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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 20/04/2008 19:49:02
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| Hi,
This is my first post so I hope this works OK (actually second - just posted this under Guitar section by mistake)
I am shortly going to purchase a Pacifica 112v as my first guitar to learn on (I’m in my mid 40’s and have been putting it off far too long!) and want to link this up with a reasonable (10/15w) amp to learn on. The guy in the shop recommended an Ashton GA10 but when I looked on line for a review I could not find one.
Having looked at various sites, there is a lot of conflicting information.
Some sites give the Behringer GM108 (15w) rave reviews whilst others the Roland Cube (15w). Others rate the Marshall (MG15CD) and the Orange Crush 10 & 15 also gets constantly good reviews. The most glowing I have seen (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Behringer/GM108+V-Tone/10/1) seem to be for the Behringer – but today a guy in a music shop said he would not touch one – most confusing! I doubt so many reviews can be rigged, so could the guy in the music shop be misinformed?
I definitely require the facility for headphones and I guess a CD facility would be helpful whist learning?
The amps above are all in the £50-60 bracket and would seem fit for a novice like me. (Is it worth considering a better second hand amp for the money?)
My music preferences would be to (hopefully) one day play rock/blues with influences being Hendrix / Clapton - although I also like all modern styles as well.
If anyone can help with some guidance I would be most grateful.
And if anyone has any comments on the Pacifica 112v - this would also be very welcome too.
Thanks for looking at this post and if you can respond – many thanks for your time.
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 07:54:29
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| | I'd go for the Roland cube. Simply because it will save you money on buying pedals. It's a modelling amp with various distortion types that emulate some famous larger amps. It also contains some boss FX as well as a attenuator, to allow you to obtain that "loud" sound at much lower bedroom volumes. You just get more with the Roland. With the other amps, you'd almost certainly be looking to buy some pedals later on, which the Roland comes with internally (Roland make the Boss pedal range). |
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Last Login: 20/04/2008 19:49:02
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| Thanks for that. Thats something learnt.
Looks like I should opt for the Roland over the Orange - as I assume the Orange does not have this facility?
Any final comments??
Thanks |
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Last Login: 22/09/2008 14:33:09
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| Although I personally play Peavey and Laney amps, I'd second the recommendation for the Roland. It produces a higher quality of sound for the money, and is much more versatile, than comparable alternatives. Behringers can sound very good, but they are not known for high quality control standards, and because they're built using almost exclusively surface-mount components, servicing or repairing them can be very difficult and costly. Marshall's higher end products are very well made (although not my taste) but the MG series are cheaply put together and sound like it! The AVT and Valvestate products are much, much better - you may be able to find one of the original Valvestate combos secondhand for a good price. My first amp was an 8010 10w Valvestate combo that was excellent, and I regretted selling it (because I needed something "bigger"!) for many years.
Of course, any practice amp will only give you an approximation of the high quality guitar sound you'd get from a decent all valve amp. The tonal quality of something like a Laney LC15R far exceeds anything that would be classed as a "practice" amp, while still being compact and portable. But then it costs 3-4 times as much. And then there's those of us who have two 120w all valve stacks, but that may be a way away yet 
As for the Pacifica, seems to be a good choice of guitar to start on. I've got a few friends who've had them and they're really not bad instruments at all. The stock pickups aren't great, but you wouldn't really hear the difference through a small practice amp anyway.
Voyager Project - Christian Progressive Metal |
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Last Login: 20/04/2008 19:49:02
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| Thanks for the post.
Actually had just been looking again at the Roland Cube 15x - lots of demos on YouTube – and was amazed at the sound(s) it can produce.
Much seems talked about the Roland not being able to deliver the cleaner sounds the Orange Crush is known for – but from what I have seen – I don’t think there is too much difference?
The Roland does seem to deliver a heavier sound though.
All in all – as posted by Ouija and yourself - I think the Roland Cube15x does offer more options than the Orange Crush 10.
Now – do I stick with the Pacifica 112V, or, opt for an Ibanez GRG170DX?
(They cost the same)
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 07:54:29
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| | I can't believe i'm going to say this (as a senior member of the Ibanez Forum), but you'd probably find the Pacifica easier to tune and get along with. The Ibanez has a non locking floating trem which might cause problems for a beginner, if your not familiar with the concept of them. The Pacifica's get good revues, while the Gio Ibanez get somewhat so, so revues (they aren't considered 'proper' guitars by us Ibanez afficianados). Never owned or played either, so i'm reluctant to make any 'knowing' comments on either. |
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| I used an Ibanez Gio (the GRX720 7-string that they don't make any more) for several years as my main guitar, and it was excellent for the money. The pickups aren't up to much, but they aren't on the Yamaha either! And as for the bridge, the Yamaha has a traditional style vibrato bridge, which is notriously difficult to keep in tune, whereas the Ibanez has one of the more modern knife-edge vibrato bridges, which I've found to be more stable. Neither will put up with much whammy abuse, but you shouldn't have too much problem with either. It's really a case of whether you prefer the more traditional looking Yamaha or the more modern looking Ibanez (I know which I'd prefer )
Voyager Project - Christian Progressive Metal |
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Last Login: 20/04/2008 19:49:02
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| Thanks for the feedback.
I think I am now going to go with the Pacifica 112v (it has better pickups than the previous 112 model) - because on balance I prefer the look of the Pacifica and think it will serve me better as a beginner.
If I could play good rock and metal I wouldn't be intimidated by the Ibanez's looks.
As for the amp - I was set on the Roland Cube 15x - but then I saw what the Roland Micro Cube could do - unbelievable!
So my beginners set up will be .....
Pacifica 112v (black) and a Roland Micro Cube (red) |
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Last Login: 08/05/2008 09:35:25
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| | Re the Amp, if it's not too late, consider the Line 6 Spider3 15w. I was massively impressed with this amp - really great metal sounds and reasonable effects all built in, all for around £65. Very, very good practice amp. |
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