Question:
I have never researched 'em. What do I want in one? My price range will probably be a max of $400, as I hope to have a job soon, so I can probably borrow some cash. I just realized I'm gonna need one. It'll be for practice with my band (Drums are there, so it's gotta be loud), and I dunno if all the places I'm gonna play will have a PA system, so I want a pretty loud one. What do you recommend?
EDIT: Let's make that pricerange probably about $300 or so... I mean, if I have to, I might try to work out more, but I'd rather keep it low, if I can. I'm just looking for recommendations right now.
EDIT 2: I know a guy who's got this amp... I love the sound, but is it good quality and such? It seems to be pretty good, and two channels really is desirable to me, as the singers will need something to plug into.
Answer:
I like the Ultrasound and Genz Benz amps. They are the most natural sounding IMO. They both have XLR balanced outputs so you can use them as both a monitor and DI to go directly into the sound system. If you use them as a monitor, then you shouldn't need more than 30 watts. Personally, I would get the ultrasound 30 amp for $200 and save the money to buy that electric guitar you have been waiting for.
Answer:
look at some of the SWR (esp. california blonde) amps
patd
Answer:
Originally Posted by paat look at some of the SWR (esp. california blonde) amps
patd
Probably a good choice if you need loud and don't have a PA, but how are you going to amplify the vocals? Maybe you should invest in a PA instead and plug the guitar into that.
Answer:
Originally Posted by presbystrat Maybe you should invest in a PA instead and plug the guitar into that.
That would be my first thought as well. It's not exactly practical to have 3 people coming out of one guitar amp. See if you can find a nice active PA for $400-ish.
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What kind of PA system are you referring to? A sound-board input thingy and some speakers or what?
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Originally Posted by DaGeek What kind of PA system are you referring to? A sound-board input thingy and some speakers or what?
A basic portable PA system would be comprised of a mixer/power amp (also called a powered mixer), and speakers. Something like this. If you want recommendations, you may want to post a thread in the Live Sound forum.
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Which would you recommend? I'm not certain singers would even plug into that, but it seems the most likely, I dunno. I have no experience here, and I'd like to know what everyone thinks... I dunno which'd be better.
Answer:
Originally Posted by DaGeek Which would you recommend? I'm not certain singers would even plug into that, but it seems the most likely, I dunno. I have no experience here, and I'd like to know what everyone thinks... I dunno which'd be better.
It has 8 channels for mics and instruments. I just offered it as an example. I haven't tried one of those out although I have used another Yamaha PA before and thought it was very rugged and reliable.
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That may be a good idea, then, if it would be good for an acoustic guitar and such... Would it be convenient for lugging around to practices and such?
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I'd leave it wherever the band practices regularly. The speakers are what will make a PA a little difficult to move (if you have two speakers, it'll be like carrying two amps around), but for practices you could go ahead and use just one speaker. 150W isn't too loud, though, wo you could only reach small audiences with that sort of wattage.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. 150W isn't too loud, though, wo you could only reach small audiences with that sort of wattage.
The Yamaha a linked to is 150w x 2. I don't know how the loudness of two amps of 150 watts each compares to one 300 watt amp. I don't know if they could be bridged. I think the shortfall with that PA would be its 8" speakers. I would want something with at least 12" speakers but that might limit the portability.
Would it be convenient for lugging around to practices and such?
The powered mixer stores in one of the speakers. It looks pretty portable. The Fender Passports are nice for portability since everything fits together and it has a handle to carry it all with. I recently tried one with my acoustic directly plugged in without any pedal or DI box and it sounded pretty natural. They are a little pricier. They have transducers instead of speakers: anyone know what those are? The one I linked only has 4 channels for inputs. There are probably some better sounding systems than the Yamaha brand but I like them because they seem give you more for your money and seem to be pretty rugged. Behringer and Kustom are some other bargain brands but they just don't seem to be made as well.
Answer:
Originally Posted by presbystrat They have transducers instead of speakers: anyone know what those are?
Fancy name for "speaker". That term includes all types of speakers, woofers, midrange drivers, tweeters. The passports look to have two woofers and two tweeters per speaker cab.
The one I linked only has 4 channels for inputs. There are probably some better sounding systems than the Yamaha brand but I like them because they seem give you more for your money and seem to be pretty rugged. Behringer and Kustom are some other bargain brands but they just don't seem to be made as well.
I like Behringer boards, and have used them with success.