MIM Standard: What Amp?

mx-20 · June 7th, 2003, 03:22 AM

I just purchased my first electric guitar: a MIM Telecaster. I need a practice amp for around $100. Is the Fender Frontman 15R the best way to go? Do I need reverb? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Caper · June 7th, 2003, 06:19 AM

Ok now that you got the guitar I know you must be really anxious to plug it in and begin playin. My guitar teacher had a 15R that we plugged into that wasn't bad at all. Also if you can find one of the Peavey Transtube series used you are getting a good first amp. Check a few of the pawnshops or buy and sell papers for something used. That $100 may buy something worth $200 to $ 300 that is now used.

bri · June 7th, 2003, 09:25 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of Teles. FWIW, I've been playing for years and still use the Fender Frontman 15R as a practise amp. Try to stay with a brand name like Fender or Peavey. Some of the little off-brand stuff sold by some guitar stores are really cheesy.
Later,
Brian

Michael R · June 7th, 2003, 09:36 AM

Check out the Behringer 110 & 112's decent amps and in that price range.

Cooper · June 7th, 2003, 02:31 PM

if you're will to go up to $150, you can sometimes find these used. 120 watts with a 12 inch speaker, nice sounds, effects, all in a small package. i know people that gig with these things.

no affiliation . . . i love these and recommend them to everybody.

BrianF · June 7th, 2003, 02:40 PM

they are solid state but sound pretty good I hear...and usually less than $100 on ebay....

for that matter maybe you could score a used silverface Champ on ebay for around that $ too?

here's a champ on ebay...there's others too...You can't go wrong with one of these...all-tube and collectible!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=38074

Tim Armstrong · June 7th, 2003, 03:10 PM

I think reverb makes a small practice amp sound bigger and better. At that price point, I'd probably take my guitar to every music store in the area and play through EVERYTHING in or near your budgeted purchase price. Play everything you know, play every style you're likely to want to play at home, have another guitarist play stuff if you're just beginning and can't play very well yet.

Let your ears tell you which amp is the right one!

Good luck!

Tim

Telecaster · June 7th, 2003, 05:50 PM

Wait a little bit and save more $$$. Get yourself a Tube amp. Whether it be a used Fender or a new Blues Jr or similar. Nothing beats a tube powered amp. My first "practice" amp was a Fender Sidekick Reverb 35. I got so frusterated with it. I eb=nded up giving up on it and practicing with my 66' Bandmaster. I have since purchased a 65' original Twin Reverb and that gets the bulk of the work. Fender makes a Blues Jr and that is a hell of an amp for sound and practice. It also has reverb which in my opinion is a must. Seriously, wait and save $$ and get a tube amp!

mx-20 · June 8th, 2003, 12:41 AM

After listening to you guys, I will definitely get reverb now. I am going to have to listen to a tube amp...I do not know the difference being this is my first electric guitar. All of these decisions though are so much fun. It looks like my journey is just beginning.

tweeddeluxe · June 8th, 2003, 12:58 AM

Save another $100 and get a used pro jr. You wont regret it.

BrianF · June 8th, 2003, 01:25 AM

that has a great basic sound...even if it doesn't have reverb...you can always build your tone around that 1 great amp...using external effects and stomp boxes. On the other hand if you get a cheap amp with a bunch of built-in effects...chances are that you'll be stuck with that tone...

TeleTwanger37 · June 8th, 2003, 06:18 PM

I have played thru some good solid state stuff like princeton chorus and peavy studio pro trans tube,if you play good enough the sound will be good if your not playing with the band it cost a lot of money for a good tube amp.

freckmoto · June 8th, 2003, 10:47 PM

Fender champ (silverface vintage from ebay) would be a killer choice. I love mine with my tele. Might cost you 150 on ebay.

Max

Colo Springs E · June 8th, 2003, 11:19 PM

Your initial post said you had about $100 to spend. I take that to mean you have about $100 to spend. I'm very intuitive that way.

Their is nothing 'wrong' with non-tube amps, especially when you're starting out. All things considered, I'd rather have a tube amp. However, to start out with, you really don't need much of an amp; just something to amplify the mistakes you'll make :) and a little bit of gain to cover them up!

Reverb is nice to have, as is "gain" (or distortion) if you like rock 'n roll.

Their are TONS of amps out there that will absolutely do the trick for you for $100 or LESS. Peavey and Crate have BRAND NEW amps for that price or less that are fine to learn with.

I can't recall how much the Frontman 15R is, but it's a fine amp for learning with.

If you know someone knowledgeable who can help you out, nothing wrong with shopping used either. You can get a lot more amp for the same or less $.

If you prefer to play in private and not disturb anyone else with your playing, their are little electronic boxes that emulate amps, effects, and all kind of things for less than $100. The DigiTech rp100 (something like that?) also has a built-in drum machine, handy for helping out with your timing!

Good luck and have fun!!

-Eric

Kingpin · June 9th, 2003, 01:01 AM

If you're looking to keep it at $100 or less, the Behringer Vintager GM110 is the best value out there IMHO. I bought mine through MF for $99. No reverb, but for that price you're not going to find a quality 'verb anyway. The Vintager has 3 basic amp models, Calif., British, and Tweed. It offers 3 types of output modes, Hot, Hi-Gain and Clean; as well as 3 types of speaker simulation. You mix and match your preferences to dial up the sound you're after. All in all, it's quite versatile, built like a tank and comes with a stock Jensen speaker to boot. Perfect for home practice (you won't have enough power to hang with a drummer though).

