Guitar Amps

Groe

Ok I am lloking to get an amp that is in between practise and gig standard. Am 14 so will probably be getting into bands and stuff in the next few years. I listen to Alternative Rock. I like bands like All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Copeland, Dropout Year, Acceptance, Addison Park, Amber Pacific, Angels & Airwaves. I would not be loking to spend more than €600 at the most.

Thanks

A7X

wats ur budget? is it just for practice or for gigs? ders so many u need to specify wat your lookin for in an amp first.

spoonbadger

A7X wrote: »

wats ur budget? is it just for practice or for gigs? ders so many u need to specify wat your lookin for in an amp first.

Agreed. As well as what he said, we also need to know what sound you want. What bands do you like,what guitarists do you admire,what gear do you have now and what tone do you want.

L.R. Weizel

There's no amp that's simply "better" than the others. We'd need to know what you play and what kind of features you'd look for in an amp. We don't even know if you want a small practice amp or a 1x15 monster.

Groe

Ok have changed it now.

CianRyan

http://www.thomann.de/ie/peavey_valve_king_212.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/orange_tiny_terror_combo.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/epiphone_socal50socal412.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/peavey_windsor_head_412_bundle.htm + http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_tone_core_ueber_metal.htm


Just a few options.
I know for a fact some one will come along with better ideas, i just know nothing about pop/punk amps at that budget.
But those are all fairly nice amps.

Groe

Thanks. All opinions are apreciated

A7X

considerin its his first amp i dont think he shud get a valve amp. A good solid state would go down grand for ya. Maybe a Fender amp wud suit. Im not too sure what sorta amp is good for punk rock but im pretty sure it doesnt matter. You'll be able to get a good sound out of them for what you want. I dunno if i can help you that much but have a look at Marshall solid state combos and Fenders. There cheap and are what you'r looking for.
http://www.thomann.de/ie/marshall_mg100dfx.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_fm212r_egitarrencombo.htm

These are both gig worthy

Yakult

^for he's budget he can do way better than those two imo.

Seeing as its your first amp, something versitile and I think something with effects you get you somewhat educated on them.

My 2 recommendations are:

Line 6 Flexitone III - http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_flextoneiii_egitarrencombo.htm
Vox VT50 - http://www.thomann.de/ie/vox_vt50.htm

Both are great amps and perfectly giggable in the future.

A7X

R_H_C_P wrote: »

^for he's budget he can do way better than those two imo.

Seeing as its your first amp, something versitile and I think something with effects you get you somewhat educated on them.

My 2 recommendations are:

Line 6 Flexitone III - http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_flextoneiii_egitarrencombo.htm
Vox VT50 - http://www.thomann.de/ie/vox_vt50.htm

Both are great amps and perfectly giggable in the future.

I agree with him. Id personnaly go for the VOX and i think it suits ur influences. Im not a huge fan of line 6. all the digitalness annoys me but I dnt mind vox's too much. Better sound too.

L.R. Weizel

R_H_C_P wrote: »

^for he's budget he can do way better than those two imo.

Seeing as its your first amp, something versitile and I think something with effects you get you somewhat educated on them.

My 2 recommendations are:

Line 6 Flexitone III - http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_flextoneiii_egitarrencombo.htm
Vox VT50 - http://www.thomann.de/ie/vox_vt50.htm

Both are great amps and perfectly giggable in the future.

Valvetronix are great. I'd track down one of the older blue ones though if at all possible. The thing is, it's irrelevant if he could afford an AC30 or the like, a modeling amp will give him a better idea of what he wants - he'll be able to pick models he likes better, or notice that none of the models get him "that" tone and thus know what dirt boxes/amp he wants in future. Or maybe decide he needs all the versatility and just stick with modelers, or several amps.

spoonbadger

A7X wrote: »

considerin its his first amp i dont think he shud get a valve amp. A good solid state would go down grand for ya. Maybe a Fender amp wud suit. Im not too sure what sorta amp is good for punk rock but im pretty sure it doesnt matter. You'll be able to get a good sound out of them for what you want. I dunno if i can help you that much but have a look at Marshall solid state combos and Fenders. There cheap and are what you'r looking for.
http://www.thomann.de/ie/marshall_mg100dfx.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_fm212r_egitarrencombo.htm

These are both gig worthy

I disagree, there's no reason to avoid valves just because it's a first amp, and given his budget is 600$ i dont see why he should have to settle for less.

