buying gear for the first time -PLEASE SUGGEST!


noblezada
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Joined: 08/14/07
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noblezada
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Joined: 08/14/07
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09/20/2007 5:31 am
Hey Musicians,

I'm just starting to learn guitar, electric especially. My friend gave me his old SA160 and I figure it's a good guitar to start out with. I like jazz, rock, and metal.

I need an Amp, though. It will be mainly for learning and playing in the house and having fun since I'm a beginner.

I've seen some of these new modeling amps in nice price ranges. Do you think I should go with something like a small 15W? Is it better to get something bigger/better? Are pedals better? What brands should I look at?

What do the pro's suggest?

-Noblezada
# 1
light487
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light487
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09/20/2007 9:32 am
Don't get anything bigger than 15w for the purpose(s) you outlined. Sure they're not going to sound like a quad stack Marshall.. but then you'll never be able to crank it up loud enough to get the true sound if you buy something that big. Peavey is a great brand for the smaller amps, in my opinion.. if you're wanting a really nice tone you could try for an all-valve amp rather than a solid state amp.. although you will find more "modelling" style amps in the solid state range..

As far as pedals go.. after getting your amp the next option would most likely be a cheap multi effects pedal, such as a Zoom G1 or G1X.. that will open up an entire world of possibilities to start with.. later on you can start to buy individual pedals to get specific sounds... but at this point I would suggest a cheap multi-effects pedal so that you can experiment with many different tones and effects without needing to buy 10 or more separate pedals.

Other things you should seriously consider investing in are a Digital Tuner to keep your guitar in tune, obviously. A string winder, which is a device to help you restring your guitar with less effort, would also be a good idea.. they are very cheap. Also if you haven't changed the strings on the guitar, that's also something you should definitely do.. if you are not sure how to restring, take your guitar to a shop and get them to show you, or check out the lessons here on GT. Some extra picks (proper name is plectrum) of various shapes and thicknesses also. I have about 5 different picks I use for different things but I have a bag of about 50 picks that I have bought over the years.

That should get you started... before I buy anything I ALWAYS try it out first.
light487
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# 2
ren
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ren
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09/20/2007 5:16 pm
Line 6 amps are worth a look as well - loads of 'bang for your buck'. Anything over about 15w will make your neighbours very unhappy.... but even that cranked could get you in trouble. No need for anything bigger until you play out. Not sure if a pedal is better than an amp with everything built in... try before you buy as said above.

I agree with light except for the picks... I use the same type for everything - when I have changed it takes me a while to get used to it. If you're playing rock and metal, a 1mm pick should be a good start point.

Each to his own though.... I use 3mm dunlops....

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

# 3
jamesplaysgitar
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jamesplaysgitar
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09/20/2007 5:51 pm
yeah i use 2mm and im pretty much all metal.... buy a bc rich theyre chap and they r amazing
# 4
dvenetian
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dvenetian
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09/20/2007 11:37 pm
I agree with Ren, Line 6 makes a great sounding solid state amp with certain effects and sound channels built right into the system.
I have the original Spider 50 watt amp for a practice amp.
The nice thing is the sound achieved at low volume compared to the higher volume needed with Tube amps to really get the sound they are designed for.
Yes, the 50 watt amp will crank it up, but it also comes equipped with a volume knob. So, when you're home alone, you can get to know the neighbors (just be sure to play while looking out the window so you don't get to know the Cops as well).
# 5
light487
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light487
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09/21/2007 10:02 pm
Yeh.. I have a 120w stereo chorus amp and it is just way too big to be played in my apartment.. I can't even have it on the lowest reasonable setting without getting complaints from my neighbours.. So when I got myself a Zoom G1X, and found that I could plug my guitar into the input, then my headphones into the output, I could play at any volume and get some great practise sessions in because the only person who can hear it... is me. The Zoom G1X also runs off batteries, so I can take my guitar, headphones and Zoom literally ANYWHERE I go and I can still practise.

The Zoom G1X is not the only multi-effects pedal on the market that can do what it does.. I just happen to have one and like it.. hehe..
light487
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# 6
andrewjreid
my amps go to 11
Joined: 04/12/07
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andrewjreid
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09/21/2007 11:32 pm
I have a line 6 spider III amp and i would recommend that and as for a pick you should probably start with mediums until you work out what really fits you and as for pedals i love my boss ones but the spider III comes with built in effects like reverb and tremolo and some other effects like metal and crunch and it only cost about $100 so u dont have to spend alot of money on .
I've been imitated so well I've heard people copy my mistakes.
-- Jimi Hendrix
# 7
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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09/22/2007 1:43 am
Each to their own. I use tube amps and 0.5 mm picks. :p

I fully expect that you will outgrow your first gear, so don't go crazy on it until you have enough experience to be able to decide for yourself what suits you best. Much as I love my vintage tube amps, I will readily admit that they are much too loud for home use.

My only reservation about the Line 6 (any multi-effects rig actually) is that you can get distracted by messing around with all those damn buttons. Learn to play [u]the guitar[/u], then add some different flavours with the effects.

There is so much to learn about the subtleties of touch and pick attack that are so important to really getting your sound out of the guitar.

The SA160 is a good axe to grow into. For now, all you really need is something that allows you to hear what you're playing. Enjoy the adventure! :)
Lordathestrings
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# 8
ronbelluso
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ronbelluso
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10/02/2007 1:21 am
a good resource I often tell my students to go to is Wiser-rocker

They have a good article that helps beginner guitarists find appropriate gear.

Good Luck!
# 9

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