what amp should i buy for my new les paul

[Rhust]

in regards to what the OP wanted, the class 5 is not ideal... a 5 watt amp that you have to dime out to get a decent sound isn't exactly a practice amp.

per me personally, I went to the GC to BUY a class 5, and left with my cash in tact... I didn't dig the sound... but I didn't dime it either... I feel it's too loud for home use, and too quiet for a gig, and I just didn't like the sound for the price either.

I'm sorry but for a "decent" (notice how I didn't say perfect) tone at a low volume, a good solid state/modeling amp just makes more sense... I use my vypyr as much as my tremolux because I can control the tone better at a more reasonable volume...

yea, when no one's at home though... the fender shakes the floors with fury

[imazerk]

I tried out the fender mustang 1 but I'm still looking for a shop that has the fender mustang II since its only 179 euro's and then im gonna decide which one im gonna get.

[beanx]

im telling you man dont go with the fender mustangs! unless you love the way the SS amps sound. I just now purchaed a VOX AC4TV from a guy on another forum for $135 bucks used. Like i said i own 2 cheap tube amps the epiphone galaxie 10w and the epiphone valve junior and now the vox ac4tv, i also own a few highend tube amps too like a 1965 vox ac 30, a new orange reissue, and a magnatone tonemaster. They all have their special traits but honestly i play the small tube amps more than the big tube amps for gigs i use the big amps but at home i usually play my galaxie 10w which for what it is and the amount i have invested in it sounds great. If i was you i would check out the VOX AC4TV before u make your final decision for around $150 US you cant beat it i havent tested one in person yet but from what ive seen they are great little amps. I purchased one of the mustang 2's the 40w one and yeah its cool that u can plug it into your computer and record with it and download custom tones and presets but really that gets old after the first day or so once you start to realize you cant get a tone your happy with. But who knows some people love the wasy SS sounds and there is nothing wrong with that if your happy with that sound then go for it ive just learned with amps dont buy something unless you have done your research because if you dont you will end up not satisfied in the end.


watch this you can have that for $150 bucks. why wouldnt u ?

GEAR UP: VOX AC4TVH - YouTube

GEAR UP: VOX AC4TVH - YouTube

[Rhust]

his location might be an issue getting somehthing from guitar center.

with the AC4 he would still need a cabinet...

I stand by finding a vibrochamp xd or vyper, or microcube... you'll be able to save money later for a better tube amp,

if you lived in the states, there's a valve JR combo in dallas for $85...

[Gooner]

Originally Posted by imazerk

I tried out the fender mustang 1 but I'm still looking for a shop that has the fender mustang II since its only 179 euro's and then im gonna decide which one im gonna get.

Did you try out any small valve amps in that price range? Laney cub 8, Bugera 5w, VovAC4 are all worth a look if you really want to blow your budget! Best price for them is usually Thomann. Also for that sort of money you could get a Hiwatt G50 combo, never played one but it was highly rated by Guitar and Base Magazine.

[fancyfootwork]

Vox AC4TV.. It's the combo version otherwise you can get a AC4 head and cab. It's $250 new but check Craigslist for a deal.

[anthem1]

If you really limit yourself at $150 then a solid state amp like a Line 6 spider ...but if you want a tube amp then save your money .You will have more option even under $500 . I like the the blackstar amps myself..... Good luck

[Robert Arthur]

Originally Posted by Rhust

in regards to what the OP wanted, the class 5 is not ideal... a 5 watt amp that you have to dime out to get a decent sound isn't exactly a practice amp.

per me personally, I went to the GC to BUY a class 5, and left with my cash in tact... I didn't dig the sound... but I didn't dime it either... I feel it's too loud for home use, and too quiet for a gig, and I just didn't like the sound for the price either.

I'm sorry but for a "decent" (notice how I didn't say perfect) tone at a low volume, a good solid state/modeling amp just makes more sense... I use my vypyr as much as my tremolux because I can control the tone better at a more reasonable volume...

yea, when no one's at home though... the fender shakes the floors with fury

"a 5 watt amp that you have to dime out to get a decent sound isn't exactly a practice amp"
That's just not true. You don't have to turn the thing past 2 , especially if you have a decent OD pedal. Don't mislead these guys..What does"decent sound" mean to you? Is distorted beyond belief a "decent sound"?

