Help me choose between amp and guitar

[mimmo]

Hi
I am looking to add something to my humble guitar family and would like to hear your opinion.

In the past months I have been selling quite a lot, and now I am left with three guitars and two amps.
The guitars are a Telecaster AV52, a Gibson J-45 Original 50s and the recently reissued Epiphone Riviera Noel Gallagher. So I have single coils, humbuckers and acoustic civered.

Amp wise I have a Fender Mustang I and a Vox Pathfinder 10 that I really like and find quite satisfying.

If I was forced to make a choice, I'd say that a good quality amp (I really liked the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb I tried in the shop) would be the logic answer, but I am jonesing with the idea of adding a P90 equipped guitar (Gibson Les Paul Junior or Tele Noventa) or a Gretsch Electromatic with Fidelitrons, Filtertrons or whatever they are called pickups, just to add a new flavour to my sonic palette.

I have moved recently, I live in a very (very!) small village on the mountains so trying before buying is not really an option.

Some of you may have read the 4 pages long thread I started on the Strat talk forum, I have been trying to get convinced to buy a Strat but it really isn't a guitar for me.

So, amp or guitar?

 

[dougbgt6]

I have an Epiphone inspired by Gibson LPJ. (NOT a bolt on neck!) The single P90 is my favourite pickup amongst, my Tele, MIJ Strat and Gibson Humbucker SG. Oh, the growl of the P90! If they all had to go but one, it would be a hard choice between my Tele and LPJ. As to amps I've settled on a Fender Blues Junior.

The Epiphone LPJ costs $1000 less that the Gibson LPJ and as far as I can see is just as good, so you can afford an amp as well.

Doug

 

[runstendt]

An SG with P90s would add to your sonic palette. I have a Gibson SG Classic that I love, but I’ve heard good things about the Epiphone versions as well.

 

[mimmo]

I have an Epiphone inspired by Gibson LPJ. (NOT a bolt on neck!) The single P90 is my favourite pickup amongst, my Tele, MIJ Strat and Gibson Humbucker SG. Oh, the growl of the P90! If they all had to go but one, it would be a hard choice between my Tele and LPJ. As to amps I've settled on a Fender Blues Junior.

The Epiphone LPJ costs $1000 less that the Gibson LPJ and as far as I can see is just as good, so you can afford an amp as well.

Doug

An SG with P90s would add to your sonic palette. I have a Gibson SG Classic that I love, but I’ve heard good things about the Epiphone versions as well.

Thanks guys. That's another option I had in mind: I could actually buy both the Deluxe Reverb and the Epiphone LP Junior (or SG for instance) for the price of the Gibson LP Junior.

Thanks for that!

 

[Festofish]

Guitar here. I can live with one combo. I’m spoiled right now with a Hotrod Deluxe on top of a Blackstar club. Decent “stack”. If you‘re Happy with your amps, get something different for a guitar. There’s a whole wide world of choices and I got a Strandberg 7string with your name on it.

 

[Greenmachine]

If I had what you had I'd go with an amp. Fender deluxe reverb.

 

[northernguitar]

I’d go for an amp.

 

[Marc Morfei]

Buy a good amp. You have guitars covered. Get a Princeton Reverb. The tonemaster DR would be another excellent choice. Also consider something with a master volume so you can dial up some gain at low volume. Zillions of choices, but something like a Roland Blues Cube or Quilter Aviator Cub might fit the bill.

 

[voskarp]

Tweed amp!

 

[VintageSG]

An Epiphone set neck SG or Junior with a P90 is a very good way to increase your tonal palette. If you add in a low Watt valve amplifier, sonic heaven ensues.

 

[mimmo]

Guitar here. I can live with one combo. I’m spoiled right now with a Hotrod Deluxe on top of a Blackstar club. Decent “stack”. If you‘re Happy with your amps, get something different for a guitar. There’s a whole wide world of choices and I got a Strandberg 7string with your name on it.

7 strings would be way too much for me
Thanks for your advice!

 

[bgmacaw]

I'd lean more towards the amp, especially since you have some nice guitars now. I'd also recommend a tube amp that fits well with your musical taste. If I was spending around $1000 on an amp, I'd probably go for Supro or PRS, given that I already have a '73 Princeton Reverb.

As for a P90 guitar, I recommend the Epiphone models like the SG Classic and Wilshire. I have a 1998 bolt-on neck LP Jr that I played a lot that's been great. It hasn't had any mods to it other than a setup. Since you're in Europe, you might also want to check out Harley Benton for an affordable P90 guitar (I'm tempted by this one, even with shipping to the US.)

 

[fretknot]

It looks like you're not getting the most out of those guitars with the amp selection you are presently using.

If it were my decision, I'd get a good valve (tube) amp, the likes of a Princeton Reverb, or Deluxe Reverb if more power is necessary. Vox is a nice choice, but they tend to be very heavy. If that matters, then stick with the current Fender lineup. You can't go wrong with Fender tube amps. I can't speak to the quality of the Tone Master series, but the reviews are good. For similar $$, I'd prefer an all-tube combo, and stay away from digital modeling.

If you still wish to add another guitar to your collection, there are some price-friendly options that will fill out the range.

For P-90s, I would go with an Epiphone LP with a set neck, either a Junior or Special.

Gretsch or Guild make good Filtertron/Fidelitron/TV Jones type pickup options. DeArmond is a budget-friendly alternative and has the same sound.

As others have said, I think you're good in the guitar department. Get a quality amp, it will benefit your sound and you'll likely find tones previously unobtainable with your current lineup.

 

[sudogeek]

I’d probably go with a Quilter head like a 101 or 202 bought used and a speaker cabinet. Now, you have the basics that can give you decent baseline sound with enough power for practicing/performing, line out for recording or quiet practice, or amp and speaker to be driven by computer-based modelers (like Garage Band and up) or ‘amp in a box’ pedals.

