Hey all,

I'd really love to get "back into" guitar in a big way this year. But finding time is an issue so I'm looking for the easiest way to just be able to "pick up and play".

Which is why I'm asking, what's your most accessible electric guitar rig? Something where it's just always ready.

• I used to use my Korg PX5D but the jack got super scratchy so that sounds awful.
• My BR600 is actually not so easy to "pick up and play". It's a bit bulky honestly. Nice tones though.
• Plugging into my amp without all my pedals is an option but it's only an option in my office. Not really an option for other parts of the house without lugging everything around.

Should I be looking at getting an iRig and using my phone? Are there other good options out there these days?

Without practice, I'm just never going to get anywhere but I really need to make it easier on myself or the resistance of, "ugh but then I have to go plug in everything" will win and I won't play.

Help! I need options!

Thanks for your reply!

V8 Not sure if you are looking for silent practice (headphones) or a small portable amp w/speaker & fx?

Pretty much silent practise.

V8 the Korg PX5D is cool (likely a easy fix)

Talk to me What do I need to do? I like that little thing. Super convenient.

V8 Option 2. Easy playing couch guitar - the pimpocaster lives (unplugged) on the couch - I run a few bits during 'tv time'. Only slightly more vol than a electric so it's mostly for maintaining skills than developing new ones.

Methinks the missus will protest

V8 Option 3 - Yamaha thr10. Super portable, usable fx, decent sounding on it's own and you can still plug the headphone out ino a pa/power speaker if you wanna use it loud at a jam

Hmmmm... pricey. I remember one of the Anderton's guys loving it as well. Went looking for a video and found...

Damn that's nice! Really good sound, nice simple effects, neat little package. I can see this working. Also nice for taking to guitar lessons. Right now I'd have to take the Orange Micro amp + cab. Which is small but not convenient coz they're split.

V8 Funnily enough, for once I didn't go the Katana route THough...the katana mini IS a option. Cleans & light grit tones are good, but the higher gain stuff is pretty ewww.

Can you still create your own sounds if you have the app? Maybe with headphones, that can still work?

I would almost say.. if youre around a PC, just get some plugins and wotnot for amps, cabs and effects. Something like Guitar rig which is free.

If its more for convenience. Then perhaps a setup that you can access on a mobile phone. Spark amps do that.. and well.. but i suspect theyre pricey.

I have the thr10 and its great. Other options are the Blackstar Fly, and there is a vox version too. The vox sounds great.. never played through a Fly.

Like Veee.. i mainly practise sans amp on the couch. The acoustic plinking is largely fine for me.

guidothepimmp Like Veee.. i mainly practise sans amp on the couch.

I thought I might be flying solo on that one! ️

guidothepimmp never played through a Fly.

I have, it's not bad! I liked that you can add a 2nd mini cab in for stereo (though that defeats the purpose of a no-fuss mobile rig?). They even do a bass version (yeah...no).

I'm thinking - If batteries w/speaker , katana mini, if on mains, yahama thr.

If headphones only...get the Pandora fixed. If it isn't fixable something like the Zoom G1 four (not the X that has the built in vol pedal) - nice thing ...built in drums & looper!

This pretty much blew my mind...

NorioDS that is the model i have.

You are welcome to give it a whirl next time youre in town

guidothepimmp thanks! I dunno when next I'll be that side but I'll take you up on that!

yo gents, hey. Its been around for a few years now but something I would recommend implementing would be Vox's Jamvox system. Like I said its a bit old now, so locating a unit, might be a snag, but I think its definitely worth a look.

nick_D01 Thanks Nick Does it always have to be plugged into a computer? Or is there a way to, say, save a few sounds on some memory banks and then jam away from the computer?

guidothepimmp If its more for convenience. Then perhaps a setup that you can access on a mobile phone. Spark amps do that.. and well.. but i suspect theyre pricey.

Nice! Didn't even know they existed. Here's a good vid on them for anyone else who's never heard of the spark amp:

What I also dig about it is that I can have it in the lounge and it doubles as a bluetooth speaker. Yamaha is way sexier looking though

Looks like the Yamaha THR 10 v2 can also be used as a bluetooth speaker and can be set up to have a "flatter" sound if you're using it that way:

It's winning right now

NorioDS If you are looking at bluetooth enabled amps you should also look at the Fender Mustang GT range and the Line6 Amplifi range. I have an Amplifi, and with the exception of the acoustic stuff, everything I've recorded for my competitions here and on whatsapp has come via that. Really happy with it.

Friend of mine has a Mustang GT40 which he is also mightily chuffed with, but I haven't played it personally.

Just adding some more options to the mix. From what I've seen, the Positive Grid app is the best, maybe followed by the Line6 one, the yammy and mustang fighting it out for third.

And then there's also the Katana Air. I actually have waaaay too many options now Although the Katana sort of disqualifies itself with its price.

And the GT disqualifies itself with it really bad sound

klaasvakie From what I've seen, the Positive Grid app is the best, maybe followed by the Line6 one, the yammy and mustang fighting it out for third.

This seems to ring true for me as well. I like the Yammy a lot but I also like the sort of "YouTube" jam mode of the Spark Amp. They already have my favourite backing tracks in there and the amp sounds really good. The Yamma definitely fits the lounge decor best though.

One way or another, I think this thread is solidifying in my head that I need a way to play guitar on the couch. Right now there are no guitars anywhere in this house except in my office and that means I hardly play.

Before spending a fortune on yet another device, I'm thinking of finding a spot for a guitar in the lounge and trying to get the Korg working nicely again. But, longer term, a bluetooth speaker / amp definitely kills more birds with 1 stone and should get people nagging me to play more of the time. Which might be good.

NorioDS Although the Katana sort of disqualifies itself with its price.

Yeah the Air is silly money. Not that the yahama thr is exactly cheep (new) either.

NorioDS I'm thinking of finding a spot for a guitar in the lounge and trying to get the Korg working nicely again.

Short term - I reckon that's a grand plan. Not sure what qualifies in yer collection as a couch friendly guitar? I mean all those pointy headstocks are not wife/pet compatible A squire mini might just suit... <tongue in cheekiness>

Medium term, maybe someone flogs a yamaha/spark/etc cheep 2nd hand? I'll keep a eye out, but @guidothepimmp has shopping skills that humble me. Heh.

V8 Not sure what qualifies in yer collection as a couch friendly guitar?

I'm thinking the Cort CR. It's well set up and plays well but it's not my favourite so I'll be less pissed off if something bad happens to it.

One thing I must say is nice about the Katana Air is that zero cables feature. Nice to just pick up the guitar and everything is ready to go. (I'm that lazy, yes! )

NorioDS I'm thinking the Cort CR.

Forgot about that! For sure, it'll take a few dings over time - the pimpocaster is a Cort too - paint has taken a beating n kept on ticking. Also I think the CR is 24.5 scale, so a little more couch-able too?

NorioDS (I'm that lazy, yes! )

Haha, yeah it has that cool dongle-y thing for wireless play. It's cool, I'm so lazzzy, I'll forget to charge it, then not ever bother. And then just play unplugged

nick_D01 Raru seems to have stock @ R759. If you don't mind my asking, how does that compare to what you paid when you purchased yours?

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