Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

[Nightburst]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Remeber it's just a piece of gear and the money's just a number...

3000 is a lot of money but buying such a piece of gear is definately an investement.
The joy you'll get from it will be priceless and will stick with you the rest of your life.
Of course it would be a bit silly to not gig and record with such an amp because that's what they are made for, to sound good beyond bedroom levels. But if that makes your day why not?

Personally I'd like to be able to tell a few good stories to my (grand)children if I'm ever lucky enough get them. I don't care what other people think and I can justify anything for myself as long as it doesn't hurt others simply because it's my life. If a 3K makes my life better then my answer is: HELL YEAH!
What's the saying? Carpe diem?

Ever played a boutique amp? If you did then you know you want it!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

It's mostly relative to usefulness vs. your financial means, but HELL YES!

Of course, if you're dead broke, and drive a $1300 car, it may not be the wisest financial decision, but if you know what you want an amp to be able to do, can do it justice, and can afford it....YES.

I remember being at a clinic with Robben Ford, and an audience member asked if he thinks it's worth it to own a $14,000 amp head. He replied "it's worth it to me, because it's the basis of my entire tone." He didn't pay $14,000, and he could easily sound good plugged into a reissue Twin, but why the hell would he?

I've played guitar for 25 years, and have had over 60 amps. The only amp I've ever found that is exactly what I want in an amp happens to cost over $3000. I paid $2175 used, but if it were stolen, I'd be spending a year saving up for another one. You get what you pay for. I spent most of my life being able to afford $700 guitar amps, but there's no doubt in my mind that a great $3000 amp blows it away......in every way.

Essentially my standpoint... if it inspires you and you can afford it, go for it... if either criterium is not met, let it pass

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

If somebody made a multi-channel tube amp that could exactly cop the tones of a Sunn Model T, Dual Rectifier, JCM800, Soldano SLO-100 and a Fender Twin, then yeah.

I know that you get what you pay for, but at a certain price point (I'm not as amp-literate as guitar-literate, so I don't know the exact point), you are not getting back the equivelant of what you're putting in, ya know? For instance, I have a 6gb mp3 player. For another $125, I could've had a 20gb. Would I prefer a 20? Of course. However, with the 6, I can still listen to it at work and school for over a week and not hear the same song, so it suits my needs perfectly.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

I recently ordered a Diezel Einstein Combo that costs 3000$ in the US. I guess I'll have to say "yes".

I'm dirt poor. I'm a uni student. I can't play ****.

But I know that when I buy the best first, I save the most in the end. And saving money every day accounts to something. I see people spending 50$ a night at bars all the time, often much more. It doesn't take long to buy a great amp if you can save up. It's all relative. After all, what else would you rather buy than nice guitar gear?

With my Diezel and my ESP, I really see no big need to update my gear shortly. I'm quite content already.

It doesn't take lots of income to get some nice gear. It takes appreciation for it and willpower.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

I used to think yes, but I just voted no. I had that Two Rock and it was a very sweet amp. BUT, the more I played it, I never really took advantage of all it had to offer. I played nothing but the clean channel. So, I got rid of it in favor of other less expensive toys.

Truth of the matter, I can make an amp that can give me the Two Rock cleans for a third the price of what TR's command. So, my days of buying uber-amps are pretty much over (unless I just want to see how they are made).

GJ has that Bogner xtc and after listening to all it had to offer, if I were a talented gigging guitarist (of which I am neither), I could justify the expense. Especially if I made my main income from music, then I'd want the best tone I could afford. If I could afford 3K and it was THE tone for me, I'd jump in quickly.

 

[Tom M]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Only if it's a bass amp with "Mesa-Boogie" stamped on it.

For some reason, I just can't really get past some sort of a mental block that says "don't spend more than $1000 on an amp," until someone else is paying for it.

 

[jdm61]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

:fingersx: JB from Hell had an interesting point....it can really depend on how anal you are....:7: the MP3 is a good example. I would buy the biggest I Pod they had because I would NEVER compress my CD's so i would need an MP3 player that could handle a bunch of cd's at full rez. Same with amps......if YOU can hear the difference, then it is worth the money. If not, then just buy because it's badass..:friday:

 

[jdm61]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

and Scott, your example doesn't work for everyone.....you can build a comparable amp for 1/3 the price but that is because you are using slave labor.....to wit, your own:naughty: However, I will agree that even if you add in a living wage, I bet i can still get one of yours for 2/3 the price. Thats the beauty of the hobbyist/clone biz

 

[ES350]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Guitarists get off cheap---have any idea what a decent professional-grade violin or cello costs? If it was the killer 5F6A or Hiwatt DR50, absolutely yes (and you'd be getting off cheap at that).