Then, I’d consider another guitar. (I’d recommend a guitar with vibrato like a Strat, Jag, Doheny, Dano, etc. for surf!)

 

[mimmo]

If I had what you had I'd go with an amp. Fender deluxe reverb.

I’d go for an amp.

The amp is really growing in me, adding a new guitar is always a lot of fun but the amp I really like seems to be a no-brainer.

 

[mimmo]

Buy a good amp. You have guitars covered. Get a Princeton Reverb. The tonemaster DR would be another excellent choice. Also consider something with a master volume so you can dial up some gain at low volume. Zillions of choices, but something like a Roland Blues Cube or Quilter Aviator Cub might fit the bill.

That's what I liked when I tried the Tone Master in the shop: I could crank it at low, home friendly volume. And I liked the tone too!

 

[mimmo]

I'd lean more towards the amp, especially since you have some nice guitars now. I'd also recommend a tube amp that fits well with your musical taste. If I was spending around $1000 on an amp, I'd probably go for Supro or PRS, given that I already have a '73 Princeton Reverb.

As for a P90 guitar, I recommend the Epiphone models like the SG Classic and Wilshire. I have a 1998 bolt-on neck LP Jr that I played a lot that's been great. It hasn't had any mods to it other than a setup. Since you're in Europe, you might also want to check out Harley Benton for an affordable P90 guitar (I'm tempted by this one, even with shipping to the US.)

That Mosrite alike is very nice! I am actually a very traditional guy when it come to guitars, but this Harley Benton could be an option.

I don't want to debate tubes/SS amps, I know that a tube amps is a 'better' option but I don't want to deal with tubes anymore, that's why the Tone Master series really appeal to me. They're not exactly like the tube version, but I like what they are and how they sound - which is the most important factor.
I am a plug and play guy.

 

[mimmo]

It looks like you're not getting the most out of those guitars with the amp selection you are presently using.

If it were my decision, I'd get a good valve (tube) amp, the likes of a Princeton Reverb, or Deluxe Reverb if more power is necessary. Vox is a nice choice, but they tend to be very heavy. If that matters, then stick with the current Fender lineup. You can't go wrong with Fender tube amps. I can't speak to the quality of the Tone Master series, but the reviews are good. For similar $$, I'd prefer an all-tube combo, and stay away from digital modeling.

If you still wish to add another guitar to your collection, there are some price-friendly options that will fill out the range.

For P-90s, I would go with an Epiphone LP with a set neck, either a Junior or Special.

Gretsch or Guild make good Filtertron/Fidelitron/TV Jones type pickup options. DeArmond is a budget-friendly alternative and has the same sound.

As others have said, I think you're good in the guitar department. Get a quality amp, it will benefit your sound and you'll likely find tones previously unobtainable with your current lineup.

Thank yoi sir.
You are probably right about everything you've written, but as I said in my previous post, I don't want to mess with tubes anymore, I am really into the plug-and-play attitude now and the Deluxe Reverb woupd let me play at home and eventually gig, if I ever come back on to a stage.

I am leaning towards the Tone Master + budget friendly P90 guitar option.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

 

[mimmo]

It looks like you're not getting the most out of those guitars with the amp selection you are presently using.

If it were my decision, I'd get a good valve (tube) amp, the likes of a Princeton Reverb, or Deluxe Reverb if more power is necessary. Vox is a nice choice, but they tend to be very heavy. If that matters, then stick with the current Fender lineup. You can't go wrong with Fender tube amps. I can't speak to the quality of the Tone Master series, but the reviews are good. For similar $$, I'd prefer an all-tube combo, and stay away from digital modeling.

If you still wish to add another guitar to your collection, there are some price-friendly options that will fill out the range.

For P-90s, I would go with an Epiphone LP with a set neck, either a Junior or Special.

Gretsch or Guild make good Filtertron/Fidelitron/TV Jones type pickup options. DeArmond is a budget-friendly alternative and has the same sound.

As others have said, I think you're good in the guitar department. Get a quality amp, it will benefit your sound and you'll likely find tones previously unobtainable with your current lineup.

Thank yoi sir.
You are probably right about everything you've written, but as I said in my previous post, I don't want to mess with tubes anymore, I am really into the plug-and-play attitude now and the Deluxe Reverb woupd let me play at home and eventually gig, if I ever come back on to a stage.

I am leaning towards the Tone Master + budget friendly P90 guitar option.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

I’d probably go with a Quilter head like a 101 or 202 bought used and a speaker cabinet. Now, you have the basics that can give you decent baseline sound with enough power for practicing/performing, line out for recording or quiet practice, or amp and speaker to be driven by computer-based modelers (like Garage Band and up) or ‘amp in a box’ pedals.

Then, I’d consider another guitar. (I’d recommend a guitar with vibrato like a Strat, Jag, Doheny, Dano, etc. for surf!)

Thanks for your suggestion. I didn't say it in the OP but I'd like to keep things as simple as possible, so the head and cabinet solution (although a good one) is not an option.

I agree on your last sentence: then, I'd consider another guitar. Sounds reasonable to me!

 

[fretknot]

Thank yoi sir.
You are probably right about everything you've written, but as I said in my previous post, I don't want to mess with tubes anymore, I am really into the plug-and-play attitude now and the Deluxe Reverb woupd let me play at home and eventually gig, if I ever come back on to a stage.

I am leaning towards the Tone Master + budget friendly P90 guitar option.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

My pleasure. Glad that you're getting closer to a decision. I considered a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, but ended up with the Custom Vibro Champ Reverb. I have no regrets, but it certainly isn't an amp I'd use if I ever returned to playing with a band. There are some great solid state amps available these days.