what amp is a good amp for a beginner?

taykey · 09-19-2008, 11:48 PM

o think i'm going to go with an ibanez rg, and i want a deep crunch metal sound, and am thinking of buuying a used amp, but i want to know what would be good.

**thesteve** · 09-19-2008, 11:52 PM

there's a survey here. copy/paste it into this thread and fill it out.

taykey · 09-20-2008, 01:20 PM

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 $_)afterr i buy a guitar, i might not have muvh. under 100$ for an amp, but i could save up.
-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.)for now, just at my house.
-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?on the weekends,and in my spare time, maybe ten times 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.)TFK, the classic crime, flyleaf
-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.)i don't have one yat
-Experience - How long have you been playing guitar? Have you tried out amps already? Which/How many?i have a classic guitar... 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?not sure
-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?local music ctore
-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?saving up for one

**nbfan** · 09-20-2008, 01:24 PM

I would definitely consider saving up a little bit more, and getting a Roland Micro Cube. If you ever want to play in a band, you'd have to mic it or get a bigger amp, but for what you're doing, it seems like the best route.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-20-2008, 01:30 PM

Don't skimp on your amp, though for your needs, I would suggest an old Peavey Bravo or Triumph or ultra. Pawn shops or ebay would be a good source. Those have enough gan and can be had for around $200 online sometimes. Really, nothing good will be had much cheaper.

Hopeful · 09-20-2008, 01:31 PM

And, what's your total amount of cash to spend for amp and guitar?

taykey · 09-20-2008, 02:53 PM

i have about 550 so far.

**nbfan** · 09-20-2008, 03:00 PM

The general rule is to spend more on your amp than on your guitar, or, in the case of just starting out, make it about even. What you don't want to do is spend, for example, $450 on a guitar and $100 on an amp.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-20-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbfan

The general rule is to spend more on your amp than on your guitar, or, in the case of just starting out, make it about even. What you don't want to do is spend, for example, $450 on a guitar and $100 on an amp.

The amp will have a bigger impact on your sound than guitar, so don't skimp on the amp. A $100 amp will make your guitar sound pretty lame most likely. The nice thing is, that around $300, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of quality options. Under $200 there are some good used deals to be had.

epiphonelover · 09-20-2008, 03:27 PM

alright if u go 2 guitar center you can get the Raven RG-series amps for a killer price. I personally use the RG60 ($200). It's got 60 watts of power, a 12" speaker, and a great tone. It's an AWESOME amp if ur just starting off or if ur on a tight budget (like me). and it has an effects loop which is unheard of at that price. that would be good if u wanna start getting effects in the future. But you'll really have to crank the gain to get a metal tone though...but once u get there its real dirty

hope that helps. Raven are great amps...dont be decieved by the price. They're not very popular but they're cheap, sound amazing, and they last a long time.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-20-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epiphonelover

alright if u go 2 guitar center you can get the Raven RG-series amps for a killer price. I personally use the RG60 ($200). It's got 60 watts of power, a 12" speaker, and a great tone. It's an AWESOME amp if ur just starting off or if ur on a tight budget (like me). and it has an effects loop which is unheard of at that price. that would be good if u wanna start getting effects in the future. But you'll really have to crank the gain to get a metal tone though...but once u get there its real dirty

hope that helps. Raven are great amps...dont be decieved by the price. They're not very popular but they're cheap, sound amazing, and they last a long time.

Its a fairly cheap solid state. For $200, you could get a heck of a lot more quality than that.

Hopeful · 09-21-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Its a fairly cheap solid state. For $200, you could get a heck of a lot more quality than that.

Agreed. Get a quality used amp through Craigslist, eBay or pawn shops. Check in past threads for amp recommendations. Get your electric guitar used too. That way, your $550 will go a lot further. That budget can get you a reasonably nice setup to begin your electric guitar career. I also second the recommendation to spend as much or more on your amp as your guitar.

metropolis4 · 09-21-2008, 09:06 AM

Something else that might possibly be worth looking into are the old Line 6 Flextone II amps. You can get a killer deal on one since they have been surpassed by the Flextone III and they aren't bad for the type of stuff you're talking about. I bet you could find a Flextone II XL which is a 2x12 combo for around $250 now. Another good thing about them is that they will give you a chance to experiment with different sounds from different kinds of amps so you can find what you really like. That way if you go to upgrade later on you will have a better idea of what to look for. The only problem with them is that they will be more difficult than some to resell.

**Rainer.** · 09-21-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbfan

I would definitely consider saving up a little bit more, and getting a Roland Micro Cube. If you ever want to play in a band, you'd have to mic it or get a bigger amp, but for what you're doing, it seems like the best route.

I'd actually go along with this suggestion, if you just want to get started fast with something fun to use. Roland MicroCube or Vox DA5 are cheaper versatile amps that will work for what you're trying to do. They won't be ideal for when you are playing out more and have a more refined ear for tone, but they will give you an idea of what you're looking for in a second amp. They're also battery powered, so it will be easy and fun to take around.

I'd go with that option for you, just because it's simple, and is very home-and-parents friendly (particularly with headphone outs).

But if you're looking for just a good amp that may last you a while, a used Peavey would work.

These are currently a steal on MF:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...Amp?sku=487051