Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

[aheadbanger4life]

Hello Everyone,

First time poster, long time metalhead. After being an avid metal fan for over a decade, I decided to pick up the guitar and start playing for myself 2 weeks ago. I went to guitar center to look around and the clerk highly recommended this forum as THE best source for all guitar knowledge.

AMPS: From my basic understanding, the easiest way to get a general idea of what equipment to buy is from what type of music you eventually hope to play. Hands down my favorite band of all time is Children of Bodom. Obviously I won't be shredding like Alexi any time soon (if ever, haha), but after playing on my brother's Fender 25R Frontman Series II 25W 1x10, he agrees that there are definitely better amps for higher levels of gain and distortion. There also seems to be quite a bit of ground noise when turning the amp up past 3 or 4. What I'm looking for is something small enough for an apartment, probably 25-50W in the $150 - $300 price range. I'd much rather dish out a little extra cash for an amp that will last and ultimately provide the sound I want when trying to learn the styles of Bodom, Insomnium, Disarmonia Mundi, Pantera, Slipknot, and obviously Metallica. I can already tell that I'm likely going to eventually get either the SD Blackouts or Dimebucker pickups too, if that's a consideration when choosing an amp.

From my limited research, the top two amp choices for an all-around practice metal amp (which this is going to be for quite a while) seem to be the Line 6 Spider IV 30 30W 1x12 VS. the Vox Valvetronix VT40+ 40W 1x10. Both are within my price range and seem to be what I'm looking for. I've read a few reviews that say Marshall 30s and even the Fender 30s are better overall, but most agree that the Line 6 and Vox are more suited to playing metal. I'm obviously very new to the world of picking the best musical equipment, so any feedback will be met with open ears. I'm also going to post in the guitar section about picking the best beginner's metal guitar, but I didn't want to clutter this thread as there hopefully will be plenty feedback.

Any discussions, opinions, and/or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again everyone for your time!! :thanks:

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Are you playing out live or just a bedroom jammer?

Are you looking to get BOTH a guitar and amp?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

you have so many more options than starting out in the 80s!!!!! seemed hard to even generate usable distortion back then, haha. back when Crates were a nickel! where's my geritol?

 

[karpathion]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

For what you want, I would personly recomend a solid state amp with a very good clean, and some type of multi FX unit. One of the Boss GT series would be ideal.
One of my favorite metal setups back in the day was a Boss Gt-3 into the clean of a Randall 2x12 stereo chorus.

I would normally recommend some type of modern high gain tube amp, but seeing as you are an apartment dweller, a 5 watt tube amp is really too much. IMO.

The great thing about about solid state and effects moddeling is that it pretty much sounds the same at any volume.

The Line 6 and Vox you mentioned would be fine for what you are looking for, but I think you would tire of them rather rapidly.

Good luck in your quest. It'll be a long one.

 

[briggleman]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

For just beginning, I think you are already going down the correct path. The Line6 IV series will do what you want and at great price. Now, yes there are much better amps and you will get all kinds of opinions on which one you should buy...... however, you are just starting out..... and buying a very high end amp should only be done after you have really experienced other amps, guitars, pickups. Stay less expensive at first...... find out if this is going to stick, then as you develop, so does your equipment and you find what works for you. You could also look at the Fender Mustang series..... some in this forum find it a better fit for ease of recording and playing along with your favorite bands. It also has a headphone output for your bedroom playing. My personal preference is the Line6.... I found the Mustang III (which I owned) too harsh, not warm at all but its inter-connectivity was great.

If you find a cheap amp on the lamb, and it does not have effects, find a inexpensive modeling pedal like the Digitech RP-155 which gives you amp modeling and effects and really opens your eyes as to what sounds you can really make.

Brad

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

First and foremost, welcome to the Seymour Duncan forums!

It's good that you already have a guitar tone and idol in hand. As far as metal guitarists go, you made a good choice in Alexi Laiho. He's a phenomenal player as well as a songwriter, which goes a long way towards musicianship.

Now onto the important business,

While I usually recommend the Vox Valvetronix as the end all and be all of bedroom amps, I don't recommend it as a first amp.

The reason is thus: as with any modeling amp, you are given a bazillion options to play with and for a fledgling guitarist, all those settings can be intimidating or even offputting. The last thing we want is for you to get caught up in finding a good "sound" when what you SHOULD be doing is learning your basic chords and strengthening your ear and fingers/palm mutes.

