What kind of amp are you using?


wowiecyrus
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wowiecyrus
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10/16/2022 4:39 pm

Hi folks. I’m looking for a few suggestions and advice to get a new amp. Which kind of amplifier are you using? Would you recommend it? Thank you for your time in reading and responding to my question. Hope to learn lots!


# 1
Rumble Walrus
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Rumble Walrus
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10/17/2022 11:43 pm

I picked up a Blackstar Encore 15.  https://blackstaramps.com/debut/?product_id=855



I'm an old acoustic guy who's new to electric and I needed a good practice amp until I'm ready for a big-boy-amp. So far it's done the job and has a cool retro vibe.


Not sure what I'll get when I grow up.


Rumble


edited
# 2
deepiper9
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deepiper9
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10/18/2022 2:37 am

First amp is a Fender Mustang 1 V2 or something like that. Nice little amp to make noise with. Got it for Father's Day a couple years ago.


Newest amp is my Fender Champion 50XL. This thing is nice. I really like it. 2 channel amp with alot of different amp voicings, effects, etc. 


Who knows whats next. In the mean time more practicing and playing. 


# 3
manXcat
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manXcat
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10/18/2022 7:07 am
#2 Originally Posted by: Rumble Walrus

I picked up a Blackstar Encore 15.  https://blackstaramps.com/debut/?product_id=855



I'm an old acoustic guy who's new to electric and I needed a good practice amp until I'm ready for a big-boy-amp. So far it's done the job and has a cool retro vibe.


Not sure what I'll get when I grow up.


Rumble

Very cute in that Vintage retro colour scheme. I really like that look a lot. I was in my LMS buying some accessories and lusting after a Gretsch today, and they had one of those on display. Among my toys I have a Blackstar Fly 3 + Fly 103 Vintage 6W stereo combo in the same scheme and theme. Aesthetically appealing piece of kit, and practical too. It seems to be the standard colour combo Blackstar have moved to with creme/ivory plastic bodied or imitation Tolex amps.

 

 


# 4
William MG
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William MG
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10/18/2022 1:15 pm

Shopping for gear is good fun and there are many great choices out there. And I wouldn't shy away from the used market. 


It is hard for me to give a recommendation, because like many on this board, I seem to have gotten a bug of sorts and enjoy looking for something new or just different. So I have tube amps, solid state, hybrids. Too many actually. One of my favorite finds was an old Peavy bass amp from the early '70s. 200 watts of fuzz fun. 2 massive cabinets and the orginal covers! I purchased from the original owner who could no longer play due to health and wanted them out of the house. 


I would start with how much you are looking to spend, research amps in that range - and then see if an option comes up on the used market. You might be surprised at what you find put up for sale from frustrated guitar students.


I always enjoy watching the reviews published by Andertons. Over the years they have covered everything under the sun in terms of gear. You might want to check them out for amp reviews.


https://www.youtube.com/c/andertons


This year the diet is definitely gonna stick!

# 5
DavidMeb
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DavidMeb
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10/18/2022 3:16 pm

Been playing for a couple of years, using a Katana.  Great amp, but was itching for something a little different.  Bought an EVH iconic combo.   I find it to be amazing, and just such a different experience.  Much fuller, and I find it easier to use (fewer options! lol).   Highly recommend, especially if you are looking for a high gain sound (though cleans also excellent).  At my price point, I was thinking of the EVH, Marshall dsl40, and Vox15.  All great amps, but I'm very happy with my decision.


# 6
paulrsmith
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paulrsmith
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10/18/2022 9:31 pm

Just started using a Fender Mustang LT25 and since it has a master volume control it works nice.


Still going through all the different amp settings to get the sound I like.


 


https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html


 


 


# 7
GordonAll
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GordonAll
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10/20/2022 4:06 pm

I've got a couple of Line 6 Spider modelling amps - V60 mkII & V240 mkII (picked up the V240 2nd hand with a pedalboard & wireless transmitter for £230 about 6-months ago) - they're fine for most of my needs & having the wireless transmitter allows me to stroll about without tripping over cable.


I've got a Fender Blues Jr IV 15W tube amp too (pic in the avatar), great for having a blast but not neighbour friendly. Having said that, had a try of a mate's Vox AC15C1 and it blew me away, very tempted to go for a 2nd hand one.


I would suggest you try loads out in your local store(s), find the one you like then look for it 2nd hand - some great deals out there but try before buying, don't buy blind.


Cheers,


Gordon


 


# 8
Steve-T
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Steve-T
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10/21/2022 9:13 pm

I have just got the Katana 100w head, for home use it has the onboard 8" speaker which works just great for home volumes and I will get a 1x12 cab at some point (or a 2x12) for when I want to crank it up. There is a lot to learn with Boss Tone Studio but I have made a couple of patches with help from a YT tutorial with sounds I am happy with for now.


I also have a Kustom '72 Coupe which is a great sounding valve amp but very very heavy and I don't want to use it very often.


I also have a little Vox DA5 practice amp which has some modelling onboard and has a pretty good sound for home use and was what I was using until I got the Katana head.


As for yourself, it depends on several factors, how long have you been playing, what music do you want to play, what is your budget, is it just for home use/volumes or will you be playing with a band in the near future etc. People always say go and try them in a shop, which is usually good advice but if you are a complete beginner then you probably wont have the confidence to do that, nor the knowledge or ability to know what you want.


edited
# 9
Rumble Walrus
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Rumble Walrus
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10/21/2022 10:24 pm

Gear lust - Gear Lust - Gear lust...šŸ¤Ŗ


# 10
manXcat
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manXcat
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10/22/2022 12:59 am

Fortunate to already have a wide selection of instruments and amps to chose from, there's nothing I absolutely must have/need right now. 

