Punk.of.Ages

The main reason I'm starting this thread is to get some advice on a good guitar amp.

I don't know a whole lot about what makes a good amp and I need something gig-worthy, capable of putting out some mean distortion and good, clean tone at the same time, and also relatively cheap.

Now, in an attempt to keep this from becoming:

Me: I need advice on an amp, please.

Someone else (probably Martian): [Insert great recommendation here]

/thread



I also want to turn this into the thread where the musicians here at TFP can discuss and recommend all the great instruments, gear, etc. we find out there. You know, the stuff you come across that isn't widely known, but deserves to be.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Shauk

I'm in to a totally different genre than you but I really really like my M-Audio Axiom 61.

doesn't matter what kinda software I have, it'll jump in there and take ahold of it by the throat and give me direct control, no fussing around with mousing across the panels of obscure software interfaces.

Willravel

Martian

I use a variety of gear, but I'm not going to bother listing all of my guitars and such right now. During my brief foray into recording I used a Boss Micro-BR 4-track digital recorder, but it broke down on me within a couple months of purchase, which just reinforces my opinion that Boss makes overpriced shit for gear. Should I ever find a replacement for it I'll be able to record again, but in the meantime I just jam. I use a Line 6 Pod for all of my effects needs; they are handy little buggers.

Re: amps (since you asked and all), what you'll want depends on a lot of factors. The amp is a crucial part of a guitarist's tone that a lot of guitarists have a habit of overlooking. Where you expect to be playing, what style you play and the tone you're looking for are all going to help you decide.

Amps fall into two broad categories, being tube or solid state. Tube amps give a warmer and more organic tone than their solid state kin, and also tend to handle distortion better. On the other hand, tube amps are a bit more finicky to use than solid state amps, and will require the guitarist to be much more aware of his amp's condition and temperament.

Solid state amps, on the other hand, are hard wearing and tend to be more feature-rich. They're also cheaper than tube amps and easier to maintain. Cheap solid state amps may give a poor distorted tone, especially at high volume levels.

Another consideration is how much amp you want. Basically when buying an amp you have the option of getting either a combo unit (with the amp and head combined in one) or a separate head and speaker cabinet. You then further have the option of using one cabinet (a "half stack") or two (a "full stack"). Which way you'll want to go depends on what you're looking for.

Combo amps are less expensive, because they tend to be smaller and you don't have to buy the components separately. They're also good 'do it all' type amps, in that they can be used effectively for practices, gigs or even studio sessions when you get to that. The down sides are that they're usually less powerful than even the smallest stacks and that you'll have less ability to fine tune your sound. There are some excellent combo amps available though, and many of them are incorporating digital effects processors that will allow you to add in multiple effects as well (or even emulate other amps, in some cases). A great example of the high end on these amps is the Line 6 Spider III 75. I played with one of these last week and they are pretty badass; they'll give you a variety of tones and effects so that you can find what you want.

A separate head and cab will run you more money, but will give you more volume and the ability to alter your tone down the road by switching out the head or the cab, or by adding a second cabinet and converting to a full stack. There are endless options available in both amp heads and speaker cabs that can be combined however you deem fit, but usually you can get a half stack to start you off which will include both a head and cabinet from the same manufacturer. Using a similar example, the store I buy from has a Line 6 Spider III HD 75 on top of a Spider III Cab for sale as a unit. These would give the same features as the combo amp above, but the 4x12 cabinet will give a lot more volume output than the 1x12 combo amp could manage.

The best way to choose an amp is to head over to the store and try a few out. You know what tone you're looking for and what your budget is, so give a few a listen. If you have a smaller combo amp for rehearsals and a half stack is in your price range, that might be the better option, or you may find a good little combo amp that suits your needs perfectly. Give a few a go, ask a few questions and see what there is to see.

On a re-read, I can see that I sound a bit like an advertisement for Line 6 gear; I guess you all know whose amps I like best now. Other good brands to check out are Marshall, Crate or Ashdown, although Ashdown recently moved to exclusively producing bass amps. Orange has also been getting good press lately, although I've never played through one of them so I can't personally say whether they're any good or not.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

grumpyolddude

I agree with Martian's assessment of the Line 6 gear, and his overview in general. I've a friend with a Vetta II and it is incredible. Another name not to overlook is Vox. The Valvetronix line is very versatile, can emulate a dozen classic amps, and is available as either a combo or separate components.
I have Gallien-Kruger and Ashdown amps for my bass. I like them both, although I really interested in toying with the Line 6 HD750 when it comes out!

