Help me choose between amp and guitar

[mimmo]

It is very interesting to mee that on the Strat talk forum, people pushed towards the Strat (to be fair, I asked to be convinced that I needed a Strat), here on TDPRI I see that most of people vote for the amp.

Maybe it's just because I have posted different questions, but I find it interesting nevertheless.

Thanks all you nice people!

I will get in touch with my favourite shop and see if I can get a good deal on both the amp and a 'cheap' P90 guitar.

 

[mimmo]

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.

Fully agree. The most important factor to me is the enjoyment (is it a word?), so as long as a person enjoys his music, everything is fine.

On a side note, I have always been intrigued by the Vibro Champ, maybe one day...

 

[bgmacaw]

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.

I use both tube and modeling amps/units so I don't really debate the difference. The reason I recommended tube was that you already have a couple of decent modeling amps and you were looking for something different.

I'm not a fan of the Tone Master amps, mainly due to the value vs price equation. I think there are several better options available, tube and modeling, for less money. For example, Boss/Roland, Quilter, Supro, Peavey and even some Fender tube amps.

 

[old soul]

Your bases are covered with the mustang, but there's definite limitations to what it can do, and do really well.
I would lean towards a new amp, personally.

 

[ClashCityTele]

I have a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb (blonde) & an Epi SG Jr. They sound great together.
The Epi has a Tesla VR-60 Classic but I want to try some HB size P.90's.
I'm slowly graduating many of my guitars to P.90's.

 

[TokyoPortrait]

Hi.

I really liked the Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb I tried in the shop

As others have said, and based on your quite well rounded set of nice guitars, I think the amp is the logical next step. And you already know you like it, so as well as making ‘sense,’ it’s also the safest option.

Pax/
Dean

 

[8bit]

100% an amp. While a new guitar is always the most exciting, the thing is at the end of the day you can only play one at a time. And you have some nice ones already. On the other hand, while there absolutely nothing wrong with the amps you have, they're definitely not on the same "level" as your guitars.

Of course everyone is different and ultimately you're the only one who can decide for yourself. I know some people out there just really love nice guitars and are totally fine with an amp that is "good enough". I've definitely seen plenty of people playing >$2k guitars through entry level amps. I'm in the opposite camp though. I'd rather have the nicer amp and entry level guitar (if I HAD to choose lol). Budget guitars can at least be upgraded and setup to play better. Whereas a budget amp just kind of is what it is and that's all it'll ever be.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Find a used Epiphone SG with a set neck and P90's. They roar like lions and sing like birds.

FWIW- There are two major styles of Epiphone and Gibson SG necks. The early style has a very small heel and maximum upper fret access. The later style has a larger heel and still has great access but a little more heft above the 18th fret. The early style has a little more wiggle in the neck but it's a breeze to play. The later style is a little more solid between neck and body.

 

[mimmo]

I use both tube and modeling amps/units so I don't really debate the difference. The reason I recommended tube was that you already have a couple of decent modeling amps and you were looking for something different.

I'm not a fan of the Tone Master amps, mainly due to the value vs price equation. I think there are several better options available, tube and modeling, for less money. For example, Boss/Roland, Quilter, Supro, Peavey and even some Fender tube amps.

Sorry if I was not clear, I didn't mean that you were debating, it was just a disclaimer for what I was going to write.

I have tried the Boss amp and enjoyed it, I know that there are good/better options out there, but I really am in love with the Deluxe Reverb which I consider THE amp for the music I hear in my head.
What more could I ask for?

 

[mimmo]

100% an amp. And you have some nice ones already. On the other hand, while there absolutely nothing wrong with the amps you have, they're definitely not on the same "level" as your guitars.

Thanks for that. That's exactly my feeling: I have always been a good guitar/entry level amp guy (owned some very good amps in the past, but had to seel them), now I feel that my guitars 'deserve' something better.

 

[mimmo]

I have a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb (blonde) & an Epi SG Jr. They sound great together.
The Epi has a Tesla VR-60 Classic but I want to try some HB size P.90's.
I'm slowly graduating many of my guitars to P.90's.

Thanks you sir, that's what I wanted to hear!

On the other hand, I totaly approve (in a very sad way...) your avatar. Man, I love Wilko!

 

[mimmo]

Find a used Epiphone SG with a set neck and P90's. They roar like lions and sing like birds.

FWIW- There are two major styles of Epiphone and Gibson SG necks. The early style has a very small heel and maximum upper fret access. The later style has a larger heel and still has great access but a little more heft above the 18th fret. The early style has a little more wiggle in the neck but it's a breeze to play. The later style is a little more solid between neck and body.

Thank you very much for this detailed information, I was not aware of this difference between the early and later style.
Much appreciated.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Thank you very much for this detailed information, I was not aware of this difference between the early and later style.
Much appreciated.

I'll post a photo from my computer later when I get there.

 

[tlsmack]

3 sweet guitars, now you need to get Loud!!! Upgrade that pathfinder to an Twin Reverb!!!

 

[Controller]

Everyone has their own perspective. I keep the same amp and swap my guitars in or out almost every day. Consider the Epiphone LP Special P90. Really nice tones and neck for very low price.

 

[colchar]

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?

At this point I vote amp. Get a new (better) amp (tube, SS, or modelling) that you plan to keep long term and hear your current guitars through that better amp. That will give you a better idea what you might be missing (if anything) so that you can then shop for a guitar with that knowledge behind the purchase.

Speaking of Electromatics, I had a limited edition one and the guitar was superb. I regret getting rid of it.

 

[mimmo]

Everyone has their own perspective. I keep the same amp and swap my guitars in or out almost every day. Consider the Epiphone LP Special P90. Really nice tones and neck for very low price.

Good advice here! I didn't think of that guitar, maybe it can be a nice option. Thank yoi sir.

 

[mimmo]

At this point I vote amp. Get a new (better) amp (tube, SS, or modelling) that you plan to keep long term and hear your current guitars through that better amp. That will give you a better idea what you might be missing (if anything) so that you can then shop for a guitar with that knowledge behind the purchase.

Speaking of Electromatics, I had a limited edition one and the guitar was superb. I regret getting rid of it.

When I tried the Tone Master, I tested it with a Telecaster Vintera 50 and a Japanese Fender Telecaster 50, the closest they had to my AV52, and I loved the tone I got! I am pretty sure it will be a great combo with my guitars, and you're right: in the future I will be able to better understand the next guitar.

RE: your electromatic, do you recall the model maybe? They seem to be nice guitars. Thanks.

 

[mimmo]

I'll post a photo from my computer later when I get there.

Thanks a lot.

 

[NoTeleBob]

Early '61 style heel/neck. Note that the body ends below the halfway point of the lower horn.

Later Style SG heel: Body continues almost to the top of the upper horn:

In general, with Gibsons, any SG that is labeled as a '61 looks like the first sample. Any '66 looks like the second sample. But Gibson has a lot of other names for SG's, as does Epiphone, and Epiphone plays fast and loose with those rules. You really have to look at the neck joint if you have a preference. There are also small and large pickguards which match the early/late years but those are not a solid indicator either (at least with Epi). Ther've been a lot of variations over the years but these seem to be the only two in production in the last 20 years.

Neck thickness also varies a bit. Epi SG's are generally thin (slim taper D) but how thin and how tapered varies by model and year with no specified difference. Gibson has slim C and baseball bats IME.

If you have shorter fingers, you'll definitely prefer the thin'61 style. But it does come with some neck wiggle so it's best for people with a light to medium touch. The later style is thicker and solid - although it's still thinner and more accessible than any LP, Strat, or Tele. SG bodies are on the thin side and with the set-neck, they don't need any thickness behind the heel like a Tele/Strat... nor do they have the thick LP body to deal with.