Starter/Practice Amp Suggestions

[Razzberry]

After seeing some of Dave's videos on YouTube and now here on NLG, I've really started to have some fun playing my guitar again. Unfortunately, I sold my previous amp (Fender Frontman) when I originally stopped playing.

Since I'm now in the market for a new smaller amp again, I decided I'd come here for some advice. Plus, I figure there's some other newer guitar players who would appreciate this thread too.

Ideally, I'm looking to spend about $200 Cdn. The two main amps I played on at the store today were a Fender Frontman 25R and a Roland Cube 20X.

Upon first impression, I really liked the fact that the Roland seemed to be a bit more scalable (i.e. additional effects and the ability to add a foot pedal), however I know that Fender tends to be a reliable brand name. I'm mostly looking for something to build up my skills on, but at the same time the extra diversity of the 20X seems like it'd be pretty fun to play around with. My main concern is on the quality of the 20X. I'd never heard of the company before I played on it today, so I just want to make sure that it's something that will last me for a while and not just some cheap brand that I'll need to replace.

If anyone has any opinions on these amps (or suggestions on other ones in my price range to take a look at), I'd really appreciate it. :)

[drpool]

Hey Razzberry, I own a couple Roland amps and have had absolutely no problems with them. In fact, I can't say I have ever heard of anyone suggesting that Roland does not make a top line product. Between these two amps I would suggest the 20x for the reasons you mentioned. If you like what you're hearing from the amp, go for it.

Roland has a long successful history and on the odd chance you have an issue I'm certain they would back their products to the fullest.

[Blewbyou]

Traynor makes a heck of a nice amp at a reasonable price. Something to look into.

[Razzberry]

You don't happen to know the Traynor model do you, Blewbyou?

[Blewbyou]

Here is a link to their site http://www.traynoramps.com/products.asp?type=1&cat=19 A Canadian company located in Pickering, Ontario the name of the parent company is Yorkville Sound. They make some nice tube amps also. I don't know what size of an amp you are looking for but think you could get the 30wamp for the price you are looking to spend maybe even the 40w for a little more.
A few reveiws http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Traynor
Blew

[Harley]

Fender Frontman 25R reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Fender/Frontman+25R/100/1)
Fender Frontman 25R Series II reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Fender/Frontman+25R+Series+II+Combo/10/1)
Roland Cube 20X reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Roland/Cube+20X/10/1)

I'd never heard of the company before I played on it today, so I just want to make sure that it's something that will last me for a while and not just some cheap brand that I'll need to replace.

Roland is about as bulletproof as they come. Roland & BOSS share the same corporation. I had a Cube 60 and currently have Micro Cubes in 2 vehicles. You can get some pretty good sounds out of Cubes.

For a small practice-amp, it's hard to beat the $119 Vox Pathfinder 15R. I've used it live in small to medium clubs when my AC15's been down or I just don't wanna mess with it(sub-zero temps, rain, etc). I thought it was kinda strange, but there are a LOT of others using them live as well. You can read about it in the 92 reviews here. (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/VOX/Pathfinder+15R/100/1) It's got spring reverb & tremolo and is VERY LOUD for a practice amp. These are little workhorses. It comes stock with an 8" speaker but a 10" will fit. Many use 4x12" cabs. I run mine into a 12" Celestion Blue extension cabinet.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/tn/1/6/7/266167.jpg

Take care!

[james]

stay away from frontman stuff but thats just my opinion. u probably sold that first one for a reason (buzzing, tone control, overall crapness)

[Jstickley]

To be honest, Line6 amps have REALLY impressed me lately. They really stepped up there game as far as electronics and how they are built.

Almost all of there amps come with quailty drivers, very VERY well made.

The roland cube amps are pretty cool too. Both the line 6 and roland amps offer a dsp built in for some pretty cool effect/tone combo's. Definatly worth checking out.

You should goto your local music store, and plug into a bunch of different amps, thats the true way to find your true self ;)

Jesse

[disobedience]

I keep telling people about these...check out Kustom amps.
They're not a big name so you don't pay for the name..they have amazing tone and are really inexpensive.

