Got a new Fender Strat, could use a different amp

[natethegreat424]

Hey fellas,

I really didn't start playing electric guitar until recently so I honestly don't know anything about amps. I have a Crate 15 W amp right now, it does the job however I have a few issues. The problem is that I live in an apartment so although 15 W may not sound like much, even turning the amp just up past 0 is almost too loud. I literally have to put the guitar on 1 or 2 and the amp just above 1. Kind of ridiculous I know. Anyways, so recently my fiance's Dad made me the happiest man in the world by allowing my to borrow (and possibly keep) his brand new Fender Strat. It's absolutly amazing sounding as most of you know. Problem is that I usually have to play it unplugged which kind of takes away from the instruments great potential.

I was interested in selling the Crate amp I have and getting something much smaller. I want it to be small where I can actually use a little bit of volume. Also I know that when going with a smaller size you can probably get an amp with a couple more options than clean and distorted for a reasonable price.

Could you guys recommend a good amp for the following specs:

Guitar - Fender Strat
Style - Blues
Size - Small (currently 15 W is far too much)
Options - I'd like it to be able to have a couple of presets if possible.
Cost - Something in the $200 or less range.

Thanks for the help,


Nate

 

[piebaldpython]

New Amp

Hey Nate,
Congrats on the Strat score.
OK, there's the Vox DA5 that goes from 1/2w up to 5w with different amp models and a bunch of F/X too. That'll run you about $139.
Roland MicroCube with COSM amp models and some F/X too, $125.
I think the Vox has some pre-sets. I know the Vox has a headphone jack and I would think the MicroCube does too.
Neither is a tube amp, but I don't think you're looking for that anyway.
Either is a great little apartment amp.

 

[natethegreat424]

Hey Nate,
Congrats on the Strat score.
OK, there's the Vox DA5 that goes from 1/2w up to 5w with different amp models and a bunch of F/X too. That'll run you about $139.
Roland MicroCube with COSM amp models and some F/X too, $125.
I think the Vox has some pre-sets. I know the Vox has a headphone jack and I would think the MicroCube does too.
Neither is a tube amp, but I don't think you're looking for that anyway.
Either is a great little apartment amp.

Thanks for the info, I'll def check this one out. Other than the volume issue I have, I just really want something that can take advantage of the Strats' true ability and be able to switch between a couple different sounds.

 

[scgmhawk]

Hi Nate,

Congrats on the strat! I guess you have to go through with the wedding now!

Certainly, you'll want an amp but I would also look into something like this http://http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-VAMP-2-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor?sku=480674. I have one and it's great with headphones. You can get a variety of tones.

 

[natethegreat424]

Hi Nate,

Congrats on the strat! I guess you have to go through with the wedding now!

Certainly, you'll want an amp but I would also look into something like this http://http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-VAMP-2-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor?sku=480674. I have one and it's great with headphones. You can get a variety of tones.

Yea, it looks like I'll actually have to get married now... worth it haha.

I just checked into the V-Amp you suggested, def looks really sweet however at the time funds are limited so I'll have to go with the amp first. Looking further into the suggestions I got earlier I may go with the Vox DA5. It seems like it will fit my exact needs.

Thanks for the feedback though, I would love to pick up one of these V-Amps when i get the money.

 

[markb]

A DA5 is a good choice for a bedroom amp and the tones are great with just a bit of small speaker fizz around the edges. Add the fact that the effects actually sound good and you've got a really nice little package. To be honest I prefer the Fender cleans on this little amp to the clean tone of my Trademark 60.

 

[Tarin]

I've heard only good things about the Vox DA5 and the Roland Cube... i'll lean towards the Vox BUT... i'd recomend buying a Digitech RP250 multi effects pedal and a good headphones set.
This way you get the best of both worlds: variaty of amps, sounds, effects without bugging your neighbors.

I'm a beginner myself (1 1/2 year) and this little gadget has helped me to tweak a good tone, has gotten me to experience the different kind of tones that other amps have (subjective, i know), also how to manipulate effects pedal and lots of stuff.

