Practice Amp

hmrhd · October 27th, 2006, 05:08 PM

I thought, as I search for my first tele, that would also look for a practice amp. That way I can match them in the store to see what I will get at home as far as sound goes. The choices seem endles, so in the hope of narrowing my options a bit, I ask, any suggestions? Thanks!

neocaster · October 27th, 2006, 05:30 PM

What are you looking for in a practice amp? You can spend anywhere from $60 to $1000 for a small bedroom-appropriate amp with a 10" speaker.

Guitarzan · October 27th, 2006, 05:36 PM

You may want to conduct a search under the Amp Central Station forum. There are several recent, informative threads there.

Admin will likely move this thread there.

hmrhd · October 27th, 2006, 05:38 PM

I guess I want to stay under $300, give or take, but I want to be able to easily take my amp to friends houses for jams as well as home practice and not get lost because of lack of volume. I don't want to get something that I will outgrow in a year or two, but one that will serve well for years to come. I don't play out, nor have any plans to, so this will only need to handle playing with friends, stereos, etc.

I'm not even sure what features I might want, or not want/need, or will wish I had later if I don't get them now. I guess I am completely open to all advice/suggestions that any of you have.

Hope this helps, at least a little!

maestrovert · October 27th, 2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmrhd

I guess I want to stay under $300, give or take, but I want to be able to easily take my amp to friends houses for jams as well as home practice and not get lost because of lack of volume. I don't want to get something that I will outgrow in a year or two, but one that will serve well for years to come. I don't play out, nor have any plans to, so this will only need to handle playing with friends, stereos, etc.

I'm not even sure what features I might want, or not want/need, or will wish I had later if I don't get them now. I guess I am completely open to all advice/suggestions that any of you have.

Hope this helps, at least a little!

a Fender Pro Jr matches up with your stated requirements/specifications pretty well.....

jwells393 · October 27th, 2006, 06:16 PM

I'd recommend the Fender G-Dec. Street price around $269. A multitude of features you won't find in an ordinary practice amp. Check it out at the Fender website.

Pete Galati · October 27th, 2006, 06:40 PM

If your budget is limited, find a good guitar first. Amps are kind of secondary, and they tend to come & go with very little consequence, but a good guitar could be with you forever.

Good sounding amps are easy to replace because they're easy to duplicate, while it's easy to replace a good guitar, duplicating one is close to imposible.

And unless you have enough money to buy a good amp from when companies like Fender handwired them, instead of packing them with printed circuit boards and ribbon cables, you'll end up with something with a limited life expectancy anyhow.

But when you can buy yourself a handwired amp like a Silverface Deluxe Reverb, or a Silverface Super Reverb, then you have an amp that'll last almost forever with proper maintanance.

Pete

jackdc100 · October 27th, 2006, 07:37 PM

I'd go with one of these or a silverface champ. The champ might be too quiet for playing with a band though, but you'd be surprised how loud they are.

ruger9 · October 28th, 2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmrhd

I guess I want to stay under $300, give or take, but I want to be able to easily take my amp to friends houses for jams as well as home practice and not get lost because of lack of volume. I don't want to get something that I will outgrow in a year or two, but one that will serve well for years to come. I don't play out, nor have any plans to, so this will only need to handle playing with friends, stereos, etc.

I'm not even sure what features I might want, or not want/need, or will wish I had later if I don't get them now. I guess I am completely open to all advice/suggestions that any of you have.

Hope this helps, at least a little!

Those requirements have Vox Valvetronix AD30VT written all over them.

You can "sample" many different amps, effects, and see what you like & dislike. The amp is plenty loud, you shouldn't outgrow it at all (unless you fall in love with tube amps like many of us here), and it's so darned versatile that'll you'll have a very large "playground" to experiment with different tones & effects.

