I bought a guitar

[BigRedRage]

What do you like about your current amp? I rarely use it, I usually play unplugged. When I did use it I was not a big fan of the 5 presets it had and it didnt seem to have a clean sound, just different 90s alternative, 60s British, 2000s metal, etc.

What don't you like about your current amp? Im not big on the sound setting it has, it only has one input and id like two so me and my daughter can both play together.

What do you want it to do that it doesn't currently?
I guess everything boils down to I want to have two inputs at once and then I want a clean sound, a distortion sound and a blues sound.

Final question sums up everything I think.

 

[puckhead]

Final question sums up everything I think.

Call me crazy, but I think you should keep the one you have and order another amp that does the rest of what you want. Two inputs sounds like a good idea, but you're better off with separate amps for each instrument.

The $220 Monoprice amp SoCal and I have will do the clean sound better than all but the best modeling amps and the 1watt input covers your blues tone quite handily. I cannot believe the price they are selling it for. If you would finally let me mail you that distortion pedal, I'm sure you could push it over the top into metal territory at bedroom levels.

I'm the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of modeling amps and I prefer to get my tones from a solid tube foundation. There is something about the feel of tubes that I haven't experienced in the modeling amps that mere mortals can afford.

If you don't like it, Monoprice has one of the best return policies around. I've never had an issue with a return.

 

[BigRedRage]

Call me crazy, but I think you should keep the one you have and order another amp that does the rest of what you want. Two inputs sounds like a good idea, but you're better off with separate amps for each instrument.

The $220 Monoprice amp SoCal and I have will do the clean sound better than all but the best modeling amps and the 1watt input covers your blues tone quite handily. I cannot believe the price they are selling it for. If you would finally let me mail you that distortion pedal, I'm sure you could push it over the top into metal territory at bedroom levels.

I'm the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of modeling amps and I prefer to get my tones from a solid tube foundation. There is something about the feel of tubes that I haven't experienced in the modeling amps that mere mortals can afford.

If you don't like it, Monoprice has one of the best return policies around. I've never had an issue with a return.

I do appreciate the input and value it tremendously. The only reason I considered the route I mentioned is essentially the way he sold the warranty to me with a wink he was basically saying just bring it back within 2 years and I will refund it on a gift card and you can upgrade. Thats why I considered this as for $200 more, I would basically have two amps in one. However with what you are saying, I would have two amps seperately for $200 more too.

I'm not even playing metal yet but it may be because I dont like the distortions on my amp, I will PM you my address.

I dont really understand all the jargon, modeling amps, tube sound, etc. Just going with what I am told is better

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Call me crazy, but I think you should keep the one you have and order another amp that does the rest of what you want. Two inputs sounds like a good idea, but you're better off with separate amps for each instrument.

The $220 Monoprice amp SoCal and I have will do the clean sound better than all but the best modeling amps and the 1watt input covers your blues tone quite handily. I cannot believe the price they are selling it for. If you would finally let me mail you that distortion pedal, I'm sure you could push it over the top into metal territory at bedroom levels.

I'm the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of modeling amps and I prefer to get my tones from a solid tube foundation. There is something about the feel of tubes that I haven't experienced in the modeling amps that mere mortals can afford.

If you don't like it, Monoprice has one of the best return policies around. I've never had an issue with a return.

He could even grab 2 of the 5w Monoprice tube amps, for less than one of the 15W! They review VERY well too.

I've been messing with modeling amps since their inception... I haven't tried any of the newest Kemper, Fractal etc... But name just about any other, and chances are I played or possibly owned it.

I still have my Mustang III, and for a while... It was the only amp I had.
I still use it, and plan on keeping it.
The key is not relying on the standard presets.. Plug it into the computer and you have simple control of editing the patches.


Every year modeling amps get closer to parity with tube amps... But they still have a ways to go (IMO) Most purists don't want to admit it, But I would bet we are not too far away, from a pure solid state modeling amp, that could trip up even the most concerning tube amp aficionados, in a blind test.

All that being said... If you're not a working musician, I have a hard time coming up with a better option than these 2 tube amps from Monoprice, with the right pedal or 2.

I guess it's ok at relatively low volumes... But two guitars into one amp, sharing the same speaker, always seemed like a sonic nightmare to me.

