Need recommendations for learner guitar / headphone amp setup

[beaubrummels]

My niece wants to learn guitar. She's Japanese, so she likes bands like Whiteberry, (or others that sound like Scandal, etc; kind of pseudo-metal J-pop style, though not Baby Metal.).

Looking in the sub-$500 range, preferably near the $300 range, but can be flexible. Yamaha Pacifica's have low end models in that area. Don't know about the electronics or tuning stability.

Any of you teachers, if you have students that have had good experiences with particular low-end models, or anyone who has bought $300-$400 guitars that played well and sounded good enough to learn on; let me know what you got.

Also looking for some kind of headphone amp that sounds good; e.g. good amp sounds, distortion, clean, basic effects maybe. Things like the VOX AmPlug stuff or anything in that range; let me know what you have experience with that sounded good and worked well.

Thanks

 

[Artie]

I love Scandal. Especially "Space Ranger."

The Yamaha THR series are nice. Cool built-in effects and models, headphone out, and an aux in so you can play along with your favorite J-POP tunes. Or, just use it as a glorified boombox. Also takes batteries so you can take it portable. I have two. Nice, versatile units.

Some models of the Peavey Rockmaster (guitar) have a headphone amp built-in.

Edit: THR5x. The THR10's have creeped up in price, but still well worth it. And stereo too.

 

[Securb]

A friend of mine bought an Ibanez AZ. It punches above its weight. Didn't need a setup out of the box. Sounds great and has crazy switching options.

https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/model/azes/

 

[zionstrat]

Most of my first timers go with the inexpensive line 6 amps. Nothing spectacular about them but they have plenty of tonal variety and headphone outs k

They have no resale value so watch craigslist!

 

[ehdwuld]

I was looking at mooer last night
the they ave a GTRS series that have all that built in
amp effects wireless all of it just need earbuds

they also have a 3/4 model strat style with 24 inch scale , with out the fancy switching and electronics

I like my Spark Go for a travel amp
small not loud 5watt amps with great sounds and a rhythm track for practice

most any pedal modeler will have tons of amps and effects and usually a drum loop with a Headphone out

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Vox amplug is great.

Make sure she likes how the guitar looks, that will make her pick it up more often.

The epiphone Les Paul's are great for beginners.
Also used LTDs are great.

 

[beaubrummels]

I'm leaning toward the Blackstar amPlug - it seems to sound amazing on all modes and can configure the mix of effects and store 9 presets. But mainly, it sounds like the real thing.

Still working out the guitar part. The only Epiphone LPs under $300 seem to be the bolt-ons, which is ok, but they are only black, red or burst. I'm thinking there might be more music she could make with a schreddy guitar like the Pacifica or Ibanez types which come in 'girly' colors, and which are more readily available in Japan. But there might be some brands I'm not thinking of ... ESP/LTDs is a good call. I looked at the Mooer guitars but they were still on the line in terms of price. A contender.

 

[Artie]

It would probably be cost-prohibitive, but if she likes Scandal, it would be cool to get her Mami's Jazzmaster. (Only sold in Japan.)

 

[magillver]

I'm a big fan of the Fender Mustang Micro headphone amp, great tones, a fair number of effects in the first generation, and I understand that the second gen has even more... +1 on 80's suggestion to get a guitar she likes, absolutely spot on in terms of practicing/learning.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Harley Benton guitars work for the budget minded.

 

[Chistopher]

Y'all actually like amplugs? Maybe they got better with the 3.0, but I had a Vox 2.0 and hated it.

 

[beaubrummels]

Update: she got a Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V in Old Violin Sunburst. Still sorting out what amp for practicing.

 

[ehdwuld]

Oh i had exactly one of those once

Awesome guitars

 

[Mincer]

I tried the Katana Go this week and was impressed. Miles better than the Vox stuff, and the charge lasts several hours.

 

[donaldr]

Headphone practice amps: Boss Katana Go or Zoom G1 Four.

I recently go an IK Multimedia Axe IO One and using Crunchman audio unit plugin (free) on my Mac with Pulse IR loader (free): the best headphones amp sound I've got so far. If she has a Mac or an iPhone/iPad with usb-c she can use Garageband.

 

[beaubrummels]

The Katana is looking a little pricy. The guitar was only $299. The Katana is around $200. It has more features than I think she can deal with as a beginner. The Zoom looks similar to my Zoom MS-50G, but any Zoom would still need an amp to listen to it. I don't know if she has any computer stuff herself. They don't have a lot of money. The Katana is a contender if we can find it cheap enough. Thank you all for all the suggestions. This is very helpful.

 

[donaldr]

Contrary to your Zoom MS-50G, the G1 Four has headphones output and aux-in. If she has an iPhone/iPad the Axe IO is coming also with Amplitude and Tonex licences (so you can capture your best amp for her ).

I thought you were looking for an headphones amp solution. If she wants an amp then a used Boss Katana Gen1 is a good option.

 

[ehdwuld]

Spark Go
quiet practice amp

Maybe The stage right 5 watt
it $189 on Amazon or Monoprice dot com right now

 

[beaubrummels]

Contrary to your Zoom MS-50G, the G1 Four has headphones output and aux-in. If she has an iPhone/iPad the Axe IO is coming also with Amplitude and Tonex licences (so you can capture your best amp for her ).

I thought you were looking for an headphones amp solution. If she wants an amp then a used Boss Katana Gen1 is a good option.

No, trying to avoid an amp. They live in an apartment and an amp is likely a no-go.

 

[ehdwuld]

I have a Spark Go it says five watts but it is no where near that loud

I play it in hotel rooms regularly without issue

And it has a headphone jack