Need practice amp suggestions!

[StratMatt22]

Hey dudes,

I will be living on campus when my next semester begins, and my birthday is in 3 weeks. My girlfriend wants to get me a small practice amp so I dont have to use headphones coupled with the gnx4 everytime I want to play. Her budget is around $100 which is plenty for a nice little amp IMO. Only problem is I never really looked into these things before. My main amp is a Hot Rod Deville and I love the tube sound, but I dont think I am going to be able to get a tube amp this time around. I play a lot of jazz so a warm clean tone is important, and when I need distortion i enjoy a warm crunchy tone that still allows me to hear my guitar.

These are the two I have been looking at:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kustom-Tube-12A-Practice-Amp?sku=481230

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Roland-Cube-15-1x8-15W-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=480022

What do you guys think? The only thing that is bothering me is that there doesn't seem to be any reverb. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Artie]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

I have no idea what it sounds like, but that little Kustom is cute. Thanks for the link.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Roland Cube!! FTW

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Haven't heard the Kustom. I'd have to try it before buying. But I've heard good things about Roland so I'd go with the Roland, too.

 

[StratMatt22]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Yeah Im a little hesitant on the kustom, but if it sounds anything like my deville Id be happy. Any more thought?

Thanks btw.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

I played a larger roland cube and it is a good solid state amp. It has a good JC120 sound too.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

If you like the tube sound, I would consider the Epi Valve Junior Combo (I think thats $100 or so) and at the dorm levels you will be playing at, you will get some nice cleans. And when you bring it back home, you can crank it up for some warm OD. They're also great modding amps (speakers, tubes, transformers etc) because theyre so simple.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Get a used roland micro cube. On campus you can't crank ANYTHING up.

I believe they have a headphone jack which is really nice for that. They also have great cleans.

You can't go wrong with it. Have her get a used one.

 

[Jumanji]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Why Don't you try a Vox Brian May Signiture or a Vox Pathfinder?

 

[StratMatt22]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Alright here are some more ideas I have gathered from you guys. The Pathfinder seems really nice especially witht he spring reverb, but like the two I originally posted, is it too big you think? The next two are really catching my eyes though. The only thing is that thier prices are a little higher. Id have to see what she thinks.

Is there a such thing as too small?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Pathfinder-15R-Guitar-Amp-with-Reverb?sku=481948

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-DA5-Guitar-Amp?sku=482624

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...-Powered-Amp-with-COSM-and-Effects?sku=480196

 

[Jumanji]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Go with your heart the Roland is very nice. My practice Amp is the Vox Pathfinder it's brilliant I like it loads!

Have a look at the links below I thought you might also be interested in something like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-MS4-Micro-Stack?sku=482816
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-MS2-Mini-Amp?sku=482812

 

[Pecan]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

My friend has a pathfinder, a wonderful clean sound and the gain ain't to bad. You cant use it loud, but at bedroom volumes its great.

 

[coachc55]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Roland Micro Cube. Very cool and versatile. $125.

CoachC

 

[Osensei]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

I like the Marshall MG series w/DFX practice amps! For $165 bucks are so. It has some sweet tones that give you a pretty accurate picture of what your tone would sound like on a much bigger amp.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Need practice amp suggestions!

Haven't tried those other small amps, but Tech 21's TradeMark 30 is worth looking at and playing. Headphone jack, line out, XLR out, effects loop, 3 spring reverb (nice too), plus "modeling" (sort of, but it works). Plug it into a 1x12" cab (or combo) and it gets fairly loud.

I got the TM-10 a few years ago, but it's been discontinued. Nice little box. Only complaint is that you have to remember (or write down if you're old like me) the settings that nail a particular tone.

Chip