Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by smilingdog1 on February 9, 2013 at 11:30am

Hi Eric,

Seeing that you are on a budget and just getting a start, I'd pick any working 8 or 10" combo amp. They call em practice amps because they're designed for exactly that. You can actually get a big sound out them and some street performers use them still. I wouldn't worry about effects pedals for at least a pay check or two and just focus on your first build and start strumming. If you want to practice without disturbing others, you have a few options. One option comes with a few of these low budget amps, it's called a phone jack (look for that feature because it's awesome). Second choice I'd go with a Vox Amplug AC30 Headphone Amp which will run you less than two Jacksons.

Anyway welcome to the Nation and have fun with your first build.

Smilingdog1

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on February 9, 2013 at 12:41pm

Get a better amp. In fact, hold out a while, save a few more dollars, and look for an affordable tube amp. Reason? Tone, tone, tone. Wish I had a dime for every budding guitarist going electric that gets a solid state amp to save $$, then they wind up wishing they had gotten a tube amp instead. But once the cash is spent on something cheaper, he or she begins to covet newer and better tones from their solid state. Dont get me wrong, lots of options and great choices in the solid state world of practice amps. But for $50 more, you can find a decent tube amp that will do your electric cbg proud.

 

Just my opinion...good luck in your search.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on February 9, 2013 at 3:12pm

If you really want something in a hurry, and don't we all, get the Mustang, although building one might be fun too. Tube amps are obviously better but for the price difference and for a beginner on a cbg I reckon you're better to just get playing, have some fun with it and upgrade when the time is right. If you're using a piezo rather than a pickup your tone is never going to be too silky anyway so you probably just want something you can overdrive and have a wail on.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on February 9, 2013 at 3:42pm

I have a little roland cube amp. All I can say is I love that little amp. Built in boss effects, long battery life if you choose to use batteries and pretty loud for a little amp. Could'nt ask for anything more. You can pick them up used for under $75.

Wade

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Permalink Reply by 3 Fingered Ape on February 9, 2013 at 11:39pm

Well I have a Mustang 1 among other amps and it gets used the most. If you have a computer to hook up to it the Fuse software that comes with it really opens up the possibilities with the Mustang. They also have a headphone jack and the ability to play backing tracks plus record. That's a lot of pluses for a $100.00 amp. 

Paul

 

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on February 10, 2013 at 12:09am

I have a this, I have a that...
Want you to make the same choices I made, it'll reaffirm my decisions...
Heh..
Mate a guitar sound is a super personal thing, take ur axe down the amp Mart and go bezerk, don't listen to anybody but yourself...

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on February 10, 2013 at 3:50am

Actually, I have a large number of small amps. All of them were under $75. Kid's right: trust your own ears. That said, for around $100, there are lots of "practice" amps with built in FX and amp models. Try em, see which you like.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Willmouth on February 13, 2013 at 2:47am

I agree.  It is all about personal preference.  I have a Roland Cube, a couple of Fender Amps, and a Pig Nose.  Sometimes it just depends on which day it is to which amp I use.

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Permalink Reply by L.J. on February 10, 2013 at 3:39am

If your building your CBG with a piezo. You need to try them out. I love tube amps but cant stand piezos plugged into them. I dont know that I like piezos plugged into anything actually. If these amps you are talking about are at a local store do what the Fridge Kid says and go plug into them and see what sounds best to you. Most practice amps should have a clean and gain or distortion effect. So the need for a pedal is probably not needed.

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Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on February 10, 2013 at 6:30am

by a Pignose amp...50 bucks and loud and ranchy vintage tone!

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Permalink Reply by Thorsten Hinrichsen on February 10, 2013 at 11:38am

I'd try the Mustang - especially if you use piezo pickups. You'll have plenty of possibilities there.

I play my piezo-cbgs into an acoustic amp and my P90-3stringer into a Kustom Contender (about 100 $) with tube preamp and lots of effect pedals. My favourite cheapo pedal for darker sounding instruments (humbucker guitars) is the Danelectro CoolCat Transparent Overdrive which makes almost any amp sound like a tube amp.

But there's not much gain in it and it makes some noise in a long pedal chain. 

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Permalink Reply by smilingdog1 on February 10, 2013 at 2:06pm

 Need a small amp comparison video.

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