What kind of Amp should I get. Here is my Info.

[James18]

I have a Gibson SG Special Elec. Guitar, a nice and awesome sounding guitar.

 

I would like to consider myself an Intermediate player, I like practicing in my room, but also next year I will be playing guitar in my School's Jazz Band. There is an end of the Year concert, that is played in a cafeteria. I tried out the Line 6 Spider III series and liked it a lot, mainly because of the built in effects, I have not yet bought it though. I was wondering, for my needs, would that be a good amp? With the built in effects, will that ruin the Beautiful tone of the Gibson? If not, what size would you recommend?

 

Thanks a lot,

[TinFish]

I'd go with a tube amp. Buy a multi effect pedal if you want something to play around with.

 

Fender has a lot of nice medium sized tube amps.

 

Vox amps are also nice if a clean tone is what you're seeking.

 

I think most people on here would agree that Line 6 amps are garbo.

[BigKahune]

I'd go with a tube amp.

 

+1 . . . Look at the Fender tube amps.

 

 

...Line 6 amps are garbo.

 

Take a comment like that with a large grain of salt... Line6 solid state is fine for practicing, but a tuber will be better for yer jazz band gig.

[Murph]

Go tube. If you have money, buy a Mesa.

 

If you're on a limited budget, I'm torn. I HATE the Chinese Peaveys, but the Classic 30 is a decent amp for the money and there are a zillion of them out there, so used ones can be had.

 

A Fender Deluxe Reverb RI will get respect on any stage. Anywhere.

 

Best of luck.

 

Murph.

[TinFish]

 

 

Take a comment like that with a large grain of salt... Line6 solid state is fine for practicing' date=' but a tuber will be better for yer jazz band gig.

[/quote']

 

Haha, fair enough. They are a fine amp for playing in your bedroom. Their small amps make some sense.

If you want something bigger than 15 watts though I would look elsewhere. :)

[dickey]

Buy an AMERICAN tube amp, not one made by an american company overseas. Also, try to get a point to point amp;the circuit board amps are junk. Generally speaking, the less frills an amp has, the more professional it is. Amps with tons of effects, channel switching,or modeling are toys.

[Maple]

first thing... what is your budget? then, what kind of volume do you need? how clean do you need it to be. i agree with others, don't bother with too many built in effects... get a pedal or two for that.

[charlie brown]

The Fender Deluxe Reverb is Awesome! So is their Twin Reverb! Both are "tube" amps.

Depending on how loud your schools "Jazz Band" plays, might determine which you need...unless they can mic it?

However...if/when you're not playing out, the Roland "Cube" series amps are really nice, too.

The 30, 60 and new 80 watt version could be played "live," as well. If you want a great "Clean"

amp, the Roland 120 Jazz Chorus, is another excellent amp. The Roland's are Solid State,

but have excellent tone, and dynamics.

 

Good hunting!

CB

[Mad Rax]

I think most people on here would agree that Line 6 amps are garbo.

Oh Yeah!!! Total garbage!! Go for a tube amp, any tube amp you can afford sounds better than a Line 6.

If you want effects search for good individual pedals and switch between them with this true by pass looper;http://www.roadrageprogear.com/loopers.html

[jimmiJAMM]

I HATE the Chinese Peaveys' date=' but the Classic 30 is a decent amp for the money and there are a zillion of them out there, so used ones can be had.[/quote']

 

I have Peavey Classic 20 and it's awesome.

[Mad Rax]

Sorry, I couldn't get the adress up here's another try:

http://www.roadrageprogear.com/images/tb1004.jpg

If not try Rod Rage pro gear in the google browser.

I'm using a B52 all tube amp right now, it was a lot cheaper than a Fender or Marshall and sounds pretty good for the money.

[James18]

Hey thanks a lot for the support and help from you guys. I didn't get this support from the Fender forums. Glad I made the switch.

[TinFish]

Haha No prob James. I find that ironic considering just about everyone here recommended checking out a Fender amp.

[James18]

Haha No prob James. I find that ironic considering just about everyone here recommended checking out a Fender amp.

 

 

Haha. Anyone here like Strats more than their Gibson now?

[Nick Beach]

 

Anything that has that written on it comes with a guarantee to be the most amazing thing ever.

[80LPC]

If you get the chance, try a Laney VC15. All valve (as we say), spring reverb, versatile and loud !

[Twiz]

TinFish is right. You just can't go wrong with a tube amp. Something like a 2X12 combo would probably work really well for you. -Like a Fender or something. They're not super cheap, but you'll probably be happier in the long run. As for effects, that's a whole other ball of wax. There are tons of possibilities out there. Make sure you do your research, don't just buy the first thing that you see. Try stuff out. Play it loud in the store. -Sometimes effects pedals are noisy as hell at gig volume level, and you miss that when you're trying it out in the corner of the store with all the other people playing 'Highway to Hell' or whatever around you.