So here is my recommendation, and I'll likely get a lot of flak for it:

Get a Peavey Envoy/Bandit and a Boss NS-2 noisegate.

Guitar -> noisegate -> amp

It is simple and has 2 channels. It has a "workable" lead channel that lets you get heavy tones. The noisegate will tame the inevitable feedback at higher volumes.

*For what it's worth, In my 8 years of guitar playing, I've gone through 3 Valvetronix models (based on sizing needs, not for reliability) and have never grown tired of them. When you find yourself evolved as a competent guitarist, you owe it to yourself to pick one up.

 

[Animal]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Blackstar HT-5.

You won't need anything more powerful for apartment use. Those 5-watts are loud, and the amp sounds good at low volumes. If you have to play in a band, then get a more powerful amp.

Don't bother with a digital amp or any other peripheral crap, you don't really need all those options (distractions). If you simply want a tight modern rock/metal sound and useable cleans, the HT-5 has it in the box.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Line 6 spider or peavey viper. Ltd 50 or 100 series guitar for begginer metal

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

PEAVEY VYPYR 30 or 75 (recommended)...you won't regret it!

Forget Line6 and the entry-level VOX stuff. Waste of money compared to what you get with the Vypyr.

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Jet City JCA20h or JCA22h if you can swing it. JCA22h has the Soldano SLO lead channel.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Guitar Center associates tend to sell Line6 because they were one of the first mainstream modeling amps available and many people know of them. HOWEVER, the Line6 stuff is neither the easiest to use, the best sounding or the best priced!

I suggest the Vypyr 75 given your price range. It's a great, powerful amp that will do EVERYTHING you want and much, much more.

Also, don't be dismayed by the extra wattage. I've got a Peavey VYPYR Tube 120 (the biggest, baddest of the bunch) and I can still achieve fantastic sounds at low bedroom-playing volumes! The non-tube versions are even more manageable!

If you want full tube power without the built-in modeling and effects, I would also back the Jet City suggestion, though, at that price, the Vypyr "Tube" 60 is still perhaps the best value.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Also, if you want a killer guitar for under $200, I suggest picking up an "Anthem" WTR-30 from the musicgoround site. You simply can't get a better built guitar for the price. Killer fretwork, awesome pickups, Floyd Rose Special (awesome for the price) and top cuts of wood throughout! Great guitars right out of the box!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

PEAVEY VYPYR 30 or 75 (recommended)...you won't regret it!

Forget Line6 and the entry-level VOX stuff. Waste of money compared to what you get with the Vypyr.

curious of the knobs feel/durability. one I was goofing with was very loosey goosey in the knobs department, felt like they were going to fall off eventually. how's yours? (I may have checked out a badly worn floor model). thanks

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

The best apartment / practice amp is the new Fender Mustang series... for any style. It sounds great, is easy to use, and has USB input and Fuse software for recording and tone shaping.

I've been working at one of the biggest guitar stores in ATL for over 3 years now... people stopped buying Spiders and Vypyrs as soon as the Mustang came out.

As for guitars... don't get too hung up on brand names or specific pickups yet. Get something with humbuckers and a fixed bridge. You see a ton of Floyd Rose trems on metal guitars but I wouldn't recommend them for beginners because they're really hard to tune up and change strings on compared to other bridges.

Focus on playing. Its easy to get caught up in the marketing and overwhelmed with differing opinions. Get the guitar you like and the amp that sounds the best to you... you're the one who has to use it.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

The Vypyr's knobs definitely feel a bit different (more loose) than the typical amp knobs/pots I'm used to, but I haven't had a lick of concern over their reliability. In fact, I've never given them much thought until you asked!

I've owned this amp since new and that's just how the knobs function. If you're suggesting the knobs on the amp you tried felt wobbly or like the plastic parts weren't seated properly on the control shaft, I haven't encountered anything like that. I don't believe they are typical amp-style pots controlling the functions, which is why they feel a bit different, but they are easy to use and I'm not worried about them myself.

The new Fender Mustangs are nice (and sexy), but they really don't offer much over the Vypyrs feature-wise and, tone-wise, the Vypyrs are still tops. All the Vypyrs (except the sub-$100 15W model) have USB ports for recording, as well.

