OK, as tax returns approach, I am quite possibly looking for a home practice guitar and amplifier. Right now I have an old Peavy Focus guitar and the same Gorilla practice amp I got for Christmas when I was 14. Both suck tremendously.
(Anyone remember the old Gorilla tagline “Go ahead…knock some plaster off the ceiling”…LOL)
I would like something in the 30w range for an amp, with ample built-in solid state effects that are worth a crap, possibly a two-channel amp, with one of the channels having a really hot gain.
For a guitar, I used to own an Ibanez RG 550 and while I didn’t really care for the guitar as a whole, I have smallish hands and really like that kind of narrow fretboard and low action on the strings.
I haven’t picked up my geetar in awhile and I’d really like to take it up again.
A friend recco’s a Line 6 amp for it’s onboard effects. I’m seeking opinions and recommendations from Dopers out there that have more experience with gear than I.
Since I cannot afford to buy or play an amp like my friend’s Mesa Boogie Triple Recitifer head, please keep suggestions for amplification and the guitar at $500 or under each.
I have several nice amps but the one that gets the most play time is my Vox DA5. Switchable from .5, 1.5 and 5 watts so it’s a little under your 30 watt limit but it’s plenty loud. Also has digital effects and amp modeling stuff and it runs a long time on batteries (I’ve never used the AC power on mine.)
I paid about 130 bucks for mine at GC.
For a guitar I’d recommend a used USA Fender Strat or Tele.
Appreciate the response. I was under the impression that Vox amps were expensive, but I’ve been out of the loop for so long…
And I don’t want a Strat. To me, they are the same reason I didn’t like my old Ibanez…thin sounding. Are Telecasters known for a “fatter” sound?
I would like to try to get as much versatility as I can. A guitar with pickups that can be alternately “lead” sounding in the bridge pickup but yet have the tonal control that supplies “fat” rhythm accoutrements would be best.
My friend with the Triple Rectifier amp also has a beauty of a Les Paul. I really love the way that guitar sounds, but I cannot afford a Les Paul. Are there knockoffs that have similar sustain and warmth without the $$$?
Fat sounding is often associated with “humbucker” dual coil pick-ups. The only humbucker equipped guitar I have is a USA made Hamer Studio. It is an exceptional guitar (IMHO) and people seem to have a lot of respect for them. Mine is similar in construction to a Les Paul with similar sound character. They are as well made as Gibsons but sell for much less and are an even better value used. I see ones like mine selling used in the 700-800 range. I can’t speak for the imported Hamers.
Thank you. You know, I think there is a lot more to the sound of a guitar than just the pickups, though.
That Ibanez I mentioned that I used to own had Seymour Duncan humbuckers in the bridge, and while I got that “hot rails to hell” blistering lead sound, I still felt the rhythm sound left a lot to be desired, and I attributed it to the very thin body and neck.
I suppose I am possibly seeking that which does not exist, and I realize that taste in instruments is not only subjective but sometimes a compromise, as there are unlikely to be “perfect” instruments.
I am trying to get the most bang for my buck, get my cake, and eat it too. For $1000, amp and guitar combined.
The best advice I ever got on choosing a guitar was this: Play everything in the store that is in your price range. Don’t worry about what it looks like, just pick them up and see how they feel and how they sound. A friend of my dad’s paid almost two thousand dollars for a guitar several years ago - without testing it first - and the fret markers (do those have a name? Sorry.) stuck out about a quarter of an inch past the edge of the neck. It’s like sliding your hand up the edge of a comb, not exactly the best quality to have in your instrument.
There’s lots of things that can affect the sound; the pickups River Hippie mentioned are nice, but there’s always a chance of something being wrong in the guitar’s guts that will screw the sound up and if that’s the case, then the best pickups on earth won’t help you.
What kind of music are you interested in playing? I just got a hollow-body electric, and the sound from it is amazing. I’m mostly interested in bluesy-rock, so it’s a perfect fit for me. Which brings me to my next point. I have a really excellent effects pedal, but haven’t quite mastered it yet, so I am relying entirely on my guitar to make the sounds I need. If you do end up getting a Strat, and have money left over, you can put that cash towards a pedal that will give you the chunky sound you crave.
That said, Gibson Epiphone’s may be the way you want to go. I play thisas my main guitar, and it’s fantastic. It has a rich sound, and wonderfully warm. It can also drive like a mother if I want it to (I can get a fantastic metal, or punk rock sound out of it). I got it because it has an amazing electric blues sound though, but I can get amazing mellow jazz tones out of it too. I like Epi’s as bang for your buck guitars.
I also heartily recommend the Yamaha as a great guitar for the money. It has a single coil in the neck pickups so it has classic fender sound, but a double coil in the bridge so you have a fatter less buzzy sound if you want it when playing in the bridge position. It is also a fantastically versatile guitar.
But try stuff out, there are a lot of good guitars that you can get for about $500.
As for Amps, get something vintage/used. You can get tons more bang for your buck that way. I also think that those amps had a better sound. It’s hard to find a new all tube amp at the local GC these days.
I actually would prefer a (gasp!) solid state amp with effects built-in over a tube amp, as sacreligious as that may be. I want a LOUD, solid practice amp with accessible effects, a good clean channel and a monster gain channel. I honestly don’t want to dick around with pedals. I’m not in a band, I’m looking to play out to myself at loud but acceptable volumes with good gain, invigorating distortion and a nice clean sound all built into the amp.
I am more open to guitar choices than I am to amps, I suppose. I am hoping to scream when I want to scream and whisper when I want to whisper.
I realize that my price limitations are affecting this outcome. I’m simply looking for suggestions.
I also do NOT want a semi-hollow body guitar, as nice as they are for some.
Fat crunchy rhythm sound and shredding lead sounds on the gain channel, and some nice, chorusey clean channel versatility.
I know, I’m asking a lot, but I can’t afford much!
If that is all you want, there are MANY practice amps that will give you that for about $100-$150. No problem. Line 6 is more pricey, but has all the effects you will want.
Check out the Yamaha I linked to. I think it will give you what you are looking for. You may also want to check out an Epi SG.
Out of curiosity, why don’t you want a semi hollowbody. I think that my ES-335 is more versitle than either the Yamaha or the SG, and will give you all of what you asked for. I won’t try to talk you out of it, you like what you like, but I am curious.
I would say again you should sit down and just play stuff at the local store though. You might find something that surprises you.
ETA: the line6 I was thinking of is the one da_pope linked to. I have played though it several times and it’s a nice little amp. (Cheeper than they were the last time I looked too)
I am afraid Brian Setzer will kick my ass.
Seriously, I don’t know. I suppose it’s a style/looks preference more than anything I can substantiate. I’ve only played two semi’s, adn I liked them, but I suppose in opposition to my OP, I do like a slimmer guitar body against my ribs.
