Electric and amp
I am wanting to upgrade from an elcheapo electric guitar and amp. My playing consist of me and my biggest fan me with an occasional sit in with friends. I have pretty much decided on a Mex Strat but am open to other ideas and am totally ignorant to amps. Gonna try and stick to a budget on the amp around $500. Would appreciate any suggestions on what to look for and what to stay away from.
# 1
I know little about amps but am always willing to offer my opinion... on anything! :D :D
Given the playing you described I think you can easily come under the $500 budget for your amp. There are lots of smaller (practice) amps that can blast you out of your room and fill a much larger one. Happily in this category there are modeling amps which can imitate the sounds of many of the larger ones. I use the Trademark 30 made by Tech 21. The company is not a well known name but my amp is well built, powerful for home use and small venues and has a range of features/settings. I got mine at a bargain from a pro musician but even at list price the TM30 is inexpensive.
Check out the specs... http://tech21nyc.com/products/amps/guitar/trademark30.html .
Use Google to check out reviews; here's a page for TM30's, https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=3&gs_mss=Trademark%2030&tok=iWcZgqv9K9XmV6xFTIE6GQ&cp=13&gs_id=1g&xhr=t&q=Trademark%2030%20review&pf=p&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Trademark+30+&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=502d8373de021e1c&bpcl=35466521&biw=1280&bih=842 . Tour the music stores and pawn shops in your area to get an idea about sounds, features and prices. Surf the net and don't be afraid of EBay.
john
Given the playing you described I think you can easily come under the $500 budget for your amp. There are lots of smaller (practice) amps that can blast you out of your room and fill a much larger one. Happily in this category there are modeling amps which can imitate the sounds of many of the larger ones. I use the Trademark 30 made by Tech 21. The company is not a well known name but my amp is well built, powerful for home use and small venues and has a range of features/settings. I got mine at a bargain from a pro musician but even at list price the TM30 is inexpensive.
Check out the specs... http://tech21nyc.com/products/amps/guitar/trademark30.html .
Use Google to check out reviews; here's a page for TM30's, https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=3&gs_mss=Trademark%2030&tok=iWcZgqv9K9XmV6xFTIE6GQ&cp=13&gs_id=1g&xhr=t&q=Trademark%2030%20review&pf=p&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Trademark+30+&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=502d8373de021e1c&bpcl=35466521&biw=1280&bih=842 . Tour the music stores and pawn shops in your area to get an idea about sounds, features and prices. Surf the net and don't be afraid of EBay.
john
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins
# 2
I recommend getting an American Strat instead of a Mex. Pull some of that money out of your amp fund. Doesn't make too much sense to me to upgrade your "cheapo" guitar to basically a cheap version of an American Strat.
What you buy comes down to the style of music you play though, so tell us a little about that.
What you buy comes down to the style of music you play though, so tell us a little about that.
# 3
Line 6 "Jam"
In my opinion is one of the best amps for a new guitar player out there. The range of tones and effects and jam tracks and the ability to record is a awsome package. It's 400.00 giving you 100 to put into a better guiter if you wish. It also allows 2 instruments to be plugged into it at the same time. So a friend can come by with just a guitar and a chord, you can both jplay through it. If you don't have a friend coming by, you can plug a mic in and sing as you play through it.
Check out some youtube vid's on the jam, it runs 75 watts through a 12" speaker. So it gets loud enough to jam with friends and drummers and still be heard.
About a year ago I did some reasearch and playing through different amps. The Jam is what I bought and for what want it/use it for I'm still very happy with it.
In my opinion is one of the best amps for a new guitar player out there. The range of tones and effects and jam tracks and the ability to record is a awsome package. It's 400.00 giving you 100 to put into a better guiter if you wish. It also allows 2 instruments to be plugged into it at the same time. So a friend can come by with just a guitar and a chord, you can both jplay through it. If you don't have a friend coming by, you can plug a mic in and sing as you play through it.
Check out some youtube vid's on the jam, it runs 75 watts through a 12" speaker. So it gets loud enough to jam with friends and drummers and still be heard.
About a year ago I did some reasearch and playing through different amps. The Jam is what I bought and for what want it/use it for I'm still very happy with it.
# 4
Thanks for the info. Hunter, I play mostly blues and southern rock. Is there really that much difference between a Mex and American Strat and what are they.
# 5
Well if you can't hear the difference between the two, then I guess it really doesn't matter. To me they sound very different. One is built for price, the other for quality. Why do you think they are cheaper? You can google to find the differences between the two.
# 6