 

[puckhead]

He could even grab 2 of the 5w Monoprice tube amps, for less than one of the 15W! They review VERY well too.

I've been messing with modeling amps since their inception... I haven't tried any of the newest Kemper, Fractal etc... But name just about any other, and chances are I played or possibly owned it.

I still have my Mustang III, and for a while... It was the only amp I had.
I still use it, and plan on keeping it.
The key is not relying on the standard presets.. Plug it into the computer and you have simple control of editing the patches.


Every year modeling amps get closer to parity with tube amps... But they still have a ways to go (IMO) Most purists don't want to admit it, But I would bet we are not too far away, from a pure solid state modeling amp, that could trip up even the most concerning tube amp aficionados, in a blind test.

All that being said... If you're not a working musician, I have a hard time coming up with a better option than these 2 tube amps from Monoprice, with the right pedal or 2.

I guess it's ok at relatively low volumes... But two guitars into one amp, sharing the same speaker, always seemed like a sonic nightmare to me.

Totally agree, especially when in a live situation. I'll admit to being a fan of owning something that has a foot squarely in another time period. The right player can make those AxeFX's sound better than the amps they're based on and at the push of a button, go from SRV to Brian May to Tommy Iommi. I have no doubt modeling will get "there" in my lifetime, but I'll still be rocking my Twin until they stop making tubes for it. (partially because it's so damn heavy )

 

[BigRedRage]

I still have my Mustang III, and for a while... It was the only amp I had.
I still use it, and plan on keeping it.
The key is not relying on the standard presets.. Plug it into the computer and you have simple control of editing the patches.

I think Mustang 3 is what have, its a mustang at least. Maybe I just need to plug it in to the PC and figure that stuff out.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

I think Mustang 3 is what have, its a mustang at least. Maybe I just need to plug it in to the PC and figure that stuff out.

I'm pretty well versed with the Fender Fuse software, let me know if you need any help.

There are a plethora of user created patches, and some are pretty tasty...Make sure your default browser is set to IE.... I couldn't get it to play nice with Firefox or Chrome (That's only for downloading community created patches, not general amp tweaking btw)

 

[BigRedRage]

I'm pretty well versed with the Fender Fuse software, let me know if you need any help.

There are a plethora of user created patches, and some are pretty tasty...Make sure your default browser is set to IE.... I couldn't get it to play nice with Firefox or Chrome (That's only for downloading community created patches, not general amp tweaking btw)

Definitely will have to check it out Sunday or something when I get back in town, if I could get better sounds out of it id probably like it more!

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Well crap.... As soon as start singing the Monoprice praises, the power light takes a crap... No big deal, I have spare bulbs that size.... Put them in, it works for a while, then I notice it's out.. Take off the red cover, wiggle it a bit, and it comes back on.

So I grab the original bulb, replace it... wiggle it around a bit, and it lights up.


I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, but have no motivation to pull it apart for a looksie... That being said, dealing with a return is less inviting, and I've already got this speaker broken in a fair amount!!

 

[BigRedRage]

Even more fun than learning myself is watching my learning motivate my daughter to do the same. She even spent over $100 of her own money to get an acoustic guitar, shes very dedicated. She is getting pretty good and we are feeding off of each other, its fun. She can already sing and play, I have a real hard time with that.

Shes 14 and needs more to do to keep her mind off of boys and the like as all teenagers do, I think part of my strategy for that is to sign us up to go take lessons together a few days a month. Will be fun to do with her, excel our learning and abilities and just overall be helpful regardless. She is taking guitar next year but hopefully she will go to guitar 1-2 and be immediately promoted to guitar 3-4 due to everything we did prior.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Even more fun than learning myself is watching my learning motivate my daughter to do the same. She even spent over $100 of her own money to get an acoustic guitar, shes very dedicated. She is getting pretty good and we are feeding off of each other, its fun. She can already sing and play, I have a real hard time with that.

Shes 14 and needs more to do to keep her mind off of boys and the like as all teenagers do, I think part of my strategy for that is to sign us up to go take lessons together a few days a month. Will be fun to do with her, excel our learning and abilities and just overall be helpful regardless. She is taking guitar next year but hopefully she will go to guitar 1-2 and be immediately promoted to guitar 3-4 due to everything we did prior.

