Electric Guitars

[honeyiscool]

I had a Roland Cube 15X, I thought the Overdrive channel is rather nice and I always liked the clean channel on it. I think Roland MicroCubes are a bit of a toy but the Cube is a good example of an easy to use digital amp that still gets pretty good tones. It's a bit out of fashion in the wake of Vox VT20+ and Fender Mustang I but I think Roland Cubes are pretty darn good. They were the standard practice amp for a while and their reputation is well earned.

Speaking of which, though, the Vox VT20+ is another fantastic 8" combo amp. The 12AX7 in the "power" circuit adds a different dimension to the tone.

[bjcarl]

The Vox Pathfinder(15R specifically) is a personal favorite of mine when it comes to solid state. The tone is so genuinely Vox it's astonishing.

I'm still with GASman here...it's a one-trick pony-if you don't take my advice and go G-Dec, the Mustang is the clear choice for a beginner if the options are Pathfinder and Mustang...no comparison.

[GAS Man]

Originally Posted by bjcarl

I'm still with GASman here......-if you don't take my advice and go G-Dec...

I've actually bought 3 G-Decs

First a Thirty. The tone wasn't that great, but upgraded with an Eminence Copperhead for about $65, the tone improved remarkably.

Then a G-Dec Exec (with actual wood sides) that I bought for my son.

But then when the Three Thirty came out, I let my stepson keep (he was borrowing it) my first G-Dec 30 and I got one of those for the upgraded backing tracks, down-load capability and computer card reading capacity.

I actually (come to remember) bought a 4th one when the prices of the 30 dropped down to around $145 on clearance and gave it to my son, so he now has two But at that price, I couldn't resist. The one I got of that last generation I got on sale, and I got the "Blues Edition" for $291. it could also use that same speaker upgrade, but I'm not as sure how "compatible" that would now be since the last generation has a tweeter built in addition. But I've been running mine into a 100W Kustom PA with a 15" woof and horn tweet, so it sounds huge




But my point for quoting this, is indeed the D-Dec does have more bells and whistles than just about anything out there. It's not only buying an amp, it's buying an amp with a backup band. I think the basic tones of the Pathfinder or Mustang are a bit better, but the G-Dec is more, it really is a "Guitar Digital Entertainment Center" and in that respect, it really does offer a lot of engaging features for a beginner. I also bought several of the Hal Leonard G-Dec books that comes with sheet music and computer card loaded backing tracks for the G-Dec system. They're pretty cool and not too pricey.

Just don't know if they are still available at those killer close-out prices of around $150-ish

[kit_strong]

Vox Pathfinder and Fender Mustang are both great options.
Another option, believe it or not, is one of the Rogue (MF House brand) amps. They have the Rogue SC80 2x10 combo on sale for $99 right now. I happen to have one and it's a perfectly capable amp.
They 15 w 1x6.5 combo is also on sale for $39.99.
Both have headphone outputs.

-Kit

[edremy]

Originally Posted by honeyiscool

Yeah, I feel like fewer knobs the better with beginner amps, I'd take a Pathfinder over a Mustang, but that's me.

Speaking as a sort-of beginner, I'd disagree. I bought a simple amp at first (cheap transistor Fender) but rapidly grew bored with it. I'd suggest a Mustang as a decent starter. I've pretty much stuck with multifunction stuff myself (POD XT, RP500) and haven't had too many issues with the buttons.

Yes, they won't be able to dial in a good tone at first, but there are a hundred factory presents on these things. Many aren't very good, but then again perfect tone is the least of the concerns of a beginner. What they give you is a lot of presets that are "good enough"- no, it's not a perfect copy of AC/DC or whatever, but it's fairly close and you get to sound kind of like the player you want to be. Don't underestimate how important this is for a beginner- I remember the first time I played with a patch that matched Gilmour's tone on Wish You Were Here. I practiced that intro riff *far* harder than I would have otherwise. Playing it note for note and having it sound right was a huge deal.

Plus, they double as a computer interface, which is a help both ways. Modern notation and track slowing software are amazing tools in learning, plus you have a built in recorder to save your progress.

[Grantus]

I like my Yamaha THR5 much more than the Mustang I.

[wagdog]

I'd say the mustang 1 MIGHT be a good beginners amp, but maybe NOT. Same goes for the thr for the same reason. I would think it might be too complicated and distracting.