Also, those aint great amps, even by starter solid-state standards. That marshall especially is the biggest waste of money on the market.

OP, if i were you, i'd be at least looking at something like this... http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_super_champ_xd.htm


It's a tube amp, with different amp models and onboard effects (all good quality). It's quiet enough for bedroom noodling, but loud enough for group jamming (although it wont really handle band practice, cant compete with a drummer).

And you should listen to Cian as well, he has some excellent suggestions!. But dont bother getting a 4x12 speaker (the big cabinet in the second two links, which contains 4 speakers). Those things are unnecessarily heavy and awkward.

A7X

spoonbadger wrote: »

I disagree, there's no reason to avoid valves just because it's a first amp, and given his budget is 600$ i dont see why he should have to settle for less.

Also, those aint great amps, even by starter solid-state standards. That marshall especially is the biggest waste of money on the market.

OP, if i were you, i'd be at least looking at something like this... http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_super_champ_xd.htm


It's a tube amp, with different amp models and onboard effects (all good quality). It's quiet enough for bedroom noodling, but loud enough for group jamming (although it wont really handle band practice, cant compete with a drummer).

And you should listen to Cian as well, he has some excellent suggestions!. But dont bother getting a 4x12 speaker (the big cabinet in the second two links, which contains 4 speakers). Those things are unnecessarily heavy and awkward.

Im just guessing that hes just started out playing guitar and I know that when I started out I was told to stay away from valve amps. I mean the cheap valve amps arent that great and the dear ones are really only for serious players or ppl with money IMO. And they have to be taken care of, not much can go wrong with SS amps I just thought id show him two specific starter amps to get him going, cause if he is just startin out thats all he needs. As he gets better and has more experience he'll realise that they're sh1te ha.

If hes just starting out guitar it's best to just be able to hear what your playing and get practicing. No point on having a real good amp if you can't play. But of course thats just my opinion on the situation.

Although a modeling amp would be a good idea for him considering he can defo find the pop/punk sound that hes looking for that no specific amp gives.

Another idea could be to get the pocket pod and a low priced amp. PLenty of sounds available on that. http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_pocket_pod.htm

I just personally wouldn't spend that much money on an amp if i was starting off but other ppl may disagree.

spoonbadger

A7X wrote: »

Im just guessing that hes just started out playing guitar and I know that when I started out I was told to stay away from valve amps. I mean the cheap valve amps arent that great and the dear ones are really only for serious players or ppl with money IMO. And they have to be taken care of, not much can go wrong with SS amps I just thought id show him two specific starter amps to get him going, cause if he is just startin out thats all he needs. As he gets better and has more experience he'll realise that they're sh1te ha.

If hes just starting out guitar it's best to just be able to hear what your playing and get practicing. No point on having a real good amp if you can't play. But of course thats just my opinion on the situation.

Although a modeling amp would be a good idea for him considering he can defo find the pop/punk sound that hes looking for that no specific amp gives.

Another idea could be to get the pocket pod and a low priced amp. PLenty of sounds available on that. http://www.thomann.de/ie/line6_pocket_pod.htm

I just personally wouldn't spend that much money on an amp if i was starting off but other ppl may disagree.

You are right, a valve amp would be waaaaay more than he needs right now. But if he's willing to spend up to 600$, i just think there's no point in buying a "short term" amp. If he buys a quality amp now, he'll have it for life!. And even if the OP wants to sell it in future, valve amps keep their resale value.

Think about how much easier it would've been, if you had bought your current gear when you started out. You'd have saved a lot of money in the long term, and saved a lot of time .

But the pod + solid state setup is not a bad idea!!!. Definitely worth considering, and very versatile! .

A7X

spoonbadger wrote: »

Think about how much easier it would've been, if you had bought your current gear when you started out. You'd have saved a lot of money in the long term, and saved a lot of time .

