Guitar Amp???

[GET-N-RITE]

Looking a buying a guitar amp for Christmas. Anyway the guy is trying to talk me into buying a fender acoustasonic amp. I play everyday but I am a beginner. I can play four or five songs just a bunch of junk to be honest, I am pretty much leaning how to play out of a book and thought an amp would be pretty cool to have. So do I buy a good amp or do I buy a little one for like 80 bucks?

[Ordek Avci]

Personally, I'd forget about the amp and put that money towards lessons, either in guitar lessons or in a class on music theory. That'll probably be the better long term investment.

[duxRus]

get-n-rite what kind of music do you play? If your playing just for yourself and a few friends then I'd skip the amp and go with lesson

[mfalkner]

Good advice so far, you seldom need an amp until you start playing out. But, they can be fun sometimes and handy if you play at church or something. Best advice - find some body or bodies to play with as much as you can. Don't be intimidated because they'll enjoy watching you get better, and you will.

BUT, if you just gotta have an amp, I have a 2channel 30w Sherwood acoustic that I'd let got for $100. They go about twice that new, it has some effects like reverb etc. and a clean acoustic tone. I bought it to use at church but since got a nice condenser mic that I just plug into the PA system.

What kind of music do you like? Maybe some of us can hook you up with study materials, etc.

[Jeff]

Amp choices also depend upon what your family/neighbors can tolerate. I have a marshall stack with a '64 tube amp that I think is the absolute bomb, however neighbors can hear me playing from over a mile away.

Then I also have a small Supro amp from the 50's along with a vintage Fender amp that I can play in the house.

If you are a beginner, I would get an inexpensive amp if you are playing rock. If playing church music I'd skip the amp for now and get a lesson or two. I think in the beginning music theory is kinda overkill. You need to make sure you will stick to playing guitar before you do that.

[GordonGekko]

I take it you're playing an acoustic...if so skip the amp for a while...lessons might be a good idea though....while I've been out of the loop for about 10 years I'm probably going to get back in it...my twin daughters are fascinated by music, guitars piano's etc....

while I was at my parents last week one of them talked my mom into digging out my old Gibson...sold all my amps 10 years ago, but had the foresight to keep the guitars.... so I may be "reinvesting" in an amp in the near future.... sure wish I hadn't sold my heads and stack years ago though can't afford anything that nice anymore

[flyhi2]

It's nothing more soothing than laying in a recliner playing something/nothing on a flattop.

[sunnylab]

I myself went to look at amps the other day. I found the cheaper section and they were $800.

How I wish i could justify buying a marshall stack. I wouldn't leave my room.

[Rice]

I taught myself years ago and have been playing a while...If its electric I would definitely recommend a Roland amp

[msbigdawg1234]

If u are just learning and are playing electric stop and get on the acoustic to learn you'll be much better off in the long run. If ya are doing both that fine and if ya need an amp start checkin with the pawn shops you can fine some better deals on amps at most shops.

[GET-N-RITE]

Thanks for all of the replies. I am playing an acoustic guitar only. I don't even have an electric. I like all kinds of music old rock, new rock, country, and blues. I could care less what I play. I just want to play good or at least decent. I have thought about taking lessons but I don't know anyone that gives them in Greenwood. The books I have been reading are for rock but its all old stuff, I plan on getting some blues books when I find some. Thanks for all the help fellas I preciate cha.

[Buckwabit]

I have the 30 Watt Fender Accousonic Smp and Love it. I play a J50 Gibson and I also have a 515 Taylor. They both play good on that amp. Here's the problem

If you start with an Electric guitar, You will have problems playing an accoustic. The accoustic has bigger strings and the strings are harder to press. This causes you to build up some good calouses on your hands.

If you start with an electric, you will develop them slowly and you won't be able to play an accoustic for more than ten min before your figers are killing you. I've been playing for 15 years. I can speak from Personal Experience on this issue

[MudHog]

I have an older family friend that has been playing guitar all his life. If you look at the ends of his fingers, you can see the indentions where the strings wore into his fingers. This guy has been playing for upwards of 50+ years though, both acoustic (90% of his playing) and electric. He once had an old steel that I actually started getting decent at, but he ended up getting rid of it. I'd love to have his collection of Peavey amps.

[weimhunter]

Until you get serious with it, just go to local pawn shop and by a small amp. just make sure it is for guitar and not bass. You can pick up a ok amp for under 80 bucks.

[weimhunter]

Also, I have about a thousand small amps of every kind! LOL If you come to the Point give me a shout. I got a few for about 70 bucks.