Actually, for ANYONE just starting guitar, I would always recommend a modeler. If you decide you like to play & want to keep playing, then you can get into tube amps & the like. But the modelers just have so much to offer for so little $$ I don't think you can go wrong. I'm quite sure I'd be very happy with a Vox Valvetronix had I not already fallen in love with cranked tube amps.

OH...one more thing... just my opinion, but the Fender GDEC can't compare to the Vox modelers. But it's a different "tool." The Gdec is great for playing to drum tracks & jamming on your own, a great student amp, but I don't think it's amp models are very good- the thing doesn't sound like a guitar amp as much as a guitar amp played thru a radio, kind of. If learning to play in time & jamming to a drum track are what you want to do, the GDEC is great. If sampling great amp sound & effects, and jamming with a REAL drummer/band are what you want, go with the Valvetronix. The Valvetronix can also be gigged- I don't think the GDEC can, nor was it designed to. The sounds just aren't good enough in my opinion.

hmrhd · October 28th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Thanks for all the help folks!

If nothing else, I have a excuse to visit guitar stores, I mean, it would be rude not to thoroughly check out each and every one of your suggestions.

6942 · October 29th, 2006, 03:43 PM

Tube: VOX AD30VT
SS: Roland Cube 30

hmrhd · October 29th, 2006, 10:06 PM

The VOX AD30VT is looking more and more like what I might want, but, I still have all the other suggestions to wade through.

hmrhd · November 2nd, 2006, 12:54 PM

I guess effects pedals, etc. can be connected to these amps?

Tim Armstrong · November 2nd, 2006, 01:09 PM

Yep, just plug your guitar into the pedal, and the pedal into the amp.

I was gonna post about the Vox Valvetronix AD30VT that's on sale right now at MF for $239, but I see others have beat me to it!

Cheers, Tim

weelie · November 2nd, 2006, 01:16 PM

Any ideas for a ....
simple and low cost
good sounding amp (emphasis on good cleans)
with a *spring* reverb. No other effects needed/wanted.

I don't play out, so it desn't matter much to me if the wattage is 10 or 60, but I'd prefer minimum 10" speaker. Any ideas?

bluescube · November 2nd, 2006, 01:19 PM

Roland Cubes:

15X, 20X or 30X

www.rolandus.com

unclearty · November 2nd, 2006, 01:26 PM

Fender Frontman 25R ..newer series...10"..spring reverb...very good clean channel. If you upgrade the speaker to an Eminence Rajin Cajun, it can be gig-able...and sounds alot nicer.

brillocaster · November 2nd, 2006, 02:38 PM

^ +1 on the Frontman 25R. I have one and It does everything I need it to sound-wise, it's easy to lug it over to a friends house, and it was only $100 you-know-where.

brillocaster · November 2nd, 2006, 02:38 PM

^ +1 on the Frontman 25R. I have one and It does everything I need it to sound-wise, it's easy to lug it over to a friends house, and it was only $100 you-know-where.

sax4blues · November 3rd, 2006, 01:16 AM

I was playing these at GC. I know, I know, completely wrong for the P2P valve purist. But for a new guitarist buying a "practice" amp I think these are very cool. Built in rhythm section, tuner, effects, outputs. A turnkey solution.

weelie · November 3rd, 2006, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sax4blues

I was playing these at GC. I know, I know, completely wrong for the P2P valve purist. But for a new guitarist buying a "practice" amp I think these are very cool. Built in rhythm section, tuner, effects, outputs. A turnkey solution.

You weren't replying to my question, but anyways...

I tried the G-DEC once in a store. I got so frustrated in trying to find a good, basic tone (no whishy washy effects, thank you) that I might've chucked the thing out of a window if the store room had had a window. Sure there's zillion effects and drum loops to play on, but...

But I guess I am purist then.

I can understand that the G-DEC certainly fills a market "need" and might be a good choice for many. To me the Valvetronix Vox were a lot healthier choice.

bluescube · November 3rd, 2006, 08:35 AM

I like the Roland Cube series.

