A friend of my wife's died, he was a guitar collector. He left us a mint-condition 1962 Gretsch Country Classic. I've played acoustic all my life (would have MUCH rather had the Martin he had) but I've never played electric. I'd like to pick up a used amplifier and play around with it, see if I like it.
Any recommendations on good brands for an amplifier?
I'm not an amp purist, I would happily play a Gretsch through a solid-state amp
The amp for you is the one that fits your needs. If you're just gonna noodle around, maybe jam with a few buds now and then, there are a bunch of smaller amps out there that'll do the trick. I've always been partial to Fender Champs for little kickers, but there are a lot of new amps out in the lower-price range that will do the job.
If you're filling a stadium, Jimi did it with three (3) Marshalls.
It's kind of like asking what kind of bike you should buy; it depends on what you want to do with it, what kind of music you'll play with it. Like bikes, you can spend a reasonable amount, and get reasonable performance, or spend as much as you like.
Mapie is a conventional looking former Hollywood bon viveur, now leading a quiet life in a house made of wood by an isolated beach. He has cultivated a taste for culture, and is a celebrated raconteur amongst his local associates, who are artists, actors, and other leftfield/eccentric types. I imagine he has a telescope, and an unusual sculpture outside his front door. He is also a beach comber. The Rydster.
Pick up a TUBE amp. Period. I have a 63' ES-335-s Gibson that is similar to your grestch, Hollow body electric. Solid state won't do it justic.
Solid state is awful. Possibly the worst idea ever.
I have an Orange Tiny Terror but I need to replace my tube. *not my amp pic*
Plus it's ORANGE.
You could pick up a smaller AD-5 or less model. A tube amp has lower wattages compared to SS but 5w Class A tube is like a 100w SS head on steroids. I can't say enough about Orange's small tube combo amps, the sound they put out is amazing and the volume range is enough to practice with a 4 piece band. The AD-5 goes for around 400 dollars and is a STEAL with a Celestion greenback paired with a 5w Class-A tube, a truly warm and beautiful sounding amp.
I spent too many years playing crappy solid state amps (Line-6 Vetta, Marshall MG's, etc) and stacks and now truly appreciate the beauty of a tube.
Last edited by iheartbenben; 04-11-2012 at 08:24 PM.
Pick up a TUBE amp. Period. I have a 63' ES-335-s Gibson that is similar to your grestch, Hollow body electric. Solid state won't do it justic.
Solid state is awful. Possibly the worst idea ever.
I have an Orange Tiny Terror but I need to replace my tube. *not my amp pic*
Plus it's ORANGE.
You could pick up a smaller AD-5 or less model. A tube amp has lower wattages compared to SS but 5w Class A tube is like a 100w SS head on steroids. I can't say enough about Orange's small tube combo amps, the sound they put out is amazing and the volume range is enough to practice with a 4 piece band. The AD-5 goes for around 400 dollars and is a STEAL with a Celestion greenback paired with a 5w Class-A tube, a truly warm and beautiful sounding amp.
I spent too many years playing crappy solid state amps (Line-6 Vetta, Marshall MG's, etc) and stacks and now truly appreciate the beauty of a tube.
a 335 is a semi hollow guitar, not hollow. It is solid under the pickups and bridge. I own a 62.
Take care, a 63 is now probably worth around 10 grand depending on model and condition
one nation, under surveillance with liberty and justice for few
Who cares about the amps in this thread. I could rattle off ten that you might like, but at the end of the day I really, really, really want to see real pics of the guitar.
Whenever the legislators endeavour to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience, and are left to the common refuge which God hath provided for all men against force and violence - John Locke
Just randomly pulled a pic off the 'net, didn't pay much attention, I was at work not at home w/ the guitar and a camera.
Originally Posted by xxl
I'm not an amp purist, I would happily play a Gretsch through a solid-state amp
The amp for you is the one that fits your needs. If you're just gonna noodle around, maybe jam with a few buds now and then, there are a bunch of smaller amps out there that'll do the trick. I've always been partial to Fender Champs for little kickers, but there are a lot of new amps out in the lower-price range that will do the job.
If you're filling a stadium, Jimi did it with three (3) Marshalls.
It's kind of like asking what kind of bike you should buy; it depends on what you want to do with it, what kind of music you'll play with it. Like bikes, you can spend a reasonable amount, and get reasonable performance, or spend as much as you like.
I think I said it in the post, just want to fool around with it. But hey, THANKS
Who cares about the amps in this thread. I could rattle off ten that you might like, but at the end of the day I really, really, really want to see real pics of the guitar.
I like you guys. Even tho the wife and I are in the middle of a full-house remodel and a move, I will get some pics by Monday and put them up here.
You could pick up a smaller AD-5 or less model. A tube amp has lower wattages compared to SS but 5w Class A tube is like a 100w SS head on steroids. I can't say enough about Orange's small tube combo amps, the sound they put out is amazing and the volume range is enough to practice with a 4 piece band. The AD-5 goes for around 400 dollars and is a STEAL with a Celestion greenback paired with a 5w Class-A tube, a truly warm and beautiful sounding amp.
.
You sound passionate about this, and I have heard it enough times to believe that this is the direction I should be heading - tube amp. What is this Celestion greenback of which you speak?
the 30W Celestion Green Back is the speaker that Marshall Used that brought them to glory.
Yes, you should buy a tube amp. Solid state frigging sucks, unless you are playing jazz and want a dry, cold tone. I would stay away from a Marshall / Celestion combo with that guitar, even possibly the orange. Those amps are great but they are rock amps, they are pretty much one trick ponies and for a Gretsch you are going to need a different tone. Something a little cleaner, a little spankier. The Fender Tube amp (Deluxe, Princeton, etc...) is more suited for this guitar. Probably a Bandmaster Reverb (Pre CBS_ w/ 2-15 cabinet would be close to ideal but too big. A Super w/ 4x10 would be punchy but again biggish. Any of the suggested models would be fine. I suggested the Boogie because they built their first amps around the fender design and made them ballsier. The model I chose for you is like a fender amp on steroids. It will cost more, but it will be worth it
one nation, under surveillance with liberty and justice for few
dang it now this thread has me looking at amps. like I need to spend any more money.
Ditched the Yamaha solid state amp I used when I played a number of years ago, now all I have is the little bitty Peavey practice amp. The Mrs69 likes that I don't have an amp
Whenever the legislators endeavour to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience, and are left to the common refuge which God hath provided for all men against force and violence - John Locke
a 335 is a semi hollow guitar, not hollow. It is solid under the pickups and bridge. I own a 62.
Take care, a 63 is now probably worth around 10 grand depending on model and condition
SEMANTICS.
Yes it was my Grand-pappy's. I play it a few times a year. I have the original case, straps, cords, manuals, and replacement strings that came stock. I'm missing the amp that came with gibson's package they were offering, could never find it.
Yes it was my Grand-pappy's. I play it a few times a year. I have the original case, straps, cords, manuals, and replacement strings that came stock. I'm missing the amp that came with gibson's package they were offering, could never find it.
cool. don't ever sell it. that's a family heirloom, right there.
a guy on one of my car sites has one, with the amp, that his parents bought him for a HS graduation present. I jokingly told him I had dibs on it when he kicks the bucket but truth is I'd settle for being able to play it for 5 minutes
He also has 5 kick ass restored classics, as well as a cane with a snake head on it complete with bared fangs and everything.
Whenever the legislators endeavour to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience, and are left to the common refuge which God hath provided for all men against force and violence - John Locke
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Originally Posted by weltyed
