• From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Topic: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hi everyone, i'm a new member and have recently picked up the guiter again after 20 years, and am steadily adding to my former 4 chord repotoire, love this site, and all your comments and suggestions have helped me no end. I'm currently learning on acoustic, but am thinking about an Electric. I think i've narrowed it down to a mexican strat, but i prefer the look of the Ibanez AS hollow body range, any suggestions? Also what practice amp should i get? Marshal? Fender? Carlsbro? I've been told Roland are good too. So any advice would be appreciated, once again thanks to Chordie, great site! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy"> (ps, sorry for the lack of paragraphs, my enter key is busted,anyone know where to get a keyboard for Dell Inspiron 8600? on my second now. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_rolleyes.gif" border=0 alt="Rolling Eyes"> )Andy.<font size="1"></font><font size="3"></font><font face="Times"></font><font color="darkblue"></font>

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

For your keyboard go to dell.com on line store.  For your amp I have a very small guitar research for checking pickups after rewiring or a new install.  For my small amp (practice) I have a Roland blues cube 30 watt with 1- 10" speaker. I paid $200.00 american for it. Their are alot of good inexpensive amps out there it all depends what you want and the sound you want ie; tube or solid state (circuit). Also of course how much money you have to spend.


Bootlegger.

  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Thanks Bootlegger, I,ve looked at the Roland and it does look like a good value for money amp, it retails over here in the U.K for about £109, and thats about all i want to spend for a first practive amp.So you think i'll be better off with that then a Marshal or Fender practice amp? I would be interested in what you think. Cheers, Andy.

  • Registered: 2007-03-04
  • Posts: 6

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hey whats up ?  Pretty funny - I'm the same... picked it back up a year ago after 20 yrs. and my 4 chord Glam metal days. LOL..... If you're lookin for a hollowbody, check out the Gretsch G520 ( I think thats the # )... its like $600. sweet guitar & best features for the money. I got one from Music123.com. Its made in Korea but why buy a Gibson knock-off ( Epiphone ) or a cheap Ibanez when you can get a real Gretsch, even if it is their low-end model. trust me, its gorgeous. ok--- a small practice amp ? Try that Behringer 15 or 30 watter thats out now. its solid state, but w/ the features you can really play around & get a hundred sounds out of this thing. Plus you dont need to spend big $ on a tube amp - just for practice. My friend has 2 Mexican Fenders,, Tele & Strat, & swears by them. I'm a Gibson fan myself.

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

I believe that the newer Roland blues cube can be patched into the main board which means that you can also use your practice amp for small venues when the time comes. A hollow body guitar when played at loud volumes tend to feedback alot. I prefer solid bodies myself and something that I can hot rod down the line and make it my sound.


I have a Behringer ACX series (can't rember the model and or find the manual, 60 watts) it has built in effects but I don't play it all that much only with my acoustics. There great priced but if your effects module goes down I don't think it has a bypass so you can still get sound out of your amp. You can buy a Johnson J station or Line 6 POD XT amp moduler to get a thousand (figure of speech)sounds.


Bootlegger.

Bootlegger guitars.


P.S. to Scotty3day The Gretsch is probley made in the same factory (SAMICK) as the Gibson knock off and the cheap Ibanez.

  • Registered: 2007-03-04
  • Posts: 6

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Bootlegger  --- No doubt...... it IS the least expensive model. But for a hollowbody w/ a Bigsby, humbucker pickups,( I HATE single coils ) and a flawless finish; the value for your dollar blows the other guys away. And it is an actual Gretsch. Not some other brand just SHAPED like a Gretsch..... <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hi Andros, the UK is blessed with hundreds of small guitar shops stocked with a wide range of electrics. Get yourself down to plenty and pick up the instruments. If the shop's not to busy ask to plug in on a basic amp like say a Roland Cube. Don't let them dial in fancy settings - get a clean reference channel to start with. Listen to the various guitars sounds and see how the guitar feels in your hands. You'll probably go through quite a few 'I like this one's before you find out what you're really after. Be wary of any shop that doesn't want to let you handle and play guilt free. Once you've found the kind of guitar you are after you can then match a practise amp to it, try out the basic distortion and standard effects like chorus and reverb. Again you may not find recommended amps are what you want. When you find the right pairing you'll know it.

