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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 26/09/2008 10:22:47
Posts: 3, Visits: 17 |
| Hello
This is my first post as a new member - so hope I'm doing everything OK.
I have just bought a nice new solid top Takamine semi acoustic guitar (price around £400) and want to buy a practice amp for it. I don't 'perform' and only want the amp for home use. I have been told that it would be false economy to buy a small cheap practice amp as it would not get the best out of any reasonable guitar. Can anyone advise on what might be a good compromise, or to put it another way an idea of the cheapest type of amp that would not let my new guitar down too much?
Many thanks
dave k |
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 22/09/2008 14:33:09
Posts: 191, Visits: 562 |
| Hard to go wrong with either a Laney A1 or a Marshall AS50D for electro-acoustic guitar. At a push, there's the Behringer ACX450, although it's not a patch on either of the others. If you need something a little smaller, the Laney LA30C looks to be quite nice, although I've not tried one myself.
Voyager Project - Christian Progressive Metal |
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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 31/01/2008 10:36:16
Posts: 7, Visits: 19 |
| Good advice yet again from the spacehog. If you want a "cheapish" yet raucous little beast try the Vox DA5. It's compact, only 5 watts but by no means a toy. It has loads of features and is A LOT LOUDER than anyone might imagine. I know it surprised the guys down at Imuso and it's punchy enough to annoy your neighbours. Have a look at the Imuso site for that one. The Man in the Jar has done an very honest review if you want further info.
For smoother sound, my other choice at twice the price, around £150.00 is the single speaker Marshall 30 DFX Combo. 30watts output. 4 preset digital effects: reverb, delay, chorus and flange. Plus overdrive and other usual features - CD in etc.
I have a Takamine G series dreadnought - it's big and it's bold and it's bluegrass. Takamine's are top notch guitars so you have chosen your instrument wisely and I have both these amps for home use. I've never turned the 30 watt up full yet.
Bouzouki Joe |
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 31/01/2008 10:36:16
Posts: 7, Visits: 19 |
| Sorry Dave, when I said the Marshall amp I don't think Imuso stock this one. Cheers mate, sorry for any confusion.
Bouzouki Joe |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 26/09/2008 10:22:47
Posts: 3, Visits: 17 |
| Many thanks for all of your suggestions. Am I right in thinking that the Marshall amps at around £150-£200 are likely to be the best bets for a clean sound to suit an electro acoustic but if I want to keep costs in the £75-£100 mark the Laney 30C or the Vox DA5 may be OK?
The Vox DA5 certainly has a great list of effects - but will it suit to my acoustic? I suppose ideally I need to borrow an amp from someone to get an idea of how they might work out..
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Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 22/09/2008 14:33:09
Posts: 191, Visits: 562 |
| If I were in your shoes (which would mean I'd nicked them, so probably wouldn't be sticking around to offer amp advice  ), especially considering the price here at iMuso (I was looking at another store's website with a much better organised online shop when I was considering options earlier), I'd go for the Laney LA30C at £99 to fit in with your budget, then if you wanted to add effects later, a Zoom A2 would only set you back £46 and seems to be about the best option at the moment according to various reviews. Problem with the Vox (and the Marshall MG that was mentioned) is that it's designed for electric guitars, whereas you'll get much better results from an amp (and effects) designed with acoustic guitars in mind.
Voyager Project - Christian Progressive Metal |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 26/09/2008 10:22:47
Posts: 3, Visits: 17 |
| Thanks for that Spacehog.
The Laney looks a good bet for my acoustic without breaking the bank. I notice in the spec it says 'No FX Loops, but does have insert socket' - not sure what this means - is this important? |
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 19:50:44
Posts: 54, Visits: 162 |
| The VoxDA5 which is a predominently a lightweight battery powered busker's amp has a small speaker in a small cabinet. This limits it's bass sound somewhat. I used to own a 1960s Shakespeare Rickenbacker 330 semi-acoustic copy into which I had installed 3 humbucker pick-ups of varying pedigree and it used to scream and howl through the Vox. But I couldn't honestly say it produces the clean chocolate sound you seem to require.
You really will have to try out if you are not sure if it suits your style.
Good luck mate and regards to spacehog too - a mine of information.
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Uke Man - "Man Overboard!" |
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iMuso Guitar Guy
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Today @ 11:50:26
Posts: 677, Visits: 1,595 |
| another store's website with a much better organised online shop We're currently very busy redesigning the site for a relaunch which should take place this summer. The poor navigation of the current site has long been my bugbear and I'm sure it's costing iMuso in visitor conversions. Anyway, I was given the responsibility of redesigning the navigation map which is now in the hands of the programmer. Within the guitar department you will be able to list guitars by price bands making "my budget is" decisions a lot easier. You will also be able to list by brand and drilldown that list by body type and pickup configuration. I've tried to make the new navigation for all departments follow the the decision-making processes of a muso looking to make a purchase in that department. 
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The Man in the Jar |
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