First time amp combo purchase-Help!

modz1 · #1 (**permalink**) 21st May 2008 , 04:27 PM

I'm a relatively new guitarist and was looking for recommendations as to which combo amp is the best piece of starter kit (I have a Vintage VS6 guitar)? I'm limited on budget to £150

Cheers

dvdan · #2 (**permalink**) 18th June 2008 , 01:08 PM

Hi there, will this be for bedroom use or for gigging? if its just for home bedroom use there are plenty of options for that price. you will need an amp with a low wattage - check this out: http://www.dv247.com/invt/37448/
It packs an amazing punch for the money, and couldn't be easie to use. Whats more is that its an all tube combo which usally demands double the price if not more; very impressive I'm sure you will agree.

modz1 · #3 (**permalink**) 18th June 2008 , 04:12 PM

Yep, bedroom use for now (the neighbours will love me!)..
Cool man, thanks v.much.. On the way to check it out :-)

gzweb · #4 (**permalink**) 25th June 2008 , 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvdan

Hi there, will this be for bedroom use or for gigging?

LOL

who gigs with an amp thats under £150??

Personally id get a Peavey Batman ... errr... VYPYR amp like this one

http://www.dv247.com/invt/53192/

JAYDMF · #5 (**permalink**) 2nd July 2008 , 12:25 PM

Reall depends on what your playing tbh. If you want fairly good cleans then the valve junior is going to be the best option. If you want metal tones then id look into the low end Randall as although their cleans are pretty naff you do get a pretty hefty distortion. Peaveys are great alrounders if thats what your after. just steer clear of Marshall MG series whatever you do!!!

sparky2305 · #6 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2008 , 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAYDMF

Reall depends on what your playing tbh. If you want fairly good cleans then the valve junior is going to be the best option. If you want metal tones then id look into the low end Randall as although their cleans are pretty naff you do get a pretty hefty distortion. Peaveys are great alrounders if thats what your after. just steer clear of Marshall MG series whatever you do!!!

Theres nothing wrong with Marshalls MG Series, I have the MG50DFX and its a cracking amp, great on the clean and the distortion packs a decent punch!

JAYDMF · #7 (**permalink**) 4th July 2008 , 12:21 AM

Sorry i beg to disagree on this point, the whole amp sounds like its under water, compared to a randall or Peavey or a similar price theyre terrible amps.

Pete Carter · #8 (**permalink**) 4th July 2008 , 01:07 PM

if its purely for bedroom use and youve just started i think you would have alot of fun with a line6 spider. most low end transister amps are quite poor sounding and not very versitile. ive had a top end line 6 and ive got to say i hated using a modelling amp for giging but for bedroom use there great. I quite like the small orange amps but thats because they sound a little bit like my valve orange. try before you buy, get whatever sounds closest to the sound your after even if everyone thinks your mad.

ive just seen those blackheart class A amps they look like they would be worth a try, a little over your budget when you add a cab, but judging from one being played on you tube they have a nice valve tone.

Ian B · #9 (**permalink**) 4th July 2008 , 07:47 PM

As good as the little 5 watt (or so) all tube amps like the Epi Junior are, the main catch is you need to drive them hard/loud, to get the best out of them............and they can be very, very loud when pushed.

You won't go far wrong with a Roland Microcube, great sounds, so-so fx, but still a good buy.

That said, I was happy enough with my Microcube, but then I heard a Vox AD15VT, and it blew the cube away for not much more money, so bought one and sold my cube. Again, like the cube, the fx are only so-so, but it sounds superb.

Having said that, I wish now I'd done a bit more research and found that the AD15VT's bigger brother, the AD30VT has a powersoak option, which put simply, means you don't lose any of the tone/drive, no matter how low the volume. Perfect for home use/recording.

Soundfarmer Pete · #10 (**permalink**) 6th July 2008 , 08:12 AM

Quote:

LOL

who gigs with an amp thats under £150??

I do - £99 (although I am only a bass player in a five piece rock band so I`m not sure that counts)

For messing about on six strings (at home), I`m more than happy with my line6 spider although the Insane preset is rather ghastly

- at least I don`t need a floorfull of stompboxes to trip over.

krykos · #11 (**permalink**) 6th July 2008 , 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gzweb

LOL

who gigs with an amp thats under £150??

Those of us who are on a budget.

StratmanNick · #12 (**permalink**) 7th July 2008 , 11:50 AM

Well said people !!!!!

Robcore! · #13 (**permalink**) 7th July 2008 , 12:14 PM

DV will hate me for this but you might be better checking out ebay and some 2nd hand shops if you're after decent sound for cheap. As said as well, peaveys are great for the price!
Used one of these myself, nice sound quality and only £100.
http://www.dv247.com/invt/46761/

belezabaub · #14 (**permalink**) 13th July 2008 , 10:59 PM

The epiphone amp is a great wee amp for £99. It would be more than loud enough to play in the house and would sound really good. Don't be put off by the one single volume control, it is really all you need. If you don't intend on playing live or practising with a drummer anytime soon it would be ideal. However, if you are thinking of buying an amp, I'd guess you are considering getting together with mates and jamming.
I have been looking at these Laney LV100 amps in the B stock of this site for ages, Laney LV100 B-STOCK at DV247.COM For £62 I don't think there is a better deal on the net. 65 watts, good celestion speaker, decent make. Will play over drums easily and with the rest of your dough you could buy youself a Line 6 Pod 2.0, POD 2.0 at DV247.COM. Line 6 stuff is really good and it would allow you to get to grips with effects and stuff and learn more about amps.

modz1 · #15 (**permalink**) 16th July 2008 , 10:51 AM

A massive amount of feedback and expert advice gents.. very much appreciated

Home	Register	Groups	FAQ	Members List	Calendar	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read	Go to DV247.com
New to Forums or just joined? Why not start your journey here?

