Help on deciding an amp

[EllisB]

Hi there. I'm in the market for an amp and I'm looking for some advice/recommendations. Do I go for Fender, Mambo, Polytone, something else? Ive tried a lot of the fender and polytone amps, never tried mambo but have only heard good things. Some advice would be much appreciated, what do you all enjoy plugging in to? Really enjoying solo guitar stuff recently if that helps and I love a nice and warm tone. Thanks

[Cunamara]

Not enough information to give you a sensible answer. What guitar(s) are you using? What styles of music? What guitarists do you like the sound of?

[Sam Sherry]

Hi there.

Welcome here, Ellis!

Not enough information to give you a sensible answer. What guitar(s) are you using? What styles of music? What guitarists do you like the sound of?

What ensembles are you playing with (i.e. whom do you have to be heard over)?
What kinds of rooms are you playing in?
What budget are you looking at?
Do you need new or is used OK?
Where are you located (i.e. what stores might be near you)?

[EllisB]

I'll be playing a Gibson es339. I like playing solo arrangements but I also play in small ensembles usually with a horn, bass, drums, piano. In terms of sounds I like, players such as: Pasquale Grasso, Peter Bernstein, Joe Pass.

[dconeill]

I'll be playing a Gibson es339. I like playing solo arrangements but I also play in small ensembles usually with a horn, bass, drums, piano. In terms of sounds I like, players such as: Pasquale Grasso, Peter Bernstein, Joe Pass.

Since your player preferences are pretty wide- ranging, perhaps try something versatile and not too expensive. Based on various reviews and trying it in a music store the Boss Katana could meet your requirements. Current 50-watt base model sells for around US$300, with other models going up from there.

If you want to spend more than that, there are a zillion options but they get specialized quickly. There's no substitute for auditioning them, I fear.

[pingu]

If you want even cheaper ….
Fender Champion 20 and 40
combos are great bang for the buck
and sound good too

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

If you want even cheaper ….
Fender Champion 20 and 40
combos are great bang for the buck
and sound good too

A few weeks ago, I put up a PSA Sale post for my friend’s Li’l Dawg Choco Prince, which now has a new owner and has been replaced by a 1x12 5E3 clone. He also has a Tonemaster Deluxe, a highly modded (full 6V6 conversion) Blues Jr, and a slightly modded Pro Jr.

He told me yesterday that he’s bringing another amp to our Sunday blues brunch this week………..a Champ 40! I didn’t even know he had this. It turns out that every time he tires of searching for better tone (which is why he’s bought and rapidly sold at least a dozen amps and half a dozen replacement speakers in the years we’ve been working together), he goes back to the C40. He practices with it and says he uses it on a lot of gigs with other bands. But he brings exotic stuff to our gigs because he knows I love to experience new things & he wants my input on whether he should keep, mod, or sell.

The C40 is the comfort food of guitar amps and the only amp he’s kept through many buy & sell cycles over years .

[Gitterbug]

A few years ago I went through many, many amps at Helsinki's best stocked guitar story. Champion 40 was the clear winner for pure jazz sound.

[jim777]

The C40 is the comfort food of guitar amps and the only amp he’s kept through many buy & sell cycles over years .

I have mine in my living room, while all the other amps are in my music room. If I'm watching TV by myself I try to practice during commercials They really are fantastic amps and very versatile considering the low cost. They do a wonderful and LOUD clean as you might expect from 40 watts, and at 19 pounds it's a breeze to move around. All in all they are an absolute bargain!