Guitar amp for a beginner

Soygen · 02-01-2008, 05:49 PM

So I've decided to buy an electric guitar after 31 years of life. I want something to do when I'm bored and I've always loved guitar and I think I have the patience to at least learn the basics enough to enjoy myself.

Anyway, can anyone suggest an entry level amp and maybe a distortion pedal(or an amp with it built in or something) that I can set up in my bedroom. I don't know if most amps have a headphone or audio out, but one with that would be preferable. Help me out, FOH musicians!

Occido · 02-01-2008, 05:52 PM

Marshall Amp

Marshall VS100R Valvestate 100 Watt Combo Amp

It was one of the first amps I bought, and also probably one of my favorite to play on. I now have multiple Marshall amps, I just find them to sound really good and sturdy amps.

brekk · 02-01-2008, 07:15 PM

Marshall Amps :: MG100HDFX

this is what my little brother uses. Works very well for him, and when he wants he can let the neighbors hear it.

Hathe · 02-01-2008, 07:51 PM

I got started on a Peavey Transchorus 2x10. Excellent combo amp, but it's a transtube combo so it weighs a fuckton. I don't have any other suggestions as I don't have much guitar experience outside of Peavey amps, I'm a bassist now.

You'll have to figure out the distortion pedal you like, once you figure out the guitar a little bit I strongly suggest going to a local guitar center (or similar) and plugging your guitar into a pedal chain and testing the different distortions. I recommend Digitech processors (multi effects, lets you tweak the settings), BOSS Metal Zone, and anything made by Tech21.

Occido · 02-01-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hathe

BOSS Metal Zone, and anything made by Tech21.

Yes sir.

WarderX · 02-01-2008, 08:13 PM

If you aren't trying to fill a building with sound then there is no reason to get anything big(expensive). Just grab something with a single speaker, a 10" or 12" @ 100 watts or whatever is fine and will be louder than you'd ever personally need. Anything from Fender of Marshall would be fine I'm sure.

The Dauntless One · 02-02-2008, 01:24 AM

Go to your local music store and test them out personally. I was looking for an amp around 300 dollars and the Marshalls in that price range that Tom Lee had sounded like a tin can so YMMV. Also depends on what you want to play. If you want to play tight metal I wouldn't recommend anything from Vox. The Line 6 Spider is fine but it's solid state and the sound can get stale after awhile. I didn't try anything by Fender.

The one I went with is the Randall RG75. Really nice amp IMO and very good distortion. Heavy bass and has a really tight sound. Lots of power too. It's not loaded with features like Spider 3 or Valvetronics but you're getting more "amp" than those two popular (over hyped IMO) choices. Seems like a very popular amp because they are constantly sold out in my area. I wouldn't get a pedal for your situation though.

Oh yes, most, if not, all amps come with a line out. My shitty Fender frontman has one.

BTW what guitar do you plan on getting?

Jimmy Carter wuwu · 02-02-2008, 03:20 AM

If you can find a cheap mesa boogy on ebay. Mine has held up for 5 years solid.

crrimson death · 02-02-2008, 06:57 AM

i have used a peavy rage 158 for like 12 years. no problems, it has served me well as a practice amp

feezy · 02-02-2008, 08:22 AM

I'm kind of fond of the Epiphone Valve Jr. It's pretty cheap to get it and it's matching cab for under $250. Don't be fooled by it's small size or mere 5watts of power, the thing can get loud.

You can use a Boss DS-1 for your distortion since it's like $30. Unless you're looking for some "brootal" metal sound, you'll have to try some other pedals out. I think the Boss Metal Zone is pretty awful compared to other Boss pedals. But, when it comes to pedals and amps, everyone has their own preference as to what sounds good, so just try some out. When you start out your ear won't be able to tell the difference in some areas.

Zeste · 02-02-2008, 09:29 AM

Here's some advice from a veteran musician who wasted metric fuckton of money during my music career:

Right now, buy a cheap combo amp, $150 or less. Use that until you feel you are good enough or committed enough to stick with Guitar for years and years.

Then, buy a halfstack like a 5150 or something. Trust me, the money you save by not buying a bunch of "combo amps" with dual 12" speakers and a bunch of lame effects will be much better spent on your savings account for a halfstack.

Soygen · 02-02-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dauntless One

BTW what guitar do you plan on getting?

I'm considering the epiphone g-310 sg right now. Seems to have good reviews for a noob guitar.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

Occido · 02-02-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

I'm considering the epiphone g-310 sg right now. Seems to have good reviews for a noob guitar.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

Yeah, for a beginner guitar it's a decent guitar, atleast till you upgrade to an average/professional guitar. But, it'll give you some good years out of it.

Just a piece of advice if you plan on playing for long term.
Do..seriously.. do take lessons.. with the guitar you never stop learning no matter how long you've played but lessons are godly.

And 2..... NEVER EVER buy a guitar with a Floyd Rose fine tuner.

Trust me.

The Dauntless One · 02-02-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeste

Here's some advice from a veteran musician who wasted metric fuckton of money during my music career:

Right now, buy a cheap combo amp, $150 or less. Use that until you feel you are good enough or committed enough to stick with Guitar for years and years.

