Headphone amp, recommendations?

[Lunaray]

I ordered a Hagstrom Viking semi-hollow body months ago and it's finally due to arrive in about a week! I'd like to get a small battery operated headphone amp, with maybe a few effects (reverb, chorus, etc.), any recommendations?

This will be my first electric, well sort of, I bought a Minarik solid body a few months ago, but it was too damned heavy, I'm a sissy acoustic guy!

 

[oldguy]

Any certain price point in mind? Depending on what you want to spend, there's lots of gear out there.

 

[Lunaray]

Any certain price point in mind? Depending on what you want to spend, there's lots of gear out there.

Probably no more than $100, will this be a big limiting factor? I've looked at a few in this price range, but this is new territory for me.

 

[piebaldpython]

Headphone Amp

Nice to see you again Lunaray. Two amps right off the top meets your requirements: The Roland MicroCube and the VOX DA5. Both have amp modelling and FX. Both run on batterys but I know for sure that the VOX has an AC adapter included. Both amps are highly thought of. MicroCube runs $125, the VOX $139.

 

[oldguy]

Nice to see you again Lunaray. Two amps right off the top meets your requirements: The Roland MicroCube and the VOX DA5. Both have amp modelling and FX. Both run on batterys but I know for sure that the VOX has an AC adapter included. Both amps are highly thought of. MicroCube runs $125, the VOX $139.

+1....both good amphs, and close to $100. And loud enough to play in the bedroom when you don't want to use headphones.

 

[Lunaray]

Thanks oldguy & python, but I'm looking for something super small, headphone-only. I have a Behringer acoustic amp if I want to rattle some windows, but what I'm thinking of is small enough that you don't even use a cord, it plugs straight into your guitar. Something like this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C-Tech-Pocket-Rockit-V2-Guitar-Headphone-Amplifier?sku=151708

 

[wingsdad]

+1+ on the Roland MicroCube, Ray. Small, light, AA batteries or AC, actually sounds better with headphones than without, but still a versatile, clean or mean little bugger wide open.
MicroCube at Sweetwater

EDIT: crossed posts w/ ya...if you want a pocket headphone amp, this isn't the vintage model, but it's worth a look:
Rockman

 

[piebaldpython]

headphone amp

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/amPlugAC30
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/amplug/

How's this Ray??? :rotflmao: VOX has different AMPLUGS depending on what amp model you want to use.

 

[oldguy]

Thanks oldguy & python, but I'm looking for something super small, headphone-only. I have a Behringer acoustic amp if I want to rattle some windows, but what I'm thinking of is small enough that you don't even use a cord, it plugs straight into your guitar. Something like this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C-Tech-Pocket-Rockit-V2-Guitar-Headphone-Amplifier?sku=151708

Oh, OK, I misunderstood.....thought you wanted an amph w/ headphone out capability.
You might check these out........ I hear good things about them.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Amplug-AC30-Headphone-Amp?sku=481676

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Smokey-Mini-Amp?sku=483005

 

[Spudman]

You can easily find a Behringer Vamp2 for 60-80 dollars.
Then you go to Behringer's site and download the editor software and that will keep you happy for a long time. You can even gig with it by plugging it into an amplifier or PA system. Great bang for the buck.

 

[Lunaray]

Have any of you used these Vox thingies before? I don't want something that's going to make my Hagstrom sound like some distorted heavy metal guitar.:rockon: Remember, I'm an old acoustic guy who wants to maybe learn a few jazz licks, mellow stuff. So far, at least to me, the Pocket Rockit looks to be the most versatile, but maybe it's just a piece of junk?

 

[Lunaray]

You can easily find a Behringer Vamp2 for 60-80 dollars.
Then you go to Behringer's site and download the editor software and that will keep you happy for a long time. You can even gig with it by plugging it into an amplifier or PA system. Great bang for the buck.

