gear advice for a newbie

Discussion in 'Guitar Gear Talk Forum' started by moheet007, Feb 23, 2013.

  1. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    i've been playing the acoustic for almost 2 years, though i've been learning by myself.. so i'm probably a little behind the curve. i bought a yamaha pacifica 112jmx today... got an awesome deal on a used one... plus, the natural finish, black pickguard and maple neck make it look like one of those butterscotch blond telecasters which i absolutely adore. so i guess there was an extra win to an already win-win situation (this doesn't have much to do with my question, but i only just bought the guitar and i'm excited, so forgive my unnecessary rambling :) )

    so i need to start building up my arsenal and i've got some questions for the experienced playaas ( daym!)

    1. i currently only have the guitar so need to find the next links in the signal chain(amp, processor, pedals, etc). i plan on spending about 6-8k on this. so i need you guys to advice me on whether to buy a modelling amp or a processor(which will then be connected to a set of PC speakers i got lying around the house. of course this is considering the processor has a pre-amp unit). so... MODELLING AMP or PROCESSOR? also suggestions about which amp or processor to buy are most welcome...

    2.i will also have an extra 6-7k left.. so should i spend them on upgrades for the guitar? also your suggestions for uprades, like before, are most welcome

    all this is while considering i won't really be playing on stage or anything for atleast 2 years, after which i'll probably have a job and hence the budget to upgrade... i need your suggestions on what to do untill then.. the guitar is in very good condition (a few scratches here and there to show that it's second hand. however the electronics n hardware is working like new)
     
  2. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    so i searched a bit on the web and apparently PC speakers are gonna need more than just a pre-amp to simulate the actual guitar sound... so a slight modification in the question... which of the cheap amp (kustom, stranger, etc) would be best suited to work with a processor?
    modified question 1. MODELLING AMP or PROCESSOR + CHEAP AMP?

    also i looked around for specific stuff and found the Vox Stomplab and Laney Linebacker lr5.... any reviews on these?
     
  3. fena

    fena New Member

    beautiful guitar, that one :) can't really talk much about guitar gears, but one thing is, don't mod/upgrade the guitar just yet.
    Some people mod/upgrade for the sake of it because they like to tinker, which is fine, but the best way to do it is to play the guitar stock for a while, and then upgrade it in response to problems with the guitar. if you want a warmer neck pickup tone, replace it. if you find nothing wrong with the stock pickup then, its not the mod you need.
    Your taste on mods will change as you improve and gain more experience with electric guitars, so worry about that later.
     
  4. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    hey thanks for the advice fena! yes that does make a lot of sense! so upgrades on hold till i can play well enough... advice on the processor or amp thing will be really appreciated... :)
     
  5. guitarplayer729

    guitarplayer729 New Member

    Nice processor plus a nice cheap amp will do as you can change your fx chain on it.
    Spend about 10k on a processor and 5k on the amp.
     
  6. aryasridhar

    aryasridhar New Member

    I would go for a good amp first, and then see if i have some cash left and get a decent processor.....I would suggest spending more on the amp would be a better Idea.

    If you can, try looking for a Vox AC4TV/Laney Cub 10, or amps along those lines, the ones I mentioned are nice amps and will kill your need of a distortion pedal for the moment......they are tube amps and you can get the real feel of a Strat type guitar out of these.....

    I have a Laney Cub 10 which i plan to sell......Just in case you are interested......All tube 2x 12AX7' and 2x 6V6GT's......

    For the pedals, I think if you can tell what kind of music you play.....pedals could be suggested based on that.....
     
  7. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    @guitarplayer729: i got a total budget of 8-9k for both of them dude!
    @aryasridhar: a good amp is what an experienced guitarist friend advised me too... however i'm looking for a modelling amp... as much as i'd love to have a tube amp, i can't afford one...

    btw thanks for replying guys! :)

    as for the type of songs i plan on playing....it'd mostly be Pearl Jam and Soundgarden -ish grunge and classic hard rock (Led Zep, AC/DC, KISS, Cream, GnR, Motley Crue, etc)... add to it a little bit of John Myer and RHCP on the softer side and Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden on the metal side(nothing heavier than thrash).... but it'd mainly be the grunge and classic rock...

    P.S.: the budget constraints are due to the fact that i've just finished my education and am still looking for a job...most of the money for the gear is coming out of my own savings and i can't really ask too much of my parents (pride issues ;) )
     
  8. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    so i guess my question again changes to which modelling amp around 7-8k..
    here are the choices available on bajao for the same...
    Peavey Vyper 15 (10k)
    Line 6 spider IV 15w (9.6k)
    Laney linebacker lr20 and lr5 (9k and 7.7k)
    roland microcube (8.1k)
    vox mini3 (7.5k)

    and again...i'm sorry if i'm asking too many questions...
     
  9. saurabh.kishore

    saurabh.kishore New Member

    I would have invested in a good amp first.. cuz of the budget we are only considering solid state or hybrid amps..
    Never go for cheap Amps..

    Also a lot on deciding the amp depends on the music you play. SO it's always better if you can try the amp before buying it to see which sounds best to your ears.

    Most of them might not sound Awesome in that price range but still are great enough for home practice and even small gigs and rehearsals.
    My choices are in the following order:
    1. Fender Mustang 1 --- Rock solid AMP with tons and tons of features.
    2. Roland Cube 20XL -- Again nice sounding Amp
    3. Vox VT20+ -- Hybrid amp with a Tube Circuitry
    ----

    Also on a side note.. If you are not a fan of the smell of new plastic on your gear.. Getting a used amp is also a good option, which might give you budget to get a small Zoom effects unit to start with too.
     
  10. moheet007

    moheet007 New Member

    thanks for the advice saurabh! finally bought a Fender Mustang I... loving the cleans on the twin reverb and the dirt on the american 90s presets! :D
     
  11. saurabh.kishore

    saurabh.kishore New Member

    Great.. m glad to chose the Mustang... It will be more Fun when you start to play with the FUSE Software...
     

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