Guitar amp recommendation?

[bb64]

Hi knowledgeable Roth Army musicians...I would like to buy my son-in-law an amp for Christmas. He has an Ibanez guitar. It is for using around the house. Is there anything decent for $200.00 or less? I know nothing about this stuff and I don't really want to ask him because I'd like to surprise him...Thanks for the help...bb64

[Cato]

Fender Mustang I would be good enough for a kid

http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Mustang.../dp/B0042EZH6W

it's useful and cheap. of course, it sounds great.

[BigBadBrian]

Fender Frontline 25R

FENDER FRONTLINE 25R LINK

[bb64]

Thank you kindly gentleman!! I read up on both and they both get great reviews!! They are relatively the same price so I guess I flip a coin huh? ...again Thank you for your input!! Much appreciated!!...bb64

[Nitro Express]

Fender Frontline 25R

FENDER FRONTLINE 25R LINK

I had one. I gave it to my brother in law. It was a well built amp and even the wood work on the case was great. Real tightly fit joints and the chassis was nice heavy guage metal. It was pedal friendly too. I thought it was better than the Marshalls in the same price range.

[jhale667]

If you want something a little more versatile (since you didn't indicate what kind of music he's into), you could check into the Line 6 Spyder series, too..

[Etienne]

If you want something a little more versatile (since you didn't indicate what kind of music he's into), you could check into the Line 6 Spyder series, too..

Not for $200 new (about $320), but also versatile Tech21 Trademark 30 ...

[Nitro Express]

Not for $200 new (about $320), but also versatile Tech21 Trademark 30 ...

Another excellent choice. I believe Les Paul used that amp. I like the Tech 21 stuff better than the digital modeling stuff. Tech21 is all analog so you don't have your sound cut up and processed. I think it has all the sounds a guitar player would need. Metal, classic Fender and Marshall tones. Some great cleans and headroom. Big enough to gig with and you can line out to a PA and balance the signal. A lot more amp for just about $100 more.

[Etienne]

Another excellent choice. I believe Les Paul used that amp. I like the Tech 21 stuff better than the digital modeling stuff. Tech21 is all analog so you don't have your sound cut up and processed. I think it has all the sounds a guitar player would need. Metal, classic Fender and Marshall tones. Some great cleans and headroom. Big enough to gig with and you can line out to a PA and balance the signal. A lot more amp for just about $100 more.

... even a headphone jack is included! Some Reverb also and son is ready to practice sometimes without disturbing the neighbours

[Hardrock69]

Seriously, you can find a ton of good amps for under 200 bucks these days. You probably are aware of what music he is fanatical about. If it is really heavy stuff (Metal, thrash, etc.) get an amp that has some really good grind to it. If he is into Clapton, SRV, Blues, etc. get him one that can get a great "woman tone" like Clapton gets.

Naturally something that has the best of both worlds would be best.

Best of luck on finding something cool.

And you must post a story tale after Christmas, letting us all know what his reaction was, lol.

[Nitro Express]

Good guitar equipment has never been cheaper and there are more choices than ever. When I started playing in 78 you couldn't get into a decent setup for under $400. That was $400 in 1978. It was a lot of money then. You could get a pretty decent used car for $500.

[Etienne]

...You probably are aware of what music he is fanatical about. If it is really heavy stuff (Metal, thrash, etc.) get an amp that has some really good grind to it. ...

...hmm, but what amp delivers this grind for $200 or less? For me grind starts between $300-400 new. Does the Fender Frontline has the grind on board? A distortion pedal costs too...

Ok, maybe we should wait until bb64 told us what kind of music son would like to play...

