amp is made up of a pre and power section, your fx board is working as the pre, so just use the jack to go streight into the amps power section.
If your going to do it this way his means, technically, all you need is a poweramp, which you can buy seperately as a rack unit like a marshall 50/50 or similar. However for some reason god knows why this costs a lot more than buying a standard all in one amp.
I would recommend a peavey classic or a fender hot rod. Both are reasonably priced decent small tube amps that will handle whatever you want to put into them pretty well.
Nope. The only output on the back is for line/headphones.
Thanks a lot for that explanation; now I get what's going on in there. The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe looks interesting, although a bit expensive so it'll have to wait a bit. Would that be a good solution?
Thanks again for everyone's input.
A Peavey Classic 30 isnt bad either, dont be put off by the fact it says Peavey on the front, their tube amps are quite decent.
However, I bought a macbook since my music gear and now I regret getting it. I use my macbook as a sort of preamp and can do infinitely many more effects and the line 6 isn't as nice as some of the other amps for the same price in terms of sound.
Other than that it's fun, I can play metal or a really clean sound with one button push.
You want a basic, solid amp that delivers decent tone at a good price? Crate. Motherfucking Crate is one of the best value amp manufacturers you'll ever run across. Peavey makes some good gear too, once again, cheap but decent.
Crate and Peavey are both easily on par with the mid range Marshall and Fender stuff, and will cost much less.
Line 6 gear is for tools that can't afford real tube amps and it never sounds quite as good. And it's all far from straightforward, more expensive than it should be, and altogether not what you need unless you have a specific application in mind (ie, you're putting together a studio in which you intend to record garage bands on low end gear so it doesn't matter if it's perfect because no one will know, or if you're playing in a cover band and want a single piece that can easily mimic a variety of sounds).
EDIT:
And unless you know you want one, tube amps are expensive and sort of a pain in the ass. They're better, sure, but they come with headaches you probably don't really want.
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My first amp was a Crate. They are great, basic, solid inexpensive amps. The one I had came with chorus and distortion. I still say it had the best chorus i've ever heard.
but seeing that you play through a VOX, i'm going to guess it's anything but like metal. in that case, a marshall would be best. i recommend the DSL series, they have a variety of shapes. try out ebay if you can, if you want something cheaper.
a peavey isn't that bad either. i own one, and it stands up well with mesas and marshalls, the user himself just has to get to know the amp better and learn to EQ stuff. if you treat stuff well and knowledgebly, it will return the favor.
if you go peavey, then as was mentioned earlier, the peavey classic is a great way to go. also, the peavey xxx, and the valveking.
if you're just going to play around in your bedroom, then a 1x12 should be more than enough. for small gigs and etc, 2x12 is best. these days, having a half stack is sometimes pushing it. and you could always just add a cab (which is what i do, and i get a lot more variety, lots of high end tightness from my combo amp itself, and thumpy low end from my 4x12). but if it were up to me, and i were to start all over again, i would choose a half stack, probably a peavey one, but that's just me. but right now i have no regrets with the setup i have right now.
now, if tube amps are too much, then i have heard very good things about the roland cube amps. even though they're not tube, they sound great, and go very well with different effects. they are portable, easy to use but expansive enough where you can do the most intricate things with them.
fender's aren't really bad either. i'm not mentioning them because i really don't have any experience with them. i mostly play metal (but don't let that make you think that the peavey's are just for metal, they're pretty good for pretty much everything).
also, i am drunk right now (i think), so i might be wrong about some stuff. most important thing i can say, is go to different stores and try stuff out. i know a lot of people say good things about crates and spiders, but many seasoned guitarists recommend against them unless they are very high end. i know i'm just saying this without any proof, and it's up to you for what you want, but usually, you can't go wrong with a marshall or peavey or roland or fender, whereas you could go wrong with a crate or a spider.
sorry if i've offended anyone.
good luck.