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Here's a short guide that you can use to help us help you get a new (or used) amp! Please use this guide when creating a new thread about your amp search.

-Price Range - What can you afford? (I have $_)
-Necessity - Why do you need it? Will you be playing out with it? If so, what sorts of places are you looking to play? Are you planning to mic the amp? Will you have to rely on just your amp's volume from time to time? (I play here, here, and sometimes here.)
-Frequency - How often are you going to be playing out? Is this something that's going to be used alot, or just once a month?
-Musical Style - Artists/bands/guitarists are more helpful to list than gneres, it's best to avoid listing genres. (I want to have a sound like this artist.)
-Current Setup - What amp and guitar do you currently have? What sort of effects do you use? What is it about your setup that feels deficient? In other words, why do you want a new amp? (My amp is too __ for my needs.)
-Experience - How long have you been playing guitar? Have you tried out amps already? Which/How many? What did you like/dislike about amps that you've already tried out?
-Personal Research - What amps are you interested in? Are you interested in getting a combo setup, or getting a head and cabinet separate? Tube? Solid State?
-Shopping - Where do you plan on buying from? Do you want to purchase this new, or are you willing to be a little more patient and pick up a used model?
-Timeline - How soon do you need a new amp? Do you already have the money for it, or is this something you're saving towards?

Subscribe to your thread and check on it often.

Answer people's questions to the best of your ability. This is to better understand your need.




Here are some general amp buying tips for first-timers:

If you can, try buying used. It'll save you a lot of money, and gives you more amp. Try finding your city on a http://www.craigslist.org classifieds page, look in your local newspaper for musical instrument ads, and even ask around. There is almost always a great deal out there.

Plan to spend at least $150 for home practice, and $300 for performing. You may end up spending more on the amp than the guitar if you have cheaper guitars.

Always ask a lot of questions. If you're not sure about anything, just ask. The combined knowledge of the CGR community is a vast bank of information. We want to help you make an informed decision, so if you need to know something, just ask.

Do your homework! There's a lot of info flying around out there, especially in this forum. CGR Members can also direct you to a large amount of resources as well.

Find a guitarist you know. They may also become invaluble as you buy an amp. Having someone in person to try out guitars and amps with you who has at least a few years' experience will help. It's possible to go without one, but it's highly reccomended to seek one's help if you can.

Don't underestimate the amp's role in defining your sound.



Good luck on finding that amp!

Please PM a mod if you'd like to discuss having anything added to this list.
thesteve
Rainer.
PianoMan


*Also, additional tips/etc. to be incorporated into this post can be posted below*
*unneccessary posts will be annihilated*