June 7th, 2003, 03:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
mx-20 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2	MIM Standard: What Amp? I just purchased my first electric guitar: a MIM Telecaster. I need a practice amp for around $100. Is the Fender Frontman 15R the best way to go? Do I need reverb? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

June 7th, 2003, 06:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,169 7 Photos	Welcome Teleman Ok now that you got the guitar I know you must be really anxious to plug it in and begin playin. My guitar teacher had a 15R that we plugged into that wasn't bad at all. Also if you can find one of the Peavey Transtube series used you are getting a good first amp. Check a few of the pawnshops or buy and sell papers for something used. That $100 may buy something worth $200 to $ 300 that is now used.

June 7th, 2003, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
bri Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 68 Posts: 454	What Amp? Welcome to the wonderful world of Teles. FWIW, I've been playing for years and still use the Fender Frontman 15R as a practise amp. Try to stay with a brand name like Fender or Peavey. Some of the little off-brand stuff sold by some guitar stores are really cheesy. Later, Brian

June 7th, 2003, 02:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cooper Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 498	Crate GFX 120 if you're will to go up to $150, you can sometimes find these used. 120 watts with a 12 inch speaker, nice sounds, effects, all in a small package. i know people that gig with these things. no affiliation . . . i love these and recommend them to everybody. __________________ I said, "I don't think so, Scooter!" And I was wrong.

June 7th, 2003, 02:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	how about a Fender Tweed '93 Bronco? they are solid state but sound pretty good I hear...and usually less than $100 on ebay.... for that matter maybe you could score a used silverface Champ on ebay for around that $ too? here's a champ on ebay...there's others too...You can't go wrong with one of these...all-tube and collectible! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=38074

June 7th, 2003, 09:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Michael R Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 579	Check out the Behringer 110 & 112's decent amps and in that price range.

June 7th, 2003, 03:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,720	Hard to get a Champ for under $200 anymore... I think reverb makes a small practice amp sound bigger and better. At that price point, I'd probably take my guitar to every music store in the area and play through EVERYTHING in or near your budgeted purchase price. Play everything you know, play every style you're likely to want to play at home, have another guitarist play stuff if you're just beginning and can't play very well yet. Let your ears tell you which amp is the right one! Good luck! Tim

June 7th, 2003, 05:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Telecaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 182	Go for it!! Wait a little bit and save more $$$. Get yourself a Tube amp. Whether it be a used Fender or a new Blues Jr or similar. Nothing beats a tube powered amp. My first "practice" amp was a Fender Sidekick Reverb 35. I got so frusterated with it. I eb=nded up giving up on it and practicing with my 66' Bandmaster. I have since purchased a 65' original Twin Reverb and that gets the bulk of the work. Fender makes a Blues Jr and that is a hell of an amp for sound and practice. It also has reverb which in my opinion is a must. Seriously, wait and save $$ and get a tube amp!

June 8th, 2003, 12:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
mx-20 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2	Thanks After listening to you guys, I will definitely get reverb now. I am going to have to listen to a tube amp...I do not know the difference being this is my first electric guitar. All of these decisions though are so much fun. It looks like my journey is just beginning.

June 8th, 2003, 12:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
tweeddeluxe Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MD Age: 51 Posts: 735	Save another $100 and get a used pro jr. You wont regret it.

June 8th, 2003, 01:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	If you get a basic tube amp.... that has a great basic sound...even if it doesn't have reverb...you can always build your tone around that 1 great amp...using external effects and stomp boxes. On the other hand if you get a cheap amp with a bunch of built-in effects...chances are that you'll be stuck with that tone...

June 8th, 2003, 06:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
TeleTwanger37 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: linden,penna Posts: 326	I think some solid state stuff is alright I have played thru some good solid state stuff like princeton chorus and peavy studio pro trans tube,if you play good enough the sound will be good if your not playing with the band it cost a lot of money for a good tube amp.

June 8th, 2003, 10:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
freckmoto NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1	Fender champ (silverface vintage from ebay) would be a killer choice. I love mine with my tele. Might cost you 150 on ebay. Max

June 8th, 2003, 11:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 5,204 5 Photos	I disagree with others who tell you to spend more...... Your initial post said you had about $100 to spend. I take that to mean you have about $100 to spend. I'm very intuitive that way. Their is nothing 'wrong' with non-tube amps, especially when you're starting out. All things considered, I'd rather have a tube amp. However, to start out with, you really don't need much of an amp; just something to amplify the mistakes you'll make :) and a little bit of gain to cover them up! Reverb is nice to have, as is "gain" (or distortion) if you like rock 'n roll. Their are TONS of amps out there that will absolutely do the trick for you for $100 or LESS. Peavey and Crate have BRAND NEW amps for that price or less that are fine to learn with. I can't recall how much the Frontman 15R is, but it's a fine amp for learning with. If you know someone knowledgeable who can help you out, nothing wrong with shopping used either. You can get a lot more amp for the same or less $. If you prefer to play in private and not disturb anyone else with your playing, their are little electronic boxes that emulate amps, effects, and all kind of things for less than $100. The DigiTech rp100 (something like that?) also has a built-in drum machine, handy for helping out with your timing! Good luck and have fun!! -Eric __________________ Think I'll pack it in and Buy a pickup Take it down to LA...

June 9th, 2003, 01:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
Kingpin Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Here Posts: 1,208	Behringer Vintager GM110 If you're looking to keep it at $100 or less, the Behringer Vintager GM110 is the best value out there IMHO. I bought mine through MF for $99. No reverb, but for that price you're not going to find a quality 'verb anyway. The Vintager has 3 basic amp models, Calif., British, and Tweed. It offers 3 types of output modes, Hot, Hi-Gain and Clean; as well as 3 types of speaker simulation. You mix and match your preferences to dial up the sound you're after. All in all, it's quite versatile, built like a tank and comes with a stock Jensen speaker to boot. Perfect for home practice (you won't have enough power to hang with a drummer though). __________________ Bring on da Twang