First electric and now I need an amp


markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/16/2016 2:13 am
So I made a spur of the moment decision and bought my first electric. Last weekend Long and Mcquade was giving a free setup with the purchase of strings and I figured I'd drop off my acoustic because it's never had a set up done. Being without a guitar I poked around the store and checked their online catalog. The was an Ibanez GART 60 on sale and there was only one left at the warehouse in Ontario for all stores in Canada. I bit the bullet and had them order it even though I've only been learning for a couple months. Now I need an amp. I want something basic for now and fairly low price. I was even looking at the Fender Micro Tone. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mark
# 1
Outx40
Registered User
Joined: 11/12/11
Posts: 69
Outx40
Registered User
Joined: 11/12/11
Posts: 69
06/17/2016 2:28 am
I bought a very economical package about 4 years ago, also from L&G. My intent was just to get something cheap but playable so I got an Epiphone Special II for a guitar and a Line 6 IV - 15 amp for a package deal (I think $330.00).
I fully expected to retire them both a year later but still play them both and love em. I have nothing negative to say about the amp for that price point, so that could be an option.
# 2
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
06/17/2016 2:40 am
Congrats on the new guitar! :D
Originally Posted by: markpettenNow I need an amp. I want something basic for now and fairly low price. I was even looking at the Fender Micro Tone. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

It eventually depends on your goals & the style of music you want to play. But in the beginner stages it's best to just have something small, inexpensive, dependable & that does what you need to practice & develop your skills.

The Fender Micro Tone is a fine choice. I have one & love to have it on the porch or even in the car or hotel room on the road.

For a little more money you can get an amp with a few more tone options/variety & a little more power/volume.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mustang1V2

No matter what you do, try before you buy! Ask questions. Plug your guitar into it & make sure it sounds good, you understand how it works & you are satisfied you are making a valuable purchase.

Best of success! Let us know how it goes!
Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 3
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/17/2016 10:20 am
Thanks for the advice. Chris, I mistyped. It was the fender mini tone master not the micro tone. My goal is to learn to play right now. So really all I need right now is something that lets me hear what I'm playing. As for style of music I like classic rock, country, and folk/folk rock. I'm not planning on doing any shredding, punk, or heavy metal. Not my thing really. I looked at the line 6 IV 15 amp as well. Really it comes down to what can convince my wife to let me spend haha.
# 4
john of MT
Full Access
Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,525
john of MT
Full Access
Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,525
06/18/2016 11:18 pm
Be sure to check out the seldom mentioned Tech 21 Trademark 30 amp. It's a great little amp able to deliver a wide range of tones. I think new it's around $330 but there are usually a handful on EBay for much less.
http://tech21nyc.com/products/amps/guitar/trademark30.html
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
# 5
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/19/2016 12:54 am
Thanks John. I think I've settled on the Line 6. I saw one at a local pawn shop for $80. Looks like it was never used. I asked the guy to hold it for me. My new guitar will be here Tuesday so still have a few days to decide
# 6
john of MT
Full Access
Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,525
john of MT
Full Access
Joined: 10/08/09
Posts: 1,525
06/19/2016 2:09 am
Good deal!
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
# 7
jspyatt
Full Access
Joined: 03/18/16
Posts: 41
jspyatt
Full Access
Joined: 03/18/16
Posts: 41
06/19/2016 4:02 am
Originally Posted by: markpettenThanks John. I think I've settled on the Line 6. I saw one at a local pawn shop for $80. Looks like it was never used. I asked the guy to hold it for me. My new guitar will be here Tuesday so still have a few days to decide


Line 6 for $80 is very good. The used market for gear is awesome I think. I donĀ“t have access to a good pawnshop but I want to check Houston out in a couple of weeks. I'll bet thereĀ“s a gold mine there from the oilfield layoffs. Ebay and Reverb.com are also good. Now you have maybe a few coins for a pedal or 2.
# 8
bluesitup
Registered User
Joined: 06/12/16
Posts: 3
bluesitup
Registered User
Joined: 06/12/16
Posts: 3
06/19/2016 7:57 am
My first was a epiphone sg and 15 w amp Marshal still have it great sound then went out and got a Ibanez rg and a line 6 15 w love the Ibanez although the line 6 isn't what I expected I like the Marshal better cleaner sound
# 9
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/19/2016 5:00 pm
Thanks again everyone for the input. Pedals will be down the road a bit. I want to get the hang of playing clean first and move from there. I've only been learning a few months. This guitar was a total impulse buy. Last in the warehouse at a good price. I've thought about a Marshall too Carolyn but nothing within my budget right now used or new except those mini MS-2/MS-4 models. They only crank out 1 W and I want more than that.
# 10
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/19/2016 6:21 pm
This is the guitar I bought by the way.
# 11
kvsealegs
Registered User
Joined: 03/14/15
Posts: 74
kvsealegs
Registered User
Joined: 03/14/15
Posts: 74
06/20/2016 2:23 pm
Originally Posted by: ChristopherSchlegelCongrats on the new guitar! :D



