Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCity
Thanks all. This is helpful. To help clarify:
1. IĀ’m totally fine with used. I also have a brother in law who plays, who can likely help me assess whether something used is broken.
2. For now, IĀ’m thinking a home practice rig. If I need to play out, I can get a new amp then, but this would be for playing at home will the kids sleep, and practicing.
3. IĀ’d like a range of sonic options. I donĀ’t listen to metal, but would like to play a range of 70s rock and more modern 90s stuff. Like The Band, maybe some Pink Floyd, but also Green Day. Stuff my parents played me, and stuff I listened to in high school, basically.
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Have you bought your rig yet? I was in a similar situation as you a few months back. As far as guitars go, lots of good suggestions here, so I feel like there's nothing to add.
As far as amps and sound options, I have a solid state amp, a valve amp, and an audio interface.
If you want the most options possible, you might want to look into the audio interface/DAW route. I was actually having low expectations with this, but I was very impressed with the quality. My solid state amp has a AUX/Line in so I just hook it up to my computer and set the sound output to my amp so I can play literally hundreds of amps from the software. Turns my SS amp into any of those amps and I can play silently with good tone.
Of course, nothing beats the feel and the tone of a valve amp but if you go for this route, you will have a bit of a problem with volume issues, luckily I don't, so I use this is as my main amp if I just want a simple plug and play.
I think many will say go for a solid state amp or a hybrid, but I just want to offer the DAW route to you. If you go for solid state, perhaps get one with an AUX in, then get an audio interface so you can hook it up to your computer like I do and play hundreds of models and make it come out of one amp. Mine is a Vox Valvetronix and it's AUX in is used to play your mp3 player for jamming along backing tracks.
I also find using the audio interface is handy for improvement becuase it's fun to make tracks, record yourself and hear yourself. Beats the boredom of not being able to play with people in these times.