headphone guitar amp
- Thread starter dg27
- Start date
Re: headphone guitar amp
One thing to keep in mind: I played really quietly with a little amp and also with headphones a lot, for a long time, and it caused me to be kinda "noise shy". I never wanted to crank up because I wasn't used to hearing myself okay loudly. It wasn't the actual volume, as I'm an avid shooter, and I shoot every once in a while without hearing protection to train myself to be used to the loudness in case of a self defense situation. That probably won't be a huge deal for her if she isn't going to playing out somewhere or trying to squeeze distortion from power tubes, but its something to maybe consider. Sorry for all the rambling, it happens.
One thing to keep in mind: I played really quietly with a little amp and also with headphones a lot, for a long time, and it caused me to be kinda "noise shy". I never wanted to crank up because I wasn't used to hearing myself okay loudly. It wasn't the actual volume, as I'm an avid shooter, and I shoot every once in a while without hearing protection to train myself to be used to the loudness in case of a self defense situation. That probably won't be a huge deal for her if she isn't going to playing out somewhere or trying to squeeze distortion from power tubes, but its something to maybe consider. Sorry for all the rambling, it happens.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: headphone guitar amp
Sounds like you're off to a good start. One thing I've found with playing an electric through headphones -- and this has been with everything I've ever had at home, basically -- is that most headphones are like a big graphic EQ that someone else tweaked and super-glued in place, before you ever heard them. You can take a few different models of headphone in the price range of what you have (or are planning), and some will sound more pleasing than others on those electric guitar tones. This is not a subtle phenomenon. I don't know how picky she's going to be about the tone, but if she is, a switch to a random different headphone model might completely change the texture and character of what she's hearing.
Sounds like you're off to a good start. One thing I've found with playing an electric through headphones -- and this has been with everything I've ever had at home, basically -- is that most headphones are like a big graphic EQ that someone else tweaked and super-glued in place, before you ever heard them. You can take a few different models of headphone in the price range of what you have (or are planning), and some will sound more pleasing than others on those electric guitar tones. This is not a subtle phenomenon. I don't know how picky she's going to be about the tone, but if she is, a switch to a random different headphone model might completely change the texture and character of what she's hearing.
dg27
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
She'll be using Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs, which are very accurate and have a very flat frequency response. I have two sets because I love them.
She won't be. She has nothing to compare it to.
Thanks for weighing in again.
She'll be using Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs, which are very accurate and have a very flat frequency response. I have two sets because I love them.
She won't be. She has nothing to compare it to.
Thanks for weighing in again.
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
LOL, I used to walk around the house in the middle of the night with that lil AC in the pocket of my sweatshirt and my headphones on, never woke up anyone until I forgot about the headphones and started singing as well, my girlfriend thought I was on some kind of drugs! La, da, de, just singing at the top of my lungs @ 2:30 a.m., I felt like the worlds biggest dork when I looked up and saw her standing there staring at me! I'm Scotch Irish so my face turned about as red as a lit up Fender amp jewel!!! After a while you forget that you're the only one who can hear yourself, for the price the sound is remarkably good, rechargeable batteries are a must though, they like them fresh! If you don't get rechargeables you'll end up with 40 sets of almost used ones that are only good for the TV remote?
LOL, I used to walk around the house in the middle of the night with that lil AC in the pocket of my sweatshirt and my headphones on, never woke up anyone until I forgot about the headphones and started singing as well, my girlfriend thought I was on some kind of drugs! La, da, de, just singing at the top of my lungs @ 2:30 a.m., I felt like the worlds biggest dork when I looked up and saw her standing there staring at me! I'm Scotch Irish so my face turned about as red as a lit up Fender amp jewel!!! After a while you forget that you're the only one who can hear yourself, for the price the sound is remarkably good, rechargeable batteries are a must though, they like them fresh! If you don't get rechargeables you'll end up with 40 sets of almost used ones that are only good for the TV remote?
dg27
New member
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: headphone guitar amp
I have the VOX Metal it sounds great. The only problem is the VOXs are one trick ponies. The Metal will not do clean. For my clean tones I use Amplitude but it is a pain to drag out all the hardware every time I want to jam. If your wife is not playing a huge variety of tones the VOX Fender or Marshall clone might be nice. The VOX Metal does high gain great but that is all it will do. Side note those little VOXs sound great through portable speakers or even computer speakers. It is a nice option if you are traveling light or want to jam on the deck. I use a JBL Charge 2 with mine and it blows away most low wattage practice amps.
I have the VOX Metal it sounds great. The only problem is the VOXs are one trick ponies. The Metal will not do clean. For my clean tones I use Amplitude but it is a pain to drag out all the hardware every time I want to jam. If your wife is not playing a huge variety of tones the VOX Fender or Marshall clone might be nice. The VOX Metal does high gain great but that is all it will do. Side note those little VOXs sound great through portable speakers or even computer speakers. It is a nice option if you are traveling light or want to jam on the deck. I use a JBL Charge 2 with mine and it blows away most low wattage practice amps.
dg27
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
Thanks, Securb--this is very helpful. She will definitely want clean, with a bit of reverb.
Portability is the number one concern, which is why, if they're OK, I'd prefer the Vox-type unit.
