Buying a new amp...help please

[kodacolor]

Hi,

I'm about to buy a new amp for my guitar.  My little amp that came with my guitar has died and it's time for me to get a new one.  However I don't know what I'm looking for.  I'm at The Guitar Center's website and I don't know where to start.  Acoustic, solid, hybrid, tube, combo, what does it all mean?  How do I know which one's the best for me?

I know what I want to get out of the amp (kinda):

 - It shouldn't be so small that it can be easily knocked over
 - I'll be playing R&B, Blues, and Rock
 - I don't want to spend more than $150
 - built in chorus and distortion would be nice, but it's not necessary.

[jlynnb1]

150 bucks limits you quite a bit....I'd recommend the Line 6 Spider III

[JayP5150]

I hate to say it *swallows tube snobishness* (j/k) but if that's your budget, I'd have to agree with jlynnb1.

In that price range, you're the least likely to "grow out" of that amp over any of the others. Now, if you can double that limit, it opens up your options exponentially.

Or, you can find a used Valve Junior and a beat-up cabinet from craigslist. Then you only have one control to worry about: volume.

I need one of those to toy with...

Sorry, back to your situation lol.

[kodacolor]

Wow.  So if I did double my limit what would my options be?

[JayP5150]

Well, you would be able to find a lot in the $300 range.

As far as small tube amps go, you'd still be looking on the used side of things, but that would open you up to almost any middle-market 30-watt 112 (peavey, crate, etc.). You'd still have to find a really good deal, but it would be close.

As far as brand new, here's a couple.

18W Crate V-series
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-V-Series-V18112-18W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=487051

The Spider that jlynnb1 mentioned
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-Spider-III-30-Guitar-Combo-Amplifier?sku=482275

Peavey Bandit 112
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-Bandit-112-Guitar-Amplifier-with-TransTube-Technology?sku=481332

Those are just for reference. Basically, the $150 limit kicks you almost completely out of tube territory, but if that's something you don't care about anyhow, it's no big deal. On the solid-state side of things, you can't get into a decent wattage and a 12" speaker for $150.

I just look back at my purchases, and I spent so much money over time buying gear that I grew out of, or that wouldn't fit my tastes for the long haul, so you should try to think a little bit long term when making larger purchases.

I just think that if you are a lifer on the guitar, and you buy a 15watt solid state 8" practice amp, you'll be tossing it in the dumpster within the next year.

So figure out what you want (a ton of effects? Then get the Line 6. Touch responsiveness, and smooth saturation? Go the tube route. Don't need tubes, but not into effects? Then grab something like that Bandit 112).

Keep in mind I'm not trying to steer you in any direction, just giving you the spread. Go to a guitar store and play everything you can afford, and pick off of that--oh, and either take your own guitar with you, or grab one that is similar to yours. That way you know what it will sound like when you get home.

Hit back here and let us know what happens!

[gtrdave]

Keep your eyes open for an Epiphone Valve Special or Valve Standard.
They are the big and bigger brother to the Valve Junior. They're all tube, class A, come with built-in effects (although they're noisy) and can be purchased for less than $300.

I paid $150 for a very slightly used Valve Standard and it's my main Sunday morning amp.

[kodacolor]

Acoustic, solid, hybrid, tube, combo, what does it all mean?  How do I know which one's the best for me?

So tube is the best type to get?  Is hybrid a combo of a bass amp and an electric guitar amp?  Acoustic is for an acoustic electric/ acoustic bass?  What's solid?

[JayP5150]

So tube is the best type to get?  Is hybrid a combo of a bass amp and an electric guitar amp?  Acoustic is for an acoustic electric/ acoustic bass?  What's solid?

I guess I kinda skipped the real question, didn't I? lol

Amp buying is kind of a can of worms.

No one can say what is "best." However, I prefer a tube amp.

An acoustic amp is for an acoustic electric. I doubt that most have the lows to handle a bass as well.

A combo amp just means that the amp and the speaker are in the same cabinet.

A hybrid is a tube/solid state mix. Like the new Spidervalve. It has a digital preamp, but a tube output amp, so you get all the effects, etc., but some tube tone, too. I don't know of any amps that can handle bass and still sound good with guitar, or vise versa.

Like I said, just go play a bunch of different amps, twist knobs, etc., and find out what you like. You'll know when it hits you. When I bought my main amp I have now, I shopped for about 2 months, and as soon as I plugged it in, I was like "that's the one."

Good luck.