There are many different kinds of guitar amps on the market today. It can be hard to distinguish one from the other, especially if you are a novice guitar player or a complete beginner. You could easily go out and test every model and brand. Then, of course, you’d have to know how to play and how to test each function of the amp.
If you decide to get an amp, you’ll need to know what size package to get. If you don’t need a double stack, then you shouldn’t buy one. Amps come in stacks and single boxes. Stacks can go as high as they need to go and are more for the auditorium playing rock stars. A half stack, or an amp head on top of a box of four speakers is the better choice for a guitarist that gigs at some larger venues often.
Other than that, you’ll probably want to go with a single box. This will give you only one thing to carry and can have most of the effects you’ll need on board. My suggestion is to take a good hard look at the lighter weight models and brands. You won’t want an amp that’s too light or it will move around on you, but look for something you can pretty easily carry up and down stairs.
Two other great amp accessories that will make life easier are the foot pedal and the amp stand. There are many amp models that have these options built in the price. The foot pedal will save you from switching effects with your hand, which you’ll need while you’re playing. The amp stand will allow you to set the amp at an angle. This is great for seeing the dials when you’re standing, or helping adjust for conditions where your amp will be miced on stage.
I’m selling a Mesa Boogie Rectifier tube amp head with cabinet that has been used only for recording.
You check out the amp here on my eBay listings
Its a 3 channel dual rectifier including the footswitch and 4 x 12 cab. There is no reserve price or buy now option.
If your not familiar with Mesa Boogie guitar amps, they are hand built premium amplifiers that get top notch reviews from professional players.
Details from the Mesa Boogie site:
Dual Rectifier® Amplifier Features
- Handbuilt in Petaluma, California
- 100 Watts, Class A/B Power / 4×6L6, 5×12AX7, 2×5U4
- Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)
- Fixed Bias for Consistent, Maintenance Free Performance
- 3 Fully Independent Channels with 8 modes (Channel 1=Clean or Pushed, Channel 2= Raw, Vintage High Gain or Modern High Gain, Channel 3=Raw, Vintage High Gain or Modern High Gain
- Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence and Master Controls per Channel
- Output Level Control (over all channels, when activated)
- Footswitchable Solo Level Control - Patent 6,724,897 (over all channels, when activated)
- Selectable Dual Rectifier Switch (Tube/Diode - Patent 5,168,438))
- Bold/Spongy “Variac” Switch (Patent 5,091,700)
- Assignable Parallel FX Loop w/Send & Mix Level Controls
- Slave Out with Level Control
- External Switching Jacks for Channels 1, 2, 3, Solo & FX Loop
- 5 Button Footswitch (Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Solo & FX loop)
- Slip Cover
Your relationship to playing guitar is the most essential part of practicing and getting better. Always try to relax and have reasonable expectations. For instance, if you are working with tabs, just learn a small manageable section at a time. If you focus on the enjoyment of learning in the moment it will help you to stick with practicing more than if you are thinking about how good you should be or want to be.
Playing guitar well takes allot longer than most people think. It takes at least 5 years of considerable practice in order to perform live with any kind of professional proficiency. So until you reach that point don’t doubt yourself in terms of progress. Even when you get really good it is still most important to focus on the enjoyment of the beauty and quality of the sound you are producing.
You can tell when someone is thinking too much because the playing seems stiff and mechanical. So when you play tuitar try to just feel the music and concentrate on the moment. Not on what other people think, or what the meaning of the situation is in terms of thoughts about it. Just let yourself be. Just feel the music in your body.
That is called effortless mastery. Zen applied to guitar.
Dan-O