Good god your right... ha but my current gear isn't the merry west. Im in desperate need of money and new gear. Im considerin gettin the ULTRA mod for the auld DS-1 cause it sounds like sh1te and i dont usually use my own amp when im gigin if ya know what i mean. Also the fasel inductor for the cry baby. Just dnt have the money to be buying new stuff. =/

pyure

This looks a bit special:
Blackstar HT-5

More importantly click here for the review from Guitarist magazine

CianRyan

If he can spend €600 on an amp then bloody go for it i say.
Man i swear, i wish i had more money to spend on an amp when i started out, then i wouldnt be stuck with a bloody peavey bandit in my room taking up space. Seriously, no one is ever going to buy it, but if had of bought an orange tiny terror combo starting out, i would h=of had a much better tone and if i decided to sell it, i could of had it gone off adverts in a few weeks.

I see no reason why the kid shouldn't buy a valve amp, just be carefull with it, and remember to change the tubes when needed.
No point in spending €600 on a crappy solidstate amp.

spoonbadger

A7X wrote: »

Good god your right... ha but my current gear isn't the merry west. Im in desperate need of money and new gear. Im considerin gettin the ULTRA mod for the auld DS-1 cause it sounds like sh1te and i dont usually use my own amp when im gigin if ya know what i mean. Also the fasel inductor for the cry baby. Just dnt have the money to be buying new stuff. =/

Aye, money Vs. tone. An epic saga .

Defo go for the fasel, if nothing else. From what i've heard, it completely saves cry-babies!!.

But the ultra-mod would be kickass too!!.....

Budget aneurysm!! :eek:.

punchdrunk

there's an ac30 or two going for about that on adverts.ie

darrenw5094

No point spending €600 on a solid state amp. If he is spending that money, valve amp would be the natural choice. As long as you realise that valve amps need a bit more care than the solid state ones.

The Orange Tiny Terror would be my choice of the above list. At 15w of valve amp, it would be louder than you would imagine. Playing live is possible with that one, as you would be using a microphone in front of the speaker, into the mixing desk and then out of the pa speakers.

It depends on your taste really and the type of bands you will be covering or playing.

But for me, i would be looking at Marshall DSL or TSL.
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/marshall-dsl401/283
Other amps just above your range if you are into metal would be ENGL.
http://www.thomann.de/ie/engl_thunder_50_e322_roehrencombo.htm

DO NOT BUY A MARSHALL MG if you are spending €600.

Voodu Child

pyure wrote: »

This looks a bit special:
Blackstar HT-5

I would hold off on the HT-5 for a while, the first revision has a design flaw (related to the input voltage). They have supposedly made some changes to fix it, but you wouldn't really know if the 'fixed' models have made it into the supply chain yet.

A7X

spoonbadger wrote: »

Aye, money Vs. tone. An epic saga .

Defo go for the fasel, if nothing else. From what i've heard, it completely saves cry-babies!!.

But the ultra-mod would be kickass too!!.....

Budget aneurysm!! :eek:.

Yeah i defo will be. My cry baby needs to be fixed and the ds-1 just needs to not be rubbish. ha

Also, I wasnt tellin him to spend the whole 600 on a SS amp. Just suggesting to not spend tht much on a first amp like. I know there is the whole future thing to look into but i think he should just buy a good ss amp and then save the rest of the money for when he wants more gear, or rather KNOWS what gear he wants.

Anyway, OP, The only way you will find the right amp for you is to go out and try them but don't buy in the shop, It will probably be a rip off.

Groe

Well first off thanks amillion for all the replies. I didn't expect half the replies I've gotten.

As far as the budget situation goes I am not saying I have €600 to spend on an amp I was saying that that would be the absolute most i would spend.

Some people have been arguing about whether I am starting off guitar. I have been playing for 5 or 6 years. I am loving acoustic at the moment but would love to get into electric. I have a decent guitar which I picked up unbelievabley cheap and at the moment it has been sitting in its case and I would love to play it more.

At the moment I have a tiny little ion amp which when I played the other day kept cutting out and to be honest sounded like sh1t. So I decided Its time for a first real amp. People have also been saying about sound and quality and whether it will play over drums. For the moment anyway it will be used by myyself in my room and maybe over at mates.

At the moment I like the sound of the orange amp that a few have recommended.

I would also like an amp with some effects and the like so I can mess around with.

After reading this can anyone narrow down my search?

P.s: Also about the budjet it is a sort of estimate. I f I know what amp I am looking for I will save up that much. At the moment I don't want to go anywhere over €600. So if you can recommend a decent amp abit below that I would love it.

