Choosing a guitar combo

[allexcosta]

Please forgive me low enders, but I'm in the market to buy a guitar combo for my 13yo son and very confused. I have my eyes on a Line 6 Spider III 150W, but not sure if that's a good option. Is there any Fender that would have the same features and built-in effects? I'd like to stick with Fender if possible, since he plays a Stratocaster.
Any help is appreciated.

[EagleMoon]

You should try one of the Vox modeling amps, like the AD30VT or the AD50VT with 2X12. They're great. I think the effects are much more realistic on them than the Line 6.

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

You should try one of the Vox modeling amps, like the AD30VT or the AD50VT with 2X12. They're great. I think the effects are much more realistic on them than the Line 6.

Thank you, reviews are great. I think I should stop by GC or SamAsh and give it a try...

[EagleMoon]

You're welcome. I have several Vox amps and I think they're great.

[allexcosta]

Didn't Brian May used to play Vox amps?

[Deluge Of Sound]

Yes indeed he did.

[Thunderitter]

My mate spends his time between LA and the UK. His main gear is in the US but for practice he bought a Fender G-DEC Guitar Digital Entertainment Center in the UK and he loves it! Very much a practice amp but lots of great features for a young guitarist.

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by Thunderitter

My mate spends his time between LA and the UK. His main gear is in the US but for practice he bought a Fender G-DEC Guitar Digital Entertainment Center in the UK and he loves it! Very much a practice amp but lots of great features for a young guitarist.

Yes, I was looking into that today, sounds like a great option.

[ihateusernames]

cyber twin, frontman dsp series, or a g-dec depending on what features are most important to you. no reason to pigeon hole into a fender for modelling just because he's got a strat. heck, crate makes some stuff that sounds comparable to lower priced, small digital guitar combos.

[Hawaii Islander]

Line6 has a new line of tube combo amps (tube preamp and tube poweramp) with effects. They look very interesting.

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-LIN-SPV112.html

I own a VOX Valvetronix AD120VTX


The blue combo on the left.

The VOX modeling amps are great IMO.

[Trevorus]

I'd go with the Vox as well, but I went a little higher on the chain...



I got the real, all tube, AC30CC.

[ihateusernames]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

Line6 has a new line of tube combo amps (tube preamp and tube poweramp) with effects. They look very interesting.

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-LIN-SPV112.html


The VOX modeling amps are great IMO.

The SpyderValve is very intriguing, I've been reading about them for a few weeks now. H&K has a similar new design hitting the market soon.

[Trevorus]

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

The SpyderValve is very intriguing, I've been reading about them for a few weeks now. H&K has a similar new design hitting the market soon.

The Line 6 does sound interesting. I have to see if my dealer has one locally. If it's designed by Bogner, it's worth a look!

[lunarpollen]

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

You should try one of the Vox modeling amps, like the AD30VT or the AD50VT with 2X12. They're great. I think the effects are much more realistic on them than the Line 6.

I was going to suggest the same thing

One of the silver-grilled Vox hybrid modeling combos would be ideal. It has a couple of excellent Fender models in its repertoire. As well as great Vox AC15 and AC30 models. And a great Hiwatt model.

Make sure when you try it out that you have it set to Manual mode so that the settings and effects are fully adjustable.

The only issue I've had with mine so far is some kind of grounding problem. My guess is it's related to the cheap input jack (plastic hardware & fittings, etc.). I plan to take it in to a local amp tech to get serviced. Probably a really minor fix. I'm also gonna ask for the input jack assembly to be replaced with all metal bits.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Peavey Classic 30, different from what you looked at, no built in effects, but i can almost guarentee it sounds better

[zazz]

i would be inclined to get him something like a roland micro....then he can concentrate on learning to play rather than getting bogged down in amp settings and pissing off the neighbours.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Peavey Classic 30, different from what you looked at, no built in effects, but i can almost guarentee it sounds better

Yup. or a Fender Blues Junior. Both will sound better than anything other amp manufactured by anybody. Well, that's a stretch... But either would be a good choice if they are in your price range.

[thumpbass1]

I'd opt for a Peavey Classic 30 or a Fender Blues Junior as others have suggested.
You would have a real tube amp plus you could add in the digital modeling ' gee whiz'
effects with one of the many affordable digital multi effects devices that are available.

If you buy one of these amps used as good clean ones are easy to find you'll save
money and have a great amp and have enough cash left to score one of the fancier
digital modeling devices. Just something to consider.

[allexcosta]

Thanks guys, lots of good advice. Gotta put the kid to read all this and think a little bit...
Appreciated.

[Bard2dbone]

If i was getting it for myself I would definitely go with the Blues Junior. But a kid will be much more likely to want the onboard effects that the Junior does not have.

The basic tone on the Vox is probably the best out of the amps with extensive onboard effects.