Learning Guitar - Page 5

Labcoatguy · May 14th, 2008, 06:12 AM

A visit to Guitar Center and $54 later, I have a completely set up guitar with fresh strings. Now I need (read:want) a new amp, having made the mistake of trying my guitar out on the stuff they had in the store and ruining my cheapo practice amp (Washburn WA15G) for my ears. Any advice on a good replacement practice amp, and minimum prices I'd expect to pay?

jensked · May 14th, 2008, 06:50 AM

A Vox Valvetronix amp is a very good choice. They have those in a big price range...and it has digital models of most important amps (marshall jcm800, vox ac30, fender bassman and blackface,...) + digital effects

I used to have an AD50VT, and I kinda loved it. I really miss their Marshall JCM800 impression.
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/valvetronix/

If i were you, i would definitely give it a chance. I have played a lot of amps and for the money, i'd say it's the best there is.

bafranksbro · May 14th, 2008, 06:57 AM

I have one of these and I'd have to say it's pretty good for the money.

I haven't really played in a while though, like since I started college two years ago but I'm getting the itch to play again if I can ever get any free time.

Labcoatguy · May 14th, 2008, 11:52 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys, but in the end I went back to the amp that first got me interested in upgrading:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/5/6/5/461565.jpg

15W, 12" speaker, $75 for a store demo unit and I'm very impressed. All that remains is for my landlady to call me to turn it down, because it is SO much more powerful than a 15W practice amp.

bafranksbro · May 15th, 2008, 01:19 AM

My first amp was like that, mine sounded really flat though and had crap distortion. I assume they've started making them better by now. I also remember I couldn't get a clean sound out of it because when I turned the volume up high enough to hear it it would start distorting the sound even with overdrive turned off.

Labcoatguy · May 15th, 2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bafranksbro

My first amp was like that, mine sounded really flat though and had crap distortion. I assume they've started making them better by now.

Yeah, that's what my first amp was like; I got nearly the same sound just plugging my guitar into my computer. Apparently the extra 4 inches of speaker make a huge difference.

watisdis · May 15th, 2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

Yeah, that's what my first amp was like; I got nearly the same sound just plugging my guitar into my computer. Apparently the extra 4 inches of speaker make a huge difference.

It's not the size of the speaker but rather the electronics inside the amp that determines the quality of the sound. I have this lil' Marshall and have no complaints. Add an echo pedal on full distortion and you get killer tone and sustain.

jensked · May 16th, 2008, 07:14 AM

Crate? Not really my choice, if i'm honest...but whatever rocks your boat images/smilies/smile.gif

Music and guitar sound is very subjective.

Good luck with it images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

NecroJoe · May 17th, 2008, 01:10 AM

Well, in the budget arena, Crate isn't bad. In my experience, they are WAY better that Peavy, or most of the "value" Fender amps...

May 14th, 2008, 06:50 AM	#82
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: 01:49 PM Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 24 Posts: 3,881 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 32	A Vox Valvetronix amp is a very good choice. They have those in a big price range...and it has digital models of most important amps (marshall jcm800, vox ac30, fender bassman and blackface,...) + digital effects I used to have an AD50VT, and I kinda loved it. I really miss their Marshall JCM800 impression. http://www.voxamps.co.uk/valvetronix/ If i were you, i would definitely give it a chance. I have played a lot of amps and for the money, i'd say it's the best there is. __________________

May 14th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#84
Labcoatguy Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: 04:15 PM Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,097 Car: None, but soon enough Rep Power: 56	Thanks for the advice, guys, but in the end I went back to the amp that first got me interested in upgrading: 15W, 12" speaker, $75 for a store demo unit and I'm very impressed. All that remains is for my landlady to call me to turn it down, because it is SO much more powerful than a 15W practice amp.

May 16th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#88
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: 01:49 PM Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 24 Posts: 3,881 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 32	Crate? Not really my choice, if i'm honest...but whatever rocks your boat Music and guitar sound is very subjective. Good luck with it __________________

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May 14th, 2008, 06:12 AM	#81
Labcoatguy Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: 04:15 PM Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,097 Car: None, but soon enough Rep Power: 56	A visit to Guitar Center and $54 later, I have a completely set up guitar with fresh strings. Now I need (read:want) a new amp, having made the mistake of trying my guitar out on the stuff they had in the store and ruining my cheapo practice amp (Washburn WA15G) for my ears. Any advice on a good replacement practice amp, and minimum prices I'd expect to pay?

May 14th, 2008, 06:57 AM	#83
bafranksbro Joined: Dec 1st, 2007 Last Online: July 18th, 2008 Location: New Hampshire Age: 23 Posts: 598 Car: 98 VW Jetta Rep Power: 11	I have one of these and I'd have to say it's pretty good for the money. I haven't really played in a while though, like since I started college two years ago but I'm getting the itch to play again if I can ever get any free time.

May 15th, 2008, 01:19 AM	#85
bafranksbro Joined: Dec 1st, 2007 Last Online: July 18th, 2008 Location: New Hampshire Age: 23 Posts: 598 Car: 98 VW Jetta Rep Power: 11	My first amp was like that, mine sounded really flat though and had crap distortion. I assume they've started making them better by now. I also remember I couldn't get a clean sound out of it because when I turned the volume up high enough to hear it it would start distorting the sound even with overdrive turned off.

May 17th, 2008, 01:10 AM	#89
NecroJoe Joined: Apr 12th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: San Francisco area, CA, USA Age: 29 Posts: 1,253 Car: 2001 Mercury Cougar V6 Rep Power: 22	Well, in the budget arena, Crate isn't bad. In my experience, they are WAY better that Peavy, or most of the "value" Fender amps...

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