Just bought my first electric guitar and..

**sandmannn69** · 11-11-2010, 08:22 PM

If you're not in a band or not joining one soon, pick up a Line6 pod or interface with Gearbox or POd farm and learn your chops while saving for a Mesa or better yet, an Axe-fx. Plenty of decent tone choices in that Line6 modeling that won't break your savings bank.

**ohdamnitsdevin** · 11-11-2010, 08:26 PM

Thank you everyone for all the great input. I do have my eye on one amp in particular, the Mark V. However, I'm going to "test drive" a few amps I've been reading about on these forums before I fork over the cash. I really do want to develop my own sound but I do always refer back to JP when i'm doing just about anything with my axe. I for sure THINK that I want a tube amp. We shall see. Only time will tell.

**jam3v** · 11-11-2010, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by guitfiddle

You've gotta get what you want.

It blows me away when I hear people playing a really superb instrument through a crappy little solid state amp. You need something the equal of the guitar if you are going to get the best out of it. Don't put a 13" wheel kit off of a Tercel on your new Ferrari.

Even a practice amp needs to be good, because your tone needs to inspire you to play more and work at it more, otherwise you're not going to develop like you could. If you are like most players I know, you'll spend a lot more time practicing than you will gigging, so don't scrimp.

I really don't want to thread jack, but this might actually help the OP as well...

I have exactly this issue. I live in an apartment building so my current amp is a Roland Microcube. It never even gets to 25% volume, and when 9pm hits I put the headphones on.

A lot of people will say it sounds great - honestly, I really dislike the way it sounds.

Is there ANY option for a decent sounding amp that can be played (and can do rock/metal/etc) without getting evicted from an apartment complex? I have a Peavey ValveKing 112, which actually doesn't sound bad, but it's just too loud.

**the24thfret** · 11-11-2010, 10:25 PM

jam3v, at least for headphone use, there is nothing better than a POD, imho.

**fbecir** · 11-12-2010, 03:50 AM

Hello and congratulations ! Your JPX is superb !

The choice of an amp depends on the context where you will use it. If you want to play with a band, you need to have some power (at least 40 W with a tube amp). At home a loud amp will be a problem (your amp will not come "alive" if you play with a low volume).
I own two amps for rehearsal and gigs (Fender Blues Deville 60 W with 4x10" speaker, Marshall DSL401 40 W with 1x12", and if needed I have also a 2x12" cabinet), one for home use (BlackStar HT-5H, I use it with my 2x12" cabinet), one for traveling & holidays (a Marshall 2W - very small !).

If you do not intend to play yet with band, start with a good tube head (the HT5-H is nice) and a small cab. My advice is to take an amp with an effect loop, thus it will be easier to add some effects later on (of course you can use your effects in front of the amp, but some effects work better in the effect loop).

Good luck for your amp hunt !

**straycat113** · 11-12-2010, 04:27 AM

Well you are starting out in style that is for sure. I am surprised the salesman did not do the right thing on a small practice amp so you at least have someyhing to play through. If it is only going to take a month for you yo get a Mark V then I guess you can wait it out. I do not know your living arrangements or your skill level but I think you should vinvest in a good little practice amp

**sandmannn69** · 11-12-2010, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by jam3v

I really don't want to thread jack, but this might actually help the OP as well...

I have exactly this issue. I live in an apartment building so my current amp is a Roland Microcube. It never even gets to 25% volume, and when 9pm hits I put the headphones on.

A lot of people will say it sounds great - honestly, I really dislike the way it sounds.

Is there ANY option for a decent sounding amp that can be played (and can do rock/metal/etc) without getting evicted from an apartment complex? I have a Peavey ValveKing 112, which actually doesn't sound bad, but it's just too loud.

Blackstar HT5. The Micro Cube is an awesome little practice amp, if you dial it in.

**Tanax** · 11-12-2010, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by ohdamnitsdevin

I'm gonna youtube the crap outta Axe-FX right now.

Here's some Petrucci sounds with the Axe-FX:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LmFBTjQf80]YouTube - The Best of Times Solo[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRsdMB3lHoo]YouTube - Goodnight Kiss solo[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZxGZsnRQjg]YouTube - Axe Fx - Overture 1928 tone test[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3loUZ3dl4]YouTube - Axe-Fx Mark IIC+ Rhtyhm Sample (axe-fx axe fx)[/ame]

And probably the best of them all
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLjmNnXydVg]YouTube - Dream Theater The Dance of Eternity Guitar Cover + Ragtime Piano/Keyboard[/ame]

Remember that IF you get a regular Amp, you'll also need to buy effect pedals to simulate Chorus, Reverb and all of the other effects that JP uses whereas all of those comes built-in in the Axe-FX

**73h Nils** · 11-12-2010, 03:06 PM

A Mesa is way too much if you're not in a band. Trust me, I've been there and done that. They are disgustingly loud (in order to get good tones). Go with the Axe FX!!!

**Sweat** · 11-12-2010, 04:12 PM

OK wow nice first real guitar and way to go, cheap gear sucks

Now on the amp side, I do not gig etc. I like my 15W Egnater Tweaker, just try some stuff out first and again congrats

**ohdamnitsdevin** · 11-13-2010, 11:08 AM

I think I've decided to just go with a Mark V combo amp. I live on a 30 acre ranch with no surrounding neighbors. I can put the sucker up to 11 all day long every day.