Thanks Spudman, a little less portable than I was thinking, but it certainly does have a lot of features, have you used one before? Wings, oldguy, python, are you familiar with this?

Thanks all!

 

[oldguy]

I haven't tried one, but for a clean/ mild OD sound, and something you can plug directly into the guitar and run 'phones out,the pocket rockit looks like a good deal.
The Vox plugs seem to be geared more towards rock, and most others (Rockman, V-amp, etc.) need a cord, and aren't made to plug directly into the guitar jack. I'd say try one locally if possible, or order from a store that gives you a decent timeline to trade out or refund if need be.

 

[WackyT]

This is what I use.

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=AmpworksG

Picked it up off eBay for $25.

 

[Radioboy950]

This is what I use.

http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=AmpworksG

Picked it up off eBay for $25.

A closer look at the controls...and this reminds me of a turbo-charged version of the Vox Valvetronix amp models and effects (same Korg technology).
Nice snag for $25, and I like the layout on this one.
Have you recorded with it? How's it sound to you?

 

[WackyT]

A closer look at the controls...and this reminds me of a turbo-charged version of the Vox Valvetronix amp models and effects (same Korg technology).
Nice snag for $25, and I like the layout on this one.
Have you recorded with it? How's it sound to you?

Sounds good. Lots of different amp and cab models to mess around with. I haven't recorded anything yet, seeing as I'm still a beginner. I mostly use it at night, and the batteries last quite a long time.

 

[tunghaichuan]

Along with the Behringer, I'd also recommend the Digitech RP series. I owned an RP50 and it sounded pretty good. It runs about $50. There is also the RP70, RP80, and RP150. All are under $100. Lots of FX, amp models & cab simulators for headphone use and recording. The RP150 even has a USB port to connect it to your computer for recording.

tung

 

[wingsdad]

...have you used one before? Wings, ... are you familiar with this?

I have the Behringer Bass V-amp. I got it instead of the V-amp2 because it still has loads of 'regular' guitar amp/cab models as well as bass amp/cab models, so it's more versatile, and fx out the wazoo. I like it enough that when I traded mine in to buy some other GAS urge (probably a guitar, dunno), I ended up buying it back pretty quick for what I got on trade-in ($70).

You can bypass all of that amp stuff and just use its simulated tube preamp setting to di, with or without fx. Works a lot like a Vox ADT series amp in that the eq controls work differently according to the amp model. Stereo outs, headphone out, aux-in. Comes with a footswitch to go between presets.

Only drawback in your case, Ray, is it does NOT run on batteries. Also no on/off switch; gotta unplug it. Comes with a bigbox AC adapter, and a 'gigbag'.

I've never bothered with the editor software.

Go here to the Behringer site, you can download the manual and check it out that way:

Bass V-amp

I saw one of those little Korg thingies at the local GAS station, used, for $40, the other day...tempting toy...

BTW: my own headphone amp? Original (25 year old) Scholz Rockman. The new one I linked to isn't nearly as good or versatile, but still decent.

 

[oldguy]

Thanks oldguy & python, but I'm looking for something super small, headphone-only. what I'm thinking of is small enough that you don't even use a cord, it plugs straight into your guitar. Something like this: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/C-Tech-Pocket-Rockit-V2-Guitar-Headphone-Amplifier?sku=151708

That was the reason I didn't mention the Digitech RP-series. I have the 250, and I really like it, lots of effects, built in tuner, onboard drums, usb connectivity, really nice.........
but it's definitely not what you asked about originally. It's not battery operated, either. There aren't a lot of options that plug straight into the guitar, super small, headphone-only, and battery operated, AFAIK.
I think all the suggested gear above is good, if you decide to go a different way, as in AC powered, corded to the guitar, and not-so-super-small, but then you're not going to be as mobile.ancake:

 

[jasongins]

How about a Line6 Pocket Pod? About $129, and functions as a good bit more than a headphone amp when the time comes.