Good beginner amp on the cheap.

[Channr1]

I'm not in the market yet, just researching. I'm going to buying an electric guitar in the near future with the intent of learning. I currently have a 20 year old silvertone amp from a jumpstart pack. It works, so I have something to start with, but my next purchase will need to be an amp. I'll never go on stage, it'll be for nothing more than practice and jamming at home. I'm looking for ideas. Thanks. [emoji4]

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[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

Do you think you might get together with another guitarist and jam?

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

Katana?

 

[Channr1]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

If I do it'll be friends or family. Nothing big.

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[ehdwuld]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

Bugera G5 and a speaker

In fact, I just ordered the G5

The speaker I got was the Jet City 1x12 with the Eminence speaker

The G5 is a great sounding tube amp
It's not super loud but it will give you all the features and versatility you want at home
It has a built in reverb
Two channels that are foot switchable (comes with a switch)
Has a Morph knob that changes the eq structure from American to British, or blended between
On back it has a power attenuation switch from 5 watt to 1 watt to a fraction of a watt
Headphone out with a cabinet emulated out which can be used to send the signal to a PA
Line in for running in a drum loop or backing track


The Jet City cabinet is convertible from open back to closed ( it makes a slight difference)
And has it's own direct box for sending a cabinet emulated sound to a PA system

Currently the G5 can be had used for $179 on GC used ($171 new on Thomann)
The Jet City is $159 new at Sweetwater ($113 new at Thomann)

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I say go for an inexpensive modeling amp, like a Peavey Vypyr.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I say go for an inexpensive modeling amp, like a Peavey Vypyr.

I have one of those that I would soon be parting with

VIP2 40 watt Peavey modeling amp with effects

OP
Send me a PM and we can hash out some details if your interested

 

[Aceman]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

Been encountering the Boss Katana's lately. Helluva great sound....

 

[SavageRiffer]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

First, I'd recommend a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 15 or Blackstar HT20, two of the best inexpensive tube amps you can buy for the money. The Yamaha THR10 is very good for a solid state. The Katana has been mentioned, but I owned one and didn't gel with it. It's great for a solid state amp and lots of effects you can make useful, but I found its tone grated on my ears eventually. Ask me to pinpoint it and I couldn't, but I liked the THR10 and Blackstar. I had a BOSS Egnater makes some real good sounding tube amps like the Tweaker, and they always have a lot of tone-shaping options. If you can afford about $600-700, I'd definitely recommend getting a Synergy preamp and module. They have a built-in cab sim, and you can plug it into the FX return of one of those tiny little Joyo tube amps or something for a 1-2 watt power amp that's loud enough for practicing or micing. If you ever want another amp sound, just buy another module. Having owned a Randall and Egnater modular amp in the past, I can tell you that the Synergy stuff is superior. You won't get a bunch of modules that sound the same. Lastly, you can always get a Mesa Mini Rectifier used for around the same price as the Synergy single modules setup. That little amp sounds phenomenal.

 

[Channr1]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I'm getting some great feedback. But currently, I'm looking for a 10,15, maybe 20 watt used practice amp. Like $20-50 range. Nothing fancy. I'm looking at more of what brands, what tech (tube, solid state,...), should I look for on the cheap. Thank you all for the leg work, I do appreciate it.

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[SavageRiffer]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I'm getting some great feedback. But currently, I'm looking for a 10,15, maybe 20 watt used practice amp. Like $20-50 range. Nothing fancy. I'm looking at more of what brands, what tech (tube, solid state,...), should I look for on the cheap. Thank you all for the leg work, I do appreciate it.

