Grateful Dead Music Forum

I just got a Gibson SG, and now since I have some more money saved I want to buy an amp that's a step above a jounior 10 watt practice amp. Can anyone reccomend a good amp by a "name" company that's cheep($250-$500). I was looking at the Marshall MG100DFX Combo which has 100 watts of power for $469.99 of the Marshall MG50DFX for 389.99, both from musiciansfriend.com, does anyone know if these are good for what I want, which is something that's good for messing around in the bedroom? Thanks.

i would go for a tube amp. like a fender delux or something smaller with lower wattage. Solid state amps are a bitch when they burn out. go with tube, the sound beutiful and last forever.

I have a small solid state fender amp, I have played for years(20), even at small gigs thru a board, it never gave me a moments trouble.
Here is a link for Fender Amp reviews, I hope it helps!
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... and/Fender

There is something about a tube amp the I really love. Its the warm tones I suppose. I have a small solid state amp that I use for just a practice amp.

In your price range a fender blues junior should be great.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... sku=480491

Thanks for the sugestions. I was also looking at a Epiphone Blues Custom 30 Watt 2x12 Combo Amp for $549.99. Musiciansfriend says it is a 30W/15W all tube amp. What does the 30W/15W mean? Also the Fender Blues Junior is a 15W tube amp for $399.99 from Musiciansfriend is that a go bedroom/garage amp, or would I be better off saving my money and keeping my 10W non-tube amp?

I am not sure about the 30/15 but there may be a switch to toggle between the two. I have a 100 watt twin and there is a toggle to take it to 25 watts with is very loud in the house.

If you are willing to go up in money there are many choices. Since you had a $500 limit I kept it there. No matter what you spend there is always something "more" that you can get for another $100.

this one is $649 ( and you can get it cheaper I am sure somewhere)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/produc ... =103231874

Jackr is right on. There is a big diffrence in tonal quality between a 10" and 12" speaker unless you have multiple like in a Super. I woudl definitely try to find tubes and 12"s.

Peace,

Gil

Fender blues jr. is a good solution here, for themoney. There are cheap mods you can do also to increase headroom on


thesehttp://home.comcast.net/~machrone/bluesjunior.htm


if you we're interested heres a good link for all kinds of mods to this amp

Well, for your bedroom, I would think you wouldn't need a 100W amp. However, I wouldn't get an amp just for your bedroom, because (hopefully) eventually you'll need to upgrade to an amp that'll accomodate a band setting in a garage/practice space. But even then, 40W is enough.

Currently I gig w/ a Fender Hot Rod Delux, which goes for $650 on musiciansfriend and the blond-covered one (for some reason) sells for $599, but I wouldn't go buying an amp from there if you don't have to. Check out your local music store and barter with them, most of the time you'll get some $$ taken off or at least get something for free (stand, strap, strings, etc.). If your rural, then I understand.

I would definitely go tube all the way. I will NEVER own a SS amp again. Tubes are too warm and once you play through one, you're spoiled (or at least I was).

If you're really looking to stay under $500, then this may be a good option:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=480512,

but my recommendation is to save until you can afford the blond Hot Rod Delux. I've had a Hot Rod for about 5 years now and LOVE it. You won't have to upgrade for a WHILE, if ever. But defintely do your homework and shop around, ask questions, and gain knowledge. You're spending a good amount of $$, and you want to be sure you're happy with what you've got. Also, if there's a Guitar Center in your area, you can always purcahse something from there, and if you don't like it, return it within 30 days. Hate to pitch the big boys, but it is a sweet deal. Actually, I think MF has the same return policy, I've just never used it. Good luck!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=480862

ALWAYS check out local USED bargains before buying new.

http://www.craigslist.com

Fender Blues Jr. is a good choice for the bedroom... as would be a Fender Champ, Vibro Champ or Super Champ.

BUT is this strictly for bedroom/livingroom or are you also planning to possibly play with a band? If that's the case, I'd look into a used Hot Rod Deluxe, with a little more headroom.

Forgetting about headroom for the time being, an increase in sound of 10dB is percieved as being twice as loud. 1dB is the smallest increment of sound that you can hear as a change in volume. Doubling (or halving) the power of an amp produces a 3dB change in perceived volume. So, you need about 10x the power to sound twice as loud. So a 10w amp will sound 1/2 as loud as a 100w amp. So in your bedroom, where headroom isn't an issue at all, a 10 watt amp sounds about half as loud as a 100 watt amp, like a twin. They will both be too loud.

-s

i like the sound of tube amps for some music, but i would stay away because to me they have like a natural compressiony sound which i dont really like... depends what your trying to play and the tone you want to accomplish

I have a Marshall MG30DFX. Its a decent amp, it hasn't given me any troubles and sounds decent enough for my humble purposes. But seriously man, save up for a little more and spring for tube amp. You are going to want to get a tube amp eventually anyway so why bother with the marshall solid state in the intermediary. Don't get me wrong, the mg30dfx is a good amp, but when I've had the privilege to play on my friends tube there is just no comparison between the two. Tube's rule.

My feeling, for what that's worth, has always been that if you're looking for your amp to to add to, and be an intregal part of your sound then a tube amp is for you. If you're looking for your amp to amplify and nothing else, like for acoustic guitars, jazz guitars, and where you play through a bunch of emulators then a solid state amp, operating well within its linear range, will do a better job of giving you what you're looking for. Solid state amps sound like shit when you try to drive them outside of their linear range, like for overdrive. My $0.02

I think i have the right amp for you. If you looking for some nice tone at a decent price check out some of Sarah Richters 5e3's. There a little out of your listed price range but the extra money is well worth it. Sarah wires here amps point to point and puts a lot of time into her work. Check it out she always has one up on ebay for a buy now price of around 825.00 good luck