[Ring0]

Beggineer amps basically is the same as saying solid-state amps, and practice amps means something that's not too loud but still allows some room, so basically keep the wattage at or under 30w or you won't really get to use the amp if that volume knob is always under 5 :)

I personally am still using the Behringer V-tone that came with my first guitar and have a Digitech RP50 pedal. If I ever upgrade my gear it's just because of my cliché that expensive stuff = quality as I already got all sounds covered with those two and I believe it's just at the 200$ mark you mentioned (not sure if you can get the Behringer sold separately though.. Minus points there if you don't want the whole pack of guitar + amp).

Good brands are, of course, Marshall. As mentioned above the low-budget Fenders aren't too impressive in general. Your best bet is to go to a shop and try out different ones. Other names worth checking out are Crate, Rolland, Mesa (not sure about cheap amps here :o) and Vox.

I would go for a super-flexible amp myself, preferably two channels and built-in EQ. Effects are all just bonuses since a good multi-FX pedal will keep you covered too when money is a problem.

[gtrplr]

Beggineer amps basically is the same as saying solid-state amps, and practice amps means something that's not too loud but still allows some room, so basically keep the wattage at or under 30w or you won't really get to use the amp if that volume knob is always under 5 :)

I personally am still using the Behringer V-tone that came with my first guitar and have a Digitech RP50 pedal. If I ever upgrade my gear it's just because of my cliché that expensive stuff = quality as I already got all sounds covered with those two and I believe it's just at the 200$ mark you mentioned (not sure if you can get the Behringer sold separately though.. Minus points there if you don't want the whole pack of guitar + amp).

Good brands are, of course, Marshall. As mentioned above the low-budget Fenders aren't too impressive in general. Your best bet is to go to a shop and try out different ones. Other names worth checking out are Crate, Rolland, Mesa (not sure about cheap amps here :o) and Vox.

I would go for a super-flexible amp myself, preferably two channels and built-in EQ. Effects are all just bonuses since a good multi-FX pedal will keep you covered too when money is a problem.
I like the behringer stuff as well I've got a gmx-110 vintager and lx-112 great sound little $$$

[ez-one]

two that I would recommend first is the VOX valvtronic 30 watt, check them out at Vox.xom it has a feature that allows you to turn up the master and vol, but then turn down the vol to the speaker, this allows you to drive the tubes hard but not have to have the amp blasting (great for practicing in your bedroom without pissing off the whole house) THe amp is still way load enough for playing small venues like bars partys etc.. cost aroun $250.00 Vox also has a DA5 which is a 5 watt, batt, or electric amp with effects and several other cool features, I use one for practiing when the rest of the family is home and its also great for taking to a friends house for jamming. THey sell for about $140. THey are so small and lightweight that they even come with a shoulder strap. And really for thier size sound pretty good.

[dontbthatguy8]

Fender Frontman 25R reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Fender/Frontman+25R/100/1)
Fender Frontman 25R Series II reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Fender/Frontman+25R+Series+II+Combo/10/1)
Roland Cube 20X reviews (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Roland/Cube+20X/10/1)



Roland is about as bulletproof as they come. Roland & BOSS share the same corporation. I had a Cube 60 and currently have Micro Cubes in 2 vehicles. You can get some pretty good sounds out of Cubes.

For a small practice-amp, it's hard to beat the $119 Vox Pathfinder 15R. I've used it live in small to medium clubs when my AC15's been down or I just don't wanna mess with it(sub-zero temps, rain, etc). I thought it was kinda strange, but there are a LOT of others using them live as well. You can read about it in the 92 reviews here. (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/VOX/Pathfinder+15R/100/1) It's got spring reverb & tremolo and is VERY LOUD for a practice amp. These are little workhorses. It comes stock with an 8" speaker but a 10" will fit. Many use 4x12" cabs. I run mine into a 12" Celestion Blue extension cabinet.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/tn/1/6/7/266167.jpg

Take care!


Everyone says the Pathfinder is loud but how is it at low volumes?
I need something for an appartment and want to know if it's easy to get the low volumes unlike the Fender Frontman 25 which goes from 0 to 10 at the slightest turn...

[ez-one]

check out a Vox Valvetronic 30, great for low vol bedroom type practicing, but can still crank up if you go somewhere and are jammin with friends