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Wait, am I understanding correctly that you're looking for an amp in the $20-50 range? If your budget is that tight, then I'm almost willing to give you a small amp of my own. The absolute best cheapest amp there is will be the Blackstar Fly. It sounds awesome and you can do a whole lot with it. None of the amps that size sound as good, and the bigger versions of the Fly don't sound as good in my opinion either. I've even recorded it miced with good results. It runs on 6 AA batteries that last a long time. PM me your story and I'll consider giving you my own Blackstar Fly, but you will pay shipping if I agree

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I bet you might not find something for $50 but $80 got me my Marshall MG15 and some people hate the MGs but the little one works for me for practice. My Fender Champion 20 is my main practice amp though, you could probably find a used one for about $70 or $80.
Fender Frontman 25r has a decent sound around that $80 mark.
There might be some other modeling amps around there. Peavey and Vox are good too, and Roland. I didn't care for line6 stuff.
But my first amp was a 15w crate, it got me by for 3 years til I got an amp that was any better, and by then I was playing better and could appreciate it.
So, it's almost like, just get something that works and don't worry too much about the sound. If you aren't sure, take a guitar playing friend with you or let a shop owner demo it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

The amp you have will be better than anything in the $20-50 range
Even the old Peavey Vyper 15s go used around $60

A VIP1 20 watt modeling amp is around $100 new and 75 used
Cubes run around $100 - 150

You might find an old Bandit with a blown speaker for $75

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

Just the tubes for a tube amp cost more than $30

Maybe a Monoprice 15 watt tube amp at $99

 

[Channr1]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I have something that works for now. I just don't know what brands and what styles (tube or solid state) work better for different genres. I might not be able to find anything in that price range when the time comes. I might have to work some OT spend some cash. I'm just looking at what's out there.

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[Aceman]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I bet you might not find something for $50 but $80 got me my Marshall MG15 and some people hate the MGs but the little one works for me for practice.

An MG15 - IMO - is not a bad little amp at all for what it is.

Just got a Roland Microcube for $60

 

[Old Guy]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

I have a kind of sensitive question.

Is your amp budget low because you don't want to invest a lot into it until you know you are going to stick with it, or is it another reason?

Why I ask is because that $50 amp is not going to scratch that itch for very long. Perhaps stick with what you have until you decide if you are going to stick with it and then save up and invest in something that will at least last you a few years.

Although the Blackstar Fly is an excellent little amp for what it is, if you get the guitar bug and play for a couple of hours a day, that amp's tone will not be pleasing after a while.

 

[Channr1]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

That's one reason. I'm also 36 with a wife, 3 school aged kids, a mortgage, and 2 vehicle payments. I have the funds go more, I'd feel guilty spending it on myself. Especially considering I may not progress as well as I'd like and get discouraged. That's also why I'm researching to see what's available at what price. What brands and tech will produce the sounds I want. I appreciate all the info I'm getting. This forum and it's posters have been amazing.[emoji4]

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[Old Guy]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

That's one reason. I'm also 36 with a wife, 3 school aged kids, a mortgage, and 2 vehicle payments. I have the funds go more, I'd feel guilty spending it on myself. Especially considering I may not progress as well as I'd like and get discouraged. That's also why I'm researching to see what's available at what price. What brands and tech will produce the sounds I want. I appreciate all the info I'm getting. This forum and it's posters have been amazing.[emoji4]

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I know exactly what you mean, brother!

I would seriously consider getting a used Katana 50 in that case. Even though it's out of your budget somewhat, it will grow with you and is versatile, and loud enough that you can play at very quiet volumes, but then can also be used in case you get the itch to play with others. It also has sounds for all genres so if your tastes change with time, it will have what you need in there. I've seen it for as little as $150 used, shipping included on Reverb.com.

The other thing, too, is if you decide this isn't for you, you will get your money back on the amp almost for sure when you sell it. But you won't. Playing guitar is a gift and wonderful. Just be careful with that rabbit hole!

 

[evan47]

Re: Good beginner amp on the cheap.

My choice for a good practice/jamming amp is the Blackstar ID15TVP and the matching 4 way footswich.
Great amp modelling, more than enough effects to keep most people happy and easy to dial in great sounds too.