Hi all!
First post here and going to do my best not to embarrass myself, as I have very little experience or knowledge when it comes to all this and everyone else seems to be pretty knowledgable.
Anyway, I could do with some help. I need an amp. More specifically a home/bedroom/practice amp. Something that can work well at lower volume.
I want to say that I’m not a beginner as I’ve been messing about for a few years now, but in terms of my ability I’m still pretty much in the basic/rubbish area.
I currently play an LP Studio through an Orange Micro Terror with its little 1x8 cab and I've got a bunch of pedals (TS9, DD3 etc.). I quickly realised I didn't like the Micro Terror, and really the only reason I picked it up was because I'd dumped my previous amp and it was cheap and small. But I want rid and a replacement as soon as possible (the replacement doesn't have to be particularly small it's just the Terror was convenient at the time)
I’m really only looking to play at home, maybe with some friends, but I live alone so that I suppose that gives me a little more flexibility in terms of volume I can go to. I guess I’d like something versatile, and the sort of stuff I play (or attempt to!) is much more on the modern side of things. Mainly things like emo-y stuff (Alexisonfire, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday), punk/pop-punk (Bad Religion, AFI, Rise Against, New Found Glory, Blink 182), and some metal/rock/indie (Metallica, Maiden, Dream Theater, Death Cab for Cutie, Biffy Clyro, Idlewild, Incubus, Smashing Pumpkins etc.) I know, a terrible taste in music!
When I've done my research and looked for getting similar tones to the bands/artists I like what keeps coming up the most is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. Which I wouldn't have a problem with getting but I'm worried it's just far, far too much for someone like me. As I've got no chance of pushing it anywhere near to its potential, is it just going to be pointless and overkill for what I want/need? Can I rely on the master volume to work in my favour? Or just get anattenuator?
As the Dual Rec seemed too much I tried to find something smaller and more suitable. So when I came across the Mini Rectifier I thought I'd found what I was looking for. But then everything I've read about the Mini Rec says it's pretty much too loud for home use as well! So I've kept looking but just can't seem to find the perfect fit for me. This probably makes it seem like I'm somewhat hung up on Rectifiers but I'm definitely not wed to the idea of it having to be a Mesa. I just want to find what's best for me.
So I could do with some advice or recommendations. Something that can get close to the tones of the artists I mentioned but is going to be useable at home. Is that the Dual Rec, Mini Rec, or something else entirely? Blackstar? Jet City? Oh, and budget is £700-800 max (UK).
Be gentle though as you can probably tell I barely know what I'm talking about!
All opinions and ideas are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
(Apologies for the length, wanted to make sure I gave as much info as possible but may have gone overboard.)
First post here and going to do my best not to embarrass myself, as I have very little experience or knowledge when it comes to all this and everyone else seems to be pretty knowledgable.
Anyway, I could do with some help. I need an amp. More specifically a home/bedroom/practice amp. Something that can work well at lower volume.
I want to say that I’m not a beginner as I’ve been messing about for a few years now, but in terms of my ability I’m still pretty much in the basic/rubbish area.
I currently play an LP Studio through an Orange Micro Terror with its little 1x8 cab and I've got a bunch of pedals (TS9, DD3 etc.). I quickly realised I didn't like the Micro Terror, and really the only reason I picked it up was because I'd dumped my previous amp and it was cheap and small. But I want rid and a replacement as soon as possible (the replacement doesn't have to be particularly small it's just the Terror was convenient at the time)
I’m really only looking to play at home, maybe with some friends, but I live alone so that I suppose that gives me a little more flexibility in terms of volume I can go to. I guess I’d like something versatile, and the sort of stuff I play (or attempt to!) is much more on the modern side of things. Mainly things like emo-y stuff (Alexisonfire, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday), punk/pop-punk (Bad Religion, AFI, Rise Against, New Found Glory, Blink 182), and some metal/rock/indie (Metallica, Maiden, Dream Theater, Death Cab for Cutie, Biffy Clyro, Idlewild, Incubus, Smashing Pumpkins etc.) I know, a terrible taste in music!
When I've done my research and looked for getting similar tones to the bands/artists I like what keeps coming up the most is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. Which I wouldn't have a problem with getting but I'm worried it's just far, far too much for someone like me. As I've got no chance of pushing it anywhere near to its potential, is it just going to be pointless and overkill for what I want/need? Can I rely on the master volume to work in my favour? Or just get anattenuator?
As the Dual Rec seemed too much I tried to find something smaller and more suitable. So when I came across the Mini Rectifier I thought I'd found what I was looking for. But then everything I've read about the Mini Rec says it's pretty much too loud for home use as well! So I've kept looking but just can't seem to find the perfect fit for me. This probably makes it seem like I'm somewhat hung up on Rectifiers but I'm definitely not wed to the idea of it having to be a Mesa. I just want to find what's best for me.
So I could do with some advice or recommendations. Something that can get close to the tones of the artists I mentioned but is going to be useable at home. Is that the Dual Rec, Mini Rec, or something else entirely? Blackstar? Jet City? Oh, and budget is £700-800 max (UK).
Be gentle though as you can probably tell I barely know what I'm talking about!
All opinions and ideas are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
(Apologies for the length, wanted to make sure I gave as much info as possible but may have gone overboard.)