And she's not going to come back and say "Why doesn't this sound like a Marshall stack?" :naughty:
Keep in mind that she has never played an electric.
Thanks, Securb--this is very helpful. She will definitely want clean, with a bit of reverb.
Portability is the number one concern, which is why, if they're OK, I'd prefer the Vox-type unit.
And she's not going to come back and say "Why doesn't this sound like a Marshall stack?" :naughty:
Keep in mind that she has never played an electric.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: headphone guitar amp
roland micro cubes are pretty good. I use one every day in my teaching studio. It always surprises me how enjoyable it is to play through. Definitely has all the tones and effects needed for practicing. I would heartily recommend it to anyone whether beginner or pro. Heck, i've even used it playing classical outdoors at a wedding gig! lol
The other one that is quite fun is the tiny marshall ms-2. They might not sound like a marshall stack but they are fun and can give you either hedaphone out or one watt of earth shaking thunder from the 2 inch speaker.
roland micro cubes are pretty good. I use one every day in my teaching studio. It always surprises me how enjoyable it is to play through. Definitely has all the tones and effects needed for practicing. I would heartily recommend it to anyone whether beginner or pro. Heck, i've even used it playing classical outdoors at a wedding gig! lol
The other one that is quite fun is the tiny marshall ms-2. They might not sound like a marshall stack but they are fun and can give you either hedaphone out or one watt of earth shaking thunder from the 2 inch speaker.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: headphone guitar amp
.....erm that picture is a whole lot bigger than the real amp! lol
.....erm that picture is a whole lot bigger than the real amp! lol
dg27
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
Thanks. I've been shying away from anything that doesn't plug into the guitar directly (meaning that let's you walk around with it plugged in) because she doesn't play in any set place. Sometimes in the kitchen, or the living room, or by her desktop. Her tonal requirements are basically nil.
Thanks. I've been shying away from anything that doesn't plug into the guitar directly (meaning that let's you walk around with it plugged in) because she doesn't play in any set place. Sometimes in the kitchen, or the living room, or by her desktop. Her tonal requirements are basically nil.
Lucy Diamond
Well-known member
Re: headphone guitar amp
I went to a music store on the weekend that was showcasing guitars from a new manufacturer and they were using Vox headphone amps that everyone went wild over. The tour manager said they were discontinued but I checked on sweetwater and they have them.
I went to a music store on the weekend that was showcasing guitars from a new manufacturer and they were using Vox headphone amps that everyone went wild over. The tour manager said they were discontinued but I checked on sweetwater and they have them.
dg27
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
This is good to hear.
Thanks for the warning. There are 7 guitar versions available on Amazon:
http://goo.gl/kfaM12
I think the Twin (clean 2 x 12 amp) would suit her best. She's not a shredder (yet :eyecrazy
.
Thanks for your input.
This is good to hear.
Thanks for the warning. There are 7 guitar versions available on Amazon:
http://goo.gl/kfaM12
I think the Twin (clean 2 x 12 amp) would suit her best. She's not a shredder (yet :eyecrazy
.Thanks for your input.
Re: headphone guitar amp
I understand you don't like "smart phones" and I assume you lump in tablets as well. However, between iRig, Amplitube and Garage Band (free on iOS) you get top notch amp sims and recording studio at your fingertips. Lay down a drum beat and backing rhythm and you can jam out like mad. Don't need to jam - then just use the built in metronome to help you keep time. Record ideas, play with different tones, take it in the car, in the gig bag, whatever.
I understand you don't like "smart phones" and I assume you lump in tablets as well. However, between iRig, Amplitube and Garage Band (free on iOS) you get top notch amp sims and recording studio at your fingertips. Lay down a drum beat and backing rhythm and you can jam out like mad. Don't need to jam - then just use the built in metronome to help you keep time. Record ideas, play with different tones, take it in the car, in the gig bag, whatever.
dg27
New member
Re: headphone guitar amp
Thanks for your input.
Neither my wife nor I use (or need) smartphones. We use desktops exclusively; I use a laptop when I travel. (When I'm not at my desktop I don't want to be 'connected.' I have an iPhone for work that I shut off @ 5pm on Friday and don't turn on till Monday.)
At home I use Pro Tools [full version] exclusively, with an MBox 3 and a PreSonus headphone amp.
This headphone amp for my wife is whole separate issue. If and when she needs to play through an actual amp, I have options for her. That's not what this is for.
She's been playing acoustic for a year and a half and I'm getting her a Tele just so she has that option [and every home needs a Tele ]. A Vox-type plugin would probably suit her best.
Thanks for your input.
Neither my wife nor I use (or need) smartphones. We use desktops exclusively; I use a laptop when I travel. (When I'm not at my desktop I don't want to be 'connected.' I have an iPhone for work that I shut off @ 5pm on Friday and don't turn on till Monday.)
At home I use Pro Tools [full version] exclusively, with an MBox 3 and a PreSonus headphone amp.
This headphone amp for my wife is whole separate issue. If and when she needs to play through an actual amp, I have options for her. That's not what this is for.
She's been playing acoustic for a year and a half and I'm getting her a Tele just so she has that option [and every home needs a Tele
]. A Vox-type plugin would probably suit her best.Similar threads