 

(Some recycled advice)

 

5 or 6 years ago, I stopped for a beer at this hole-in-the-wall bar on my way home from work. There was this old guy in there playing some blues rock with his band. He had this amp that looked like he just dug it out of a landfill earlier that day. It was covered in dirt, and cigarette ashes. It looked more like a home appliance than an amplifier. I have no idea what it was, I'm pretty sure it had SEARS written on it or something. Anyway, it was this old tube amp. It had like 2 knobs on it at most. This guy had one of the best tones I had ever heard (and it wasn't the beer talking LOL). I mean, the notes rang like bells, and there was just the right amount of overdrive when he played the strings a little harder. In between sets I bought him a beer, and we started talking. I just wanted to hear his take on guitar tone. I knew he knew what he was doing. He leaned in and said: "You know what the secret is? The less knobs it has, the better it sounds." Seriously? That was it? I tell ya what though, every time I buy an amp or a pedal, those words ring in my head. You know what? He's right.

 

Good luck with your amp. Just be patient. You'll get it.

[pohatu771]

If you want something with as few knobs as possible, buy yourself an Epiphone Valve Junior. 5W Class A head with 4/8/16ohm outputs.

 

You can buy the matching Epiphone speaker (70W 12 inch) or you can attach it to something else (They used to have a 4x12 Triggerman that matches the Valve Junior, but it looks like they just make the head now). There are plenty of people who swear by them, and at "cafeteria volume" you'll get just a touch of overdrive.

 

I play mine through the Valve Junior cabinet, and it will handle a 600 person auditorium with overdrive, but if you want to stay clean it will need to be miced.

[Chas]

Hey,

Take a look at the Blackheart series of amps. They are pretty new to the market and have been getting good reviews for their low price point for an all tube amp.

 

Regards,

Chas

[ics1974]

If you are a student and can afford a tube amp I would also agree with the classic 30.

If on a budget I highly recommend the Peavey Bandit 112 Transtube. It's a solid state that emulates a tube sound pretty good. I own the smaller Peavey Envoy 110 and it's great.

[thejay]

Go with a tube amp for sure and if you have the money def a Mesa! I went through lots of amps and always wanted a Mesa everything else just broke down on me etc... finally got my Mesa and it's what I have always wanted. So if you know what you want get it... Laney, Orange, Fender and Vox make great tube amps too depending on the model... but it's what you want to hear; do the research! I have heard good things about Blackhearts too... a bit cheaper.

[hbomb76]

If you want the flexibility of effects but also would like something that can feasibly handle live shows, I'd recommend the VOX Valvetronix (preferably one of the blue-grilled pre-chrome ones). The amp models are awesome, the effects are every bit as good as (and in a couple instances BETTER) than the Line-6, plus every Line-6 amp I've ever heard squeals like a MoFo when cranked to any performance level volume.

 

H-Bomb

[Corrosion of conformity]

Buy an AMERICAN tube amp' date=' not one made by an american company overseas. Also, try to get a point to point amp;the circuit board amps are junk. Generally speaking, the less frills an amp has, the more professional it is. Amps with tons of effects, channel switching,or modeling are toys.[/quote']

 

Why does it have to be made in America? I'm sick of people going on and on about american made gear...God forbid an amp sounds good and its made in China/Mexico/Wherever else you're upset with. If an amp sounds good and you like it, buy it. But anyways, if I were you I would invest in a fender tube amp, a deluxe or deville would be good, but if you want something smaller the blues jr. is also a good amp.

[EVOL!]

>> From Twiz/// - He leaned in and said: "You know what the secret is? The less knobs it has, the better it sounds."

 

No truer words have been spoken. My advice? Get a point to point wired tube amp with as few knobs as possible. Look for something older and used if you want to save some cash. Old Silvertone tube amps can be found for <$500. Because of their bare bones design, they are easy to fix and modify with modern niceties like grounded plugs. Please stay away from newer Fenders. Due to the circuit boards and mass production, the tone tends to be mushy. And against what everyone says, stay away from Mesa amps. They are great for that mid scooped hard rock sound, but too many knobs. For the price of a Mesa you could get a much nicer boutique amp.

 

Hope this helps!

[esch]

If you want something with as few knobs as possible' date=' buy yourself an Epiphone Valve Junior. 5W Class A head with 4/8/16ohm outputs.

 

You can buy the matching Epiphone speaker (70W 12 inch) or you can attach it to something else (They used to have a 4x12 Triggerman that matches the Valve Junior, but it looks like they just make the head now). There are plenty of people who swear by them, and at "cafeteria volume" you'll get just a touch of overdrive.

 

I play mine through the Valve Junior cabinet, and it will handle a 600 person auditorium with overdrive, but if you want to stay clean it will need to be miced.[/quote']

 

Absolutely 100% bang on.

 

get a great amp in the process that trumps any mass market amp in the price range.

 

Yes, it is THAT GOOD.

 

Basically you can ship your valve junior to randy bemis at bemis amplification, for him to rebuild: email him at randy@bemisamps.com or call 619-248-2362.

 

Call and ask him to describe his mods for a VJ, or in particular ask for the "Custom 7” if you want one like mine. He basically rips the Valve Junior apart and rebuilds it with better components and does some other stuff - whatever hocus-pocus he did on it worked.

 

If you send him the amp, he will probably only charge you for his mods, as he doesn't need to find a "donor amp" himself.

 

He will transform your VJ into a blues / rock tone machine - and no dist/overdrive pedals needed and it could be within a reasonable budget ($500 or less).

 

Here's a review:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Bemis+Amps/Valve+Jr.+Custom+7/100/1

 

Dude! How can you argue with getting a custom made tube amp in this price range?

 

 

PS...IMHO you can forget about solid state or modeling amps if you are after the best possible tone - that should narrow your shopping list down a bit!