I really recomend this setup.

 

[natethegreat424]

Thanks for everything guys, this info has really helped a lot. I think I'll end up going with the VOX. From what I've read, it seems to be pretty versatile. Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to pick up a pedal, they seem like a great addition. Thanks again.

Cheers,


Nate

 

[just strum]

I'm going to sound like the kid with a new toy, but if volume is an issue, I would consider picking up a AD30VT. The new toy part comes in with the new speaker I just bought. After installing the rajun cajun, it gave the amp new life and new sound. It's not a tube, but the new speaker gets you real close to a tube (IMHO). Others have installed the Celestion G10 with rave reviews of the results.

When volume is a concern,

"Power level control allows you to adjust the output wattage of the power amp, so you can obtain that distinctive power amp distortion even at low output levels"

You might find one in a store that still has them in stock, or hit the used amp market.

 

[natethegreat424]

In case any of you were interested. I did end up getting the VOX DA5. It arrived last night and it sounds awesome. You can set it from .5 to 5 watts so the volume is no longer an issue. It has a plethora of cool styles and effects that you can fine tune pretty well. I'm excited to see what I can come up with using this bad boy. Anyways thanks a lot for the recommendations guys, you def hit the nail on the head with this one.

BTW if any of you own the VOX DA5 or something with similar styles and effects I'd be interested to know if you have found any particular combos or adjustments that sound best for specific styles or resemble some of the greats... SRV, Jimmi, Eric Clapton, Albert King etc.

I found one online today for Slash:

STYLE : HIGAIN1
GAIN : 11 o'clock
TONE : 1 o'clock
MASTER : depends how much you hate your neighbors
EFFECTS : reverb
EDIT1 : 1 o'clock

 

[Gil Janus]

Vox has a section devoted to that on their website.

VOX TONES BY TYPE (DA5-DA10-DA20)

Vox Toneroom

Gil

 

[natethegreat424]

Vox has a section devoted to that on their website.

VOX TONES BY TYPE (DA5-DA10-DA20)

Vox Toneroom

Gil

You the man, this was exactly what I was looking for. I kinda feel stupid having scoured the internet for these when in fact they were on the VOX site. :thwap:

But thank you none the less, I look forward to messing around with these after work.

 

[Duff]

Good move Nate

I have a Vox DA5 and really think it is awesome for what it is.

I have used it on camping trips and the batteries really do last a long long time on a half watt and it's plenty loud for a campsite atmosphere.

I really like the sounds I get out of that little amp. I like the autowah and a lot of the drive channels and the clean channels are nice as well.

You can really tweak the models and effects and I'm getting better with that.

I will always take this amp camping or to the park or things like that and its is great for the bedroom.

Right now I'm playing my Crate V8 Palamino in the bedroom but like to use my big Peavey Delta Blues at low volume and hooked up to my Epi So. Cal. cab at low volume for a lot of nice sound but not loud.

The V8 with my RP350 in front of it is really cool playing my ESP Viper into it. Real nice overdrive sound at low enough volume. Also sounded great with my Squire Std Strat with stock pups, '08 "Cherry Burst".

By the way, the DA5 sounded super great when I played my "Black Pearl" hot rodded affinity Squire strat thru it. It has Seymour Duncan single coil humbuckers in it: hot rails in the neck, 'lil '59 in the middle, and JB Jr. in the bridge. These pickups sound incredible and don't sound like their full size humbucker brothers. Seymour Duncan did a great job in giving these humbucking single coils a special tone that suits the strat very well to my ear and thru the DA5 I got some super great sounds.

I'd highly recommend those pickups to anyone. I chose the particular set up for versitility and got it, for sure. They cost more but they are great. I still want to get some GFS rails though for another strat and see how they compare. It isn't really a fair comparison though, but I bet the GFS pups will sound great.

"Cherry Burst" with "White Out"

"Black Pearl"

Duffy