__________________
"Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard

vanblah

To answer your question: what kind of guitar do you play? What genre do you play (mainly)? I know that you'll probably say "a little bit of everything," but think about what it is you're trying to sound like.

When you say distortion, what sound are you looking for exactly? Metal? Garage? Give us some examples of bands with the kind of guitar sound you're looking for. Crunch or saturation? Wall-of-sound or wailing?

Martian's advice: tube vs. solid-state is right on ... especially when it comes to overdrive and distortion. And for loudness My 200-watt solid state amp can't hold a candle to my guitar player's 35watt Fender Deluxe (tube amp) in overdrive.

For clean sound I don't think tubes can be beat ... I really don't. I've heard some really good solid-state amps but they always seem to color the clean sound so much that I just don't care for it.




As for gear that helps me make music: it's not the gear; it's the musician.

I have played every kind of keyboard you can imagine. Currently, for live, I have gone back to a JV1080 and MAudio Keystation 88 (unweighted); a Korg CX3 and Voce Organ Module; and my trusty Oberheim OB12a. Various effects pedals connected to each, including a Dimebag Darrell edition Crybaby and a Sole Pressure distortion pedal. My dirty little secret is a Line 6 Roto-machine for Leslie Simulation.

I used to play keyboards connected to a laptop running Sonar, Collossus, NI B4 and various other soft-synths but it got to be too much of a headache to take care of it. Now I plan on using that laptop for "special effects" and back tracks.

I use a solid state amp: Yorkville KB200. Keyboards require a full-spectrum amp that most guitar and bass amps don't do.

In the studio I prefer an M3 vs. a B3. The M is much crunchier and cuts through better than the B. I'm not a blues musician at all so I don't need the bluesy sound of a B3. Almost any Leslie cab will do, but it's usually a 122.

I prefer a Yamaha C7 for recording acoustic piano. For playing a piano live I like Yamaha or Baldwin in rock and, of course, Steinway or better for jazz or classical (not that I do that anymore).

Mics and pre's depend on what you're trying to capture. But again, ultimately it's not the gear that makes a good song.

As for software ... it doesn't really matter as long as it captures the music. Pro-tools-shmo-tools.

SSJTWIZTA

My friend pat swears by his Marshall amp and Les Paul combo. but thats expensive.

i go Crate. i love the sound my crate puts out with both my Ibanez Talman tc420 and my Fender Squire.

i hear that Krank also makes some bad assed, cheap amps.

edit: im sorry i couldnt help you more. i dont know too much about stuff of this sort, i just know when i hear a tone that i enjoy.

__________________
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me.
-Pastor Martin Niemoller

Martian

Marshalls are nice, but they're overpriced.

Crate is a good 'bang for your buck' amp. Kranks are decent. I would put Krank and Crate at about the same level.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Punk.of.Ages

I'm officially going with a Peavey tube half stack, and I bought a Digitech "Grunge" distortion peddle.

I went and checked out the different sounds and such and I made up my mind. Peavey's cheap, loud, and I like the sound.

Thanks for the help from all who offered it.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

Martian

Congrats! Peaveys are good, you'll be well served by it. I suggest you read up on the care and feeding of tube amps, though. The most important thing is to remember to let your amp warm up before cranking it to 11, and let it cool down after the gig; that will extend the life of your tubes considerably.

Random recommendation: my semi-hollow is a Crestwood and I'm absolutely in love with it. I don't know much else about it, except that it's probably from the early 80's and that Crestwood has since become a manufacturer of cheap Strat copies. If you ever come across one of these older semi-hollows, though, do yourself a favour and try it out. They're a great guitar for a reasonable price.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

SSJTWIZTA

ive always wanted a tube amp. my friend scum had a cheap one and constantly blew tubes. it must have been taking poor care of it, but for this reason i avoided them and just bought a "Bad Monkey" pedal for my normal amp.


well, im glad you found something you like. now fuck off and play some music.