[Mattyboy]

Vox Pathfinder 15r. No, it's not a modelling amp, nor can you plug it into a computer. However, the cleans are great and can give you a nice bluesy tone. Kick up the gain & it can get you some nice classic rock tones. If you do metal, then get a decent used distortion pedal for 30 or 40 bucks and you're set.
Alot of people love modelling amps, but I can't stand 'em. I end up spending more time turning knobs than actually playing. To each their own I guess.

[Wekkuli]

Im happy with my Marshall MG-series.I had 15w Marshall without any inner fx and used couple pedals,but i got tired of cleaning the stuff,afterall i don`t have a room for them,that kids would not mess around..

[Jonsolo]

I bought a Jet City JCa20H this year just before christmas, I don't think I've found a better sounding amp. No channel switching, no effects loop, but it takes pedals well and just sounds terrific. With a tube change I mean. Pre amp tubes are crap, but the power tubes weren't bad.

They now have a 2 channel amp. People always say 'for the money' honestly, it's the best amp I've ever had/ played, I thougt that 5150's sound good but who the hell needs 120 watts anymore.

Check out some youtube vids. If you're playing something harder than classic rock, pedals do wonders with this thing. I run a Boss Supder OD and a Tubescreamer, sometimes together for over the top drive and it's great sounding.

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by Robert Arthur

"a 5 watt amp that you have to dime out to get a decent sound isn't exactly a practice amp"
That's just not true. You don't have to turn the thing past 2 , especially if you have a decent OD pedal. Don't mislead these guys..What does"decent sound" mean to you? Is distorted beyond belief a "decent sound"?

so, now he's not ONLY supposed to blow his budget by 2.5x to get a class 5, he needs to spend another 50-100 to get an OD pedal so that the class 5 actually sounds decent?

I DID NOT LIKE (you might, but I did not) the class 5 at low volume, it sounded off... as the volume got above usable volumes it got a little better, so at 10 it might actually start to sound like a real marshall... but your arguement would mean almost ANY amp would sound great with a good OD pedal... so again, why is the class 5 a must?

but if the point is the name on the amp, then he could find a cheap solid state marshall on CL in the 10 watt range for under 100, then use the same OD pedal he would use to make the class 5 sound decent. and in that small amp he might find reverb or other useful tools.... certainly more than just a tone knob... and still spend less money.. it would probably have a better clean channel too

the pathfinderR mentioned is a great buy. a good sounding solid state amp.

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by Barcham

But that's the rub, isn't it? IF you have a decent OD pedal which can cost as much as a small modeling amp all by itself.

The idea of starting out with a decent modeling amp is that you don't have to go through the expense of buying pedals on top of the amp. Especially if you are on a limited budget. The great advantage of modeling amps is that they give you a chance to experiment with numerous amp styles as well as effects. This way, someone can play around and find the sound they like and the effects that they will want to use instead of buying pedals that they end up selling at a loss afterwards because they don't like them.

When someone is getting started, there's nothing wrong with picking up a used Roland Cube 20XL or 30X or XL for $100-150 or so to get the hang of things. When they figure out what sound they're looking for, then they can move up to a tube amp if they wish to. I for one am extremely happy with my Vypyr 30 and my Micro Cube and have no intention or need to move to a tube amp and a shitload of pedals to enjoy my guitars.

for a bit of nostalgia, a Roland micro stack(I think that's what it was called) with 4 tiny speakers (3-5" speakers) was one of my first amps... sounded decent through a set of headphones, had a clean/dirty button and didn't drive my parents batshit with the volume. looking back that amp looked like an early version of the cube series.... just fewer buttons, and the logo and buttons were orange.... Roland makes better solid state amps, than a lot of MFGs tube amps. jazz chorus anyone?

[FFXIhealer]

I'd go with the Mustang II amp. The jump up to the 12" speaker over the M1's 8" makes a difference in the sound of the amp. The amp modelling is spot-on for the Fender models and it comes with passable Marshall models as well. The Mesa and Peavy amp models are a little hissy and I don't think the real ones do that as much, but they sound decent and like Barcham said:

Originally Posted by Barcham

The great advantage of modeling amps is that they give you a chance to experiment with numerous amp styles as well as effects.

