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Post subject: Got the guitar, now the choice of an amplifier.
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:38 am
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So that's the deal. Guess I'm new around here, but of course, I wisely chose Fender.

A couple of weeks ago I bought my first electric guitar. In my eyes, it is a beautiful 3-colour sunburst Classic Player 60s. It already has a name.

But, I need an amp. I've tried my friend's guitar and amp, but it sounds way too much of metal to me. He has a Les Paul (shame on him!), and a Peavey amp, which is big enough. I've also tried playing around in stores, but I just can't but my finger on excactly what sound I want. I am thinking about something old school, like The Doors, Clapton, Gilmour, Winwood, Dylan etc. My biggest fear would be to buy an amp and then it screams out this horrifying, boneshaking, earhurting metal noise. It doesn't need to be a Fender amp, but since the Strats luckily aren't much associated with metal and its surroundings, I would assume that a brand-matching speaker would make the best of it. I should also mention that since I'm not in position of gigging just yet, I would most certain use it only for practicing by myself at home, and maybe a couple of others.
As for the budget, 400-500$ should be enough.

Could anybody have the kindness to sort some of my confusion out? I would be very much pleased. Thanks.


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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:16 pm
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My personal rule of thumb is the amp should cost at least the same or more than the guitar for a good quality gigging amp. Naturally a small bedroom amp will be less. My guess is 4 or 5 hundred won't be enough for either in your case. There are amps available for that price but they would be mismatched to a nice guitar like yours. You bought a nice guitar ... don't cheap out on the amp and ruin everything. Soon after my post there will be a long line of people telling you to by a Hot Rod or Junior amp. Do yourself a favor. Don't.

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:01 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
My personal rule of thumb is the amp should cost at least the same or more than the guitar for a good quality gigging amp. Naturally a small bedroom amp will be less. My guess is 4 or 5 hundred won't be enough for either in your case. There are amps available for that price but they would be mismatched to a nice guitar like yours. You bought a nice guitar ... don't cheap out on the amp and ruin everything. Soon after my post there will be a long line of people telling you to by a Hot Rod or Junior amp. Do yourself a favor. Don't.


+1 Friends don't let friends buy HRD series amps. You could probably find a used DRRI for $600-700. That's the way I'd go. I use Egnater and Fender. Mostly Egnater now. I dumped a HRDlx and picked one up and never looked back. A used Princeton is about as low as I'd go. If you're handy build a 5e3 Tweed Deluxe kit .


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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:10 pm
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Good rule of thumb. :D

If you're going Fender, I'd suggest one of the reissues (or vintage equivalent): Deluxe Reverb, Princeton Reverb, Vibrolux Reverb, Super Reverb, Twin Reverb. The Hot Rod series comes close on the cleans, but, to me, don't even compare when it comes to reverb. In my opinion, one of the above mentioned amps dialed in with the reverb on 3-5 is THE Fender sound. Obviously, only my opinion. For your applications (home and possible gigging), I'd suggest the Deluxe or Vibrolux. Sound good at low volumes, portable enough, and can hang with most drummers.

There are so many options beyond Fender as well. Your best bet is to hit up Guitar Center and spend a while playing through a ton of amps. Bring your guitar so you know how it will sound. Play em low, play em loud. Pick it up and see if you don't mind carrying it around. I'd also suggest visiting any local shops that may carry a more ecclectic variety of amps than Guitar Center.

And don't discount used amps. Good deals can be had going that route.

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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:09 pm
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Congrats on the guitar purchase, and you're getting great advice above.

However, you really can't take your friend to task for having a Les Paul - classic guitar that many of the folks that you've name checked have played at one time or another. Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, Gretsch are all good in their own right. With 2 Teles and a strat, my next guitar may be a P90 equipped goldtop.

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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:25 am
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Deluxe Reverb


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:27 am
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Its always tricky when you get your first electric because the real question is "will I still be playing in a year for now?' If you know for sure you will then I agree,the drri is the way to go.You will eventually buy one anyways.If you arent sure,you might want to check out the scxd.I would bet you can find one used pretty cheaply and there are some guys who do gig with them.They sound decent enough too.I wouldnt recommend the HR series either, by the time you spend that much money , you could have almost bought a deluxe reverb IMO.


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 3:45 am
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+1 BMW-KTM

I agree with you


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:22 am
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I'm with budglo on this. Check out the SCXD. It's great for at home and very versatile.


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:12 am
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Check out the Peavey Classic 30. It can be bought in your price range, is well built and produced in the USA.


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:52 am
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Ah yes, the Peavey Classic 30. A great amp...I had one for years before buying my Twin. An excellent option indeed.


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:04 pm
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Hot Rod DeVille! :lol:

Seriously though...

Hot Rod DeVille! :D

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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:43 pm
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given the OP said he's not gigging and playing at home, a 60 watt 4x10 amp is not the best choice - right up there with a Twin Reverb. May be a good amp, but not the right choice for home use. That aside, the Hot Rod series shouldn't be compared to other well built Fender or other amps - google Hot Rod Deville and you'll see some issues.

Less watts are fine. You'll blast yourself out of your house/apartment with a Princeton or Deluxe reverb - for just home use, more than 22 watts can be overkill.

Get an Auralex GRAMMA (google it) to put under your amp- helps to keep things in the house from shaking/rattling. If you have a significant other, this will keep them happy too - as well as making recordings of your amp quieter.

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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 2:07 pm
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OMG! A deville for a first amp is a really bad idea.Way too loud for home use .Try taking it to a garage or neighborhood jam and see what your bandmates think of that.LOL. :wink:


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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 2:40 pm
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A DeVille is a bad choice all the way around. I forgot about the Peavey Classic 30. The Delta is pretty nice too. I would take a Peavey over any HRD amp just because it's reliable and made in the USA. It doesn't hurt that they sound nice too. :D

I would rather have 5 watts of tonal bliss than 60 watts of icepick in the forehead any day of the week. YMMV and it's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

I would look for a clean SF Champ. I jam with a guy that has a SCXD and the SF Champ sounds way better even to him. It's just warmer and fuller sounding.

Another thing, the DRRI at 22 watts still cuts better than a DeVille or a HRDlx so does my Egnater at 20 watts. It's tone to the bone.


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