Guitar Amps

Im looking to buy a new amp.. and I want something that can handle gigging.

But there's so many different brands etc.. I really have no clue about what I should get. Any suggestions?

MikeEnRegalia wrote: http://line6.com/podx3live

Yeah, that's good and everything but...

I need speakers, that's just a pedal ;<


I need something that's good for playing small gigs... nothing too insane, I don't wanna go out and buy aload of speaker cabs etc...

Just something reasonably priced that can do the job

I need to start saving then :D

^ Amp modelling is getting better and better ... and so is guitar modelling. I'm getting more and more keen to try the combination of POD X3 Live and Variax 700. Switching from Vox AC 30 + Fender Strat Single Coil to Soldano style amp + Gibson Les Paul neck humbucker just with one button/pedal ... and using amp modelling doesn't mean you have to use tons of effects. If you want it can sound exactly like a guitar directly into an amp.

BTW: One of the killer features of the new X3 is that you can use two amp simulations simultaneously. So nothing's stopping you from layering a Marshall and a Vox amp.


Edited by MikeEnRegalia - November 16 2007 at 14:58

I used a Mesa Boogie studio amp for years, good small amp...  I think Gilmour had it right when he was using Boogie or Seymour Duncan heads on Fender speakers

^ Of course a Mesa amp is great ... but it also costs like 10 times more than the Line6 X3 Live, considering that for such an amp you'll also need cabinets, effects/wah boards, tuner, equalizer etc. if you want the same functionality the X3 offers. And as said before, with the X3 you not only get Mesa type sounds but also Marshall, Fender and Vox type amps.

And about the foot switches: it's really quite simple to use. Most modern floor boards use the concept of "banks" ... to the left you have two switches which change the bank (up/down), to the right of them you have three or four switches which select different sounds within the chosen bank. Usually you configure the sounds so that each bank represents one "situation" - the first sound of the bank should be clean, the second one crunchy, the third one distorted and the fourth a highly distorted lead sound. The principle is not too different from the foot switches of "normal" amps, except for the possibility to switch banks.

The Line6 X3 Live should cost around $500 ... 

For real gigging and a damn serious amp... the versatility, diversity of sounds, and perfect engineering of Mesa Boogie is unparalleled IMO.

Sorry if that sounds like a sales pitch, but it's true.

Some people automatically call a piece of equipment garbage if it isn't old school analog with tubes and stuff.  Those are the people who hate Line 6 gear.  If you care about your sound and about versatility, Line 6 gear is fantastic.  If all you care about is having the same exact gear as [insert rock-star here], then Line 6 gear is not for you.  

Snipergoat wrote: Arghh >.< Im still not sure. Hopefully my local music shop will have one in stock and ill beable to play it before I buy it. Ive read some people saying that it starts to sound digital at high volumes.. anyone know anything about that? Is it bullsh*t? :P

If you intend to play at deafening volume you should consider getting a bigger amp unit with one or two 4x12 cabinets. But I'd prefer the alternative of getting a smaller amp and letting the power amplification system of the venue do the work. Less cool than a 2x 4x12 stack, but a lot smarter - and your back will thank you!