However once they become available again, I can see a distinct possibility of lusting after a VOX AC15VR in my future. AC15VR versus AC15C1 tones compared.

Spotted a currently available second hand AC15VR for private sale on Gumtree I would have bought if it was as described, but too far away to try or for non-commerical contract one-off shipping given the impact of current fuel prices on shipping freight rates unfortunately (2100km away). šŸ˜„


edited
# 11
northballer
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northballer
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11/01/2022 7:21 pm

I've been using the Revv G20 and man what a great amp. It's a tube amp with built-in load box and cabinet IRs. So you can select your favorite virtual cabs without the need for a real speak cabinet.


Plus, it's a tube amp, so I get the tones I want in a little amp that sits on my desk. It's a lot of fun!


# 12
Terry45
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Terry45
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11/11/2022 1:01 am

I'm using a Fender GTX100.  The amp has loads of built in amp models, cabinet types and effects.  Most of the main amps and effects sound really good and I'm enjoying learning about all the amp models and effects.  It's a lot cheaper than buying all the pedals and testing them out. The amp is better than I am. But I'm working on it!


# 13
ormerod76
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ormerod76
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11/12/2022 11:36 am

I have a fender blues junior tweed, marshall origin 5, mojo diamond, spark mini and the 40watts and just bought a Marshall 1974x. I am an idiot who still learning but followed in love with these toys...


# 14
chemical_fusion
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chemical_fusion
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11/15/2022 12:55 pm

I managed to score a second hand Marshall 100DFX on ebay for an absolute amazing deal!  Had it for a few months now and am still over the moon about it, it's super loud,  just an amazing peice of well egineered kit!


 


# 15
shadowrc
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shadowrc
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11/27/2022 10:40 pm

well I did the foolish thing. I bought Mesa mk 5:25 head the 1x12 rectoverb cabinet along with a bugera g20 head,  a vox vt15, I have a 1980 Carvin tour 4/12 cab,  a 1985 Jackson 4/12 cab,   a crate 4/12 cab,  mesa nomad 55 2x12.  along with other items.  digitech rp1000, several foot petals, 4 PRS guitars, a Fender showmaster, epiphone lp, 1980 squire.     now maybe I should learn to play and use this stuff.   advice  stay simple do not spend  9,000 and then learn lol also larger speaker pushes more air... means louder....  4/12 cabs are Not quiet but they do sound awesome. a 1/10 can get you in trouble depending on your surroundings.


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# 16
keggers
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keggers
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01/18/2024 9:08 pm
#13 Originally Posted by: Terry45

I'm using a Fender GTX100.  The amp has loads of built in amp models, cabinet types and effects.  Most of the main amps and effects sound really good and I'm enjoying learning about all the amp models and effects.  It's a lot cheaper than buying all the pedals and testing them out. The amp is better than I am. But I'm working on it!

I second the Fender GTX 100. I have one, primarily for indoor use in my office. It works very well for a wide variety of tones and easy enough to setup your own amp-pedal combinations. Compared to other equipment I use I find the bluetooth doesn't work consistently, so I stopped using BT for backing track input. Cable to the Aux port works perfectly every time.


For going primal during outdoor season, I use a 1957 Reissue Custom Twin. 


# 17
keggers
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keggers
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01/18/2024 9:12 pm
#16 Originally Posted by: shadowrc

well I did the foolish thing. I bought Mesa mk 5:25 head the 1x12 rectoverb cabinet along with a bugera g20 head,  a vox vt15, I have a 1980 Carvin tour 4/12 cab,  a 1985 Jackson 4/12 cab,   a crate 4/12 cab,  mesa nomad 55 2x12.  along with other items.  digitech rp1000, several foot petals, 4 PRS guitars, a Fender showmaster, epiphone lp, 1980 squire.     now maybe I should learn to play and use this stuff.   advice  stay simple do not spend  9,000 and then learn lol also larger speaker pushes more air... means louder....  4/12 cabs are Not quiet but they do sound awesome. a 1/10 can get you in trouble depending on your surroundings.

Suggestion. Look into the Fryette Power Stations. I use the PS-2 model to tame my Tweed Twin which can get to bedroom-level volumes without compromising on the great cranked up tone. It's a game changer.


# 18
ken5064
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ken5064
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01/19/2024 3:27 pm
#1 Originally Posted by: wowiecyrus

Hi folks. I’m looking for a few suggestions and advice to get a new amp. Which kind of amplifier are you using? Would you recommend it? Thank you for your time in reading and responding to my question. Hope to learn lots!

I did have a Fender Mustang LT25, it was a pretty good practice amp but I wanted something with more flexibility so I bought a Boss Katana Mk II, I like being able to download tones  for it.


# 19
majestictone
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majestictone
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01/22/2024 4:31 pm

Just acquired a Quilter Cub 1X12, I debated between this and a Fender Deluxe Reverb "Tone Master" but since I ready an original 68' Silverface BMR that I had completely gone through and had stroked out BF specs, it is beyond LOUD and Insanely heavy to lug around and now that I am bedroom wannabe wanker, the cub will do fine. But then again, I find that with a Tonex Pedal and a clean amp, you can pretty much get any desirable sound you could ever want. 


# 20

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