Then, buy a halfstack like a 5150 or something. Trust me, the money you save by not buying a bunch of "combo amps" with dual 12" speakers and a bunch of lame effects will be much better spent on your savings account for a halfstack.

QFT

So many young players (teens) pay so much for lame effects instead of buying an "amp"

Disp · 02-02-2008, 06:16 PM

I've got a Line 6 Spider 2 that I love. Here is the newer version, the Spider 3.
Buy Line 6 Spider III 75 Modeling Combo Amplifier online at Musician's Friend
It is a digital amp and sounds great. It's got a few useful effects that more or less negate the need for most pedals including a distortion pedal.

02-01-2008, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Soygen 100% Pure Soy Monk Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 6,239 +23 Internets	Guitar amp for a beginner So I've decided to buy an electric guitar after 31 years of life. I want something to do when I'm bored and I've always loved guitar and I think I have the patience to at least learn the basics enough to enjoy myself. Anyway, can anyone suggest an entry level amp and maybe a distortion pedal(or an amp with it built in or something) that I can set up in my bedroom. I don't know if most amps have a headphone or audio out, but one with that would be preferable. Help me out, FOH musicians!

02-01-2008, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Occido Your money's on the dresser. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere in the Mountains Posts: 1,418	Marshall Amp Marshall VS100R Valvestate 100 Watt Combo Amp It was one of the first amps I bought, and also probably one of my favorite to play on. I now have multiple Marshall amps, I just find them to sound really good and sturdy amps. __________________ When a man isn't busy killing another, he spends the rest of his time killing what resembles himself the most. Last edited by Occido : 02-01-2008 at 05:59 PM.

02-02-2008, 03:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jimmy Carter wuwu Bring the pain Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 780 -5 Internets	If you can find a cheap mesa boogy on ebay. Mine has held up for 5 years solid. __________________ Listen to the band skindred. www.skindred.com

02-02-2008, 09:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Zeste Ben's Secret Assassins - HIPPITY HOP RABBIT Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,945 +32 Internets	Here's some advice from a veteran musician who wasted metric fuckton of money during my music career: Right now, buy a cheap combo amp, $150 or less. Use that until you feel you are good enough or committed enough to stick with Guitar for years and years. Then, buy a halfstack like a 5150 or something. Trust me, the money you save by not buying a bunch of "combo amps" with dual 12" speakers and a bunch of lame effects will be much better spent on your savings account for a halfstack. __________________ Locke: Where do you get electricity? Ben: We have two big hamsters running around in this giant wheel in our secret underground lair. Locke: Yeah, that's funny.

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02-01-2008, 08:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
WarderX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,593 +1 Internets	If you aren't trying to fill a building with sound then there is no reason to get anything big(expensive). Just grab something with a single speaker, a 10" or 12" @ 100 watts or whatever is fine and will be louder than you'd ever personally need. Anything from Fender of Marshall would be fine I'm sure.

02-02-2008, 01:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
The Dauntless One Flaccid Steel Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,470 -11 Internets	Go to your local music store and test them out personally. I was looking for an amp around 300 dollars and the Marshalls in that price range that Tom Lee had sounded like a tin can so YMMV. Also depends on what you want to play. If you want to play tight metal I wouldn't recommend anything from Vox. The Line 6 Spider is fine but it's solid state and the sound can get stale after awhile. I didn't try anything by Fender. The one I went with is the Randall RG75. Really nice amp IMO and very good distortion. Heavy bass and has a really tight sound. Lots of power too. It's not loaded with features like Spider 3 or Valvetronics but you're getting more "amp" than those two popular (over hyped IMO) choices. Seems like a very popular amp because they are constantly sold out in my area. I wouldn't get a pedal for your situation though. Oh yes, most, if not, all amps come with a line out. My shitty Fender frontman has one. BTW what guitar do you plan on getting?

02-02-2008, 06:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 230 -3 Internets	i have used a peavy rage 158 for like 12 years. no problems, it has served me well as a practice amp

02-02-2008, 08:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
feezy fosheezy Join Date: May 2002 Location: PA Posts: 136 +0 Internets	I'm kind of fond of the Epiphone Valve Jr. It's pretty cheap to get it and it's matching cab for under $250. Don't be fooled by it's small size or mere 5watts of power, the thing can get loud. You can use a Boss DS-1 for your distortion since it's like $30. Unless you're looking for some "brootal" metal sound, you'll have to try some other pedals out. I think the Boss Metal Zone is pretty awful compared to other Boss pedals. But, when it comes to pedals and amps, everyone has their own preference as to what sounds good, so just try some out. When you start out your ear won't be able to tell the difference in some areas.

02-02-2008, 06:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Disp Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA Posts: 576 -2 Internets	I've got a Line 6 Spider 2 that I love. Here is the newer version, the Spider 3. Buy Line 6 Spider III 75 Modeling Combo Amplifier online at Musician's Friend It is a digital amp and sounds great. It's got a few useful effects that more or less negate the need for most pedals including a distortion pedal.