Just bought my first electric guitar and..

[ohdamnitsdevin]

So I recently purchased a JPX-6. John Petrucci is my idol and I've always wanted one of his signature models. Seeing as how the guitar was damn near 3k I only had enough to get only the guitar. No amp yet So my question to everyone is: Should I just save up and go out and get a really nice amp like lets say, a Mesa Boogie Mark V? Or should I just buy some sort of line 6 amp to get going NOW!? If I am to save and get a decent amp my moneys gonna be on some sort of Mesa. Seeing as how John is currently using a Mark V amp I'd want the same. Also any general knowledge on maintenance would be much appreciated. I've already gone and taken my guitar to get set up. For now it's just laying dormant in it's gorgeous BFR case.

If you guys want to see pictures of her go here MobileMe Gallery

 

[the24thfret]

First, congratulations. You couldn't have purchased a better guitar!

Second... Let me express my astonishment. Have you played guitar before? I'm very surprised that the JPX is your first ever electric guitar. It took me nearly 12 years of playing various models before I got my first MusicMan.

Third, the no amp thing... If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you blew all your money on the guitar! Personally I would have taken the same sum and bought a used JP6 or something and put the rest into an amp. You need an amp!

You don't just need the "top of the line" stuff. Your hero JP is an accomplished, professional musician. You don't need all the same stuff to have fun and sound great! If you are a beginner, the Line6 stuff is great! I have a POD and love it. The Roland Cube is also a great little combo for bedroom-volume practicing.

Are you playing with a band or something? Then you may need a bigger, better amp.

 

[fogman]

Congrats and welcome to the forum!!!!

I guess the answer to your question really depends on how long it will take you to save up for th Mark V.
If it's in the near future, then personally I'd wait.
But if you're talking a long while, I'd get something temporary so you can enjoy the guitar now while you save up for what you really want.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

First of all thank you for such a quick response! I've owned a little acoustic I got for free through my GF for about a year now. I have bought an ibanez and a line 6 amp before. Purchased both at the same time at a local Guitar Center about 7 months ago and promptly returned both with a 10% restocking fee of course! They just didn't feel that great to play on and sounded really crappy. I realize that it's probably due to my own lack of skill with playing on an electric but with that being said i've also played on a mark V with a JP6 and it sounded AMAZING! I did indeed blow pretty much everything I had saved on that guitar but to me it's well worth it. I typically blow my money on other nonsense such as video games, computers and tv's but I had to buckle down and just get my dream guitar or I would have never done it. Now that I'm invested in it I would gladly drop another 3k for a Mark V with a half stack (I think thats what it's called.. A stack?)

No I'm not in any sort of band but do plan on joining/starting one as soon as I feel confident enough in my own abilities. I dont want to sound conceited or robust but I am pretty good with any instrument I pick up. If theres one thing in this life that is my calling it would be music. I'm pretty confident I will be a great guitarist in due time just gotta get all the required gear first.

My whole philosophy when making purchases is to NOT get cheap equipment. I could indeed get a line 6 right now but the 400-600 dollars I do spend on that can go towards the Mark V. I just cant justify buying something I know I wont be satisfied with even if it is relatively cheap. I'd rather wait patiently and get what I truly want. Seeing as how I have no kids or any real bills buying my "toys" isn't something that will make or break me. I'm not "Ballin'" But finically I can live comfortably and save up for the things I want without any real stress or remorse over it.

 

[fogman]

you sound like me a few years ago, except i had the amp way before the guitar.

so if you held out for the Mesa, how long would it take you to generate the funds?

 

[the24thfret]

a line 6 right now but the 400-600 dollars I do spend on that can go towards the Mark V

A used POD on ebay will run you less than $200 and I think is a good interim purchase.

I do agree with your philosophy on buying quality equipment... I think that is the reason most of us here are MusicMan fanatics. We like good stuff. I'd rather spend 3k on a guitar and love it to death for 10yrs than have a POS that is mediocre at best and trade it after 2yrs. Assuming of course that I have the money in the first place.