The 100W Mustang III and the 75W Vypyr are about the same price in store (~$299)

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Fender's computer software is better, though.

 

[Diego]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Just don't overspend at this point.

Get a guitar you like and PLEASE have it setup by a tech; particularly the nut slot height and the neck relief.
It can do a huge difference, for your left hand particularly. It will have a much easier job.
Get an amp you feel comfortable with (not just sound, but portability too), and play play play.

You've gotten many ideas on this thread, and you wouldn't go wrong following any of them.

But I believe it's pointless to go real hard at your budget at this stage.
I'm not saying ANY gear will do. Bad gear can make you quit at your stage.
I'm just making clear that you don't need to go crazy on this IMO.

Welcome to the forum man!

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Agreed, you definitely want to learn on a guitar that plays right, regardless of everything else. You'll advance much faster in your technique and skill and playing will be more enjoyable overall. A pro setup is certainly worth the cost if you're not very familiar with setting up guitars yourself and by "pro", I don't mean the Guitar Center "techs".

Also, keep in mind that expensive does not always mean "better". That goes for both guitars AND amps...if you do your research, you'll see there's no need to spend a lot for solid gear that will get you by until you reach the next stage in your playing.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

Ok. Here's a list of stuff that you will want to check out:
To consider:
Roland Cube series amps
Schecter, ibanez, Jackson and LTD guitars
Necessary: Get your guitar setup by a pro. Preferably a tech from a small music shop as it will most likely be cheaper there and a better setup.
Get a good cable. Monster cables are all good and fine but they aren't a good bang for your buck, check out spectraflex and planet waves cables.
Don't start buying pedals until you are really good. It's also a good idea to never buy a distortion pedal. Boost pedals are completely different btw.
In all honesty, if you can save up enough, it would be worth the wait to buy a Blackstar HT-5. Versatility and value out the wazoo.
Welcome to the forum and good luck!

 

[aheadbanger4life]

Re: Best Beginner Metal Amp + Guitar Combo

First off thanks for all the feedback everyone. I definitely came to the right place. I'm really excited to get into playing and writing my own music, but I definitely understand that I have to get a solid foundation and cover all the basics first.

After reading through all the feedback for both the guitars and amps I think I have a better idea what I'm looking for. I am a beginner as I said, and I'm only looking to play at home, so I'm definitely not going to need anything too loud. I liked the suggestions for a good practice amp with several presets, nothing too complex considering that I probably won't use/understand all the bells and whistles at this point. I really don't think I'm at the point to be looking at pedals or adding pickups either.

My top choices for an amp are currently the Fender Mustang series, likely the Mustang II 40W 1x12, for the portability, ease of recording and the headphone output. My brothers amp is only 25W, and I honestly don't think I'll need much over that in an apartment unless someone objects. The only argument I could see is if the sound quality on the Mustang III 100W is much better/cleaner (thoughts?)

The Line6 Spyder IV 30 30W 1x12 has a huge variety in settings and won't require a modeling pedal, but I'm not sure if it will be too complex for me at this point (thoughts?). The same argument goes towards the Vox Valvetronix, which I've read is overpriced for what you get.

The Peavey Vypyr 30 30W 1X12 is actually my top choice right now, mainly for its ease of use, headphone plug for at night, and a cleaner & louder sound than the line6 spyder according to multiple reviews. It also has a wide array of customizable effects built into it, meaning I won't have to worry about pedals and what not.

I'm hopefully going to try them out later this week which should help with my decision ALOT. This probably will spark a debate, but do pure tube amps sound better at louder volumes, addressing the Jet City Amplification JCA20H 20W Tube and Peavey VYPYR Tube 60 60W that was suggested? Considering that most of the tube amps are in the +$400 range, I don't know if I will really utilize all the features as a beginner/practice amp.

As another caveat, the general consensus for a beginner metal guitar with some versatility has been a Schecter C series, possibly trying to find a used hellraiser or damien (have alot of narrowing down to do on the specific model, suggestions?!?), an Ltd 50 or 100 series (I know the least about these guitars, but they have humbuckers and a fixed bridge, think I can wait on the Floyd Rose at this point), OR my other top choice is the Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT or ZERO Angel of Deth II for the set neck and livewire pickups (little pricier, but I'm willing to spend the extra $$$ if it's really worth it in the long run).

Again, thanks for all the feedback, this forum is truly amazing