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Small guitar amp for apartment.

balloonshark

balloonshark

Diamond Member
I need a few suggestions please. I ordered a Monoprice California Classic electric guitar (strat copy) for $70. I bought it to learn with and I'm most interested in rock and blues. Can you recommend a small amp for use in an apartment for under $130 that would be good for those genres? I just started looking and the Fender Mustang 1 v2 looks interesting but I'm a little afraid it and similar models won't be good for blues. Also, part of me doesn't really want to spend that much on an amp until I'm committed to playing. In reality something like the Fender Frontman 10G would probably work.
 
I would skip getting an amp right now. You did the right thing by buying something cheap to learn on. If you don't enjoy playing you aren't out too much cash. Don't buy all this equipment just to find out it's not for you. Learn a few chords, scales, modes, etc. and go from there. This won't happen overnight, but be patient about it and it'll happen! I remember the 'F' chord being "impossible!" 😀

Good luck and keep at it!
 
Should check out Rock Smith as well. Plug your guitar right into your PC or game console and it teaches you how to play.
 
Yeah for that price range I wouldn't bother with an amp just yet, find a cheap interface and just jam through your computer for now until you are more confident in your desire to keep playing.
 
nakedfrog said:
The Line 6 Spider IV is pretty well-regarded.
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I watched a few vids on that amp. It sounded as if it does rock well but what about the blues?

I do have headphones. I have a set of Audio-Technica M40fs and M50. I just don't have an amp. Also, as a temporary solution can I plug the guitar into the input of my computer or into my home theater receiver without damaging them or the guitar?
 
The words 'amp' and 'apartment' should never be used in the same sentence. Your neighbors will thank us later. Get headphones.
 
mmntech said:
Should check out Rock Smith as well. Plug your guitar right into your PC or game console and it teaches you how to play.
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Thanks. That looks like something that may keep learning interesting.

edro said:
People really like the Roland Micro Cube, but it's $150.
On the plus side, they hold their value really well, so you can always sell it.
http://www.amazon.com/Roland-Micro-Cube-Guitar-Amp/dp/B0002D0096

I love watching and playing along with this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/user/martyzsongs
He has thousands of videos and I find him easy to follow and he often simplifies songs for you.
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I was looking at the Micro Cubes today because of a thread from last May. It looks like they have two models. One is a GX that works with Apple devices and the one you linked to. I don't own Apple stuff so it looks like I could only use the normal amp. They do seem a bit pricey though.

Also thanks for the link. I've add it to my bookmarks.

Cerpin Taxt said:
Marshall 2204.
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That would be like Fred Sanford riding around in a Ferrari 308 GTS :biggrin:
 
Pulsar said:
The words 'amp' and 'apartment' should never be used in the same sentence. Your neighbors will thank us later. Get headphones.
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You realize that many small practice amps do more than amplify, yes? The Fender Mustang has a following who has figured out how to get it to sound like a lot of classic amps, and you can download the presets and upload to the Mustang over USB.

Just plug headphones into the amp if you want to keep it quiet.
 
BoberFett said:
You realize that many small practice amps do more than amplify, yes? The Fender Mustang has a following who has figured out how to get it to sound like a lot of classic amps, and you can download the presets and upload to the Mustang over USB.

Just plug headphones into the amp if you want to keep it quiet.
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That's what interests me about the Mustang. I'm not sure if Line 6 has that type of interface or not but it does come with access to lessons and is cheaper.

futurefields said:
i have a microcube, it works good

honestly i would suggest a usb audio interface and amp sim

thats all i use these days
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I haven't heard about USB interfaces and amp sims. Do you have any suggestions?

Naer said:
I gotta make a second attempt at learning the guitar, just procastinating
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I've also been procrastinating. I firmly believe a person should express themselves through some kind of art. It's something we can leave behind once we're gone.

* Edit: Can someone please suggest a good guitar forum that's good for beginners?
 
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Unless you have your own house to crank up the sound, headphones will always rule. You get close, personal sound that you can really hear and enjoy.

That said, I would either get a small amp emulator device (monoprice has some basic ones) or something like Guitar Rig for PC.

img-ce-gallery-guitar-rig_overview_01_gallery-intro_01_2x-2865b2c5c2b24ff58b8d1d822c520751-d.jpg


GuitarRig is an amazing emulator with a ton of options and built-in presets.
 
balloonshark said:
That's what interests me about the Mustang. I'm not sure if Line 6 has that type of interface or not but it does come with access to lessons and is cheaper.


