Helpful ReplyPractice amp recommendations

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Magic Russ
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2016/11/12 10:45:15 (permalink)

Practice amp recommendations

I am looking for a small amp to practice with in the basement while the rest of my family is asleep upstairs.
 
Here's what I am looking for:
 
  • Sounds - all I really need is a good clean and good lead sound.  
  • Line In - for when I want to play with a drum machine or MP3's.
  • Effects - Anything more than reverb is icing.
  • Connectivity - Nice but not at all necessary.
  • Batteries - Nice, but not necessary.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
#1
ampfixer
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 11:05:25 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Magic Russ 2016/11/21 12:39:10
A Fender amp from the Mustang series or a Roland Cube would both fit your needs. The Micro Cube runs on batteries if needed and both have headphone jacks for quiet practice. The Fender has USB connectivity to their software via computer.

Regards, John 
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#2
Cactus Music
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 11:08:16 (permalink)
I love my Blackstar http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ID15CombowFS
 
I paid a little less but didn't get the foot switch which I now regret. 
 
I played in a 5 piece rock band and it was LOUD. Don't let the wattage fool you. So it's not only my studio and practice amp I use it at gigs. I also have an old 74 Princeton and this is a close match tonewise and volume, but it lighter. 
 
When recording I can turn the master volume right down or off so perfect for what you want to do. 
 
The variety of tones is amazing and then the effects are top notch. The front controls take some getting used to , but you can dial in just about anything you have in your head. Then that can be saved to 12 patches easily recalled with the front buttons,, or better yet the foot switch.  With the USB to a laptop you can use the software to set it up and it gives you more control over the effects and then there's over 100 presets available.  
The day I bought it I tried it side by side with all the major brand modelling amps and it was my pick because of it's tube like punch. 
 
post edited by Cactus Music - 2016/11/13 11:11:50

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#3
Jim Roseberry
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 11:58:26 (permalink)
Depending on your circumstances, you might also want to checkout the Amplifire.
http://atomicamps.com/amplifire-pedal/
 
You can find them used on the Gear Page... for not much more than a practice amp.
 
You could use the Amplifire for practice (headphones), playing live thru PA, or recording.

Best Regards,

Jim Roseberry
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#4
rsinger
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 13:12:59 (permalink)
I've been seeing good reviews of the Boss Katana amps from people with extensive amp / amp modeler collections. I'd look into that. Quilter amps are getting good reviews as well, but are more expensive.

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#5
mettelus
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 13:25:37 (permalink)
The "while sleeping" makes me agree with Jim's suggestion, depending if you are going to play "as an amp." You also do not need to go new with things either, as a lot of old amps/pedalboards are still highly viable options.

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#6
BobF
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 14:41:38 (permalink)
Love my Yammy THR10.  It really makes these sounds even without the tennis shoes
 


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TheMaartian
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/12 14:41:56 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Magic Russ 2016/11/21 12:38:47
+1 for Blackstar.
 
For what you're describing, the Fly 3 would work great. I love mine. I also picked up the Fly 3 Bass amp. I also use it for checking mono compatibility and for playing my phone through when I shower. $60.
 

 
https://www.blackstaramps.com/uk/ranges/fly
 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Fly3

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#8
BRainbow
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/13 03:26:49 (permalink)
I love my Fender Super-Champ XD, a little tube amp with a nice sound of its own and some fairly decent modeling presets on Channel 2. Some basic in-line effects but no real control over them other than level.  No line in or batteries, though, and it wouldn't work too well when others are sleeping. Oh well, never mind.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Fe...mplifier/dp/B001L8KE06
 

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#9
Rbh
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/13 23:53:17 (permalink)
Musician s Friend has the SDOTD VOX AC4 tube amp on sale right now for 199.00

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Genghis
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/14 17:35:33 (permalink)
There's a huge thread on the new Boss Katana over on the Gear Page, and it looks like an amazing bang for the buck type of amp.  I'm getting the 100w head, but there is a 50 watt combo that I think goes for $199.  I don't have mine yet, but I've heard it sounds pretty killer even at the low-watt setting. 
 
It seems to have the aux in, headphone jack, speaker emulated direct out, and other things you'd want.  Won't run on batteries though.  100w head even has a 5" speaker for low volume practice.

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#11
ston
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/15 02:59:09 (permalink)
BobF
Love my Yammy THR10.  It really makes these sounds even without the tennis shoes



This times 10,000.
 
The THR just has no business making the sounds it does and it makes them at any volume level.
 
I've got the Fly as well, which is very nice 'n' all, but the THR completely kerb-stomps it.
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TheMaartian
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/15 09:47:53 (permalink)
ston
BobF
Love my Yammy THR10.  It really makes these sounds even without the tennis shoes



This times 10,000.
 
The THR just has no business making the sounds it does and it makes them at any volume level.
 
I've got the Fly as well, which is very nice 'n' all, but the THR completely kerb-stomps it.


For 5x the money, it should. Apples and oranges.
 
I'll take a closer look at it, but other things on my Black Friday list are calling for those dollars.