Durtdog · November 3rd, 2006, 09:04 AM

I recently bought a VOX Pathfinder 15R AND a Fender Frontman 25R. Played them both at home for a few days. The Fender went back to GC. No contest. I'm simply amazed at the great basic clean tone of the PF, and plugged into a larger speaker, it's really good.

I think the Valvetronix amps are good, too. As a long-time Fender lover, I'm sort of a cheap VOX "convert".

weelie · November 3rd, 2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

I recently bought a VOX Pathfinder 15R AND a Fender Frontman 25R.

I've tried the Pathfinder 15R and Cambridge 15R some time ago, and liked them both. The Valvetronix, for all their good qualities, are just too modern for my taste. The Frontman I always thought as just a cheap model (don't know why), so I don't even remeber if I've played one ever.

Then there's the Tech 21 TM30. In my brief tests it sounded a tad flat to me, but still an option. Or the TM60. Seem to be a lot of them available used down here. Maybe they just aren't the "in thing" anymore.

MaskedRider · November 3rd, 2006, 03:41 PM

The Songworks Little Lanilai 3350 is a nice little practice amp and it will also drive up to 2 4X12 cabs.It doesn't have reverb but Songworks makes a spring reverb pedal.I got this one and also the matching Rotary Wave(like a Leslie)speaker that I am going to put on ebay soon.

studio1087 · November 3rd, 2006, 06:32 PM

Vox AD30VT. Get the Vox channel switching pedal with it.

Amp - $239
Pedal- $ 29

The versitility is fantastic.

If you want a more basic amp get a Vox Pathfinder15R Solid State.

Available everywhere.

October 27th, 2006, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
hmrhd TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 25	Practice Amp I thought, as I search for my first tele, that would also look for a practice amp. That way I can match them in the store to see what I will get at home as far as sound goes. The choices seem endles, so in the hope of narrowing my options a bit, I ask, any suggestions? Thanks!

October 27th, 2006, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,529 11 Photos	What are you looking for in a practice amp? You can spend anywhere from $60 to $1000 for a small bedroom-appropriate amp with a 10" speaker. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

October 27th, 2006, 05:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Guitarzan Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hotlanta, GA Posts: 900	You may want to conduct a search under the Amp Central Station forum. There are several recent, informative threads there. Admin will likely move this thread there. __________________ Set an eye on 'em Amos. Make it count, son.

October 27th, 2006, 06:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,245 101 Photos	I'd recommend the Fender G-Dec. Street price around $269. A multitude of features you won't find in an ordinary practice amp. Check it out at the Fender website. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

October 27th, 2006, 07:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
jackdc100 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Pro jr I'd go with one of these or a silverface champ. The champ might be too quiet for playing with a band though, but you'd be surprised how loud they are.

October 27th, 2006, 05:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
hmrhd TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 25	I guess I want to stay under $300, give or take, but I want to be able to easily take my amp to friends houses for jams as well as home practice and not get lost because of lack of volume. I don't want to get something that I will outgrow in a year or two, but one that will serve well for years to come. I don't play out, nor have any plans to, so this will only need to handle playing with friends, stereos, etc. I'm not even sure what features I might want, or not want/need, or will wish I had later if I don't get them now. I guess I am completely open to all advice/suggestions that any of you have. Hope this helps, at least a little!

October 27th, 2006, 06:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pete Galati R.I.P. Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,104 2 Photos	If your budget is limited, find a good guitar first. Amps are kind of secondary, and they tend to come & go with very little consequence, but a good guitar could be with you forever. Good sounding amps are easy to replace because they're easy to duplicate, while it's easy to replace a good guitar, duplicating one is close to imposible. And unless you have enough money to buy a good amp from when companies like Fender handwired them, instead of packing them with printed circuit boards and ribbon cables, you'll end up with something with a limited life expectancy anyhow. But when you can buy yourself a handwired amp like a Silverface Deluxe Reverb, or a Silverface Super Reverb, then you have an amp that'll last almost forever with proper maintanance. Pete

October 28th, 2006, 04:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
hmrhd TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 25	Thanks for all the help folks! If nothing else, I have a excuse to visit guitar stores, I mean, it would be rude not to thoroughly check out each and every one of your suggestions.

October 29th, 2006, 03:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,597	Tube: VOX AD30VT SS: Roland Cube 30

October 29th, 2006, 10:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
hmrhd TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 25	The VOX AD30VT is looking more and more like what I might want, but, I still have all the other suggestions to wade through.

November 2nd, 2006, 12:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
hmrhd TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 25	I guess effects pedals, etc. can be connected to these amps?

November 2nd, 2006, 01:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,702	Yep, just plug your guitar into the pedal, and the pedal into the amp. I was gonna post about the Vox Valvetronix AD30VT that's on sale right now at MF for $239, but I see others have beat me to it! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

November 2nd, 2006, 01:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
weelie Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Helsinki, Finland, Yer-up Age: 34 Posts: 1,958 12 Photos	Any ideas for a .... simple and low cost good sounding amp (emphasis on good cleans) with a spring reverb. No other effects needed/wanted. I don't play out, so it desn't matter much to me if the wattage is 10 or 60, but I'd prefer minimum 10" speaker. Any ideas? __________________ <- I don't need smileys, I'm smiling already.

November 2nd, 2006, 01:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
bluescube Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Greensboro NC Age: 41 Posts: 1,071 6 Photos	Roland Cubes: 15X, 20X or 30X www.rolandus.com

November 2nd, 2006, 01:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
unclearty Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South central Mass. Age: 56 Posts: 351 2 Photos	Fender Frontman 25R ..newer series...10"..spring reverb...very good clean channel. If you upgrade the speaker to an Eminence Rajin Cajun, it can be gig-able...and sounds alot nicer. __________________ uncle-arty

November 2nd, 2006, 02:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 750	^ +1 on the Frontman 25R. I have one and It does everything I need it to sound-wise, it's easy to lug it over to a friends house, and it was only $100 you-know-where.

November 2nd, 2006, 02:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 750	^ +1 on the Frontman 25R. I have one and It does everything I need it to sound-wise, it's easy to lug it over to a friends house, and it was only $100 you-know-where.

November 3rd, 2006, 01:16 AM	#20 (permalink)
sax4blues Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 51 Posts: 597	FENDER GDEC? I was playing these at GC. I know, I know, completely wrong for the P2P valve purist. But for a new guitarist buying a "practice" amp I think these are very cool. Built in rhythm section, tuner, effects, outputs. A turnkey solution.

November 3rd, 2006, 08:35 AM	#22 (permalink)
bluescube Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Greensboro NC Age: 41 Posts: 1,071 6 Photos	I like the Roland Cube series.

November 3rd, 2006, 09:04 AM	#23 (permalink)
Durtdog Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,484	I recently bought a VOX Pathfinder 15R AND a Fender Frontman 25R. Played them both at home for a few days. The Fender went back to GC. No contest. I'm simply amazed at the great basic clean tone of the PF, and plugged into a larger speaker, it's really good. I think the Valvetronix amps are good, too. As a long-time Fender lover, I'm sort of a cheap VOX "convert".

November 3rd, 2006, 03:41 PM	#25 (permalink)
MaskedRider Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midwest Posts: 259	The Songworks Little Lanilai 3350 is a nice little practice amp and it will also drive up to 2 4X12 cabs.It doesn't have reverb but Songworks makes a spring reverb pedal.I got this one and also the matching Rotary Wave(like a Leslie)speaker that I am going to put on ebay soon.

November 3rd, 2006, 06:32 PM	#26 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 4,002 36 Photos	Vox AD30VT. Get the Vox channel switching pedal with it. Amp - $239 Pedal- $ 29 The versitility is fantastic. If you want a more basic amp get a Vox Pathfinder15R Solid State. Available everywhere. __________________ JLG Carry On