For a little more money you can get an amp with a few more tone options/variety & a little more power/volume.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mustang1V2

No matter what you do, try before you buy! Ask questions. Plug your guitar into it & make sure it sounds good, you understand how it works & you are satisfied you are making a valuable purchase.

Best of success! Let us know how it goes!



I tried out the Fender Mustang I V@2, and I loved it. It is inexpensive but has the most bang for your buck. And it is an amp that as you become more experienced, you can grow with. It comes with software that makes it super easy to try out different amps and different voicing. You have a variety of effects pedals with the software that you can set up in the software virtually the same as you would with effects pedals and dial in the effect to your liking. It in my opinion is the best modeling amp for ease of use and what you can do with it.
# 12
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/20/2016 4:15 pm
I've heard good things about the Fender Mustang. I managed to get a second hand Line 6 Spider 15 for an awesome price though. Now to get the guitar. I should have it by tomorrow. I'm having a proper setup done on it before I take it home.
# 13
jspyatt
Full Access
Joined: 03/18/16
Posts: 41
jspyatt
Full Access
Joined: 03/18/16
Posts: 41
06/20/2016 4:21 pm
Originally Posted by: kvsealegsI tried out the Fender Mustang I V@2, and I loved it. It is inexpensive but has the most bang for your buck. And it is an amp that as you become more experienced, you can grow with. It comes with software that makes it super easy to try out different amps and different voicing. You have a variety of effects pedals with the software that you can set up in the software virtually the same as you would with effects pedals and dial in the effect to your liking. It in my opinion is the best modeling amp for ease of use and what you can do with it.


This is the little amp that I have. I love than I can download "presets" and have cool sounds without trial and error.
# 14
Guitar Tricks Admin
Full Access
Joined: 09/28/05
Posts: 3,476
Guitar Tricks Admin
Full Access
Joined: 09/28/05
Posts: 3,476
06/20/2016 4:42 pm
Loving the collaboration guys!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.
# 15
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/20/2016 6:01 pm
That Fender seems like a nice little rig. Unfortunately I couldn't find a single used one and even ordering online would end up being more expensive than picking up in store here (damn low Canadian dollar). For now the presets on this Spider IV 15 should do me. I'm still in the beginning stages and just need something cheap (couldn't go wrong for $80) to practice one. Thanks again everyone. I'm really digging this site and the community.
# 16
SJWeissen
Full Access
Joined: 08/06/14
Posts: 73
SJWeissen
Full Access
Joined: 08/06/14
Posts: 73
06/20/2016 7:34 pm
Originally Posted by: markpettenThat Fender seems like a nice little rig. Unfortunately I couldn't find a single used one and even ordering online would end up being more expensive than picking up in store here (damn low Canadian dollar). For now the presets on this Spider IV 15 should do me. I'm still in the beginning stages and just need something cheap (couldn't go wrong for $80) to practice one. Thanks again everyone. I'm really digging this site and the community.



I got a Spider IV (a larger one) about two years ago. Up to that point I had been using a Vox 30W 2X12 combo. At this point I hardly ever use the Vox anymore. I know the purists hate the modeling amps, but for the money, reliability and tone options I have never owned anything as good as my Spider IV. You will be very happy with that amp it is great choice to go from beginner all the way to a solid advancing intermediate player.
# 17
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
markpetten
Full Access
Joined: 05/17/16
Posts: 60
06/20/2016 11:48 pm

Thanks SJ. Nice to know its a good line of amps.
# 18
carlos will
Full Access
Joined: 03/17/14
Posts: 1
carlos will
Full Access
Joined: 03/17/14
Posts: 1
11/03/2016 10:06 pm

I have a line flex tube guitar amp for sell $300 or obo leave message at 616-312-6661 for Carlos


# 19
johnv31552
Registered User
Joined: 01/05/16
Posts: 239
johnv31552
Registered User
Joined: 01/05/16
Posts: 239
11/03/2016 10:24 pm

Mark right now you can get a Fender Champion 100 at Guitar Center for 350 but they also have used in excellent condition for a 100 less at 250.00 if you dont mind used.


# 20

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.