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Post subject: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:33 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:41 pm
Posts: 6
I'm new to this forum, so hello everyone.
I'm am just getting back into playing guitar after 35 years away, my bad, (don't ask). I am getting re-involved because my grand daughter is interested in playing and I am interested in joining her in her quest. Looking over the web, things have changed dramatically over the years since the 60's as you can well imagine.
I'm am currently looking at two guitars, One is an american standard strat, the other is a Gretsch 5420. I realize this is going to be a personal preference decision. I'm leaning towards the Strat at this point.
The real problem is the amp. I am looking for an amp with two clean channels, if there is such a beast. The reason is, I would like to have the ability to have my grand daughter bring her guitar over to my place and not have to drag along a separate amp for practice and to "jam". The amps I'm seeing seem to have a clean channel and a distorted channel. Can the distortion be tuned out to make the second channel clean. Any questions to clarify or any amp suggestions would be appreciated.
Sorry for the long post.


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Post subject: Re: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:42 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:59 am
Posts: 420
Tweed deluxe?

http://www.fender.com/series/custom/57- ... head-120v/


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Post subject: Re: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 10:52 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:22 am
Posts: 220
A year ago, like you, I picked up the guitar after about 30 years of not playing. Amps had changed a lot since the late 60's and early 70's. I found a used Mustang 1 for sale for next to nothing. Modeling amps were a completely new thing to me, and I was totally amazed at what this little thing could do. For less than $100 (used), I could get so many sounds out of this amp. Granted, it took some learning to get the good sounds I wanted, but that was part of the fun. Some days I play the guitar and some days I play with the amp. The Mustangs are single channel, but they're so inexpensive that you could buy one for you and one for your grand daughter, and not be out that much cash. Either the Mustang 1 or 2 would be plenty loud enough for playing at home, and light enough to move around - unlike the old tube models we're used to.

I've since treated myself to a Fender Super Champ X2, and couldn't be happier. A modeling amp with a tube output. Again, it's a single channel. And I still have and use my Mustang.


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Post subject: Re: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:20 pm
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Rock Star
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Location: Gateway to the West
Welcome back to the guitar world! Go with the Strat!

As for an amp, how about a Deluxe Reverb Reissue? You can keep both channels pretty clean, and you can both use it.

We can give you some better choices if you give us a bit more info on what you want to spend.

T2

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Post subject: Re: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:33 pm
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Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:41 pm
Posts: 6
Thanks for all the responses. I should have told you all that back in the mid 60's (when I was making some money) getting into guitar, after being trained since the age of six as a pianist for ten years, I could buy the best and I did. My first guitar was a Kay arch-top acoustic. Once I got my feet wet and the twang was set flowing in my veins I then ventured into solid bodies. First was a 1963 tele, then came a 1965 Strat and a 1965 Mustang which, (weirdly), became my favorite. These were piped through a Fender Dual Showman ( blond ).I had others but just in passing. I always strung with Fender Rolled Gold. (those were flat wound strings, 10's I believe)., which aren't available anymore. but enough about memory lane they all got sold through the mid to late 70's.
Now I'm retired and on a fixed income so I've decided to go with two amps I found locally, both Fender Princeton chorus. I found them both for $90.00 each with pedals. If there are any comments as to my choice I'd be open to listen and learn, as the deal wont be sealed till late this weekend. Thanks again for your time and knowledge. Shadowwalker


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Post subject: Re: need help deciding on an amp
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 7:19 pm
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Rock Icon
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Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Hi shadowwalker,

Could you clarify why you want two clean channels? Many modern and RI amps have two channels, and some have two clean channels, like the DRRI and TRRI. I prefer an amp with one clean channel and one drive/distortion channel. In that respect, a HRDlx (with reverb), a Peavey Classic 30 (with reverb), a MB TA-15 (no reverb) would all be nice choices for switching between clean and distortion without the need for effects.

Maybe a good choice for you would be a DRRI. You can EQ each channel differently for different voicings, crank the amp for distortion and back off the guitar volume when you want clean. Of course you will need a separate AB switch for channel switching for the DRRI or TRRI. Definitely try out any amp before buying, if possible.

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