Small Amp Choices?

wirt · 2013-03-21T00:00:21+00:00

So with my birthday coming up and everything, I thought I'd finally get a replacement for my little Marshall MG15. I had my heart set on a Marshall Class 5...

Small Amp Choices?

studmissile

Even better, go for the Laney Cub, but wait for one secondhand. For bedroom practice buy one of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/tascam-gb-10-guitar-bass-trainer-recorder
They are absolutely brilliant and worth their weight in gold. I've bought two of these (other the Tascam MPGT1 which is discontinued), I got them when Takealot was still importing and was able to get them on sale at about R1400 each. They are fantastic learning tools, play along to your favorite mp3 songs with adjustable multi-fx, loop function, slow down get phrasing correct. My only regret is that I never had one of these when I started guitar. Fantastic.

---mario---

I'm surprised no-one mentioned those little desktop 1/4 watt amp thingys, or any other less than 1watt cramp

Chocklit_Thunda

When I can't make a noise I use Marshall MS2 mini stack (the Zakk wylde version)... It's actually got a grittier drive sound than my 65W can offer. Granted the tonal range isn't big at all as it really just offers a semi clean sound to a overdriven sound but it does have the dynamics of a tube amp modelled in as it gives you more grit the more you dig in. And also it's the size of my two hands...

Might I suggest looking at something small like this in addition to the laney? This would be helpful for late night practicing when the noise is a definite issue. The laney would be useable during the day and evening but if you're like me and hit a quick jam before bed then a little solid state is worth it so that you don't Annoy anyone around you

They cost about 400bucks (last I checked) and I think other companies also offer similar sized portable mini amps.

Sebber

If it's solely for "bedroom" use I'd go the modeling route myself. I've never owned anything that you could describe as modeling before, until recently, I got an Apogee Jam guitar interface thingy for my iPad and downloaded Amplitube and, while it sounds pretty poor through the iPad's internal speaker (just about passable for very low volume practice), it sounds great through external speakers, and I even ran it through the desk at band practice last week and it really didn't sound bad at all! It's got various different amp models, as well as a wide variety of pretty good sounding effects: it comes with quite a decent selection of amps and effects, quite a few are additional in-application purchases.

Add to that other guitar and music related apps on the iPad I've got to say it's potentially a fantastic learning tool, I wish I had one of these when I was starting out!

Anyway, it might not fit your requirements doing the whole iPad thing, but some of those little modeling amps can sound pretty good, and you get a shed-load of flexibility for your bucks.

RJN

The only issues i picked up with my Cub12R is that one valve is microphonic , so i get this funny Squeely noise comming from the amp when I play certain notes. The other issue that people seem to have is that the Pilot light stops working.

So I guess these are just a few things to look out for when looking for a Cub 12R .

Warren

Here's a Cub going cheap: http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-musical-instruments-in-centurion/laney-cub12r-467631815

wirt

ShreddySmurf wrote: Here's a Cub going cheap: http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-musical-instruments-in-centurion/laney-cub12r-467631815

Man I love this forum ? Thanks Shreddy!

Chocklit_Thunda

I honestly just had my eye on that one ? But I shall bow out for you wirt! 8)

wirt

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I honestly just had my eye on that one ? But I shall bow out for you wirt! 8)

Ach no dude, now I feel bad.
I rate we settle this with a game of chance: Some impartial third party volunteer can flip a coin for us and post the result. I PM you my prediction (heads/tails) to remove bias from the volunteer. Winner gets first shot at the amp. 8)
What do you think? ?

Chocklit_Thunda

wirt wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I honestly just had my eye on that one ? But I shall bow out for you wirt! 8)
Ach no dude, now I feel bad.
I rate we settle this with a game of chance: Some impartial third party volunteer can flip a coin for us and post the result. I PM you my prediction (heads/tails) to remove bias from the volunteer. Winner gets first shot at the amp. 8)
What do you think? ?

Hahaha much as I'd love to partake in that game of chance I must decline... Where you NEED the amp, I just wanted it because it was a good deal. I don't need it at all? I live in an area where I don't care what my neighbours think when they're subjected to 65Watts of pure ibanez Psycho overdrive ?
Go for it dude!

And hurry it up! A deal like that doesn't last long!
Looking forward to your NAD thread ?
Peace!

wirt

Chocklit_Thunda wrote:
wirt wrote:
Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I honestly just had my eye on that one ? But I shall bow out for you wirt! 8)
Ach no dude, now I feel bad.
I rate we settle this with a game of chance: Some impartial third party volunteer can flip a coin for us and post the result. I PM you my prediction (heads/tails) to remove bias from the volunteer. Winner gets first shot at the amp. 8)
What do you think? ?
Hahaha much as I'd love to partake in that game of chance I must decline... Where you NEED the amp, I just wanted it because it was a good deal. I don't need it at all? I live in an area where I don't care what my neighbours think when they're subjected to 65Watts of pure ibanez Psycho overdrive ?
Go for it dude!

And hurry it up! A deal like that doesn't last long!
Looking forward to your NAD thread ?
Peace!

Thank you kindly, good sir ?

Norman86

im amazed no one has mentioned the small Vox tube amps yet???

please check them out! there are a few on display at ~~Makro~~ Dion Wired woodmead! (thanks to Tuerk Music)

Vox AC4 series amps are also in your price range, and also have various wattage settings!
4W, 1W, 1/4W...

Wizard

Norman86 wrote: please check them out! there are a few on display at Makro woodmead! (thanks to Tuerk Music)

Valve amps at Makro?
Nice idea ...

Norman86

Holy crap, sorry Wirt..

Its Dion Wired, not makro. Have no idea why i said Makro :-[
apologies guys :-[

IceCreamMan

Gearhead wrote:
Big G wrote: LP's always sound better than Strat's through Marshalls! Never considered a Marshall a good tonal match with a Strat.
eh... Blackmore?

eh...Hendrix?

AlanRatcliffe

IceCreamMan wrote: eh...Hendrix?

Live, certainly - for their volume and drive. But Jimi was just as likely to use Fender amps in the studio, particularly for clean sounds.