Ideas for starter combo for teenage beginner

**PhatRon** · #1 03-13-2013, 03:18 AM

looking for advice/ideas for deals on a starter combo for my teenage son who's just starting out. tone more important than power/headroom and relatively light weight.
thanks for your input.

JimmyM · #2 03-13-2013, 03:23 AM

I have an Ampeg BA108 and BA110. Both sound pretty darn good for practice amps. The BA110 is a little better sound quality and will get louder, but the BA108 is nice and light and has a pretty hefty low end for a single 8" speaker. Very inexpensive and about as good as it gets for practice amps IMHO.

**mjac28** · #3 03-13-2013, 03:50 AM

I would look at some of the Acoustic stuff at Guitar Center very reliable gear and affordable.

ngh · #4 03-13-2013, 03:52 AM

a buddy of mine has a vintage traynor yba-2 "bass mate" combo that he picked up on craigs list a few years ago for 50 bucks. thing sound really awesome. and it has vintage mojo to boot. (not to mention tubes to stare at, always a plus for kids learning to play). he uses it as his bedroom amp but has also recorded with it a bunch.

Doner Designs · #5 03-13-2013, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

I would look at some of the Acoustic stuff at Guitar Center very reliable gear and affordable.

Agree. The B100 and B200 are bargains.

http://www.bestcovery.com/acoustic-b...ombo-amplifier

P Town · #6 03-13-2013, 04:06 AM

A used Ampeg B100R. 100 Watts, 15 inch speaker. Very nice combo amps.

Indiana Mike · #7 03-13-2013, 04:10 AM

Nothing less than 100 watts...

don't disappoint yourself with a 10 watt practice amp.

Woodstockz · #8 03-13-2013, 08:23 AM

"Ideas for starter combo for teenage beginner"

Maybe a really good set of headphones.

Rob Martinez · #9 03-13-2013, 09:05 AM

Ampeg BA112, 50 watts and can use head phones!!

tylerwylie · #10 03-13-2013, 09:08 AM

The Ampeg BA combos are nice, get the 100 watt one at least. Though I've come to prefer Genz Benz gear.

Bass_Pounder · #11 03-13-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

Nothing less than 100 watts...

don't disappoint yourself with a 10 watt practice amp.

+1

The price difference is not that big.

And, even though just a "beginner", I am sure he will soon find some friends he wants to jam with.

A "practice" amp will ONLY be good for playing my himself in a bedroom. A decent 100 watt combo will allow him to jam with others, and possibly even do some small gigs.

**PhatRon** · #12 03-13-2013, 10:44 AM

nice suggestions folks. Jimmy and Rob, I know where you are coming from with the BA series. I used to own a BA112. Tone forever but rather heavy for a small rig. As a matter of fact it was that rig many years ago that got me hooked on 12's. I'll take a listen to the BA10.
Mjac and Doner, agree with you guys suggesting the acoustic models. I briefly played on the 30 watt 12" and was impressed with the sound and depth, though not much headroom. I'll check as to how heavy/bulky the 100 is.
I have a lead on a local deal for a used workingman's 12 that has had the driver changed out to a neo. I've never heard the SWR rigs so I don't know what to expect.
It's a 90 mile trek to try it out.
thanks again everyone. more welcome!

bb03 · #13 03-13-2013, 11:53 AM

buy mine:

FS: GK MB115...

mystic38 · #14 03-13-2013, 12:01 PM

this..

great tone for lil cabs, the BA108 is really quite punchy.. headphone socket and aux in to play along with mp3...just fine

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I have an Ampeg BA108 and BA110. Both sound pretty darn good for practice amps. The BA110 is a little better sound quality and will get louder, but the BA108 is nice and light and has a pretty hefty low end for a single 8" speaker. Very inexpensive and about as good as it gets for practice amps IMHO.

And to everyone promoting a 100W 15" amp for a teenager that cannot play...perhaps you will offer the OP to host his son for 6 months?.... after all...nfw would i buy my teenage kid something that low, meaty and loud.

metallutca · #15 03-13-2013, 12:04 PM

Phil Jones Double-Four or Markbass Micromark

Bass_Pounder · #16 03-13-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystic38

And to everyone promoting a 100W 15" amp for a teenager that cannot play...perhaps you will offer the OP to host his son for 6 months?.... after all...nfw would i buy my teenage kid something that low, meaty and loud.

A 100w 15 combo will probably be easier to sell should he lose interest, but would work for a lot more then some bedroom practice should he continue his interest in playing.

That old saying comes to mind.......

"Buy once, cry once"

Crater · #17 03-13-2013, 12:16 PM

Acoustic B20 or B30 for bedroom only practice. It's got a 12" speaker vs. the 10" that's typical in most practice amps.

Acoustic B100 or B200 "combo amps" for playing with a band.

Vince Klortho · #18 03-13-2013, 12:17 PM

Something a little different - a Hartke A70. It has 70W and a 12 and gets loud enough for my rehearsals with the band. I got it used at guitar center for 150.

Jack · #19 03-13-2013, 12:19 PM

Totally, you can turn a loud amp down. Buy decent second-hand gear so if he likes it he has a decent amp and if he doesn't you can sell. Buy a five year old stage amp for $100 and in 6 months it'll be worth $100. Buy a new practice amp for $100 and in 6 months it'll be worthless.

spacebassed · #20 03-13-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

Nothing less than 100 watts...

don't disappoint yourself with a 10 watt practice amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

+1

The price difference is not that big.

And, even though just a "beginner", I am sure he will soon find some friends he wants to jam with.

A "practice" amp will ONLY be good for playing my himself in a bedroom. A decent 100 watt combo will allow him to jam with others, and possibly even do some small gigs.

I'd agree get something with a 12" or 15". The Ampeg B100r or B50r are two of the best solid state combos ever made and you can pick them up used at a good price. With a beginner you want to get something that sounds good and inspires him to want a play. Plus, it's something he'll always be able to use - even if he sticks with it and gets a bigger "gig rig" he'll still be able to use it for practice, small gigs, and in the studio.