I haven't heard about USB interfaces and amp sims. Do you have any suggestions?


I've also been procrastinating. I firmly believe a person should express themselves through some kind of art. It's something we can leave behind once we're gone.

* Edit: Can someone please suggest a good guitar forum that's good for beginners?
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For modulation though the PC, look into Line6 Pod Studio products. I had the UX1 and it worked well. It's a box that plugs into your PC via USB, and the software allows you to model different amp sounds w/ pedals and all that. Not perfect, but way more than most amateurs would get out of just a single amp and pedal.

There might be other options, but that's what I've used.

edit: And you don't HAVE to use the line6 software if you don't want to. You can use the UX1 for the interface into the PC, and use GuitarRig for the software as mentioned above if you wanted.
 
What are your opinions of the Fender Mustang 1 version 1 (not v2 supposedly) 20 watt amp and Behringer UCA222? I found the amp for $60 shipped from Amazon and it said it was "like new" by a third party seller but shipped from amazon. Also, do you think the Behringer UCA222 would be useful?
 
Do you see yourself wanting to plug into your computer everytime you jam?

Since you live in an apartment, I wouldn't get an amp.

I'd get something different so that you can use headphones. The Beheringer + Guitar Rig on your PC would give you a pretty cool experience.
 
TechBoyJK said:
Do you see yourself wanting to plug into your computer everytime you jam?

Since you live in an apartment, I wouldn't get an amp.

I'd get something different so that you can use headphones. The Beheringer + Guitar Rig on your PC would give you a pretty cool experience.
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I wear headphones for computing, gaming and watching tv. I actually wear them too much. This is a small building and my one and only neighbor is ok with what I do. The other neighbor will be my landlords father in a few months after they remodel the downstairs. It's changing from the father's busniness to one large apartment. That will limit my "noise time" but I honestly don't need to crank things up to the max. Plus I try to be a good neighbor. I just need to give my ears a break from using headphones occasionally. Plus I have really crappy, old Altec Lansing computer speakers. If an amp is too loud then I'll forget about it. If it can play gently then I'll grab it. I honestly don't know how quiet they can play and still sound decent.
 
That vox does look nice. I looked at the Vox mini line and almost bought a Mini5 Rhythm or Mini3 G2.

So I ordered the like new condition Fender Mustang 1 20 watt for $60 but Amazon and UPS totally botched up the delivery and it ended up two states away 🙁. I was frustrated so I ordered a $14 nux GP-1 guitar headphone amp. It's good enough except it doesn't allow for larger 1/8" jacks.

Still searching for an amp I finally found a decent Fender Mustang Mini. It showed up today along with a new copy of Rocksmith 2014 PC. The Fender fuse software looks very cool but my newbie finger tips are sore so I can't play around too much. The amp models will be fun to experiment with.

So far the cheap guitar is acting like a cheap guitar. It doesn't want to stay in tune so i'm about ready to block off the tremolo. I also think I need to play around with the intonation as RockSmith wasn't registering notes close to the 12th fret and higher.

I'm enjoying watching Marty's videos that edro suggested. I also started watching justinguitar.com lessons.

Is it true that soaking your fingertips in denatured alcohol will toughen them up? I guess this was something Clapton did.
 
calluses will develop naturally the more you play, you just need to tough it out for a bit.

hope you get your tuning situation figured out.
 
That's what I've been reading. I was just wanting to speed up the process. I'm trying not to get a blister so I don't have to take time off. I'm also finding the better posture I have and the more I relax the less my shoulder, wrists and fingers hurt. I'm not a spring chick anymore lol.

The biggest problem I have with the tuning is the low E string. I can't get it perfectly intonated. Plus it has a fret buzz and I don' know what I'm doing. For all I know the string needs replaced. None of which is helping my situation. I'll figure it out eventually.
 
balloonshark said:
The biggest problem I have with the tuning is the low E string. I can't get it perfectly intonated.
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Have you tried setting the intonation? You do that by adjusting the bridge saddles

Plus it has a fret buzz and I don' know what I'm doing. For all I know the string needs replaced. None of which is helping my situation. I'll figure it out eventually.
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Can be a lot of things. Higher action might help if you don't mind a higher action. Truss rod could need some adjustment, or perhaps the neck's twisted, or simply a high fret.
 
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