That's awesome, I really wish my daughter had an interest in it, I did my best to promote it... But it wasn't meant to be.

Both my Mother, and my Wife had music forced on them when they were young...And both were fairly accomplished in their youth.... Both of them quit entirely when they moved out of their parents home lol.

I've tried a few times to get my wife to dust of her violin and play with me, she did it once (and still played pretty damn well) But it hasn't come out of the closet since.

 

[BigRedRage]

That's awesome, I really wish my daughter had an interest in it, I did my best to promote it... But it wasn't meant to be.

Both my Mother, and my Wife had music forced on them when they were young...And both were fairly accomplished in their youth.... Both of them quit entirely when they moved out of their parents home lol.

I've tried a few times to get my wife to dust of her violin and play with me, she did it once (and still played pretty damn well) But it hasn't come out of the closet since.

I cant wait to be fluent and be able to jam with others, its a great feeling even with the limited amount I am able to do. I also have always appreciated guitar but now, I really do even more. There is some serious talent out there.

I think ima dust off the amp, plug in my electric and learn some distorted metal songs tonight

 

[puckhead]

Yo BRR, pick up a 9-volt battery on your way home tonight.

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/314827/Boss-Ds-1.html

If the link above doesn't work, PM me your email address and I can email you the PDF of the manual.

 

[BigRedRage]

Yo BRR, pick up a 9-volt battery on your way home tonight.

http://www.manualslib.com/manual/314827/Boss-Ds-1.html

If the link above doesn't work, PM me your email address and I can email you the PDF of the manual.

Ive got a stack in the garage!

So I made the decision that since I don't get to play the electric as much as I want and my teenage daughter gets a lot more time to practice than I do, that I would put the amp and one of the electrics in her room so she can practice on it without the baby interrupting her and gave her my bad ass head phones to use at night. The best part of it was now I can hear her in there playing and it gives me an excuse to go in there and play for a little bit with her and get extra practice in. This should help her keep improving rapidly AND give me more time to play on electric guitars. Win win.

PS: what prompted me was she was learning highway to hell on her acoustic and I wanted to hear her play it with distortion. Shes kicking ass! So now she has her acoustic, my amp and a nice Kramer Custom to play on. I also have started to look at a local music store and am talking to her about a night where we can go get lessons once a week, figure it will be a fun bonding experience, get us out of the house AND help us progress more.

 

[puckhead]

That's awesome, BRR!

DS-1 should be there today or tomorrow. Read the manual in the meantime to get familiar with the controls. I would start by putting it in front of a "clean" amp setting at about half volume and low gain. You want to the pedal to do the gain "work".

Also, I should have mentioned, you'll need two cables, one from guitar to the pedal and another for pedal to amp.

It's hard to say whether you'll prefer the pedal's distortion or the amp's, but a big part of the fun is trying things out. Sometimes the non-traditional ways sound the best. So many of the classic guitar tones we know and love came from innovators pushing equipment waaaaaay beyond their original purpose. I'm guessing Leo Fender would be rolling in his grave if he could hear the tones I get out of my Twin. Actually, he just might be able to hear it on some days.

 

[BigRedRage]

That's awesome, BRR!

DS-1 should be there today or tomorrow. Read the manual in the meantime to get familiar with the controls. I would start by putting it in front of a "clean" amp setting at about half volume and low gain. You want to the pedal to do the gain "work".

Also, I should have mentioned, you'll need two cables, one from guitar to the pedal and another for pedal to amp.

It's hard to say whether you'll prefer the pedal's distortion or the amp's, but a big part of the fun is trying things out. Sometimes the non-traditional ways sound the best. So many of the classic guitar tones we know and love came from innovators pushing equipment waaaaaay beyond their original purpose. I'm guessing Leo Fender would be rolling in his grave if he could hear the tones I get out of my Twin. Actually, he just might be able to hear it on some days.

I actually read it already at my desk! I did notice ill need another cable, no big deal. Got some tips out of it too and it has suggested settings and what they do and by doing the different suggested settings I think we will have an easier time understanding the difference between the sounds. Thanks for the tips, excited to mess with it!