[bb64]

Sorry gentleman...I work nights. It's for my son-in-law, he's 35 and has been playing for 20 years. His favorite band is Metallica but he can play anything!! He learned Eruption in a half hour to play for me for my birthday!! He's not presently in a band, he just noodles in the house but doesn't have a lot of cash and has been using an old shitty amp so I thought I'd surprise him with a new one. I bought him an Ibanez for his birthday 2 years ago and he was ecstatic so now for the amp!! $200 is my spending limit for it and I welcome all input here...you guys are musicians, I am just a grateful father-in-law who appreciates the way he treats my daughter and grandson!! You guys can suggest a dozen amps but obviously I'll just have to pick one!!...and I most certainly will let you know his reaction after Christmas!!...Thanks again for the help...bb64

[Etienne]

Years ago I've tested the Line6 Spider Version I and it sounded not so good, BUT now there's mark IV and maybe this versions sound a lot better. Line 6 Spider IV 30 for around $200 or less streetprice.

Here's a video.

[Nitro Express]

...hmm, but what amp delivers this grind for $200 or less? For me grind starts between $300-400 new. Does the Fender Frontline has the grind on board? A distortion pedal costs too...

Ok, maybe we should wait until bb64 told us what kind of music son would like to play...

It was about as good as you could get with a $200 amp. If I totally dimed the gain and volume with a Strat I was in freaking Hendrix territory. The speaker distortion was great. If it was too loud I would just put the amp face down on the couch. I never blew it up. So I can recommend the Fender. If you want to use a pedal it works great with them but you don't need them.

[rocknrolldork]

The Epiphone Valve Jr. is one of the best low wattage heads ever. You can get an Epiphone Valve Jr. head and cheap 1 x 12" cab for $200 or less. You could even get the little Valve Jr. combo for $200 or less. Def less on craigslist. Other than that, the Line 6 combos are great practice amps. If it is just for home, hook him up with used Line 6 Live XL unit and a good set of headphones. With a good set of cans, the Line 6 stuff sounds great.

[rocknrolldork]

Forgot to add... Ed warms up w/Line 6 gear.

[Etienne]

If it should be an all tube amp, check out the Blackstar HT-1. A good candidate to have the grind.

Maybe you can get one for $200 -> Link.

[Etienne]

[Nitro Express]

The Epiphone Valve Jr. is one of the best low wattage heads ever. You can get an Epiphone Valve Jr. head and cheap 1 x 12" cab for $200 or less. You could even get the little Valve Jr. combo for $200 or less. Def less on craigslist. Other than that, the Line 6 combos are great practice amps. If it is just for home, hook him up with used Line 6 Live XL unit and a good set of headphones. With a good set of cans, the Line 6 stuff sounds great.

I use mine for a bass practice amp. You can mod them into being a real good amp but it requires buying a Mercury transformer and a few other things which adds quite a bit to the price. Not the the most versatile amp.

[jhale667]

I use mine for a bass practice amp. You can mod them into being a real good amp but it requires buying a Mercury transformer and a few other things which adds quite a bit to the price. Not the the most versatile amp.

Yeah, you're basically talking about turning it into a $5-600 amp at that point, and while it's not versatile the ONE sound it gets is glorious...

[Nitro Express]

Yeah, you're basically talking about turning it into a $5-600 amp at that point, and while it's not versatile the ONE sound it gets is glorious...

I have the combo. I upgraded the output transformer but left the speaker stock. Dime it and it sounds like a mini plexi. It really sounds great with a bass too. To be honest, it's the amp I use the most.

[Nitro Express]

Running a SansAmp into the front end. I've done this with my rack mounted SansAmp and you do get that nice tube saturation like an old Marshall. It's a good combination. If you want a classic VAn Halen tone, a Sans Amp from Ebay and one of these should get your there for around $200.

[Hardrock69]

Right on.

bb64, you picked the right buncha peeps to ask, lol.

[bb64]

Right on.

bb64, you picked the right buncha peeps to ask, lol.

Absolutely!! You guys know your stuff!!...Now I just have to go "eenie meenie miney moe" and pick one!!
Very excited about giving him this gift though!!

[crowhue]

Definitely the Blackstar HT1R if you can get one used maybe. Its an ace amp for domestic practice or recording.