Need to buy New "Practice" Amp!

ScentlessApprentice

So I just moved into a new apartment in downtown London, and I'm in the market for a new "practice" amp. I really don't need this to be very loud, 15watts-25watts max.

I've been looking at the Vox Pathfinder 15r and the Fender Mustang I, but I need to know if these would suit my needs.

To put this into perspective, I was using a 75watt Line 6 Spider IV at my parent's house (it is a big house, and there's a dedicated studio). And the guitars I use predominantly are a Gibson Les Paul Junior and an Epiphone Les Paul Custom. I'm also soon ordering a KC Mustang in Competition LPB.

I play mostly distorted punk, rock, alternative songs mainly with the Boss DS-2 Distortion pedal.

So, brothers, which amp would best suit my needs?

brandonwinmill

With the way they build amps now i think a "practice amp" is sorta dead. Most new amps have multi-watt options so they work in lots of different enviroments. If i were buying a practice amp then i would actually buy a low wattage amp more geared for recording and then have it double as a practice amp. If you buy something that is only a cheap solid state practice amp then that is all it will be and you will need another amp to gig. The smart money says buy one even if its a little more that will do both. Thats my opinion.

Doug

brandonwinmill said:
With the way they build amps now i think a "practice amp" is sorta dead. Most new amps have multi-watt options so they work in lots of different enviroments. If i were buying a practice amp then i would actually buy a low wattage amp more geared for recording and then have it double as a practice amp. If you buy something that is only a cheap solid state practice amp then that is all it will be and you will need another amp to gig. The smart money says buy one even if its a little more that will do both. Thats my opinion.

...like the new Fender Excelsior?

brandonwinmill

Doug said:
...like the new Fender Excelsior?

Yeah Doug, Most new ones all have multi-watt options. I posted about that fender amp a while back in the other forum. I'll buy them if i can justify it. I'll figure out a way if i want it. That one is good because of the different input options and the 1 15 inch speaker. It also isn't expensive so i would buy it as a practice amp and use it to gig sometimes also. I just don't think buying a amp just for practice makes much sense to me anymore unless you can get one for 25 bucks or something. I would get a little amp plug thing that vox makes before i'd buy a solid state cheap amp to use at home.

johnnykazz

I would get a VHT Special 6. They have variable watts and are tube powered as opposed to the solid-state ones you mentioned. You said you had a Line 6 Spider; coming from someone who has owned a Line 6 Spider and now owns and uses VHT amps -- a tube amp will blow your mind. Also, the VHT's are specifically designed to take pedals exceptionally well and they are also self-biasing meaning you can replace the tubes on your own without having a tech do it. They sell adapters and such so this amp can operate on many of the most popular tubes being used. Simple 12" speaker in the combo's means you can essentially replace the speaker with anything you want as well. I currently have the Special 12/20 set up stock and I love it. I won't replace anything until something goes wrong. That being said, if you wanted to do it, this is a good amp to modify until you find your own tone. Or just throw your pedals in front of it and go, it can do it all.

redman1401

I use a 50 watt 210 fender princeton chorus for my "practice amp" works wonders.

foxyloxy

If your after tone, these are some of the best amps you can get for the studio, practice or even gigs.

http://www.egnateramps.com/EgnaterProducts/Tweaker/TweakerHead/TweakerHead.html

http://www.orangeamps.com/tiny-terror-series/

http://www.voxamps.com/nighttrain/nighttrain50/