good cheap amps for beginner

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by henry2513

Actually I'd go look at used guitar center gear. It's usually in pretty good shape. They're selling a nice Ashdown 100 watt 1x15 combo amp for 149 at the avondale GC or this Hartke 1x15

http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store...28-i2885318.gc

Thanks for that, knew there was a reason I put my location up on here

[MusicEd]

You might check out the VOX Amplug bass headphone amp. It's under $50 and you can plug an iPod or something similar into it to play along with songs.

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by MusicEd

You might check out the VOX Amplug bass headphone amp. It's under $50 and you can plug an iPod or something similar into it to play along with songs.

Interesting...how do those work otherwise( I mean w/o an iPod in them)? What do they sound like?

[MusicEd]

Sounds like an amp to me. I'm a beginner too and it keeps the peace in the house. LOL I'm the only one that can hear it.

[RxFunk]

I actually have another question too: What exactly is a preamp?

[Atlanta Dave]

+1 on Line 6 Studio 110.

I picked one up for $175 used, a couple years ago. At practices, it can keep up with the blues band I'm in. Has a few modeling amp options but I prefer it straight up, with a little 'drive' in the mix. CD/MP3 input, headphone jack, external speaker options too.

But a Line 6 Studio 10 sounds good---- and can actually be used to rehearse with other musicians at reasonable volumes.

[Atlanta Dave]

Originally Posted by RxFunk

I'll certainly check those out, see if I can find one to play through at GC or somewhere.

I had an Acoustic B20 and would definitely go Ampeg instead. The Acoustic was OK as a starter amp, but like JimmyM says, Ampeg has a bigger sound and would be more durable.

I traded that B20 for a 1969 Gibson SG, straight up, in my deal of the century but I don't play guitar.

[capncal]

the best sounding amp period i've played is my Fender BassMan 25. got it used for $40 at a local music shop. it is the perfect bedroom practice amp. sometimes i take it for my monitor when i go DI. it's great.

they don't make that model anymore, but there's a comparable Rumble 30 i think that are fairly inexpensive even new.

[Lowbrow]

I think some of the cheap Acoustics sound great.

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dave

I had an Acoustic B20 and would definitely go Ampeg instead. The Acoustic was OK as a starter amp, but like JimmyM says, Ampeg has a bigger sound and would be more durable.

I traded that B20 for a 1969 Gibson SG, straight up, in my deal of the century but I don't play guitar.

I do

[RxFunk]

I'm getting a lot of good, but mixed responses here. I guess I'll go try out some of the mentioned amps: Acoustic, Ampeg, Fender, Line 6, Orange, Peavey. Then I'll make my decision from there, based on how I like the sound of them.

[Andyman001]

Originally Posted by RxFunk

I actually have another question too: What exactly is a preamp?

A preamp is a VERY small amplifier that usually has active tone controls (boosts and cuts frequencies). also if installed on a bass/guitar it eliminates excess capacitance that a long or cheap instrument cable will introduce into your signal chain. preamps can also be it pedal format and stand alone or rack mounted and be very simple or very complex. every amp except a power amp has a preamp already.

You can google Preamp and find the mistakes I made also

I also agree with the Guitar Center trip, but first you can search there web site for used gear and search your local store.

hope I helped

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dave

I had an Acoustic B20 and would definitely go Ampeg instead. The Acoustic was OK as a starter amp, but like JimmyM says, Ampeg has a bigger sound and would be more durable.

I traded that B20 for a 1969 Gibson SG, straight up, in my deal of the century but I don't play guitar.

I'll give you twice what the B20 goes for for your SG.

Aw come on, that's an awesome deal...

[Musiclogic]

The New Warwick BC 40 and BC 80. Are great sounding economy combos. I have not heard a small combo that can touch them for overall sound in their price range, absolutely awesome small combos.

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by Andyman001

A preamp is a VERY small amplifier that usually has active tone controls (boosts and cuts frequencies). also if installed on a bass/guitar it eliminates excess capacitance that a long or cheap instrument cable will introduce into your signal chain. preamps can also be it pedal format and stand alone or rack mounted and be very simple or very complex. every amp except a power amp has a preamp already.

You can google Preamp and find the mistakes I made also

I also agree with the Guitar Center trip, but first you can search there web site for used gear and search your local store.

hope I helped

Quite helpful, thanks!

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

The New Warwick BC 40 and BC 80. Are great sounding economy combos. I have not heard a small combo that can touch them for overall sound in their price range, absolutely awesome small combos.

Interesting, I was unaware that Warwick made amps. I'll look them up.

[RxFunk]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

The New Warwick BC 40 and BC 80. Are great sounding economy combos. I have not heard a small combo that can touch them for overall sound in their price range, absolutely awesome small combos.

Is there any store that sells Warwick stuff where I could test one out? MF doesn't sell them, so I'm assuming GC doesn't either...

[Sugarcane]

I'd suggest a Stagg amp. They're cheap and have a decent sound. If you wanted to go a little more expensive I'd suggest a Behringer.