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Can I justify a $3000 amp? Hell yes

An amplifier provides the base of tone for the musician, so it should be taken seriously. When you get around 3k amplifiers, you're truly dealing with some of the best of the best. Not only are the more expensive amps better made, but they usually have more bells and whistles than your standard amplifiers.

If it stops you from G.A.S.ing over tons of other gear and makes you happy, I see no reason in _not_ owning an amplifier around that change. There gets to be a point in time when you're on your tone search that most stuff just doesn't cut it after playing the real deal. Sometimes it's better to just save up and get what you want.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

No! I'd take $1,500.00 and buy a good amp and put the rest towards a vacation to Asia or Europe.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

I recently ordered a Diezel Einstein Combo that costs 3000$ in the US. I guess I'll have to say "yes".

I'm dirt poor. I'm a uni student. I can't play ****.

But I know that when I buy the best first, I save the most in the end. And saving money every day accounts to something. I see people spending 50$ a night at bars all the time, often much more. It doesn't take long to buy a great amp if you can save up. It's all relative. After all, what else would you rather buy than nice guitar gear?

With my Diezel and my ESP, I really see no big need to update my gear shortly. I'm quite content already.

It doesn't take lots of income to get some nice gear. It takes appreciation for it and willpower.

:beerchug:

That's what it all comes down to. I'm a youngin' myself and I've got car payments up the behind, but I don't go out or party often and I take my money and save it. I hardly ever eat out and I don't spend my money on little odds and ends things. If you know what you want, the best thing you can do is do what you can to put money away day after day and hold out for the best.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Take me. I have a 30w SS amp... it will only do for jams and bedroom practise. I'm not gigging but I will be in the future. Money doesn't grow out of trees. It's better to buy a medium-level amp right now and a high-level amp later than just a high-level amp somewhere in between, despite wasting money, simply because I will want to have that amp earlier.

In the end, having more than one amp to play with is fun... and even though medium-level amps are lower in quality to most boutique gear, it holds it's value in usability. You don't always want to take your boutique gear everywhere, right? There's going to be a time where you just want to bring something do-able that you're not too fussed about - a jam, perhaps.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Then again, the easy way isn't always the best. Chris knows what he's doing - and he's very happy with his gear and wouldn't otherwise be satisfied. The more I think about it the more I realise it's really about personal circumstance.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

If you can afford it, why not.

I would PERSONALLY NEVER pay that kind of money for an amp.

Played too many good ones that were considerably less.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

if you get the sound you are looking for from a cheaper amp, then there is no reason to pay that much. i suppose if i couldnt find the tone i was looking for, and the $3k amp had it, it would be worth it.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

I COULDN'T...afford one

But if I had the money and totally fell in love with one... sure why not?
If it is worth it to you, go for it... there are peaople who find it stupid to throw out more than 200 for a guitar, so we are all stupid I suppose ha?

 

[jdm61]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

ES350 hasa point. i don't know what a pro grade fiddle costs nowadays, but i remember in 1983, I knew a little gal who got a music scholarship to the University of Miami, so since her parents didn't have to pay tuition, they got her a new fiddle. By professional standards, it was considered to be a pretty darn good French instrument from the early 1800's. Something that the average 2nd chair orchestra player would be very happy owning. I recall that they paid somewhere north of $15,000 over 20 years ago. Fortunately, we can get guitars and amps that are relatively new and plentiful so we don;t have to worry about such things unless we are in the crazy vintage or boutique market. Having lots of options is a good thing:friday:

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

A mesa roadking is close to that and i love that amp. If it will give you the tone you want get it!!!!!! Tone is in your hands yes but the amp and everything else makes a difference in how that tone in your ahnds comes across. Then ,if your liking your sound it can inspire you to play better and spark creativity.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?

Something tells me 3k is nowhere near the cash I´d have to pony up for the amp described in the Guitar shop, so anything but yes is probably me lying to myself