Originally Posted by: zashtoneIn my search through the lessons I have seen tutorials with recommendations for set up and effects for different genres.

The only problem is that recommendations can only be generic as amps and guitars will sound different depending on the brand and model. ie. you cant allways make a $300 Amp/ Guitar combo sound like a $3000 set up.

Moreover what sounds cool to you may not be to others. The best thing is to take time and play around with settings.

However having been through this myself the sound is secondary, how you play it is the key, spend your time on the playing and practice and eventually you will work out the setting that you want.

I actually ditched my modelling amp for a simple tube amp, as I found i was spending more time fiddling rather than playing.

I'm still learning, and had also picked up a solid state modeling amp (Fender G-DEC). Not bad for the money, but It seemed "buzzy" on the cabinet. I'll keep it for a spare.

I tried some tube amps, and picked up a Traynor YCS50 on eBay. Except for their cheapest line, they are made in Canada, have a plywood enclosure rather than cheap particle board that sounds great. You can run it at 18 watts or 50. 18 watts from this is LOUD AS HELL at home! I would buy Traynor again.

Just spend some time with the controls on a tube amp, and you'll find "your" sound. Also, a good music shop won't mind letting you try their amps, and sometimes interesting trade ins come in.