Where to buy my first electric guitar amp?

[sonicassault]

Actually the opposite. At first I thought Mustang 1 and I'm good, I can finally start practicing and stop doing this homework.

Just a few more questions please:

1. I've read that tube amps needs maintenance, is this still true today? Is it hard/hassle?
2. Is ZT Lunchbox good for room practice?
3. How about the ZT Lunchbox Jr.?

I think I'll get the 9k lunchbox and be done with it. Hopefully it's still available.

It's good to ask questions, money is scarce! (but

1. Yes, they do. It's literally like changing a lightbulb. It's a set it and forget it thing until it breaks. You wait a year or two for regular use, and probably longer if you don't use it that much. It will either conk out or the sound will change drastically, much like guitar strings, and it's only then you will have to replace it. It's not much of a hassle; it's one of those things that come with your routine guitar maintenance, except you count years. It probably feels like changing bass guitar strings.

2. Yes.

3. Yes, but I don't recommend it. It's something like an ultraportable busker amp of some sort. You buy it because you can literally run with it.

To give you a better idea, the best practice amps aren't some prosumer grade stuff, like a processed cake snack. Practice amps are the junior sized cakes to the full sized cakes that are your full-on amps. They're smaller amps that play the right sound at the right volume for the bedroom and small studio, only because full-on combo amps and head+cab configurations get way too loud for the bedroom before you get the right sound.

[profalseidol]

1. Yes, they do. It's literally like changing a lightbulb. It's a set it and forget it thing until it breaks. You wait a year or two for regular use, and probably longer if you don't use it that much. It will either conk out or the sound will change drastically, much like guitar strings, and it's only then you will have to replace it. It's not much of a hassle; it's one of those things that come with your routine guitar maintenance, except you count years. It probably feels like changing bass guitar strings.

Sounds expensive.. and looking at the prices of some tubes:

http://www.sweetwater.com/c1070--Guitar_Amp_Tubes
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Tubes-for-Instrument-Amps-Instrument-Amp-Parts.gc

Definitely something to consider when deciding to go tube amp right?

[royc]

Look at it this way. You can change the characteristics of a tube amp simply by changing the tubes. What I like best about tubes is how it responds to picking dynamics.

[sonicassault]

Sounds expensive.. and looking at the prices of some tubes:

http://www.sweetwater.com/c1070--Guitar_Amp_Tubes
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Tubes-for-Instrument-Amps-Instrument-Amp-Parts.gc

Definitely something to consider when deciding to go tube amp right?

Not really expensive. Around $15-20 each for a normal priced tube times the number of tubes you'll have (around 4), and that could last anywhere from a year to a decade, that's not so bad. If you buy a tube amp you're paying for the sound, and people pay for good sound. But yes, it's definitely a factor. If you decide you want to trade a nice overdrive or character (tube amps) for durability or nice cleans (solid state amps), then that's well too.

Though to put the cost into perspective, I'm a drummer, and I have to change three to four of my drum heads at least every year, each costing $20-40 depending on the type, and if I happen to not like a certain head, I'd have to buy another one. And that's for a guy who only practices an hour or two for two days a week. And then there's the sticks $5 for a small bundle that lasts a month, or a $15 pair that lasts anywhere from two to six months (for me at least). A guitarist has $10 strings every month or two, or a $25 set of Elixirs which can last up to a year, then tube replacements every one to ten years. Tubes are cheap bro, if you like the sound.

And yes, sir royc is definitely right about being able to change a tube amp's characteristics by changing the kind of tube you put in. It's hard to explain the picking dynamics part, but trust me it sounds sweet.

[sonicassault]

Available pa oh! http://talk.philmusic.com/index.php?topic=329110.0;topicseen

[gandydancer123]

I think, you get what you pay for..dont skimp on amp budget...make or break yan sa overall enjoyment at performance mo...save up a bit for a long term amp that will provide you with years and years of good service..

kung pagtugtugan at jamming..get at least 80 watts up...with a big speaker 10-12"

maganda yung ZT! mga blackstars ok din...yung ht-1r medyo di malaki overhead niya sa volume..may Orange Microterror din--tapos 1x12 na cab...Roland cube amps are good too! may mga murang used na 15-20XL..sa classifieds

enjoy sa hunt! good luck..post the final verdict here! cheers!

[gandydancer123]

For Roland Cube, eto ba?
http://www.roland.com.ph/products/amplifiers/details.php?id=1831

10k.. sa yupangco lang ba brand new?

Mukang yung Fender mustang 1 ang pinakasulit? brand new na kukunin ko, alanganin baka mayari pa ako sa 2nd hand eh noob lang ako

I think a new mustang 1 your targeting fits the bill..go for it..no regrets...and in case you decide to upgrade..its easier to sell, kasi bago pa..and may brand..

if your looking for 2nd hand amps..check the pots..usually pag luma..scratchy..pero easily fixed by contact cleaner...

I suggest stick to your initial gut feel...you wont feel naman yung 8000 na masakit sa bulsa once you buy it..go lang..

[profalseidol]

note: I was writing before sir gandydancer123's recent posts

I wanna buy it now because I wanna start playing/practicing already.

But 8k is a big deal. So I got more questions; With regards to inspecting:

it's just like an appliance. check the jack if it fits well, if it has a buzz. check the knobs if they work, if they're scratchy, if they fall off. check the lights. check the power, the cables, the plugs. check the speaker if you can see it. if you don't like the sound or you feel uneasy with it, don't buy it, and it goes with brand new amps too.

Is this the complete list of what I should do?

Let's say everything is good, no issues when you tested it when you bought it from the seller. However, after a week or a month, it starts having issues. You can't return it anymore right?
In this case, just bad luck? and inherent cons of not having a warranty?

I did read the buy and sell do's n dont's thread. Solid general advice.

And honestly, I haven't had the time to go to the music store and test amps for myself (so I have no first hand hearing experience how good/bad those amps are)..... I just got my electric guitar and will take it to the luthier tomorrow.

So.. I shouldn't rush buying.. right? Classified ads won't go away?

by the way salamat sa pag-reply lagi sa mga noob questions ko. really appreciate it.

[gandydancer123]

post the chosen amp ads here..para magka initial review from forumers....

if the price difference of the old and the new fender 8k amp isnt too big....I suggest go for the new one.. 2-3k worth your peace of mind and the hassles of testing and meetups etc..



ayun oh! amoy na amoy yung carton, styro and plastic and fresh solder and electronics..

mmmmm...

go na yan!

[profalseidol]

Roland cube amps are good too! may mga murang used na 15-20XL..sa classifieds

enjoy sa hunt! good luck..post the final verdict here! cheers!

Hindi ko mahanap sa classified (or at least by searching for 'roland' in the thread titles). Can you post the link? Thanks!

Will post the verdict (y)

[gandydancer123]

baka wala ngayon..

 sa experience ko, Roland Cube amps are ROCK solid..kahit pots matibay and bihira magka crackle or scratchy pots...

stay away from those Orange Crush stuff...

[sonicassault]

naisip ko lang bigla, mag download ka kaya muna ng amplitube habang naghihintay ng actual amp 

[Ralph_Petrucci]

Available pa oh! http://talk.philmusic.com/index.php?topic=329110.0;topicseen

sold na to hihihihi

[sonicassault]

sold na to hihihihi

ay, kanina kasi pagcheck ko wala pang strikeout eh. ikaw bumili no?!

[profalseidol]

Here's what I bought:


Verdict: Bad decision. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. Got it from Data Blitz for 2,1k.

One thing the reviews surprising fails to mention is that you cannot learn to play songs just by Rocksmith only.
At least for me, I played Everlong - Foo fighters. But when I watched youtube lessons for this song, I'm doing it all wrong.. strum pattern and timings are complex. I think it's fair to say that RS (asside from the session mode) is just moving tabs with backing track and ready to use tone/effects for your guitar. Learning from youtube lessons I think, is a lot better.

On the bright side, I am able to use the RS Real tone cable to connect to Guitar Rig 5, and at the same time play youtube videos (two audio output). Otherwise, I wish I saved my 2,1k and earn to buy maybe a Blackstar ID 15 with the TVP; 17k in lyric (15k for this month's sale).

Anyway. Question. Blackstar ID 15 vs ZT Lunchbox for someone who won't be buying pedals, etc.?

[sonicassault]

Here's what I bought:


Verdict: Bad decision. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. Got it from Data Blitz for 2,1k.

One thing the reviews surprising fails to mention is that you cannot learn to play songs just by Rocksmith only.
At least for me, I played Everlong - Foo fighters. But when I watched youtube lessons for this song, I'm doing it all wrong.. strum pattern and timings are complex. I think it's fair to say that RS (asside from the session mode) is just moving tabs with backing track and ready to use tone/effects for your guitar. Learning from youtube lessons I think, is a lot better.

On the bright side, I am able to use the RS Real tone cable to connect to Guitar Rig 5, and at the same time play youtube videos (two audio output). Otherwise, I wish I saved my 2,1k and earn to buy maybe a Blackstar ID 15 with the TVP; 17k in lyric (15k for this month's sale).

Anyway. Question. Blackstar ID 15 vs ZT Lunchbox for someone who won't be buying pedals, etc.?

Depends on what you're after. If you want to play with effects but don't want to buy pedals, then it's the Blackstar, but do note you will enjoy it more if you buy the footswitch, which still is an additional purchase. If you just want a straight up nice rock sound and you wont delve into nu metal/Boss MD-2 kind of distortion levels, and nothing more, it's the Lunchbox for you.

[profalseidol]

Depends on what you're after. If you want to play with effects but don't want to buy pedals, then it's the Blackstar, but do note you will enjoy it more if you buy the footswitch, which still is an additional purchase. If you just want a straight up nice rock sound and you wont delve into nu metal/Boss MD-2 kind of distortion levels, and nothing more, it's the Lunchbox for you.

Hindi parin ako nakabili 

Kanina lang nag practice ako rito sa office. (Meron kc dito yung Marshall MG30CFX, so dinala ko yung gitara ko).
Typed into youtube, Cementery Gates guitar lesson. Pressed the 'crunch' button on the amp and after 15mins, na-addik na ako sa pinch harmonics. Overwhelming. At low volume lang ako kanina.

So ngayon, hyped ako bumili ng amp... pero tight ~10k budget parin ako 

Listened to Boss MD2 demo:

this what I would need for Cementery Gates huh?

Sana makahanap ako trusted seller ng used ID TVP series. Yung lyric, hindi ba overpriced yun? 17k for ID:15 TVP

[sonicassault]

Hindi parin ako nakabili 

Kanina lang nag practice ako rito sa office. (Meron kc dito yung Marshall MG30CFX, so dinala ko yung gitara ko).
Typed into youtube, Cementery Gates guitar lesson. Pressed the 'crunch' button on the amp and after 15mins, na-addik na ako sa pinch harmonics. Overwhelming. At low volume lang ako kanina.

So ngayon, hyped ako bumili ng amp... pero tight ~10k budget parin ako 

Listened to Boss MD2 demo:

this what I would need for Cementery Gates huh?

Sana makahanap ako trusted seller ng used ID TVP series. Yung lyric, hindi ba overpriced yun? 17k for ID:15 TVP

bili ka ng Stagg na amp tapos isang MD2

[iceicebb]

Wala akong specific tips (sorry), as my electric guitar / lead electric guitarist dream days have long been passed...

Pero I think general tips can help, esp since first amp mo. When buying musical instruments, most of the time you need to Step 1) Do research online and Step 2) Test and listen to it yourself.

Step 1 is important especially para ma-eliminate mo kaagad yung bad choices and matrim down mo agad choices mo to the best few amps for your budget. This thread you have is already part of Step 1. As suggested above, daanan mo yung mga Youtube vids and other website reviews din. After this you may already have your choices trimmed down to a few amps.

Step 2 is important. You'll only find out how good it is by trying it out yourself. Wag po mahiya na magbabad sa music store sa kakatry. If novice ka palang alam ko yung feeling na nakakahiya kasi nanonood yung mga tao, pero wag mo isipin yun. NEVER buy anything without trying it out first, and then trying out other products in comparison to know na it's the best choice talaga. Iba yung papakinggan mo sa Youtube through your headset / speakers, sa papakinggan mo live habang katabi mo ang amp mismo and ikaw yung kakalikot ng settings / EQ / etc. Kailangan maging satisfied ka sa pagtry ng product live before you get it -- hindi pwedeng sobrang positive ng reviews ng isang product online pero hindi ka naman masaya nung natry mo dahil iba yung mas maganda. Also, if you have a musician friend you can definitely bring him to help you out

Sorry ang haba.  Hope this helped!

[sonicassault]

Hindi parin ako nakabili 

Kanina lang nag practice ako rito sa office. (Meron kc dito yung Marshall MG30CFX, so dinala ko yung gitara ko).
Typed into youtube, Cementery Gates guitar lesson. Pressed the 'crunch' button on the amp and after 15mins, na-addik na ako sa pinch harmonics. Overwhelming. At low volume lang ako kanina.

So ngayon, hyped ako bumili ng amp... pero tight ~10k budget parin ako 

Listened to Boss MD2 demo:

this what I would need for Cementery Gates huh?

Sana makahanap ako trusted seller ng used ID TVP series. Yung lyric, hindi ba overpriced yun? 17k for ID:15 TVP

I forgot to mention, you don't need an MD-2 to get dimebag's tone. a cranked up amp with scooped mids will do fine

[profalseidol]

save more, buy a blackstar ht5-r and be done with it. the more you ask, the more yo get confused.

you can thank me later. just send me a hallmark christmas card.

Got this amp 

very nice clean sounds. nice overdrive. waited for a long time, very happy I did. @all, ty for all the advice

[sonicassault]

Got this amp 

very nice clean sounds. nice overdrive. waited for a long time, very happy I did. @all, ty for all the advice

congrats, finally got your amp! video naman dyan!