Thanks for the posts and sorry for the long reply.

Groe

Id also like to say that at the moment I am between the blackstar HT-5 combo and the orange tiny terror

CianRyan

For punk deffo the tiny terror over the blackstar.

Groe

I was just looking at the orange amp there on gak and it doesnt look like 9i expected it to. Can it be used on its own as a normal amp?

CianRyan

I don't understand, the tiny terror combo is just like any other amp, plug and play. Or am i wrong?


The head version is switchable between different levals of power, but thats as much as i know.

Can anyone else add to this/clarify?

Groe

Put it this way it doesnt look like a normal amp. It looks handy cos its small and has a handle:)

Has anyone actually used these? If so what are the pros and cons of them. Likewise with the blackstar

brendansmith

Groe wrote: »

Put it this way it doesnt look like a normal amp. It looks handy cos its small and has a handle:)

Has anyone actually used these? If so what are the pros and cons of them. Likewise with the blackstar

I got the blackstar last week and am absolutely blown away by it. Im in australia so that voltage flw dosnt apply here.

Anyway pros:
-Cheap tube amp
-Footpedal
-FX loop


Cons:
-Supposed flaw

A7X

Groe wrote: »

Well first off thanks amillion for all the replies. I didn't expect half the replies I've gotten.

As far as the budget situation goes I am not saying I have €600 to spend on an amp I was saying that that would be the absolute most i would spend.

Some people have been arguing about whether I am starting off guitar. I have been playing for 5 or 6 years. I am loving acoustic at the moment but would love to get into electric. I have a decent guitar which I picked up unbelievabley cheap and at the moment it has been sitting in its case and I would love to play it more.

At the moment I have a tiny little ion amp which when I played the other day kept cutting out and to be honest sounded like sh1t. So I decided Its time for a first real amp. People have also been saying about sound and quality and whether it will play over drums. For the moment anyway it will be used by myyself in my room and maybe over at mates.

At the moment I like the sound of the orange amp that a few have recommended.

I would also like an amp with some effects and the like so I can mess around with.

After reading this can anyone narrow down my search?

P.s: Also about the budjet it is a sort of estimate. I f I know what amp I am looking for I will save up that much. At the moment I don't want to go anywhere over €600. So if you can recommend a decent amp abit below that I would love it.

Thanks for the posts and sorry for the long reply.

Lol. most the stuff I said goes out the window so

Still i think the best thing is for you to go out and try them if you havent.

CianRyan

Groe wrote: »

Put it this way it doesnt look like a normal amp. It looks handy cos its small and has a handle:)

Has anyone actually used these? If so what are the pros and cons of them. Likewise with the blackstar

Ok i think i get whats going on.
http://www.thomann.de/ie/orange_tiny_terror.htm Thats the head, and is out of your price range because you would need to buy a cab to go with it.

http://www.thomann.de/ie/orange_tiny_terror_combo.htm
This is the combo, exactly the same head, only its already atatched to the cab.
Simply plug and play.

Groe

THanks for that. The combo is 15 watts? As for as I know thats what my current one is? Should this make a difference?

Thanks for the little review on the blackstar there, anyone else got any views on it? Thanks

CianRyan

Groe wrote: »

THanks for that. The combo is 15 watts? As for as I know thats what my current one is? Should this make a difference?

Thanks for the little review on the blackstar there, anyone else got any views on it? Thanks

Because its a tube amp it is compleatly different.
The ratio in terms of sound levels is 3:1
So that would be the equivelent of a 45watt Solid State amp.
But what really sells is it, is the The ratio in terms of tone is 1000000000000000:1.

Tube FTW!

brendansmith

Groe wrote: »

Thanks for the little review on the blackstar there, anyone else got any views on it? Thanks

If you type blackstar ht5 into google you will get afew ideas of peoples opinions:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2141803

http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/index.php?topic=14066.0

etc etc

However as someone pointed out already they have a voltage problem in the UK and maybe Ireland (not sure about ireland) on the first wave (current wave) which makes the amp produce a 'farting' noise when youre just chuging on a muted open E.
More about this here:http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31000



Apart from this possible fault (as i said, dunno if it applies to Ireland) its an amazing amp and especially so when the price is considered. A must buy TBH (provided the fault isnt effective in Ireland)