 

[GimmedaBall]

Always wanted to learn, finally going to give it a real effort. So far I suck big time but I can go back and forth from e minor to G and back like a boss

Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

Head over to Youtube and in the Search box,
Type in How to play (name of song) on acoustic guitar
Or
How to play TABS on guitar
Or
How to form guitar chords

There are plenty of free websites teaching a variety of styles and even beginner lessons on forming chords, reading tabs, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/user/LickNRiff
Great site for intro lessons on fingerpicking and reading TABS. Instructor is laid back guy with his two dogs, Lick and Riff always on the couch with him as he teaches. Even a simple tune sounds good doing fingerpicking style.

http://www.justinguitar.com/
Another great site with lots of tunes. Beginner lessons as well. Step by step teaching chords and popular songs.

http://www.goliathguitartutorials.com/
More advanced fingerpicking style. Can download TABS to print. Lessons are paced and you learn some parts of the song.

https://www.jerrysguitarbar.com/guitar-video-lessons/free-guitar-lessons/
Lots of tunes from the 70’s including soft rock, folk rock. Dylan, Eagles, etc
Good instructor

http://www.dancholloway.com/trial/
More advanced fingerstyle. Only a few freebie songs. Keep this one in mind when you want to purchase an advanced arrangement after you learn to read TABS

This is a short list of what is out there on the web. Should ruin your fingertips in short order. Happy strumming

 

[BigRedRage]

Head over to Youtube and in the Search box,
Type in How to play (name of song) on acoustic guitar
Or
How to play TABS on guitar
Or
How to form guitar chords

There are plenty of free websites teaching a variety of styles and even beginner lessons on forming chords, reading tabs, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/user/LickNRiff
Great site for intro lessons on fingerpicking and reading TABS. Instructor is laid back guy with his two dogs, Lick and Riff always on the couch with him as he teaches. Even a simple tune sounds good doing fingerpicking style.

http://www.justinguitar.com/
Another great site with lots of tunes. Beginner lessons as well. Step by step teaching chords and popular songs.

http://www.goliathguitartutorials.com/
More advanced fingerpicking style. Can download TABS to print. Lessons are paced and you learn some parts of the song.

https://www.jerrysguitarbar.com/guitar-video-lessons/free-guitar-lessons/
Lots of tunes from the 70’s including soft rock, folk rock. Dylan, Eagles, etc
Good instructor

http://www.dancholloway.com/trial/
More advanced fingerstyle. Only a few freebie songs. Keep this one in mind when you want to purchase an advanced arrangement after you learn to read TABS

This is a short list of what is out there on the web. Should ruin your fingertips in short order. Happy strumming

yessir, justinguitar has been used frequently

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Only got to spend about ten minutes with the new amp so far, but she sounds great with single-coils. Both inputs are way fun. My wife thought I was using one of my 2x12 cabs because of how loud it was.

I can confirm the reverb does indeed suck.

Used my "castaway" pedal board in front and it took my Tube Screamer and SD-1 with ease. Lovely tones with the front end pushed.

I won't be able to play more until next week, but I can't wait. Perfect grab and go amp that I was hoping for. If she holds up, I may just buy another one to keep at my buddy's place in Sedona.

Thanks for pushing me over the hump on the purchase, SoCal.

Well.... since I decided to tear it apart and fix the pilot light (was a simple cold solder joint)

I decided to drop this in....

Still not the best sounding reverb by a long shot, But 100% better than the stock accutronics POS it came with.
Definitely worth the $20 and 10 minutes of labor to re-wire it.
I took a post mortem pic of the original reverb, with a pick next to it (to show how ridiculously small it is)

You must be registered for see images attach

Amazon.com: MOD 8EB2C1B Reverb Tank: Musical Instruments@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ep8y2saSL.@@AMEPARAM@@41ep8y2saSL

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[puckhead]

Well.... since I decided to tear it apart and fix the pilot light (was a simple cold solder joint)

I decided to drop this in....

