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Practice Amp - Need Suggestions

Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
edited December 2011 in Musicians and Gearheads
I'm looking into getting a new small amp for playing in my home. I'll admit that amps mystify me and that I have not been happy with my Crate practice amps ... to the point that my electrics have set untouched for several years. I plan on changing that.

These are a few that I'm considering:

* Line 6 Spider IV 15 watt
* Bugara V5 5 watt
* Fender Mustang I 20 watt

I'm leaning towards the Bugera as it's tube driven and you can channel the wattage down to 1 and 0.1 amps. But it's options are very basic (actually, that might be considered a "plus" in my case). The Line 6 has more built-in effects, but I'm concerned that the tone will not be as good at lower volumes. The Fender looks really cool, but at 20 watts I'm concerned it may be overkill.

I'm open to other suggestions as well.

As for the sound I'm trying to achieve, that mystifies me too. :( I prefer reverb over crunch and vintage over metal. And i like PJ's sound, so any suggestions / tips would be helpful.

Thanks!
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Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Are you on a fixed budget?
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  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    I would go with these over any of the ones you are looking at.

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-champion-600-5w-1x6-combo-amp/485054000000000

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/vox-ac4tv-4w-1x10-tube-guitar-combo-amp

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/marshall-class5-5w-1x10-tube-guitar-combo-amp/h73029
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    Are you on a fixed budget?
    I'm willing to spend a little extra if the sound quality can justify it. What were you thinking?

    ****
    edit: I just saw your post above. Have you played on all three of these amps?
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  • SidnumSidnum Posts: 674
    Or you could go way up. ha
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... -combo-amp
  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Jason P wrote:
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    Are you on a fixed budget?
    I'm willing to spend a little extra if the sound quality can justify it. What were you thinking?

    ****
    edit: I just saw your post above. Have you played on all three of these amps?

    Actually with the vox and Fender tube practice amps you aren't really spending much more. I have played the Vox, the fender is fairly new I think. If you have your own pedals I'd go with any of these. The marshall may be out of your range completely.
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    Actually with the vox and Fender tube practice amps you aren't really spending much more. I have played the Vox, the fender is fairly new I think. If you have your own pedals I'd go with any of these. The marshall may be out of your range completely.
    Those are good deals on the Vox and Fender. The Marshall is a little more then I was looking to spend.

    I like the simplicity on those amps. Thanks!
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    Sidnum wrote:
    Or you could go way up. ha
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... -combo-amp
    Looks awesome, but I still need to do my Xmas shopping. :D
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    No problem and I know the Vox can be adjusted to 1 watt and 1/4 watt if you need to quiet down a bit.
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  • tem721tem721 Posts: 83
    I love my Line 6 Spider IV 75w and HD150 + cab.. All the effects and fun for days..
  • All Those YesterdaysAll Those Yesterdays Posts: 2,723
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    I would go with these over any of the ones you are looking at.

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-champion-600-5w-1x6-combo-amp/485054000000000

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/vox-ac4tv-4w-1x10-tube-guitar-combo-amp

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/marshall-class5-5w-1x10-tube-guitar-combo-amp/h73029


    Champ 600 needs to work done to them to make them sound halfway descent. Just my 2 cents from personal experience. In stock form i'd of never used it.
    E. Lansing-98 Columbus-00,03,10 Detroit-00,03 (1&2),06, 14 Cleveland-03,06,10 Toledo-04, Grand Rapids-04,06 London-05, Toronto-05, Indianapolis 10, East Troy (1&2) 11, Chicago 13, Detroit 14

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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    All Those Yesterdays wrote:

    Champ 600 needs to work done to them to make them sound halfway descent. Just my 2 cents from personal experience. In stock form i'd of never used it.
    That is what I've read in a lot of reviews. Since a new tube and speaker are required, I think I'm leaning towards the Vox.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
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  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Like I said I never got to play the Fender. I really liked the Vox and is a great choice in that price range for sure!!
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    Like I said I never got to play the Fender. I really liked the Vox and is a great choice in that price range for sure!!
    I just pulled the trigger on the Vox. :D

    Thanks for the advice!
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Jason P wrote:
    RedMosquito22 wrote:
    Like I said I never got to play the Fender. I really liked the Vox and is a great choice in that price range for sure!!
    I just pulled the trigger on the Vox. :D

    Thanks for the advice!

    Nice. Let us know how you like it!!
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  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    dammit. i think i have accidentally rekindled my gear addiction.

    :mrgreen:

    I've spent the afternoon researching pedals. It won't be long before the Tele's start calling my name. Maybe I should cancel my order before it's too late ....
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Jason P wrote:
    dammit. i think i have accidentally rekindled my gear addiction.

    :mrgreen:

    I've spent the afternoon researching pedals. It won't be long before the Tele's start calling my name. Maybe I should cancel my order before it's too late ....

    If it's too late here are 2 must haves. hahahahahahaha

    Mike's new overdrives of choice........

    http://www.guitarcenter.com/Way-Huge-Electronics-Green-Rhino-MkII-Overdrive-Guitar-Effects-Pedal-106372816-i1864217.gc

    http://www.rockbox.com/boiling-point.htm
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  • Paul AndrewsPaul Andrews Posts: 2,489
    I got my stepson a 20w orange recently (with built in tuner and effects).

    I must say I've very impressed with the sound it produces for him as he learns. He's playing a Gibson and a Strat and the amp does justice to these guitars' tone.

    Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=177390
    http://longroad.com.au
  • RedMosquito22RedMosquito22 Posts: 8,158
    Paul Andrews wrote:
    I got my stepson a 20w orange recently (with built in tuner and effects).

    I must say I've very impressed with the sound it produces for him as he learns. He's playing a Gibson and a Strat and the amp does justice to these guitars' tone.

    Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=177390

    The Orange solid states are really the only ones I would really recommend. It's a shame they don't make a 40 or 50 watt version for beginners. The fenders are ok if you are just using their clean channel and running pedals.

    It's surprising they went 20 watt when there are plenty of tube practice amps(5-20 watt) I would rather have for that money.
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