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

HI Scotty3days, love the look of that Gretch, really sweet, but i think the Mexican Strat at the moment is edging it for me, my friend has one and it seems to be really nice to hold and play, and i love the sound, and great value for money,i'm gutted it works out about £100 more expensive over here in The U.K, at about £300, roughly $580.Nice to hear you picked up the guitar again, are you learning scales too? i'm a bit confused with the major scale, i learned the major scale showed in www.Chordbook.com, then my friend showed me another way to play it and i'm not sure which is right, anyone know a good site? Bootlegger thanks for advice, i heard good things about line6 pods, I wanted to order my gear on line as its cheaper,  so i need to know exactly what amp to use, but i really fancy a Marshal Or Fender, what do you think of these? Is Roland better sounding? Hi Cytania, thanks for the advice, sounds like you like the Roland cube aswell, so am i right in thinking that Roland Cube might be the way to go? Anyway thanks for all your input, and sorry about lack of paragraphs again, still no keboard, Dell wants nearly £100, no way i'm giving them that, looking on ebay. Bye for now. Andy.

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

to Scotty3day:

I understand your logic as far as to a Gretsch being branded Gretsch. I myself do not like the look of a Bigsby trem as far as single coils versus humbuckers that also is a matter of preference.


I happen to have both type pickups in guitars. (some guitars with 2 single coils and a bucker, some with just single coils and some with just buckers) As far to hod rodding it the only thing you can do is switch pick ups.


I am waiting for a set of Humbuckers (neck @ 10K & bridge @ 14K)They will be wired in to a strat with coil splits so i can play in humbucker mode or single coil mode the best of both worlds.

But if you like your Gretsch that is what matters.


Bootlegger.

Bootlegger guitars.

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

I have a Fender DeVille with 4 10's as my main amp and also an old Fender champ amp kicking around besides my Roland blues cube, Randall RG80 and small Guitar research(for checking wiring and rewire jobs)a Rockman head phone amp and my Behringer acoustic amp. I like the tube sound for the styles I play (just about everything except goth, punk or speed metal, yeah I know here comes the hate mail).


Both Fenders and Marshalls are really nice amps (and expensive depending on what models) but their a lot of really good amps out. You have to decide if you want a tube or a transistor type amp and how much you want to spend. You have to go and play different amps and find the sound that you are looking for.


Good luck.

Bootlegger.

Bootlegger guitars.

  • Registered: 2007-03-04
  • Posts: 6

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Andros - hi ... I am strictly learning blues - scales & chords. Its funny when your 14 & can play Motley crue songs you think you're a rock star. LOL .. I took a few lessons last year to get jump started then changed jobs & cant afford it now so I find alot online. Try guitarists.net  . VERY helpful. As for your scale question - there are many variances of scales... and just like strings - rules can bend. Dont look at a scale pattern & think - these are the only notes I can use. My teacher said - experiment. If it sounds good, use it. Dude -- if you're lookin for a practice amp trust me the 15w Behringer is the BOMB ! For $50 you cant go wrong !  Why spend money on all kinds of gadgets & effects you don't need ? As for a stage amp -- TUBES are IT, man ! ALL tube ! none of that hybrid half & half stuff either. When you're ready, don't get suckered in by low prices on these newer solid state / modeling amps. Save up your money & get a Marshall 50w tube head. ( 100w is ridiculous )

Many on ebay.............

  • Registered: 2007-03-04
  • Posts: 6

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Bootlegger  ------                    Yeah..... you can ask 100 guys what they like ( guitars, amps, sound ) & get 100 different answers. I only suggested the Gretsch as the best value for the dollar.. my opinion. PS - raised the bridge pickup on the SG closer to the strings. 90% better. I compared the 498T & the Angus pickups side by side online & they seem EXACTLY the same. Wouldn't waste my money.


Andros -- I am very OLD SCHOOL when it comes to sound. I have a JCM900 50w head & 2 2x12 cabs w/ V30 speakers I play through ( when nobodys home ) <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">   

I get my AC/DC sound on the clean (A) channel with full preamp. The B channel is too hot for me.... perfect for J Priest / 80's metal. I use NO effects. Just a pedal tuner then right into the amp. The only thing I would strongly suggest getting is a Looper. I have the Boss RC20XL... It is a HUGE help in practicing scales. I record a few 1-4-5 blues rhythms in different keys and its SO much easier to practice the scale when you have the rhythm playin behind you. DEFINATELY GET ONE.

