Amp advice for beginner - question

Hello all,

I'm looking to get a simple home practice amp to pair up with my Strat. Looking to keep it all simple and budget for the moment. I'll wait to spend when I get better.

Seems to me that there are plenty of budget amps in the $100 or less range. Anyone care to point to a good buy at this low price point??

I found this amp at GC and they've got a big sale this weekend, so I'm thinking of snagging it since it's reasonably priced and has good ratings.

It's the Behringer V-Tone GM108 for $60. Any reason I should stay away? Anything better in this range?

Thanks all.

Never used a Behringer. I've always been partial to Crates. I had a G10XL that I got when I was a kid that just conked out last week after a little over 20 years -- hard playing a lot of those years.

If I were looking for a budget amp, I'd probably go with one of these: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crate-FlexWave-FW15R-15W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-481055-i1175926.gc or http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crate-GTD15R-Guitar-Amplifier-with-Reverb-104203849-i1170732.gc. But that's just my preference.

My advice would be to get an idea of the ones you want to look at and go try a few out. I definitely wouldn't buy one without playing it first.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll make sure to put both of those on my list to try out along with the one I mentioned while I'm at GC.

Originally Posted by: spychocycoNever used a Behringer. I've always been partial to Crates. I had a G10XL that I got when I was a kid that just conked out last week after a little over 20 years -- hard playing a lot of those years.

If I were looking for a budget amp, I'd probably go with one of these: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crate-FlexWave-FW15R-15W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-481055-i1175926.gc or http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crate-GTD15R-Guitar-Amplifier-with-Reverb-104203849-i1170732.gc. But that's just my preference.

My advice would be to get an idea of the ones you want to look at and go try a few out. I definitely wouldn't buy one without playing it first.

I seem to remember seeing some nice 10 and 15 watt all-tube amps last time I was at the big music store nearest me. I can't quite remember if they were Fender or Vox.. but they had a very vintage "look" to them and were extraordinarily cheap. I couldn't believe how cheap they were really.. I almost bought one right there and then without even testing it out just because it was so cheap and it was an all-tube amp. Would have been less than $100 US dollars easily. I wish I knew the brand so I could point you to them, as I did have a quick play on one of the 10 watt ones using an Ibanez prestige guitar... it had a very nice sound.

Originally Posted by: light487I seem to remember seeing some nice 10 and 15 watt all-tube amps last time I was at the big music store nearest me. I can't quite remember if they were Fender or Vox.

When I was guitar shopping last year, I played quite a few through a 15w Fender that looked kind of retro -- can't remember if it was tube or not. It had a really nice clean sound, but the dirty channel left much to be desired. Of course, you can compensate with pedals.

Altho I don't own any Behringer amps, I do own some of their other gear.

To me Behringer is one of the best quality/price company out there. When I was looking for a compressor unit some time ago I couldn't beleive how lower than the rest their unit was. I've been using and abusing the unit and it still delivers.

I can only speak from my experience but Behringer has been very good for the money.

The Vox Pathfinder series and Orange Crush series are both in your price range, very versatile and tonefull little practice amps.

This response may be too late, as it's the day after the GC sale, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Roland Micro-Cube. Runs on AC or 6 AA batteries, and weighs about 7.5 lbs. Has 7 effects models. I've seen street bands use this amp in subways, and having one myself, it really packs a punch sound-wise. Unless I've read the specs wrong, it's only 2 watts! Has headphone jack, audio out, built in tuner.

I liked the description of an ad I saw: "small enough to run out of your girlfriend's house with when necessary"- something like that.

Bought mine on sale at GC for $99.

Thanks all who posted with their advice and suggestions.

I did go to the GC sale yesterday to look for an amp. I was driving by the night before and stopped by just to check; they told me they wouldn't know anything about prices until Monday morning (sure :rolleyes: ) They had a few really good deals on guitars, amps and accessories, but it didn't seem like it was a "can't miss this sale" sort of sale.

Anyhow, I went in armed with the suggestions I received here in the form of a list to check out. The one thing that really stuck was the consistent advice of just having a listen and really going with what sounds the best.

Long story short, I listened to all the budget, sub $100 practice amps to get a feel for what they had there. Not all that are listed on their site where in store. I listened to Crate, Vox, Fender and Peavey practice amps. All sounded about the same, so it was not easy to pick one over the others.

I then plugged into a couple of amps that were above the $100 range I had set. The difference was quite noticeable. Being a newb, I'll just describe it as richer and clearer sound - my untrained ear was able to detect more of the individual notes when hitting a few chords. Simply, it was just more pleasant.

So, I ended up not buying an amp. I'd rather spend the money and get something a little nicer. We're not talking about a lot, may be an additional $150.

I made a deal with myself - get better (I've only been at it for a month or so) and I'll reward myself with a nice amp. :D

My choice would have to be a small, used Marshall amp. My band guitarist Will, just picked up an 8'' Marshall amp (used) for 80$ I think small Marshall amps are great for beginners without a lot of money to burn :)

Originally Posted by: fredhe12
I made a deal with myself - get better (I've only been at it for a month or so) and I'll reward myself with a nice amp. :D

Smart move, fred. I always say, when in doubt, don't- not that I haven't made plenty of impulse buys- I still don't know what to do with with this Death Metal distortion pedal I bought :eek: So you've moved your budget up to $250? I just got a Peavey Envoy for $215. Only got it yesterday, and, so far, I really like it.

GC is a great testing place for me. I think the salesman there must hate me by now. I go and test equipment, then find it cheaper online, lol.

Originally Posted by: BenoitAltho I don't own any Behringer amps, I do own some of their other gear. I can only speak from my experience but Behringer has been very good for the money.

Hi Benoit,

(Apologies to fred for invading his thread) I just got the Behringer Tube overdrive pedal, and really love it. Only cost me about $30 US on ebay brand new. Better than my Ibanez Tube Sreamer, imo. I think Behringer has proven that cheap doesn't necessarily= bad. I've heard that some of their other stuff is iffy at best, but the TO800 overdrive is a sweet pedal for the price.