Question for Guitar people

[Slick5150]

Ok, so I like what modelers like the Line6 POD, and the Behringer V-Amp can do, but I don't want to have to hook them up to a seperate amplifier. So, I'm looking to get something that can do what those things can do, but are also an amp.

I've come across amps like the Line6 Spider II , which seems to have some different amp models and effects. Is this what I'm looking for? Or is there something closer to POD/V-Amp functionality?

I don't need a huge amp. Just something to jam on, fill a small room.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Platypus]

Modeling amps tend to sound pretty crappy compared to the things they are trying to emulate so I would stay away from them until you actually sit down and hear how they sound... they are good for lots of effects if you don't have a lot of money to spend but they lack tone/character. Typically line 6 stuff sounds pretty good, at least better than behringer.

 

[Platypus]

If you really want to drop some cash this is the best sounding one I've heard:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com...etail/base_pid/482238/

but if you're going to spend that much for digital effects.. just get a nice tube boutique amp

 

[CptObvious]

I have a V-Amp Pro that I use for recording direct. There are a few really good sounds on it and I think it's a better value for the money than the POD. Just my $0.02

Vox makes a line of modeling amps, I think they're called the Valvetronix. From what I've heard at Guitar Center they sound great.

 

[Moonlapse]

Most modeling amps sound quite "artificial", but then again they're not supposed to be used for gigging. The Roland Cube 30 will probably give you the best bang for your buck. I've also heard good things about the VOX AD30VT, though I haven't played one myself. I personally don't like Line6 amps, except the FlextoneIII, but i figure that is out if the price range you're looking for. You can get good effects, but don't expect too much from the distortion settings.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Play something like a Spider II or a Vetta from Line 6 next to a Peavey 5150 amp. You tell me which amp sounds better. I'll put down $20 that it'll be the 5150 amp. If you want something to sound good, don't cheap out and not buy tube.

 

[Slick5150]

Well, let me preface my question with this.

I've played classical guitar for years, but have just recently gotten into electric. I don't need anything ridiculous, just something that will be fun for me to mess around with and provide me with a lot of different sounds for different kinds of music. So, the modeling amp seemed like the way to go.

I'd like to keep it around the $300 mark, but if anyone has other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks

 

[TrueBlueLS]

If you're looking to spend $300... try seeing if you can find a Peavey Classic 20 on Ebay. That should keep you happy until you decide to go "ridiculous" with your amp.

 

[AlienCraft]

Fender Cyber Twin Rocks.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
Fender Cyber Twin Rocks.

I played a gretsch through one of those at a local shop and was actually impressed with it.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
If you really want to drop some cash this is the best sounding one I've heard:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com...etail/base_pid/482238/

but if you're going to spend that much for digital effects.. just get a nice tube boutique amp

That's the hottest amp around these days.

 

[thomsbrain]

modeling amps do lots of things but nothing well. i shared a practice space with a guy who had a Line6 Flextone of some sort and basically everything it did sounded like ass. the effects sucked, the amp models sucked, the power amp sucked, everything sucked. what's the point of having lots of sounds if there isn't a single good one? better to get an amp that sounds good, even if it only does one thing.

if you have been playing classical for many years, i suggest you get an amp with a great clean tone, because it sounds like you're not going to be into super-rock-shredding.

for that, there is only one choice: a fender tube amp, preferably the Twin or Bassman. if you can't afford one of those, look into Peavey Classic amps. but don't get a modeling amp, or you will be looking to replace it in a year once you realize how bad it sounds (just like the guy with the Line6, he eventually broke down and bought a tube Marshall).

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
modeling amps do lots of things but nothing well. i shared a practice space with a guy who had a Line6 Flextone of some sort and basically everything it did sounded like ass. the effects sucked, the amp models sucked, the power amp sucked, everything sucked. what's the point of having lots of sounds if there isn't a single good one? better to get an amp that sounds good, even if it only does one thing.

if you have been playing classical for many years, i suggest you get an amp with a great clean tone, because it sounds like you're not going to be into super-rock-shredding.

for that, there is only one choice: a fender tube amp, preferably the Twin or Bassman. if you can't afford one of those, look into Peavey Classic amps. but don't get a modeling amp, or you will be looking to replace it in a year once you realize how bad it sounds (just like the guy with the Line6, he eventually broke down and bought a tube Marshall).

