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Post subject: Do I need a better (tube?) amp for this Stratocaster?
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:57 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:01 pm
Posts: 52
First off let's say I'm a beginner/novice when it comes to playing guitar... I had a guitar about 35 years ago and it was more a child's toy than a real instrument, but now I have a *real* guitar!

This is my setup... Fender Select Stratocaster like the one shown here except with a maple neck -
http://www.fender.com/products/select/m ... No=0170302
coupled with a Mustang-III amplifier. I really like the options the Mustang-3 provides, although don't care much for the way FUSE interfaces with the amp, but that's another story. :)

But I don't know if I'm getting the most out of the guitar... I was at the music store yesterday and was looking at other amps (of the tube variety I guess) with the same model guitar I have their sound was... well, let's say different.... I don't want to say better... maybe some were a bit fuller or warmer sounding than the Mustang-3... but a lot of that may just be the acoustics of their particular amp room setup and that fact the the salesman was very good at playing a variety of licks! I don't really remember which brands or models but all seemed to be in the $2,500-$3,500 price range.

Which got me thinking that I'm just not sure the Mustang-III amp is a good companion to the Fender Select Stratocaster. And that I may need something quite a bit better to acheive the kind of sound that I have in my mind that the Stratocaster can deliver. Anyone have any input on this? Keep in mind I only play in my music room which is a small 10'x12' ("D" shaped) room with hardwood floors and the guitar currently shares this space with a 7' grand piano along with a full size couch.


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Post subject: Re: Do I need a better (tube?) amp for this Stratocaster?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:00 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:26 am
Posts: 238
While only you can really answer if you need a better amp. I would think that as long as you don't have one of the fizzer Mustangs then you should have all you need to make great music.

I remember when I started learning in the 70s that I felt I had to upgrade my champ to a vibrolux reverb to get a better sound. It turned out the amp wasn't really the problem. I think a Mustang is a better beginner amp than the classic tube amps for most people because it makes it easy to get a wide variety of sounds, some of which should sound good to you. I can imagine how a truely gifted beginner might be better served with a better amp but I'd wait until you develop beyond beginner to wory about it.

If you don't have one, a looper would be a great addition to your Mustang and go a long way in helping you develop your skills.

John


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Post subject: Re: Do I need a better (tube?) amp for this Stratocaster?
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:29 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:22 pm
Posts: 797
I completely agree with johnjaypl. As your technique improves so does your tone and spending upwards of $2k on an amp before you've honed your chops is just not a good idea. Tube amps, for all their cache and prestige, are also a lot less flexible than a Mustang. Tube amps also typically don't hit their sweet spot tone-wise until they're cranked up really loud.

If you can sound good on a "cheap" amp, you'll sound stellar on the right amplifier - tube or otherwise - for your playing style. Also, try to remember that as you grow as a player, your tonal needs will change. The MIII may or may not be able to give you what you want later on, but at least you're only out 3 bills instead of 2k +.

Hone your skills as a player on the Mustang first.

O.


Last edited by Orcatraz on Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Do I need a better (tube?) amp for this Stratocaster?
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:14 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 11:08 am
Posts: 225
I've had no problem finding great tone, tube tone, with my Telecaster, Stratocaster or ES-347. I have gone into the advanced amp settings to adjust Bias and Sag to my liking and then it's a matter of eq and gain for each guitar.


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