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Question for Gee-tar Players
- Thread starter B-Lo
- Start date
If you don’t have the slightest idea where to start, get a modeling amp. If you must have a tube amp, get something with a master volume or an attenuator.
One of my first electric guitars was an AFS75T and my first amp was a Tech 21 Trademark 10 analog modeling amp. Now that I know what I like and what works for my needs, I wouldn’t buy either of them, but it was a good place to start.
A Blues Jr and an SD-1 might have been a good choice for someone just starting out 25 years ago, but in this day and age, with so many options, I would never suggest that.
One of my first electric guitars was an AFS75T and my first amp was a Tech 21 Trademark 10 analog modeling amp. Now that I know what I like and what works for my needs, I wouldn’t buy either of them, but it was a good place to start.
A Blues Jr and an SD-1 might have been a good choice for someone just starting out 25 years ago, but in this day and age, with so many options, I would never suggest that.
I might have missed the budget but if I had limited funds I’d be looking at those 80’s Peavey 112Bandits, the ones with the silver vertical bars on the sides. Cheap, loud and teenage proof.
I have been playing on the same Peavey classic 30 since 1995. They are good solid amps. I just had the caps replaced in mine a few weeks ago. I also have a Fender Hotrod Deville (extremely heavy) for the rare outdoor gig (I got it for $300 and couldn't pass it up), and a Marshall DSL5 for home. I would go with a small tube amp like a Fender Blues Jr or Pro Jr (good sound, super simple layout, plug and play) or a used Peavey Classic or Fender Hot Rod. Then if you want to get into effects get a little Vox or similar multi-pedal to figure out what you like then start investing in pedals. For what it's worth I just use the built in overdrive on the amp and a delay pedal. I got rid of my pedalboard, too much work.
+1 on the Boss Katana. If you're gigging on the guitar, it could make sense to get the perfect tube amp for the style of music you're playing, but if you're jamming at home the Katana has tons of features that make it lots of fun and practical. Lots of cool effects, headphone out, switchable power levels, deep patch editing if you connect to a computer. Affordable also!
I think all starts with a good clean sound so my choice would be a Fender.
Blues Jr if you're on a budget, doubling this value some small BF reissue (Deluxe Reverb or Princeton Reverb; IMO the DR is less disappointing than the PR, compared to the real deal).
If you don't mind spending some Gs, to me an original BF Princeton Reverb is the ultimate amp (and I had all the BF line over those years); for practice, recording, bar gigs or even bigger stages if mic-ed.
Blues Jr if you're on a budget, doubling this value some small BF reissue (Deluxe Reverb or Princeton Reverb; IMO the DR is less disappointing than the PR, compared to the real deal).
If you don't mind spending some Gs, to me an original BF Princeton Reverb is the ultimate amp (and I had all the BF line over those years); for practice, recording, bar gigs or even bigger stages if mic-ed.
So this is what I landed on. '65 Princeton Reverb special edition reissue with the 12" Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker. Sweetwater had the best price...nearly $200 less than GC, but it was on backorder so I had to wait. In the meantime I picked up a Boss Katana 50 MKII to hold me over until the toooobz arrived. The man cave is gonna start getting crowded if I start getting gee-tar GAS haha. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.
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Sweet! And the Katana of a a great line too. Both nice amps.
Not a good guitar player myself (bought my first one in… 2006) but I enjoy my small 5w tube combos: two old Pine Electronics (Pepco) 6V6GT SE. However, I work myself to bring them up to safe working condition. One has tremolo and reverb, the other, only tremolo.
I also have a Fender Pro Jr from 2005-2006 MIM. Seldom used as I find it too loud!
I also have a Fender Pro Jr from 2005-2006 MIM. Seldom used as I find it too loud!
I'm also a fan of smallish Fender tube amps for home and lowish-volume recording: '73 Champ, Deluxe Reverb RI, Princeton RI.
But if I were new to guitar and looking for a versatile home amp right now, in addition to the Katana, I'd consider the Yamaha THR line, or the new Line 6 Catalyst line. Of those, if I wanted an amp I could grow into—that could hang with a drummer—I'd go for a Catalyst 100.
But if I were new to guitar and looking for a versatile home amp right now, in addition to the Katana, I'd consider the Yamaha THR line, or the new Line 6 Catalyst line. Of those, if I wanted an amp I could grow into—that could hang with a drummer—I'd go for a Catalyst 100.
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That’s an insane starter setup. Enjoy! I love having 2 amps; the SS lives upstairs, mostly for headphone practice. The tubes live in the basement for getting nuts.
PS I have the autumn fade as well. I’ve seen a bunch of these AS guitars, but haven’t seen anyone else with the fade
Thanks! Yes, looks like you're enjoying yours as well. Funny story, the Autumn Fade was the first FM color I saw on the AS73s and I loved it, but then I started seeing the other colors. I put about 13 new and used ones on my watch list on Reverb while I was contemplating.That’s an insane starter setup. Enjoy! I love having 2 amps; the SS lives upstairs, mostly for headphone practice. The tubes live in the basement for getting nuts.
PS I have the autumn fade as well. I’ve seen a bunch of these AS guitars, but haven’t seen anyone else with the fade
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The one that I sorta settled on was the Azure Blue, but it was listed at the $549 full retail while some of the others including the Autumn Fade had discounts like $499 and a few had price drops down to $449 new (retail shop prices for the basic AS73s without the FM tops), but they were the Green Valley color. A couple days went by and I had an alert notification on my phone about mine having a $95 price drop. The new listing was for $404 brand new. Of course that was a no brainer so I pulled the trigger.
- Feb 5, 2013
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Used Fender Lead Sleds and Hartke cabs with bent grills
+1 on old Peavey Bandits or Classics. I was a guitar player exclusively for the first 30 years and have owned multiple examples of both. Have even gigged a Red Stripe Bandit. I've owned a few booteek tube amps and always came back to Peavey Classics.
Oh ... and if you find an old silver stripe Bandit try it on 10 at least once. I have never, ever heard a SS amp do what it does when cranked.
I also recently auditioned a white tolex Katana 50 and came away impressed. I've been a bit of a tune snob my whole life but thought the Mark II was pretty sweet. One-stop shopping.
Oh ... and if you find an old silver stripe Bandit try it on 10 at least once. I have never, ever heard a SS amp do what it does when cranked.
I also recently auditioned a white tolex Katana 50 and came away impressed. I've been a bit of a tune snob my whole life but thought the Mark II was pretty sweet. One-stop shopping.
I went browsing looking for something different than my Tele. I tried a Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Strat… but the Artcore wouldn’t let me leave without it. They had it priced at $399 (used) but I probably would have paid the $599. I don’t think I would have picked the fade but I really like it, it’s unique. It’s become my favorite instrument!