  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hiya all, thanks for your advice, i done it, i ordered my guitar and amp, Mexican Fat Strat and Vox AD15vt. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">  I rang up for a standard strat with 3 single coils but they never had the arctic white in stock, only with humbucker in the bridge, <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_confused.gif" border=0 alt="Confused">  so i thought what the heck! i'm sure it'll be good, i read good things about them so why not,and as for the amp, i rang a couple of places, they said it was a good modelling amp with a tube.Anyway i got it now so fingers crossed,i read the reviews and they sound good. Let you know when they arrive, and my enter key is STILL busted  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_sad.gif" border=0 alt="Sad">  , so i STILL cant do paragraphs. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cry.gif" border=0 alt="Crying or Very Sad">  Bye for now, Andy.

  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hiya, i've had the guitar and amp for a week,and i must say the guitar is so sweet, and i love the tones on it, the amp is great aswell, i cant believe the progress i've made in just a week on this, its like it plays its self, so inspiring, im in love again. Only problem is this, and i think this could be the only drawback from buying online,its the setup, i'm getting a bit of string buzz,on quite a few frets is that to do with the neck setup? Can anyone give me some idea how to set up a Strat? At first i never noticed it, but i can hear it now, any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Andy.

  • From: Pico Rivera, Calif. U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2006-10-26
  • Posts: 785

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

www.fendr.com, when site opens go to resources, open products & customer services, open set ups.


Good Luck.

Bootlegger.

Bootlegger guitars.

  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Thanks Bootleger, will look there. Andy.

  • From: U.S.
  • Registered: 2007-01-24
  • Posts: 269

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

I,m glad to hear your giving the guitar another shot,I'm sure you'll pick it rite up again. I'm glad to hear your looking at an Ibanez. You dont see that brand on this site to much. I have an Ibanez acoustic- elect. and think its one of the best sounding and user freindly guitars out there. Good luck and keep it up.

  • From: London
  • Registered: 2007-01-31
  • Posts: 88

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

Hi Icelinni, I started playing again in January when my eldest son, who is 18 this month, wanted to learn, so i got up in the loft and got down my old Hondo acoustic, dusty as heck with the high e string snapped, and a cracked saddle.6 new strings later and a new saddle which needed fileing, and hey presto! Now i was the proud owner of a rubbish sounding guitar, that was horrible to play, and i realised why i put it down in the first place.I couldn't let my son go through the same torment, so i got him an Ibanez acoustic, V70, £70, looks and sounds gorgeous, and they sent two by mistake, so we have one each! He can now play the chords to songs like, Wild World,Hotel California, and more,he has picked it up really quick, and I feel so happy when i walk past his bedroom and I hear that sweet Ibanez singing. I have picked it up quick too, and have also got a Mexican Fat Strat, to share. Now to my second son, he is 9, and when he saw our guitars, he wanted one too, so i got him a 3/4 size from the guitar shop, and now he knows, a,c,d,e,em, we joke about getting mum a tambourine. Anyway, alls well,so far. But still no paragraphs as i haven't replaced my busted keyboard. Cheers, Andy.

  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

This is a hard one, you can save a lot of money, by buying a decent amp, and create effects, distortion you can go up to a lot of "legendary amps" just by using a product like line6 pod xt live. I have 3 amps, a so called acoustic marshall 100 watt, but in fact I use him more to listen to the spectacular real, no distortion, just clean, guitar sound. The best I have is a fender cybertwin, quit expensive but worth every $ and a valvestate marshall, also 100 watt, and here I can use my line 6 floor pod live.

Guitar: if it is the first, I want to tell that gibson has some great guitars low in price, like SG, faded and flying V. You can also buy epiphone or a mexican strat. Problem, once you play and compare other guitars, you want to upgrade. It is a more expensive hobby, but if you smoke and or drink, bring that to 50% and you have something good. Collecting stamps is also expensive. Good Luck

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • Registered: 2007-04-01
  • Posts: 46

Re: What Amp with which Guitar?????

CAN YOU GET ANY MORE USER FRIENDLY AND A MORE DIVERSIFIED SOUND THAN WITH THE CLASSIC FENDER TELECASTER  ???  Good Luck, FiveO.....