So I was browsing the forum and I couldn't help but notice that everyones seems like they know their stuff when it comes to guitar accesories and amps.
I was wondering if anyone could give me some friendly advise on what is worth buying, and maybe even how some effect pedals work and what they do and such :p

I feel I'm asking the obvious or something, but every time I hear someone praise a distortion pedal, I can't help but think "But doesn't the amp give distortion?"
I'm really not good at this yet, I don't even know what a humbucker is! Or even if it's spelled that way..

this is a tuff one to give AN answer to ....

i am a believer in amp distortion ( or overdrive/tube saturation )
but , some amps NEED the extra "ummph" from a pedal to sound good.

a humbucker is a double coil pickup ...really they are just 2 single coils put together side by side.

back to the amp question ...what do you intend to do with the amp ?
what style of music do you play ?
... and how much volume will you need ?
and how much money can you afford to spend on this amp ?








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ok, sooooo Mesa/Boogie Amps are the highest quality amps I have ever played, and it depends on the model but they have lush Distortion and lead tones which eliminates pedals,............
a quality tube amp can produce moderate to Screaching distortion sounds, now take fender for example awesome lead sounds for most softer gernres like Jazz & Blues but that's it they don't get very intense at all,..... I suggest buying something that can do both, Smooth & jazzy or Really heavy and distorted!
which mesa boogie can do
now Fender can do this to, but it needs assistance from a FUZZ/Boost/Distortion Pedal or a Hot Plate or maybe just some REALLY REALLY high output pickups.

the difference between Solid State Amps and Tube amps as far as distortion goes,.............
Tube amps reach Distortion naturally which is called IM Distortion
Solid State amps Reach Distortion through mulitiplying and confusing the signal, which is called quantization noise.

and yes it's spelled humbucker
I would explain Pickups but i'm on my way out to work.

when a power tube is overdriven ( amp cranked up ) into saturation , it produces thick, sweet , singing even order harmonic overtones.
the sound wave is round and warm.

a solid state power amp that is driven into clipping will sound harsh and not very musical.
its distorted sound wave is square , and harsh sounding.

so , a solid state amp needs a lot more power than a tube amp because you want it to stay clean ...and you WANT the tube amp to overdrive / distort.

did i explain that well ?








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"That is not dead which can eternal lie
.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A

Well, I really like metal and general heavy stuff, but i suppose I would regret buying an amp that didn't give nice clear tones aswell.
I don't really know if I NEED a new amp, I do have one that's not too old, but it has these default options and I'm still not sure how to work them properly.

I'm not sure if it's a solid state guitar or not, but you explained very well by the way
I can't seem to get a clean tone that doesn't screech (though I have nothing against that at times too) if I have even the slightest distortion. Listening to the tone guitarists like Steve Vai (Bought a double CD of his work yesterday ) etc. He plays slightly distorted but his three thinnest strings don't give a high pitched overmetalled tone. I think what I'm trying to say is, I can't get the slightest distortion without ruining everything I play that passes my D string. I just can't seem to imitate any other guitarists tone, and I can't find an own tone that I like.

what amp , and guitar are you using now ?
and what if any pedals ?








_________________
"That is not dead which can eternal lie
.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A

I think it's called
Roland Cube 20x
And I use a Schecter Omen Extreme, no pedals. I'll have to get around to asking about pedals and effects, don't know squat about them either :p

If you have the money go for a Mesa Boogie Mark IV, it will fit your situation perfect. It has the warmest jazz tones, to countryish style rock distortion, to insane death metal overdrive. Fits everything perfectly for me.








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Don't have the money I'm afraid. Like 2000 GBP is too much ;p Alot too much. I guess I don't really need a real pro amp anyways.. Yet. All those buttons and knobs would have me mighty confused aswell.

they are fine amplifiers ...but they are mighty pricey for poor folks.


there are more moderate priced amps that sound great as well.








_________________
"That is not dead which can eternal lie
.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A

Got anything to recommend?
Oh and I'm 16 (Don't think any less of me), so don't count on me being anything else than poor ;p

well ....Marshall ,and Laney seem to be a lot cheaper in the UK.

its hard to find a really great sounding practice amp that isnt expensive ...

Peavey is a good choice , but they might be more expensive across the pond.








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.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A

chuck wrote:

well ....Marshall ,and Laney seem to be a lot cheaper in the UK.

its hard to find a really great sounding practice amp that isnt expensive ...

Peavey is a good choice , but they might be more expensive across the pond.

Nope
we get great prices for peavey here

and yeah, i'd recommend peavey as a great sounding reliable amp








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Far Away I Must Go...
Away From The Sight Of The One.

chuck wrote:

well ....Marshall ,and Laney seem to be a lot cheaper in the UK.

its hard to find a really great sounding practice amp that isnt expensive ...

Peavey is a good choice , but they might be more expensive across the pond.

Nope
we get great prices on peavey here too

and yeah, i'd recommend peavey as a great sounding reliable amp








_________________
Far Away I Must Go...
Away From The Sight Of The One.

i have been a Peavey fan for many many moons .

how are the prices on the B-52 stuff over there ?








_________________
"That is not dead which can eternal lie
.... Yet with strange aeons even death may die"


proud member of G.A.U.P , and C.G.A.A