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Post subject: first amp
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:59 am
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My wife and I took up guitar about 6 weeks ago. We wanted to start simple so we each bought acoustic guitars. I started getting an itch to experiment with an electric guitar so I ordered a new Blacktop Strat HSH that is scheduled for delivery today. I have plans Friday to visit a local shop to look at amps. So far Im thinking an M1 or M2. Any other suggestions? Originally I wasn't even considering the M2 but I hate to not get it and wish later that I had spent a bit more and bought the larger speaker. Is there a better option for around the price of an M2 that will allow me more upgrades or options in the future? This is all really new to me.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:40 am
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Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:47 am
Posts: 168
My only real issue with the lower end Mustangs is the stock speaker, but then any amp in that price range is going to have a comparable speaker. I do know that Line 6 uses a Celestion in their comparably priced Spider 30W amp, but it's obviously a cheap Celestion, so I wouldn't necessarily think it's any better. And personally, with a couple exceptions, I prefer models on the Mustang over the Line 6 (I've got 2 Line 6 products, though no actual amps, both use headphones).

However, I would also toss out the Marshall MG30 which is the same price (and hopefully I won't be banned for suggesting that on a Fender forum!!). I tried the latest Marshall MGs a couple years ago after finding out they were designed by the same engineer who designed their JVM series tube amps, and I own a JVM and love it! The MG's tones are very respectable, even the clean tones. The only reason I opted for the Mustang over the MG for a small practice amp was that I have a Marshall already. The disadvantage of the Marshall is it has a 10" speaker...however, it still sounded pretty good when I played it, so I wouldn't necessarily count it out for that.

Really, I don't think you can go wrong either way for a first amp...both sound pretty decent and give you a lot of flexibility. What would be best is if you could try both and see what you prefer.

Also, I don't really think either one of these would be something I'd suggest "upgrading" in the future. If the hobby sticks and you grow as a player, you'll probably want something else! But even so, you'd probably do well to keep whatever you end up buying now.

Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:33 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:26 am
Posts: 500
Location: Lake Charles, LA
My Mustang II is my GO-TO amp for playing at home. Sure, I have much bigger and louder amps for gigs, but when I'm home, I usually run back to my Mustang 2. Can't go wrong.

Then again, I love the amp so much more after I replaced all 24 garbage (factory default) presets with my own patches. But I had a blast learning all about the amp to set those presets and it made me learn a lot about tube amps, speaker wattage, power output and how it affects tones, air movement physics, tube biasing, etc. All because the M2 models so much stuff. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. I've had mine for almost a year now. Love it.

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Last edited by FFXIhealer on Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:27 am
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I just bought a Mustang I tonight - I am also new to the electric guitar world, having only played acoustics for the last 15 or so years. It's a steep learning curve for me to figure out what different effects do - heck it was downright intimidating.

I'm happy with the default/factory presets of the Mustang I for now. It covers a wide range of tones and sounds I can play with. I couldn't be happier for the money - it sounds incredible for it's size.

For my money, I'd take the Mustang I over the II - but I just play around on my Strat @ home, and don't really need the volume/power.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:14 am
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Thanks for the feedback. My Strat arrived in perfect condition yesterday so I am anxious to get it plugged in. Going to pick up an amp tomorrow. I think Im sticking with the M1 for my first amp. I don't need it too loud for now and can use the money I save to pick up a set of over the ear headphones. The local shop has a used M1 that they are asking $69 for but are willing to deal on so I may even go with that one as long as the factory presets haven't been touched. I don't plan on screwing with the Fuse for a bit until I am more comfortable.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:29 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Southeastern Seaboard
You can't go wrong on a MI for $100. But for $69 - that's an incredible value! Just make sure all the knobs & buttons work, and the all jacks are intact and working. It's very easy to do a factory reset on the presets if they've been saved over. So I wouldn't even consider that a factor. Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:16 am
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Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:38 am
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I just realized my headhphones cost as much as my M1 (AKG K240's) - the Mustang is such an incredible value for a beginner like myself.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:58 am
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Wonkasaur wrote:
I just bought a Mustang I tonight - I am also new to the electric guitar world, having only played acoustics for the last 15 or so years. It's a steep learning curve for me to figure out what different effects do - heck it was downright intimidating.


My advice to a beginner is to forget about all the effects, or at least just use the preset effects for a while. To be honest, some of the options on some of the effects intimidate me...I had to look some of the parameters up online, 'cause I'd never heard of 'em!, and I've been playing electrics for about 12 years!

I'd even recommend leaving the Advanced Amp settings alone for now. Learn about the basic amps, play with gain and tone controls to get tones you like. Once you feel like you've got a good understanding of that and have come up with some tones that you like, you can delve deeper into the effects, advanced amp controls and that kind of thing.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:59 pm
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Well I brought the Mustang I home this evening. A spotless, pre-loved unit for $69. Very happy and more than loud enough for my needs. I have a huge learning curve ahead of me. Looking for that simple tone that works for me. Got to try out my new Strat Blacktop HSH and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the advice and Im sure I will be reaching out to you all again.


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Post subject: Re: first amp
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:16 pm
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Posts: 4396
Congrats on your purchase, Maynard. You certainly got a great deal. Let us know if you have any questions.

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