Beginner's amp recomendations needed

[Hfan]

My 8 year old son is getting his first electric (he's a lefty, can't use my righties). Can anyone recommend a small amp. Would like something small and new for the warranty, $100 range,Fender would be good, would match his Squire Strat. On board effects also would be nice.

Thanks

[kbp810]

Fender Mustang might be a good choice, or maybe a Vibro Champ XD?

[Guest HRB853370]

My 8 year old son is getting his first electric (he's a lefty, can't use my righties). Can anyone recommend a small amp. Would like something small and new for the warranty, $100 range,Fender would be good, would match his Squire Strat. On board effects also would be nice.

Thanks

 

I dunno, do they make left handed amps? I have not seen any yet!

[kbp810]

 

I dunno, do they make left handed amps? I have not seen any yet!

Yep, you either have to special order one, or just take a right handed amp and put left handed knobs on it

[TalismanRich]

You might check for a used Marshall MG30, or Fender VibroChamp. Roland Cube 20XL should be in that range used. Maybe a little Vox.

 

I tend not to like the little 6 and 8 inch speakers in most of the smaller amps. I would look for a 10" if possible.

[barrymclark]

Quality of the practice amps are TONS better now than when I started. All so far have been great recommendations.

[DC Ron]

A Fender 25r is pretty cool. Has a spring reverb built into the circuit board, but it sounds about right for that price point. I upgraded the speaker in mine and it's way better than a $99 amp should ever be. And it came with a tuning pedal at that price.

[gpuma]

I got a Fender Mustang but I was not very happy with it and I exchanged it for a Micro Cube (portability was definitely a factor in my case and probably not in yours, though). I would check a Roland Cube. The Micro is pretty incredible.

[Hfan]

Thanks guys, off to search now. I'm just thrilled he finally has an interest.

[DetroitBlues]

Fender Mustang might be a good choice, or maybe a Vibro Champ XD?

 

+1 on a Mustang. I'd avoid the VCXD only because there is no headphone jack. The Mustang has usuable tones and he can plug in headphones. For the price it cannot be beat.

[barrymclark]

I got a Fender Mustang but I was not very happy with it and I exchanged it for a Micro Cube (portability was definitely a factor in my case and probably not in yours, though). I would check a Roland Cube. The Micro is pretty incredible.

Got one. I can attest to this. I liked it so much I got the 80x.

[schundog]

I would have agreed with the Mustang suggstion, but I just saw that MF currently has the G-DEC 15 for $99, with the FUSE software that allows you to download additional backing tracks, etc. Not that an 8 year old needs that, but it's a really good deal. I'm thinking of ordering one myself. Only problem, "Expected to ship 5/25/2012."

 

http://www.musicians...423442000001000

[Hfan]

ok..

checked the Roland Micro Cube, seems to get great reviews including the one above from gpuma. Can run on 6 AA's or AC power and has effects. Does only have a 6" speaker but I have bigger amps if needed. The small size may be a good thing for the little guy..And I know he would love to bring this thing outside to show his friends hence the battery feature.

 

Fender 25R : 10" speaker, "dual selectable channels—Normal and Drive—auxiliary input for CD or drum machine use, a headphone jack and separate controls for treble, mid, bass, volume, gain and drive. Fender's Blackface cosmetic treatment". Minimal effects though

 

Fender Mustang 1: 8" speaker, 20W "contains highly accurate amp modeling, a stellar collection of effects courtesy of an all-new DSP platform, and many hidden capabilities, yet it's easy to use right out of the box! The all-new design is visually striking yet evocative of classic Fender styling.

The Fender Mustang I has got a loud, lightweight 20W power amp design and a muscular 8" Fender Special Design speaker in its solidly built cabinet, so it sounds as good as it looks. The Mustang I combo comes factory-loaded with 24 presets built from 8 amp models and 24 effects, with tones from vintage Fender to modern metal. The number of amp models can be increased with its USB connection and the included Fender Fuse software, letting you completely reconfigure the amp any way you see fit. The USB connection also serves as a high-quality, low-latency audio output, making it easy to lay down tracks to the included Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition software a breeze. Also included is IK Multimedia's Amplitube Fender LE software."

The kid is a computer wiz so the usb and software with the Mustang may be good.

 

Lots of nice little amps out there. The effects might be good for him the 25R has minimal, I do hve a CL find digitech multi effects pedal I never use though, might be too much with the extra cord and lugging it around.

 

Having trouble finding warranty details..Fenders may have a 5 year, hard to believe though. Will probably do guitar center for the conveinence factor.

 

Thanks goodness he has picked (unknown to him) his guitar of choice a black strat. Fender has a lefty Squire available.

 

Going to be a 1st communion present in a few weeks. Thnk you guys.

[Hfan]

I would have agreed with the Mustang suggstion, but I just saw that MF currently has the G-DEC 15 for $99, with the FUSE software that allows you to download additional backing tracks, etc. Not that an 8 year old needs that, but it's a really good deal. I'm thinking of ordering one myself. Only problem, "Expected to ship 5/25/2012."