I do think, though, that there are amps that could fit your needs well for much cheaper than a Mark V. Again, no reason just to get it because your hero has designated it the holy grail of sorts. There are tons of players on here with great amps, some you've never heard of, that get the job done, and maybe even help them develop their own unique styles. If you're saving, you might as well research and test a lot of different amp choices and you might be pleasantly surprised how many possibilities there are.

 

[Tanax]

If you're saving towards a Mark V, I'd personally go with the Axe-FX instead. It's slightly cheaper and you'll get A LOT more sounds in it plus it sounds almost like the real thing. Most importantly; JP uses an Axe-FX too so you will still have the stuff JP has

Otherwise, not only do you need the Mark V, you need a cab, effectspedals and other stuff. And you're limited to only 3 channels while on the Axe-FX you have like 128 presets.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

I couldnt agree with you more. The only thing that holds me back is I'm scared to death to just go out and get what I think is best because quite honestly I'm pretty ignorant to all of this. Also when I do try and talk to other guitarists about amp selections they try and up sell me. (talking about the commission workers at guitar center) I dont really know what to do in this kind of situation. I dont have any friends who play guitar or know anything about anything for that matter. hah! Thats why I just follow the BIG mans movies. The BIG man being JP. Also, I'd do horrible, horrible things for his tone!

Yes I know that if I were to play on HIS personal rig I WOULDN'T sound like him. It comes from the player and not the equipment. I whole heartedly think that, thats the case 99% of the time. The nice equipment does help though


What to do? What to do?!

I could have the Mark V within the next couple pay periods so about 1 month or so. I think I'm just gonna get it!

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

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

 

[the24thfret]

I'm scared to death to just go out and get what I think is best because quite honestly I'm pretty ignorant to all of this. Also when I do try and talk to other guitarists about amp selections they try and up sell me.

These are all good reasons to play a lot of stuff and get recommendations from people. You joined the right forum! No one is selling you stuff here.

The good thing is that a Mark V IS an upsell... it's crazy expensive! Get it if you want, but there is so many other options to try out, why not take your time? Again, there are a ton of amazing amps out there. Just because JP uses it doesn't make it the absolute best.

Better to buy what fits you best than what fits John Petrucci best. Just takes time to figure it out. And you're a pretty new player so you can develop a whole lot in the near future.

Do you have other guitar heroes btw?

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

Do you have other guitar heroes btw?

Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani. Thats really about it though. I like them all for different reason. JP is my absolute favorite! To me, he covers ALL the bases and that tone! OH THAT TONE!

 

[fogman]

I could have the Mark V within the next couple pay periods so about 1 month or so. I think I'm just gonna get it!

That's not very long at all.
I'd hold out for it and get what you already know that you want.

 

[peterd79]

That's not very long at all.
I'd hold out for it and get what you already know that you want.

+1

Welcome to the family! you won't regret it at all...

For me i played all sorts of guitars until i finally landed my first EBMM and i couldn't be any happier.

Now for amps... i would say this get what you want... i went through the phase of being a bit reserved on my amps... i would settle for something less than i wanted and would get pedals to try to compensate... it never worked..
Eventually- i sucked it up and sold off my amps and bought an Orange Amp and i couldn't be any happier with my amp, guitar and tone... i'm set! So get the mesa especially if that's what you're wanting. You could probably get the Mark IV and a 2x12 cab especially if you're not playing big stadium tours... a Mesa 2x!2 would be more than sufficient

 

[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.

 

[B2D]

Congratulations on the new axe. Sounds like you knew what you wanted there.

Go and test drive plenty of amps and buy one that satisfies you... not much else to it. The amp is the other 50% of that wonderful instrument system called the electric guitar. Can't have one without the other.

 

[sandmannn69]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[fbecir]

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 !