I totally agree with this, which is why I bought a Mustang II last year. In November, I "upgraded" to a Mustang V, which is the 150-watt head and 4x12 cabinet. It sits next to my Marshall JVM410 half-stack.



Now I'm getting all kinds of cool stuff, like a Shure SM57 microphone and a Peavey PV6USB mixing board to hook it up to my computer with. And I just got the Celestion G10 Vintage speakers (10" Vintage 30s) installed in my Microstack (standing there on the right of the picture) and I want to A/B the old, crappy speaker with the new ones and...

...Eventually, you see what G.A.S. does to you when you get into guitar? If I had never bought that first guitar back in 2010, I would still have all $10,000 of my money, possibly...hopefully...

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by Mattyboy

Vox Pathfinder 15r. No, it's not a modelling amp, nor can you plug it into a computer. However, the cleans are great and can give you a nice bluesy tone. Kick up the gain & it can get you some nice classic rock tones. If you do metal, then get a decent used distortion pedal for 30 or 40 bucks and you're set.
Alot of people love modelling amps, but I can't stand 'em. I end up spending more time turning knobs than actually playing. To each their own I guess.

I thought it was just me, being ADD... I end up playing with the amp more than the guitar a lot of times on my vyper... when I first got it I spend a good while just trying to turn off effects, turn the gain down by the time I got it where I wanted it to be, it was time I had to do something else...

I'm not much of an effect user, maybe a touch of reverb, or a chorus if needed... other than that, just some OD.... only pedals I have are dirt pedals and a wah.

[Rhust]

damn, I should have gotten the 30... but I snagged the 15 for $40+shipping.... so can't complain... the sanpera pedal is awesome!

[Tonyrhs13]

check out the Kustom defender 5h tube amp head they go for 90 bucks free shipping.if you want the cab to you can probly find both for around 180 or less i hear there pretty decent amps and theres quite a few mods for them if you want a different sound.

or if you want a combo the champion 600 or the vibrochamps are nice.

i would definitely go with a all tube amp tho because you will eventually be looking for that tone

[Tonyrhs13]

i had a vypyr 15 for a few years it was a decent starting amp but the effects on it were a little bit dull. i'd go with atleast the vypyr 30 with the stompbox(at least i think its the 30 that does, i no the 15 doesnt).

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by Tonyrhs13

check out the Kustom defender 5h tube amp head they go for 90 bucks free shipping.if you want the cab to you can probly find both for around 180 or less i hear there pretty decent amps and theres quite a few mods for them if you want a different sound.

yep, I've seen them on hellomusic for $130 including the 1x12 cabinet

a buddy of mine bought one and it's pretty good for the $$! real tube, you can modify it to have a master volume(basically turns the normal volume into a gain knob. it's a cool amp.

[imazerk]

ok guys heres an update.

Today i bought myself a fender mustang 1 and i love it.
there are so many options that u can do.
im still trying to find out most of it but so far i think its a great amp.

[FFXIhealer]

Just remember, Fender FUSE is your friend. And you can send me PMs if you have trouble. I've had my Mustang II for a year and my Mustang V for 6 months and I'm always lurking around the Fender forums.

In fact, I recall last year talking a Marshall Forum member OUT of selling his Mustang II because he apparently couldn't get a tone he liked. So I gave him my presets in an e-mail and he fell in love with the amp suddenly. Conclusion: Fender's default presets suck big hairy salty donkey balls and needed to be completely rewritten from the ground up...without stupid effects like super-huge-auditorium reverb and step-phasers.

PS: With all of the Fender Mustang amps I help sell online as well as in my local store, you think I can talk Fender into paying me commission?

[FFXIhealer]

And the crickets chirp...

Seriously, I really don't get why people are so hateful of SS/Modelling amps. Some of them are really damned good, like my Mustang amps. I bet if I did a recording using AmpliTube, you would't be able to tell the difference between that and someone else's professional recording.

Cork sniffers, the lot of ya!

[FFXIhealer]

Yeah, I own more than one guitar for the simple fact that they all sound different. So why would I want an amp that made them sound all exactly the same. Stupid amp.