For a true beginner, something like a peavy bandit would probably be a better fit.

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by thecornman

A buddy's daughter is just starting out on guitar and he has asked me advise on getting her a amp with a headphone jack! I have no idea what to suggest to him, because it has been a long time since I have looked into these kind of things. Doubt he wants to spend a fortune on something, but I am sure he would want to get her something new, because it would be a christmas present. Probably would be good to get her something with some built in effects as well. So what say you?

Vox VT20+.

[thecornman]

Well I talked to buddy again tonight a bit about where his daughter was at! They bought the Rocksmith game last year and I gave him a Yamaha EG guitar I got for 40 bucks at a garage sale a while back so they didnt have to buy something to just try the game out. For a basic starter kit guitar it actually is not to bad to start out with. I replaced the pickups with some extra stuff I had around and gave it a good setup and it played and sounded pretty damn good for what it is. He says she doesn't play with the game at all anymore and has just been playing it unplugged with stuff she is finding on the net. He says she has been picking it up all the time so to him it seems like she has soon interest to push herself to learn. I have to agree with him on that! When someone does something on their own without being pushed there is a better chance they will follow through. Anyways after looking up some of the stuff you guys have thrown out there and explaining what they were about somewhat he likes what the Mustang I has to offer. I am sure that the Vox ones probably offer a better sound for someone who has been playing a while and cares about tone more, but for now something that offers lots of sounds appeals for him more so he doesn't feel the need to have to pick up more pedals untill he knows she is in for sure. You guys have got me curious though on trying some of these starter Vox amps out even though they are something I have no need for.

[thecornman]

Originally Posted by wagdog

I'd say the mustang 1 MIGHT be a good beginners amp, but maybe NOT. Same goes for the thr for the same reason. I would think it might be too complicated and distracting.

For a true beginner, something like a peavy bandit would probably be a better fit.

I totally agree that a Bandit would be a great amp to start with! Hell they are just good amps period really. If I was to want to get a solid state amp again I would pick up a used one. For him though he is looking for something new and cheaper like low 100's that can cover alot of sounds for her. She is 14 years old I am sure she can figure shit on an amp out way easier then me.

[Meowy]

I originally said micro cube because you said cheap, but if you're willing to spring the yammy THR is in another league

[WhatDoIKnow]

I love my THR5 for what it is. A desktop AMP.

I am going to be looking for a starter amp for my daughter next year and would choose the Mustang I or the Vox VT20+. If she is into technology, like a lot of kids are, the Mustang would be a good choice, plus it has a lot of good stock tones.

[chipwich]

Another vote for the Roland Cube 15x if on a budget and the Yamaha THR10 if more funds are available. Both have built in tuners, aux inputs, and effects. The Yamaha has amazing tone a low volume levels in a very small package. It's the ultimate practice/bedroom/portable amp.

[*BLEEP*]

An inexpensive amp that's used, but in like-new condition.

[aj_guitarist]

4 choices : a vox pathfinder 15R (Great amp!), one of the 15 watt - Line6 (there not as bad as you think!), Roland MicroCube (again not bad for the money etc) and a one of 15 watt little marshalls (they sound good). Gives you enough choice, all have a wide range of sounds, head phone jacks and can be made to sound great at LOW VOLUMES!!

[Fission Hole]

I agree with the Pathfinder suggestion. Relatively simple, very unfussy to tweak, but a lot of useful bells and whistles and some flexibility for a beginner's amp. Wish I had one as my first amp.

Another idea, a bit more pricey: ZT Junior. Dead simple. Not as flexible in sounds but if it's like the full-sized Lunchbox you have to really try to get a really bad sound. Current promo pack includes a carry case, battery pack, and pedal-powering daisy chain for $180. Good for portability and if pedals are a certainty.

[MorganB]

Fender 25R red under 100 girls love amps to match their lipstick

[deanmass]

Korg Pandora.

[bjcarl]

Originally Posted by deanmass

Korg Pandora.

Really not a bad idea...better idea as a supplement to the pathfinder if that's what he ends up with.

(I'm still voting mustang/G-dec)

[deanmass]

Pandora has all the goodies, small cheap, headphonable, mp3 able, speaker outable. Also, gives them he privacy to mess up and you the privacy of not having to hear it