Question for guitarists

  • Thread starter Thread starter mex
  • Start date Start date
mex

mex

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,974
Name
Nigel
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm looking for a practice amp, it needs to have a headphone socket (or I'm divorced) and portable. I have been looking at the Fender Mustang micro and Blackstar amPlug2, anyone used either or recommend any other?

TIA
 
Not tried either of the ones you listed but I’ve had a Yamaha THR10 in the past, which was very good. They do a 5 watt version as well, similar sounds but it doesn’t have all the features of the 10. The Vox Adio gets good reviews as well.

It really comes down to what features you want and how much you want to spend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mex
Orange do a good range of amps
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mex
Might be worth looking at the Positive Grid Spark or the Boss Katana too although may be more than you're willing to spend.

Alternatively get a plug to plug it into laptop/iPad and get a virtual setup.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mex
This is my first time logging in since November, and I've just dropped by for a non-photographic topic. :rolleyes:

mex said:
I'm looking for a practice amp, it needs to have a headphone socket (or I'm divorced) and portable. I have been looking at the Fender Mustang micro and Blackstar amPlug2, anyone used either or recommend any other?

TIA
Click to expand...

I have quite a lot of thoughts about this, but will try to be concise.

1. If you're stuck and do not feel able to use speakers AT ALL then you're probably better off getting a smallish multi-effects unit and using headphones through that. Reasons are cost, portability, space, fun with differents sounds/tones, usability with an amp in the future. It won't be the same as playing through an amp, but if you can't do that anyway then you won't miss a thing by not having a speaker.

2. Small practice amps suck tone. By practice amps I'm talking about the typical budget 5-15 watt amps with a 6" or sometimes 8" speaker, that sound thin, tinny, nasal and dull. Even when they aren't horrible, they're often not *nice* either - I've played through 15 watt MG series Marshalls and similar, and they need turning up before they stop sounding nasty, and that rather defeats the object.

3. Proper practice amps can sound good at low volume, but are expensive and aren't all created equal. A year ago I wanted a proper low-volume amp that would let me play and feel like I would if I were gigging, and did a lot of research. For years I'd wanted a Yamaha THR10 (both the THR5 and THR10 are 10 watts, but the 5 has fewer features and a smaller case) and then heard that there was an upgraded range. Having done a lot of listening and watching reviews, in the end I bought a Vox Adio Air GT like @boogie man mentioned, and I'd recommend either that or a THR. It doesn't have the richness that comes from a nice valve amp at reasonable volume, but it's a very acceptable alternative.

4. @T_J_G meantioned a couple of interesting small amps. The Positive Grid Spark is designed as a practice tool in terms of teaching you guitar, but tonally is rather thin and nasal. IIRC @Raymond Lin has one. The small Boss Katana rather falls into category 2 of this list, and sounds rather nasal and boxy.


Hope that's useful.
 
ancient_mariner said:
This is my first time logging in since November, and I've just dropped by for a non-photographic topic. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If you have the time you could always post in the Sony thread. We're a mostly happy and friendly bunch.
 
I mostly practice/jam using the amp sims in GarageBand with headphones. A good mate has a Boss Katana and that sounds pretty good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top