An option not mentioned but something I now use exclusively for practice is Amplitube 5. This is a low cost pc app that is pretty unbelievable in what it offers. If you want to explore tone, even the cheapest version will give more amp/pedals/cabinet options than most people will explore.
In addition to William MG's suggestion, a good rig to build from this would be...
- You need a computer, a decent mid-range laptop is plenty
- You need an interface, a good affordable starter is the Focusrite 2i2
- Some nice speakers/monitors
- You need to get a guitar amp plugin..
Amplitube5 - Free version, plus you can expand by buying addons
Search for "free guitar plugins", some are really good
And you can change this up years into the future, e.g. I'm looking to get the Milkman Creamer plugin which has amazing sounding cleans - Get a DAW
Reaper is popular AND cheap
But there are many to choose from
Now you have a rig where you can...
- Practice many tones and keep a tight control on output volumes
You can even hook up to headphones - Record yourself playing and then playback to properly hear yourself
- Load backing tracks into the DAW
Change playback speed
Change playback key
Loop section of backing track
Record yourself playing against the backing track - Create your own songs, add MIDI drums, MIDI bass, etc. depending on DAW capabilities
Sure you can't PERFORM to an audience with this setup.
But if I were to start again from scratch I would never buy an amp.
I would put that amp money into gear to be able to record myself.
So you should ask yourself "will I perform to people in the near future"?
Or will you focus on practicing/learning for quite a while?
If you don't see yourself performing in the near future then maybe you should consider more of a studio setup?
YMMV. Best of luck
