A looonnngg time ago on a forum much like this (aka Guitarforum.co.za 😁) the 'best' beginner rig was deemed to be a Yamaha Pacifica and a Laney Cub 12. Much debate surrounded this, but generally it was agreed that this was (at the time) versatile and one wouldn't outgrow it as one moved to intermediate player level.
But I've been thinking, that's a long time ago and the gear market is different (is it?) and what would choices be today for a giggable rig?
You can still get a Laney cub, but it ain't cheap. You can still get a Yahama Pacifica, but there a ton of competition in that price range, with arguablly better specs & higher quality.
If you Reddit, the default (and ridiculed) choice is a Boss Katana 50 & a Squire Butterscotch Tele. I can't fault either choice 😅
The Katana (I've lived with a Mk1 50W for 18mths and I think it's damn good) - is a fine default choice. Does a Peavey Classic 30 sounds better? Yes it absolutely does, but I do not want to have to replace the tube sockets or tubes (also the reverb is limited). Does Orange/Blackstar/Marshall/Fender have a lot of alternatives? Yes - but I don't want to do all the reading and play testing 😁
So my amp choice is a Katana 100 - mainly for the FX loop & expanded pedalboard compatibility. The 50 sounds as good and I don't need the extra wattage (the 50 hangs with a drummer just fine), but the FX loop and pedalboard are useful enough to play the extra 30% upcharge. But if you must have valves...check out Blackstar and Laney.
Guitar choice however, is far more difficult. There are so many frikkin' choices. The mid-range Squires are really good, ditto for the Epiphone's and PRS SE's. Yamaha still makes the Pacifica, though I think the Revstar is far cooler. Then there's all the new brands out there - Shout-out to Harley Benton for making highly spec'ed guitars at lower price points.
Want a shreddy smurf - Chapman/Ibanez/Cort/Charvel/Jackson. Want a blues/rock machine - Squire/Epiphone/PRS/Yamaha.
I couldn't choose a guitar - The PRS Silver Sky SE is great, but so was the last Epiphone Dot and Yamaha Revstar I played.
Wierdly, were we talking bass - choices are soo much easier. Fender Rumble 100 + mid-level Cort/Squier/Yamaha (probably the Cort, it's not as attractive but is more versatile).
What would you choose?