I totally get what you mean about having to hook it up to a PC for at least the first initial set up of the Mustang I or II. You don't have nearly the control over the amp that you do with the Mustang 3, 4, and 5 (which I have). But I found that with 24 presets, you can easily set up and save enough of your favorite tones that you can just turn the dial and it's set to what you want from the start. The problem here is that you have to play with the amp enough to figure out HOW to get those sounds...then you save them. Then you can ditch the computer. In fact, I set up my Netbook with FUSE just for this purpose...in case I needed to go somewhere. It's quite a bit lighter than my ~40 lb desktop computer, plus monitor, plus accessories, speakers, printer...

I just sent that guy who bought one, imazerk, a complete backup of my 24 presets and instructions on how to uplode them to his amp using FUSE. I hope he likes 'em. They're really good, effects-free starting points for him to play with and all of the presets sound TONS better than the crap that comes factory-installed from Fender...at least to my ears.

[Rob Lambert]

Hi - I am new to this site and just happened to see your thread. I probably don't have the knowledge and experience of some of the other guys giving you advice here but maybe thats a good thing in this case as my experience is with 'lower value' guitars and amps on a budget. I've had a number of amps some with effects such as the Peavey Vypyr and I've tried quite a few pedals. But if I know one thing on this subject its this......GET A VALVE AMP !!!!!!!!

Once you have tried one there is no substitute for the tone. I've had two - my first was a LANEY LC15 which I would strongly recommend given your budget. I bought this for approximately £180 new but you could get one for less than £150 second hand. I've now got a Marshall class 5 which may be above your budget ? I got mine second hand for £220. Both these amps are made in England. Something that we still do well here !! (Come to think of it - probably the only thing we still make here)

Hope this helps

(Of course if you would rather swap geat tone for space invader digital effects then get something like a Peavey Vypyr !!!)

[FFXIhealer]

.....

Anyway, like I was saying, I have 4 amps. Three of them are solid-state, so only one is a valve amp. Of those three solid-state amps, two of them are Fender Mustang modelling amps and I use THOSE more than the other two. I have a very discerning ear and they sound just fine to me. Now, granted, I don't play in a band or at a club, so noise and conflicting frequency spectrums are not a factor. What IS a factor is that my Marshall JVM acts as a space heater when it's on, as well as being rediculously loud at even low volume settings. Hey, it's a 100-watt valve amp...what can I say? The microstack really has only one sound: Marshall. So it's not overly versatile. It was more of a project for me to "upgrade" on anyway. So that leaves me with AmpliTube on my PC (with dozens of amp models that are indistiguishable from the real ones) and my Fender amps...which aren't perfect, but really for a bedroom rocker, they're good enough damnit. Especially for the LOW price I paid for them.

[__HM__]

Orange Micro Terror.

[FFXIhealer]

..... that's not bad.

[Johnny_Sokko]

I would say the Vox AC4TV, one of the low watt Blackheart amps, The Giant or KillerAnt or the Epiphone Valve Jr. I haven't played a solid State or modelling amp that was as touch sensitive as a valve amp.

[FFXIhealer]

You know, I've touched both my valve amp and my modelling amps and I gotta tell ya, neither of them made a noise. They didn't shy away or whine about how I was being mean to them or cry to social services that I was behaving inappropriately with them in my bedroom. They don't seem very sensitive to me. Maybe they had a tough childhood and grew thick tolex. I don't know. But when I touched both of my amps, they both reacted the exact same.

And don't forget the new 1-watt valve amps Marshall's comming out with. They have a low-power setting around 0.022 watts for bedroom playing. The downside: They're all around $800US.

[blink75]

I decided I needed the best of both worlds: tube and SS. My Bugera V5 is hard to beat for a good affordable tube amp when you also need quiet playing. The 3 settings (5W, 1W, .1W) can really turn it down if necessary (and jam if no one is around). A tube amp will definitely show who is a good player and who needs some work. The mistakes in my playing seem real obvious on it if that makes any sense. But you will need a variety of pedals depending on style of music. The Peavey Vypyr 15 is my other one and it has a lot of different options. I seem to leave it on twin. Some people say go straight for the Vypyr 30 over 15.