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#13
ston
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 01:43:56 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby TheMaartian 2016/11/16 08:02:25
That's not apples and oranges :-p  It's cheap amp / expensive amp.  I agree that it should, the point is that it does.
 
I regret buying neither and use both a lot for noodling/practicing.
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Slugbaby
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 09:07:24 (permalink)
I bought an iRig UA from IK Multimedia.  
it plugs into your phone, running modeling software.  I'm really happy with it.  It's portable, has a great GUI, and can be used with headphones or into speakers/monitors.  The basic package is decent, but as with their Amplitube package there's upgrades for specific items.  It might suit your needs.
 
I've never used it in a live setting, but if you turned off the "interrupting" aspects of the phone I don't see why you couldn't.
 
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigua/
 

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Slugbaby
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 09:11:55 (permalink)
Cactus Music
I love my Blackstar http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ID15CombowFS
 


That looks very cool, might have to try one out.

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Cactus Music
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 10:35:31 (permalink)
Seems the OP has not responded so we are now in talking to ourselfs mode... That's OK lots of interesting stuff. But gee, $500 for a stomp box!!,,  That's the beauty of the Blackstar, They are very good bang for the buck. 

Johnny V  
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#17
Magic Russ
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 13:54:00 (permalink)
I though I had posted last night. I probably should have started by saying that I was looking at things comparable to the Roland Cube series.
 
The first thing I played was a mini cube.  If I left the store with it I probably would have been happy enough as it sounded fine and was the right size.
 
Next was the Spyder, which targets people who are more gain headed than I am.  I followed it up with the Mustang.  I liked maybe half of the amp models, but the floor model I was playing seemed pretty noisy.
 
I also played the Vox Mini 5 Rhythm.  About a third of the control panel is dedicated to a rhythm box, which was like an amped up version of what comes on your grandma's console organ.  I would have rather seen them use the space for more eq controls (it has a single tone knob) or better control of the effects.  Even so, I probably would have enjoyed having it.
 
I haven't seen any of the smaller Blackstar amps, so I don't have an opinion yet.  I also would like to try out one of the Vox VX I/II series, but haven't seen a working model of those either.
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tagruvto
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 14:28:18 (permalink)
For playing while people are sleeping and for portability I use an iRig setup.
Decent tones, looper, drum kit available as add-0n and very portable.  Great for travel too.

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Slugbaby
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 16:06:00 (permalink)
Magic Russ
Next was the Spyder, which targets people who are more gain headed than I am.  I followed it up with the Mustang.  I liked maybe half of the amp models, but the floor model I was playing seemed pretty noisy.
 



I have a Spyder IV 150 - the clean sounds are good.  The trick is to ignore the presets and look in the manual for the specific amps it models and tweak to your needs.
I usually use pretty clean amps from it, usually either the Fender Twin or AC30 at the dirtiest.  Neither will stand up to the original amps for tone, but they're still decent.

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#20
Magic Russ
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 16:52:56 (permalink)
The one I played was the Spider IV 15, and it had four models - Clean, Crunch, Metal, Insane.  Your 150 has a lot more options.
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Cactus Music
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/16 18:57:40 (permalink)
Like I say I sat there and tried all the major brands, I pulled a US Strat off the wall, I tried for sure a   Vox, Roland, Fender, Line 6 and a Boss.  All were the smaller versions as I, like you, wanted just a practice/studio amp.   I  chose the Blackstar because it's clean tone was very close to a Princeton all tube amp. I find no point in testing amps with the distortion on full blast, I can do that with pedals.  They had the re issue of my Princeton sitting there so I also used that to tune my ears to what I want.  
Of course I did try the overdrives as well but for me clean punch comes first. I also looked for simplicity of dialing in the effects, Some only had pre sets that I think you needed software to change.
I found they each had faults, like to heavy, Noisy, sounded like pooh and mostly lacked the punch I like, I need that speaker to respond instantly when I hit the strings. I wanted to hear that Strat ring like a bell.  
 I did like the Vox 2nd best for punch. Sorry I cannot recall which exact models of most, I do remember the Fender was the Mustang.
And I think I remember the Boss being the worst and the most pricy. Could be wrong.
But this is the only way to shop as far as I am concerned. Looking up reviews is pointless for me because I think I'm spoiled by always having  Fender tube amps all my life.
We each have a sound we go for, so that's why only you can sit and listen and decide.

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#22
Jim Roseberry
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Re: Practice amp recommendations 2016/11/17 09:30:50 (permalink)
Cactus Music
Seems the OP has not responded so we are now in talking to ourselfs mode... That's OK lots of interesting stuff. But gee, $500 for a stomp box!!,,  That's the beauty of the Blackstar, They are very good bang for the buck. 



If you're talking about the Amplifire, it's a whole lot more than just a stomp-box.
With IEMs or FRFR monitors, you can play a gig with it.
It's similar to an AX8 or Helix (albeit more spartan on the EFX).
 
I had a BlackStar HT-100.
Nice sounding amp... especially given the cost.

Best Regards,

Jim Roseberry
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