__________________
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me.
-Pastor Martin Niemoller

jth

Oh no not Digitech!!

You're going to end up hating anything Digitech as you advance your ears. They are the worst effects known to the Guitar gods!

__________________
"A real leader faces the music, even if he doesn't like the tune." - unknown quote

vanblah

Unless that's the sound you are going for.

Honestly ... it's the player--not the equipment. I've heard a great guitar player play a beat up old Fender Mustang through an ancient solid-state Radio Shack amp. It sounded freakin' great. If you understand what you are playing with it doesn't really matter what you are using.

Of course, would he actually use that set up at a live gig? Probably not ... unless he was going for that particular sound.

He did it to prove a point: the tone is in your fingers (for the most part). I used to be a gear-head and have long since gotten over that BS.

Punk.of.Ages

I actually really love the sound it puts out. It may be that it's not the greatest sound that makes me like it. Keep in mind I play punk. Punk is known for its simple and adolescent sound.

To my ears, that peddle had the exact sound I was looking for when I walked into Guitar Center that day.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

SSJTWIZTA

yeah, i like my Digitech Bad Monkey just fine...well, when i use it.

__________________
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me.
-Pastor Martin Niemoller

Martian

A Fender Mustang is not a cheap guitar in any sense of the word. 'Beat up' doesn't necessarily affect how it plays, either.

What you're saying is true to a point. Money doesn't substitute for skill. However, all things being equal better quality gear makes for a better sound. Guitarists are often very particular about their tone and everything has an effect on it. The wood of the body and neck, the fretboard, the frets, the strings, the pick, the tuning machines, the bridge type, the pickups, the amp, the pedals, etc etc etc. It's important as a guitarist to be aware of this and to select the gear that works best for what you're going for.

A bad guitar may also be less playable. If the neck is warped all to hell and the bridge isn't set properly and the nut is burred, then it doesn't really matter how good you are. A guitar like that is going to make it impossible to play your best. Granted most of that can be fixed but I reckon the point stands. There's no sense in buying a cheap shoddy guitar if you're going to spend a small fortune getting it playable.

So yeah, gear does matter. It's not a cure all, but it is important.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Punk.of.Ages

That's why I started this thread.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

vanblah

Didn't mean to imply that they were cheap ... although they were originally intended to be "student" guitars and only recently have become expensive because of the "cult" status (thanks Kurt Cobain).

And by beat up ... I meant EXACTLY that. The neck was warped and had not been set up in years (besides that it was the 22" neck model). The strings were ancient. Who knows what mods were done to the pickups, if any.

Gear matters more when you are going for a certain sound. If you're just playing around or learning it doesn't matter as much.

This philosophy does NOT extend to the INSTRUMENT generally speaking. The instruments that I write with are not what I consider "gear." This is especially true with more acoustic instruments. A spinet piano will never sound like a concert grand ... no matter WHO is playing it (although, a good spinet can sound "better" than a bad grand).

I think of gear as pretty much everything but my instruments. But the instruments I play LIVE are "gear" (cheap stuff, too) and it wouldn't break my heart if they got destroyed (except for my OB12).

I agree with you 100% with regard to instruments ... a "bad" guitar can certainly interfere with a student's ability to learn. But it doesn't take an expensive guitar to create good music; nor does it take nice "gear" to create good music.

It certainly is important. You must feel comfortable with it and you must trust it 100% so that's really why you shouldn't buy cheap stuff. If it craps out on you while playing or interferes with your ability then you may need to address if it is worth owning.

Punk.of.Ages

I got a Line6 DL4 Delay Modeler today. This thing is $300 worth of effects awesomeness.

It's like fourteen different kinds of delay pedals in one, and a 14 second loop sampler.

I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this guy.

__________________
"The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion..." - Henry Steel Commager

"Punk rock music is great music played by really bad, drunk musicians." -Fat Mike

thespian86

I'm looking for Albert Hammond Jr's sound. I have a brand new Epiphone Les Pal Custom with a Bigsby Tremello. Any tips?

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EX: Whats new?
ME: I officially love coffee more then you now.
EX: uh...
ME: So, not much.

Martian

I assume you mean his solo stuff.

About all I can think of is to point out that your neck pickup will be entirely for show.

I'd just plug in and start messing around.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame