Guitar advice for a teenager who likes 70/80's Rock

Hawklan

Nice, thanks that looks like just the ticket

One to add to the demo list

Many thanks

Ron

GloopyJon

Well, my recommendation stays the same, with a shout out for a Line 6 Amplifi as a mystery option.

Hawklan

Yep

I agree it does seem that solid state would be the be best for now
The good things is that all of the one you are suggesting Roland Cubes, Mini 5 Rhythm and Line 6 Amplifi are a good price. The tricky thing will be finding somewhere that has that sort of selection to demo

Many thanks

Ron

GloopyJon

Your favourite store, Peach Guitars, seems to have the Cubes at least.

It would probably be helpful to narrow it down a bit before you go to the shop, otherwise you'll want to try out 20 different amps and you won't know where to start.  So there are a few choices you can make which will restrict your selection, based on features that you may want and other aspects.  If you've decided that solid state is right for now, then that's one decision already, although in that price bracket that doesn't remove many of the options.

Incidentally, if you change your mind and want valves (and I don't say that would be a wrong decision at all, it's up to you), then the Laney CUB10 is a very decent entry-level amp - my son has one.  Do not be tempted to buy a Fender Vaporizer, however tempting it appears.  It sounds really nice but it's too loud, too bulky, too limited (it's really a one-trick pony) and too prone to breakage (we bought one and sent it back).

Anyway...while I always say you should keep an open mind (I've never left a guitar shop with what I expected to buy when I've gone in to try guitars), I would at least make a preliminary decision on what size of amp you want.  Do you want a little one that doesn't take up too much space and can easily be moved around, like the Vox Mini or the Yamaha THR?  Or do you want a bigger one with a larger speaker which will probably sound better?

Next there are other features - which are must-haves?  Headphone socket?  MP3 input?  Effects?  USB out?

Do you want the versatility of being able, for example, to plug an acoustic or bass guitar in, as well as a normal electric?  Those options exist, but they are rare and that would certainly narrow your choice dramatically.

Once you've thought about all of this (or your son has), I'd make a shortlist of some amps that you'd definitely like to try, and then look for a shop that has most of them.  No shop will have all of the amps; you just have to live with that.  And then you make the decision based on the most important factor - what they sound like.

Finally, even though you make your pre-selection, I would recommend trying something outside your shortlist (i.e. a small amp if you are looking at big ones, or vice versa), just as a sanity check.

Get your son to do the heavy lifting on all the research - it's his choice in the end!

Hawklan

Hi

To be honest I'd rather shop at Music Warehouse as it seems to be run by people who have a passion for music, you do get a warm fuzzy feeling shopping there and they were very patient. Peach guitars does have a great selection, but isn't staffed by people who seem to have the same passion and they were rather impatient. So given the choice I'd buy from the Music Warehouse

We do intend to limit our choice to 6 or so amps, probably solid state and a decent size to accommodate at least ay 12" speaker.
Features I'd like it to have a headphone socket, effects and USB out

Once again many thanks

Ron

GloopyJon

Cool.  Yes, I'd rather go to a friendly shop too.  Perhaps you can just go to Peach in order to try any amps that MW doesn't stock, if you don't find what you want at MW.

Re the USB out, two points:

1) Many solid state amps have a USB socket, but it can't be used the way you might expect.  Sometimes they only include it for performing system updates, and you can't output from it to a PC.  If you want to do that, make sure that it has that facility as well as the USB port.

2) Bearing in mind the above, the USB out function might restrict your choice.  Are you sure you will need it?  There are plenty of other ways to record from an amplifier.

Christian 71

Mustangs are great, but worth spending a bit more and getting the Mustang 3, the Blackstar ID TVP:30 sounds better to me. Both good enough to gig with and will sound cracking at home but not too big.

Loads of good amps around, the H&K at 300 quid is a bargain at the mo. Other cheaper valve amps are a bit less flexible unless you use multi effects and pedals, so for first amp is over kill.

If he begs for a Marshall try a DSL40c, double your budget but it will be a keeper like the Gibson. The MGs are really over priced.

Hawklan

The intent of the USB is to output to a PC
If that limits the choice of amps, I'd be open to other methods to record from the amp

Hawklan

Hi

He did say that he would like a Marshall amp. However in reality, he is really open.
He is really keen on one that has the following features:
Overdrive or a Dirty ChannelAbility to record to a PCBuilt in effects
So many choices, in a way buying an amp is worse than the guitar. At least with the guitar he knew he wanted a Les Paul
As all of you guys have wisely advised, we really need to try them out

Many thanks

Ron

Christian 71

It just means you need to limit to modelling amps like the Mustang, Cube, ID etc. which all pretty much come with USB.

The valve and solid state amps don't sound that great with headphones. Another option is to buy a modelling unit like a multi effects (Pod, Zoom, Boss etc) which model the sound of the speaker/cab.

If he wants the Marshall sound get the ID, it does it in spades and a lot more. The Mustang and cubes are pretty good all rounders but the heavier drive models sound a bit weak.