I agree. Fender is the king of clean, you should look into them and listen to thom's voice of experience about how digital effects really sound

 

[Slick5150]

Well, I would like something that can do a good heavy sound, as I am playing quite a bit of hard rock lately (I figured if I'm going to get into electric guitar, might as well do it for a reason). How is the Peavy in that regards?

 

[nakedfrog]

Personally, I would recommend one of these and a decent amp. I have one of those, and it's got a lot of stuff to experiment with, but is cheap enough to where you can get an amp that will stand on it's own as well. It does some modelling, and you could even just plug headphones into it instead of an amp. That way you'll be able to get a feel for what kind of sound and effects you're really after without dumping huge amounts of cash up front.

 

[CptObvious]

For under $300 I second Moonlapse's recommendation of the Roland Cube 30 :thumbsup:

 

[Fritzo]

I'm a huge fan of Line6 products. The Spider II you mentioned is along the lines of what you want. Depends on how much $$$ you want to spend though. Personally I like a good signal processor (Like the Line6 Pod XT Live) over amp effects. Keep in mind that you may not be able to use built in effects simultaniously on some amps. You'll want to check that before buying.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: PinwiZ
Well, I would like something that can do a good heavy sound, as I am playing quite a bit of hard rock lately (I figured if I'm going to get into electric guitar, might as well do it for a reason). How is the Peavy in that regards?

How heavy are we talking? (give me some bands you're wanting to emulate)

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Moonlapse
Most modeling amps sound quite "artificial", but then again they're not supposed to be used for gigging. The Roland Cube 30 will probably give you the best bang for your buck. I've also heard good things about the VOX AD30VT, though I haven't played one myself. I personally don't like Line6 amps, except the FlextoneIII, but i figure that is out if the price range you're looking for. You can get good effects, but don't expect too much from the distortion settings.

:thumbsup: on the Roland. Very solid, great sounding product.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
How heavy are we talking? (give me some bands you're wanting to emulate)

I've been playing quite a bit of Metallica, Guns & Roses, and various punk bands lately if that helps.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far by the way.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: PinwiZ

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
How heavy are we talking? (give me some bands you're wanting to emulate)

I've been playing quite a bit of Metallica, Guns & Roses, and various punk bands lately if that helps.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far by the way.

For stuff like that you'll want scooped out mids and boosted highs/lows. Someone recommended a 5150 head by peavey which is great for that style of playing. If you really want over the top heavy you'll want a tube rectifier or something that will give you a rich harmonic distortion. Personally peavey's always sound a bit 'fake' to me but that head is very good.

Go check out the peavey 5150, I think it might be up your alley

edit: saw your range.. look for used gear, i'm sure you can find one
http://www.musiciansfriend.com...etail/base_pid/481352/

(also comes as head/cab)

 

[Moonlapse]

Seeing that you want to keep it around $300, it'll be hard to come up with a amp in that price range with good distortion. Solid-state amps won't give you the rich and saturated distortion a tube amp will, but its also worth noting that a tube amp can be VERY loud (with most tubes, you get better sound when cranking the amp). If you get a combo, I'd recommend that at least it has a 12" speaker. The Peavey Bandit 112 is a pretty nice practice amp with decent distortion (even for a solidstate) - it'll run you about a little under 400 new, but always keep an eye out for used gear. The 5150 that was mentioned is a good amp (personally I like the XXX better), but that'll cost you a little under a grand (even more if you get the head and a cab, instead of the combo). One amp that I must mention though is the Carvin MTS . Great tube head, that you can find on ebay right now for a bit over $200. Very underrated amps (as well as their guitars). With that you could get a semi-decent cabinent to go with it, and you'd have a great setup from the start.

Of course though, there are a whole bunch of other companies to choose from. Play as many of them as you can before you decide to make a purchase.

That being said of course, a crap guitar through a great amp will give you crap tone. You'll have to take into expense too that a decent guitar with good pickups will cost ya around $500.

 

[causearuckus]

Get a tube amp, somthing around 30-40 watts. Fender make awesome clean, and marshall for gain. Everything else falls in the middle. Try the pawn shops

 

[Slick5150]

I already have the guitar. It's a Washburn (don't remember the model offhand). So that cost was already taken care of.

Good idea about the pawn shops. Especially this time of year, people are probably dumping stuff to get cash for Xmas presents.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Someone recommended a 5150 head by peavey which is great for that style of playing.

That'd be me. Honestly... I've been amazed at how many different types of music use the 5150. I can't wait for mine to come in. Stupid Kramer Stagemaster I wanted...