Still not the best sounding reverb by a long shot, But 100% better than the stock accutronics POS it came with.
Definitely worth the $20 and 10 minutes of labor to re-wire it.
I took a post mortem pic of the original reverb, with a pick next to it (to show how ridiculously small it is)

You must be registered for see images attach

Amazon.com: MOD 8EB2C1B Reverb Tank: Musical Instruments

You must be registered for see images attach

Ok, tell me you're pulling my leg and that is a comically large pick just to tease me.

Sweet fancy Moses, that's bad.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Ok, tell me you're pulling my leg and that is a comically large pick just to tease me.

Sweet fancy Moses, that's bad.

It wasn't even screwed to the bottom of the amp... It was glued to piece of spongy foam, then glued to the bottom... So removal was quick at least!

You can see in the picture where I tore it apart, the unit was held together by 2 tiny phillips head screws...all I had in the office was a large flathead screwdriver..So i just pried it apart.. It's in the trash now.

 

[puckhead]

Did you have to solder the rca plugs yourself to make the MOD work?

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Did you have to solder the rca plugs yourself to make the MOD work?

I soldered and used heat shrink on mine...... Before soldering etc... I just twisted the wire and used a bit of electrical tape (to test it)

If you look at the gauge of the wire on the OEM reverb tank....its tiny...maybe 22 gauge? The circuit doesn't push hardly any current through it.... So a clean twist and tape job would easily suffice IMO.....

My OCD wouldn't allow that though lol.


If you're not into soldering, simple butt connectors, crimp caps etc would be sufficient as well IMO.

If you decide to do it....grab some right angle rca plugs....I have boxes of various cables, and thought for sure I had some right angles, but I didn't.

The beefy spring type straight rca cable I used, forced me to mount the unit deeper than I wanted....and the back screws were a bitch (cause I was too lazy to remove the speaker) which would have been much faster in retrospect.

 

[puckhead]

I soldered and used heat shrink on mine...... Before soldering etc... I just twisted the wire and used a bit of electrical tape (to test it)

If you look at the gauge of the wire on the OEM reverb tank....its tiny...maybe 22 gauge? The circuit doesn't push hardly any current through it.... So a clean twist and tape job would easily suffice IMO.....

My OCD wouldn't allow that though lol.


If you're not into soldering, simple butt connectors, crimp caps etc would be sufficient as well IMO.

If you decide to do it....grab some right angle rca plugs....I have boxes of various cables, and thought for sure I had some right angles, but I didn't.

The beefy spring type straight rca cable I used, forced me to mount the unit deeper than I wanted....and the back screws were a bitch (cause I was too lazy to remove the speaker) which would have been much faster in retrospect.

Thanks, If I get to it, I'm sure I'd just use butt connectors.

 

[BigRedRage]

hey guys,

Some friends have closed their custom guitar shop in florence and re prepping to move out of the country (they are interesting, free spirit types. Live off the land and etc). They are having a fire sale of all their stuff, peavey auto tunes, custom acoustics and more. Many of the items are on graiglist in florence now like a piano for only 300 and more if anyone is interested.

I called dibs on the dimebag Darrell dean razorback guitar. Always wanted a dimebag guitar. Picking it up and probably a bunch of other stuff on sunday. Its helping friends and getting great deals at the same time. I plan on getting some bongos and etc too.

Anyway, can search around on craigslist or look up Nina Kilroe on facebook and tell her I sent you. They do some awesome stuff.

Mike and I are selling a **** ton of instruments. About 15-20. They are all$50- $150 below our cost wholesale. I need a closet people! I have been a nice wife but he can't play them all. Even if we ship to NY it would be a deal so if any of you are interested or in the market we have a Dimebag Razorback with a case, a Peavy auto tune and 2 awesome Luna acoustics plus a whole lot more. We got a Marshall stack too but you might want to visit and drive that one home. The Celtic Swan and Flora Rose are beautiful. We have a cool black 12 string with ivory binding. It is sort of a Johhny Cash looking guitar. I love it. Hit either of us up. They are posted on East Valley Craig's list in Phoenix but I can email you guys any pictures. It costs between $50-$80 to ship depending on type of instrument and case. Just throwing it out there. We also have vintage guitars, bodies, necks and pieces of great stuff if you want to take on a project. I have a beautiful strat copy body I wood burned feathers on. Just ask we have cool stuff.

An example guitar custom painted by Nina and professionally set up by Mike: