Good first amp, under $200?

[Maxx]

Any recommendations?

I'm a long-time acoustic guy, just starting with electric, and I got a G&L tele: now I need an amp to go with it.

Much appreciate your thoughts!

[stantheman]

1970's Peavey Classic, a fabulous Amplifier.

[jazztele]

you don't specify what kind of music you're into, but i could put in a vote for a roland cube...the 20 watter should be in your price range, i think...

[4 Strings]

What kind of music do you intend to use it for?
Do you play alone or will you play with others?
Do you or will you play live?

My experience is that no matter what kind of activity you're talking about, be it photography, music, sports or whatever, you should always get the very best (which, sadly, often is the very most expensive) gear that you can afford. In the long run you'll end up spending a lot less than if you start out with some cheapo beginners' gear and work your way up to the goods.

[Maggot]

If you're just starting with electric, I'd recommend a Vox AD30VT, which costs about $230 new, less than that used. It's a modeling amp, so it'll give you a range of classic sounds, most of which are pretty lifelike. That way you can see what you'd like if you were to shell out the bucks for a real tube amp. It doesn't quite have the punch and immediacy of a "real" tube amp, but it sounds pretty darn good. It's just about loud enough for band gigs in a pinch. It also has a power control on the back so you can easily set it to bedroom levels.

If you think you might be gigging or jamming with a drummer, you might want to see if you can afford an AD50VT which has more power, a larger speaker, and an extension speaker jack.

I'd disagree somewhat with 4 Strings about the need for quality gear when you're starting out. You'll need a nice guitar, which it sounds like you already have, but there's nothing wrong with an amp that's a bit of a toy, as long as it has some decent sounds.

Most of the really high quality tube amps, even the small ones, aren't at their best at practice volumes. I'd get a modeling amp (both Roland and Vox sound good, but the Vox ones are louder and cheaper). Then you could use it as your practice amp if you wanted to get something else down the line.

[NewOldStock]

Here's a number of tube amps all under your $200 limit.
Here's the group I'd recommend looking at first-
Musician's Friend search $100-$200 tube amps

And here's your solid-state models in the same price range.

When researching, I always read the Harmony-Central reviews on each amp I'm interested in to find out about reliability, etc.

[kl285528]

I'll second the suggestion of a Vox AD30VT - great amp - I love mine, and gig with it in a two man duo situation, with my bandmate playing drums on a few songs - I could definitely see me having an AD50VT, for the 12" speaker - but you can also always mike the amp if need be - This is my first (and only) guitar amp, in that I got an electric about a year and a half ago, after playing acoustic for twenty years - still enjoying the heck out of it - and yes, you can be very quiet or very loud with it!

[kludge]

I'd chime in with the nice modern modeling amp (nice = Roland or Vox, not Line6!) for now. The price is right and they sound pretty good.

But when you can afford it, definitely step up to a nice tube amp! You don't need a lot of power for that (in fact, high-powered tube amps are mostly a hassle). Basically, any small modern tube amp that uses EL84 power tubes and puts out 15-20 watts will do nicely. For a REALLY classic sound, find a Fender Deluxe reissue.

[Brian blaut]

At just over 200, I say vox ad30 +3. For one, its a great sounding amp. No, it won't replace anyones Tube amps, but for the price, its a fantastic sounding amp that will still hold its own in small gigs and jams. And if your new to electrics, its many options might be helpful if you don't already know what your looking for.

I'd also check out the new offerings from Fender, the new champs. I think they are around 200-300. They're also modeling amps with some tubes for good measure. They've been getting pretty good reviews. It would stand to reason that the Fender should own the Fender sound and the Vox should own the Vox sound, but I don't have any experience with the Fender.

Or there are the cheap all tube amp. The Epiphone valve Jr and Fender champ 600. I was not impressed with the Fender one. I thought it dark and not exactly likeable. Maybe its the 6" speaker. I've decided that I really can't have an amp without basic tone controls. Even if its just for playing by the couch. I haven't played the epiphone Jr. I can't imagine either of these keeping up with a drummer, unless its a really light handed drummer and your fine with a dirty tone. I like it cleaner than not.

[Ericdb_1]

If you're just starting with electric, I'd recommend a Vox AD30VT, which costs about $230 new, less than that used.

+1.

Like you, I'm mostly an acoustic player. But, I went electric about 2-1/2 months ago. I thought I was purist & disdained the idea of solid state. But, given that I've just started with electrics, I really didn't know (& still don't) what sound I'm "looking for". Which meant I didn't know what to listen for when trying out amps. The great thing about the Vox is that I can & do experiment with several different sounds. I'm finding already that I tend to migrate towards one or two. If I ever do want to invest in a true tube amp, I'll have a much better idea of what I want it to sound like. Oh, and the Vox does use tubes in the pre-amp stage. So, it's a little like the best of both worlds.
For what it's worth, I got my AD30VT with the foot pedal switch for $175 off of Craig's list.

[Hoodster]

I'd spend a little more and get a Vibro Champ XD or Super Champ XD.

[Wally]

ATube freak by ear....
used....Kalamazoo Model 1 or 2
new...the little Epiphone Valve JR. or
Fender Champoion 600
NEither of these amps will do performance volume levels, but you are starting out on electric so probably don't need that anyway. And....every guitarist needs a small,low-volume tube amplifier, imo. Start with one, save your money, and buy a larger performance viable tube amp when needed.
If you could stretch your budget, a Silver FAce Fender Champ woud be the best buy....credible sonics and vintage value/investment.
Other than that, go to a pawn shop with your guitar and try out some small solid state amps in the $35-45 range.

[markw51]

Spend another hundred bucks and get a Fender Super Champ XD. Its a real tube amp with digital effects in the preamp. It cleans the clocks of the other so-called hybrid amps I've heard and that includes the Vox amps.

[Maxx]

Thanks for the steers; I'll check'em out. I got into this not realizing how complicated it all is.

All I know from Vox is the Beatles!

[CancerLeoCam]

Find a used Champ 110 (circa 1997 or so). I had one for the longest time and it sounded not too shabby for being under a few bills.

[Willie D]

I love our Vox amps (my son's AD15VT, my DA5), and I keep gravitating toward that Boutique Clean sound, so I guess what I really want is a rare 100 watt Dumble.

But I gravitate toward the Deluxe Reverb, Bassman, and AC-30TB models quite a bit too. So I guess I want one of each of those.

Or maybe, since I'm not gigging or anything, what I really want is a Vox modeling amp.

[studio1087]

Get the Vox AD15VT or AD30VT.

The 15 is under your budget and the 30 is slightly over your budget. The 30 is a two channel amp that you can buy a footswitch for clean/dirty. The 30 is really nice.

[popthree]

VOX Pathfinder 15R is my recommendation. $119.00 brand new from MF. The amp has a great voice, plus real spring reverb and Tremolo. you won't regret it.

[fuzz1812]

I was in the same boat you are - hadn't owned an electric for a while...

I got the Vox Valvetronix and have really enjoyed the flexibility and features. I find that my taste go here and there, and this amp is perfect if you want to goof around with a bunch of different sounds.

Here's a pretty good site with lots of sample settings and a pretty good forum:

www.valvetronix.net

And a video (not by me but some dude with a Strat) that demos the various models:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=52vN3Ly_Ofs

[pchilson]

I would suggest for the money you indicate get a Champion 600 but for a bit more get the Super Champ XD. It is far more versatile.