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Post subject: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:54 pm
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Would the G-Dec 3 be a good choice for a beginer? Would it help with learning/motivating ect. Please tell me your opinions and why.


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 10:49 pm
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kidthorazine wrote:
Would the G-Dec 3 be a good choice for a beginer? Would it help with learning/motivating ect. Please tell me your opinions and why.


If you are a 'very' beginner then I'd recommend a used solid state amp for $100 or so. One with a few effects and amp models (and a headphone jack)

A G Dec might be fine after you've played for a few months and get your basics down. It's loaded with 'stuff' but all the digital side of it might be a bit overwhelming and get in the way of what you need most..playing. you might want to stay away at first from running stuff through your computer, recording, etc.

Also after playing a while you can decide what amp you actually want based on your new ability to play and understand guitar lingo. You might want a G Dec, or a small tube amp or larger solid state amp. Also you might want a multi effects pedal or whatever.

GDecs are great fun. I just think you should get one after you get your feet wet and choose it for the right reason.


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:08 am
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If you are taking lessons from a guitar instructor, I would ask them for a recommendation. Some are using the G-DEC 3s for lessons, since they can use the metronome and backing track feature to help with a student's timing. Others, who are more advanced, can use the new Hal Leonard books that include SD cards made for the G-DEC 3s. Some instructors would prefer you have as simple an amp as possible, so you're working on technique and fretboard knowledge instead of tone tweaking. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:40 am
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I have only been playing for about 4 months. So, I am a beginner and a G-DEC 3 30 is the only amp I've even owned. I think it is a great amp for beginners, but with some caveats.

The previous two posters make some good points. You can easily get lost in the G-DEC's features and the lack of knobs on the amp itself to adjust basic settings is confusing at first. But, what I did was to identify 3 presets and simply relied on them. One was a fairly clean tone, one with a bit of jangle, one with moderate distortion. I ignored the rest for quite a while.

I found the Hal Leonard book with the SD card to be a great help. I would load the presets for a half dozen or so lessons and work on those. It was great having the play along tracks and being able to use the phrase sampler to quickly record and replay what I'm practicing is very helpful.

I initially overlooked the metronome presets. But, once I discovered them and learned how to adjust the beats, I use them all the time. It's great for working on the timing.

In my experience, the included backing tracks were not very helpful. I simply don't know enough to compose lead parts to play. But, using backing tracks for songs I was learning (or from other Hal Leonard books) has been great. Just this morning I was learning some Blues leads and thinking about using a blues backing track on the G-DEC to practice with. So, the included tracks will not be abandoned forever (at least not all of them). Getting a bit off-topic, I've learned that while I don't enjoy listening to the Blues, I like playing them and seem to have more talent for Blues then rock. Kind of strange.

Finally, I would think of the G-DEC as a toolset. It has a lot of different tools. Initially, you won't use most of them. Over time, you will start to use more and more. What I like about it is that when I'm ready for a new tool, I have it.


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 4:44 pm
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I do know the basics from a guitar teacher I was taking lessons from about 5 years ago but stopped. I have decided to pick it back up and not let anyone or anything discourage me this time. I do have a used Fender Champion 30 DSP that I plan to use for awhile. I have a Fender Strat and various effects pedals but don't plan on adding the pedals into the mix for now. I have a few tab books along with various tab songs from years ago. I am pretty good with a PC so I don't think the programing in the G-Dec 3 will be to difficult. What I am looking for is the making guitar learning fun factor. Is this an amp that will fill that bill or is there something else coming out down the road ?


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 10:48 am
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From a learning and fun standpoint, you won't beat a G-DEC3!


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:23 pm
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What would be the G-Dec's general difference or let's say maybe advantage over a mustang amp then? Or are they pretty much the same?

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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:38 am
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kidthorazine wrote:
Would the G-Dec 3 be a good choice for a beginer? Would it help with learning/motivating ect. Please tell me your opinions and why.


My opinion is to get the G-Dec3 thirty ( has the tweeter and bass for speakers ) but if the 15 is more affordable , get it.

I think it is the best practice amp out there and great for a beginner. Each track is linked to a certain guitar sound . You can download the Keys they are in to get an idea of what lead notes you play. You can record for over two minutes I believe in the Lower Mode, and even play and record over that for multiple guitar parts. I have not bought the Hal Leonard SD books made for the GDec3 , but sounds like they are a great tool for learning and playing.

If it is overwhelming at first, you can use the presets and start having fun and as you learn more and progress, take advantage of the other cool features it has.

Not to mention the fact you can download presets from Fender and the Fender community as well as download backing tracks from your PC, and choose all different types of Guitars and effects to play along,,,

Bring YOUR guitar into the guitar store where they sell the Gdec and they will let you plug it in and try it out. Try to get the recording room though, you will hear it better.

Hope that helps


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:51 pm
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I think it would help to know a few scale shapes when you get a D-DEC. It will still be fun if you don't know your shapes, but if you know a couple, like the Pentatonic or Blues, you'll have lots more fun playing along.


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Post subject: Re: G-Dec 3 a good beginers amp ?
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:25 am
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Personally I think the GDEC is the best beginning amp you can buy on the market today. With the backing track you have a solid groove to work with that will help you build your sense of timing. Timing is the most important factor to learn and with that down a new player will learn much faster and be more adaptable when playing with other musicians. There are a ton of good tones in the GDEC and it sounds great when hooked to a PA. If a beginner can afford it get the GDEC 3 Thirty...Its more flexible.


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