 

http://www.musicians...423442000001000

Sounds good but I want to surprise him with the guit and amp on 5/20.

[DetroitBlues]

I've seen them used for around $60 too. I bought my daughter a Marshall MG15CD for $50, that wasn't a bad amp. Sounded great with a Les Paul.

[Franke]

since you specifically said a tube amp, I won't list any SS amps.

 

your best best is either:

 

1. buy a new tube amp (~$200)

a ) Fender pawn shop special Greta

b ) Vox AC4TV

2. buy a used tube amp (~$100-200)

a ) silver face Fender Champ

b ) Vox AC4TV

 

I think because of your two requirments (tube and $100) you are really limited in your options.

 

edit: because my b ) became

[SouthpawGuy]

For an eight year old I'd go for a Roland Cube / Micro Cube. They're bullet proof with simple controls. The Fender Mustangs are a lot more delicate and have menus / sub menus etc.

[Hfan]

since you specifically said a tube amp, I won't list any SS amps.

 

your best best is either:

 

1. buy a new tube amp (~$200)

a ) Fender pawn shop special Greta

b ) Vox AC4TV

2. buy a used tube amp (~$100-200)

a ) silver face Fender Champ

b ) Vox AC4TV

 

I think because of your two requirments (tube and $100) you are really limited in your options.

 

edit: because my b ) became

my op had no tube amp, maybe mentioned it later by accident. No tube amps just a new, small and cheap SS beginners amp with a warranty.

[Hfan]

For an eight year old I'd go for a Roland Cube / Micro Cube. They're bullet proof with simple controls. The Fender Mustangs are a lot more delicate and have menus / sub menus etc.

Thanks Southpaw, I am now leaning towards, the Microtube..bullet proof is good, especially for an 8 year old boy. Also small and has effects and interface I think. Knew I would get good advice here thanks.

 

Southpaw, funny you showed up, I was going to contact you about the whole lefty deal as you are similarly afflicted.. Bought him a righty mini Martin when he was 3. I know, 012 metal strings etc not the best idea. And he turned out to be a lefty anyway. I've had some lefties tell me to teach him righty anyway, but I won't he definitely likes to play lefty.

[gpuma]

The micro cube has no interface, just to be clear

[H]

No tube amps just a new, small and cheap SS beginners amp with a warranty.

So Dumbles are off the list then, Pete?

[Hfan]

The micro cube has no interface, just to be clear

Yes I just saw that, maybe a good idea, maybe h will concentrate on the actual guitarplaying ad not tech tinkering as he loves to do. Called up Roland..has a 90 day parts and labor and a 1 year parts warranty..hopefully will be bullit proof.

So Dumbles are off the list then, Pete?

He will be knocking down the walls with my twin reverb in god time Howard, assuming all goes well.

[SouthpawGuy]

Thanks Southpaw, I am now leaning towards, the Microtube..bullet proof is good, especially for an 8 year old boy. Also small and has effects and interface I think. Knew I would get good advice here thanks.

 

Southpaw, funny you showed up, I was going to contact you about the whole lefty deal as you are similarly afflicted.. Bought him a righty mini Martin when he was 3. I know, 012 metal strings etc not the best idea. And he turned out to be a lefty anyway. I've had some lefties tell me to teach him righty anyway, but I won't he definitely likes to play lefty.

 

I always let the person decide for themselves, even if they are going against their own instincts.

 

Had an adult lefty decide to play right handed, every time he picked up the guitar he held it lefty, then for righty. The only reason he decided to go right handed was because it would be cheaper to buy right handed guitars than left handed ones. After a year of lessons he decided to play left handed, it was like starting all over again and he lost interest and gave up. I had said to him on day one he would be better off playing lefty.

 

At the moment I have one girl who says she is ambidextrous, she's been playing right handed but after two months can't remember even basic chords, her hands just can't make the shapes. Gave her a loan of my acoustic for five minutes and even though she had never held or played a lefty guitar she had the basic A, D and E in five minutes.

 

Everyone is different, I have to play lefty but use a mobile phone, scissors, etc. right handed. I don't see anyone hitting on sports players for being lefty .. baseball, basketball, tennis, snooker, golf etc. etc.

 

A simple test I use to determine which way a person is handed for guitar is to ask them to clap their hands vertically to a beat.

 

A lefty will have the dominant hand on top, the left hand does all the work and the right hand gets hit. Some people, even some kids still these days, are told to write with their right hand, but when it comes to guitar they suddenly find they have no rhythm because they're using their non dominant hand for strumming. As I mentioned already I still let them decide which way to play but very often they have a weak strumming hand and can't keep time to a beat.

[Franke]

bah! I fail at reading. not sure why I got tube amp stuck in my head...well, maybe I do.

[Hfan]

quote: bah! I fail at reading. not sure why I got tube amp stuck in my head...well, maybe I do. :end quote:

 

Maybe because for a lot of us it is the only way to fly. Though I hear there are lots of good SS amps. Will test fly the micro tube and let you guys know. Specs: will run 20hrs with 6 AA batteries. Believe that when I see it.