#1 (permalink) 21st May 2008 , 04:27 PM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	First time amp combo purchase-Help! I'm a relatively new guitarist and was looking for recommendations as to which combo amp is the best piece of starter kit (I have a Vintage VS6 guitar)? I'm limited on budget to £150 Cheers ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline	Last edited by modz1; 17th June 2008 at 06:40 PM. . Reason: removing TEST status <

#2 (permalink) 18th June 2008 , 01:08 PM
dvdan DV Staff Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: chelmsford Posts: 157	Hi there, will this be for bedroom use or for gigging? if its just for home bedroom use there are plenty of options for that price. you will need an amp with a low wattage - check this out: http://www.dv247.com/invt/37448/ It packs an amazing punch for the money, and couldn't be easie to use. Whats more is that its an all tube combo which usally demands double the price if not more; very impressive I'm sure you will agree. ______________________________ --------------------------------------------- Dan S Digital Village/Music Village
Offline

#3 (permalink) 18th June 2008 , 04:12 PM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	Yep, bedroom use for now (the neighbours will love me!).. Cool man, thanks v.much.. On the way to check it out :-) ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline

#8 (permalink) 4th July 2008 , 01:07 PM
Pete Carter Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 52	if its purely for bedroom use and youve just started i think you would have alot of fun with a line6 spider. most low end transister amps are quite poor sounding and not very versitile. ive had a top end line 6 and ive got to say i hated using a modelling amp for giging but for bedroom use there great. I quite like the small orange amps but thats because they sound a little bit like my valve orange. try before you buy, get whatever sounds closest to the sound your after even if everyone thinks your mad. ive just seen those blackheart class A amps they look like they would be worth a try, a little over your budget when you add a cab, but judging from one being played on you tube they have a nice valve tone.
Offline	Last edited by Pete Carter; 4th July 2008 at 01:15 PM. . <

#5 (permalink) 2nd July 2008 , 12:25 PM
JAYDMF Hell-Rider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucester Posts: 913	Reall depends on what your playing tbh. If you want fairly good cleans then the valve junior is going to be the best option. If you want metal tones then id look into the low end Randall as although their cleans are pretty naff you do get a pretty hefty distortion. Peaveys are great alrounders if thats what your after. just steer clear of Marshall MG series whatever you do!!!
Offline

#7 (permalink) 4th July 2008 , 12:21 AM
JAYDMF Hell-Rider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gloucester Posts: 913	Sorry i beg to disagree on this point, the whole amp sounds like its under water, compared to a randall or Peavey or a similar price theyre terrible amps.
Offline

#9 (permalink) 4th July 2008 , 07:47 PM
Ian B Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 129	As good as the little 5 watt (or so) all tube amps like the Epi Junior are, the main catch is you need to drive them hard/loud, to get the best out of them............and they can be very, very loud when pushed. You won't go far wrong with a Roland Microcube, great sounds, so-so fx, but still a good buy. That said, I was happy enough with my Microcube, but then I heard a Vox AD15VT, and it blew the cube away for not much more money, so bought one and sold my cube. Again, like the cube, the fx are only so-so, but it sounds superb. Having said that, I wish now I'd done a bit more research and found that the AD15VT's bigger brother, the AD30VT has a powersoak option, which put simply, means you don't lose any of the tone/drive, no matter how low the volume. Perfect for home use/recording.
Offline

#12 (permalink) 7th July 2008 , 11:50 AM
StratmanNick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cornwall Posts: 30	Well said people !!!!!
Offline	Last edited by StratmanNick; 7th July 2008 at 12:01 PM. . <

#13 (permalink) 7th July 2008 , 12:14 PM
Robcore! Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Longbridge, Birmingham Posts: 33	DV will hate me for this but you might be better checking out ebay and some 2nd hand shops if you're after decent sound for cheap. As said as well, peaveys are great for the price! Used one of these myself, nice sound quality and only £100. http://www.dv247.com/invt/46761/ ______________________________ "Those who danced were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
Offline

#14 (permalink) 13th July 2008 , 10:59 PM
belezabaub Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	The epiphone amp is a great wee amp for £99. It would be more than loud enough to play in the house and would sound really good. Don't be put off by the one single volume control, it is really all you need. If you don't intend on playing live or practising with a drummer anytime soon it would be ideal. However, if you are thinking of buying an amp, I'd guess you are considering getting together with mates and jamming. I have been looking at these Laney LV100 amps in the B stock of this site for ages, Laney LV100 B-STOCK at DV247.COM For £62 I don't think there is a better deal on the net. 65 watts, good celestion speaker, decent make. Will play over drums easily and with the rest of your dough you could buy youself a Line 6 Pod 2.0, POD 2.0 at DV247.COM. Line 6 stuff is really good and it would allow you to get to grips with effects and stuff and learn more about amps.
Offline

#15 (permalink) 16th July 2008 , 10:51 AM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	A massive amount of feedback and expert advice gents.. very much appreciated ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
Offline

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode