Looking for the best, affordable Amp for the PRS SE 245

[Guitar]

I've decided upon getting the PRS SE 245 and know I need to buy an Amp to go along with it. The Amp is a huge part of getting the sounds you want from the guitar, but unfortunately I can't get anything over $850 Amp wise. So, I know absolutely nothing about which Amp would be perfect for this guitar within my parameters. Any help would be extremely appreciated!

Sidenote: I heard Orange and Marshalls are a good start for an Amp for my guitar, but like I said I know nothing about em.

 

[László]

What style(s) of music do you play? Also, how loud do you need it to be (i.e. to play with a band or to noodle at home)? Have you decided what speaker cabinet you want with it, or will you use a combo amp?

 

[Guitar]

What style(s) of music do you play? Also, how loud do you need it to be (i.e. to play with a band or to noodle at home)? Have you decided what speaker cabinet you want with it, or will you use a combo amp?

I like to play Punk Rock/Classic Rock/Funk, and sometimes just some jazzy tones whenever. I just plan to play at home really. I don't want something too loud, but I also don't want something too soft. And I don't know the benefits for having a cabinet vs. a combo.

 

[shinksma]

Benefits of separate head and cabinet: each separate component is lighter than the combo, although in total might weigh more. Plus, you can upgrade or swap around various heads vs. cabinets.

Benefit of combo: whole thing in one package. Usually chepaer than buying separate head + cab. (Sometimes only about $100 more for a combo version of a head, or same price even!)

Differences might also be closed back for a cabinet, vs open back for a combo.

Really, if you don't have a preference even after playing one vs the other, get what is most convenient, or is cheapest!

There are a bunch of amps out there that might suit your needs. Just browse around Guitar Center and look at everything from say $400 to your limit of $850! there are certain brands I would avoid (for apparent reliability problems), and others I would prefer, but I am not you, so I would say it is better for you to do your own research rather than letting me taint you. I will say that Orange and Marshall are names i would generally trust - just check the reviews of any particular model you are considering "just in case".

Also, you don't mention whather you want to use pedals in front of the amp or in the effects loop. That might be relevant.

 

[bricel24]

With that budget and tonal range you're looking for, the possibilities are endless. My suggestion is to bring your guitar to your local music store or a bog box store if there is, plug it in and play.

You will get too many answers but in the end it's your ear who will be the judge and not the internet.

 

[László]

For me, the very worst place to start to look for an amp would be a GC or a big box store. I'm a believer in trying out amps at a smaller shop where you can get good advice, and try out brands that GC doesn't stock in addition to brands they stock.

Even if some of the amps you try are out of your price range, it's good to play through them if only for reference as to what kinds of tones you like!

If it were me, especially for punk rock, I'd want to try the Mesas (GC does not carry them), a few Dr. Z models, some Diezels, a Bogner or two, and so on. At a GC you can try what, Orange, Marshall, Fender and Blackstar? That's it?

Moreover, you might want to look at some good used amps; there just aren't a lot of decent offerings in the $850 range in new amps as far as I'm concerned*, but there's an awful lot of used gear out there that might rock your world in that price range. Something like a Mesa Maverick would probably be a great amp for you that I would think you could easily pick up in that price range used.

My point is, don't limit your options. Play everything you can get your hands on. Then decide what floats your boat.

One final point: There is no "best" amp or anything else. There is only what's best for you, and the only way you can know that is to wear out some shoe leather walking into a variety of stores, and play everything you can get your hands on.

*I don't want to appear snooty about $850 amps. But in the $1000 range (and a little higher), there are some amps that are downright drool-worthy, starting with the 25 Watt Archon that's a few hundred more, the Mesa Mark V 25, and even the Suhr Corso that's a grand, and the 25 watt Supro amp. Thing is, if you can find one of these on the used market, you are totally in business with an amp you can live with and never feel like you somehow "settled" for something that was built to a cheap price.

A PRS SE isn't made like a cheap guitar, nor does it play like one. It's a really fine guitar, and would sound great with a killer amp!

 

[Ovibos]

As an at-home (now) player myself, good sound at low volume was key for me - particularly on headphones, b/c I basically get to practice and record when my kids are sleeping.

For me, the answer was the Fender Mustang III v.2

For $329 I get 100watts out of a Celestion if I need it, direct headphones, models a ton of amps/cabs/effects (low clutter!)
It comes with a 2-button footswitch, but IMHO the 4-button is a key add-on. (Total 6 programmable buttons for patch switching, fx toggles, etc)

I know it's not a 'real' amp with its own sound/flavor/personality. I just couldn't find anything like that that was small, inexpensive, and didn't need some cranking to get its tone. You can even go smaller with the Mustang I and II...

One caveat: the USB is pretty decent for editing patches, but the latency is too high for me to do even basic recording with it. I just picked up a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 after seeing it in a Misha Mansoor recording tips video, and running an XLR from the Mustang's line-out does the trick (not the FX send, for the love of all that is Holy Diver!)

 

[László]

As an at-home (now) player myself, good sound at low volume was key for me - particularly on headphones, b/c I basically get to practice and record when my kids are sleeping.

For me, the answer was the Fender Mustang III v.2

For $329 I get 100watts out of a Celestion if I need it, direct headphones, models a ton of amps/cabs/effects (low clutter!)
It comes with a 2-button footswitch, but IMHO the 4-button is a key add-on. (Total 6 programmable buttons for patch switching, fx toggles, etc)

I know it's not a 'real' amp with its own sound/flavor/personality. I just couldn't find anything like that that was small, inexpensive, and didn't need some cranking to get its tone. You can even go smaller with the Mustang I and II...

One caveat: the USB is pretty decent for editing patches, but the latency is too high for me to do even basic recording with it. I just picked up a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 after seeing it in a Misha Mansoor recording tips video, and running an XLR from the Mustang's line-out does the trick (not the FX send, for the love of all that is Holy Diver!)

Gee, for headphone playing all you need is a Mesa Cab Clone with any amp. Completely passive box, hook it up to your amp's speaker output jack with the speaker cab disconnected, and you are in business.

 

[Ovibos]

Gee, for headphone playing all you need is a Mesa Cab Clone with any amp. Completely passive box, hook it up to your amp's speaker output jack with the speaker cab disconnected, and you are in business.

Sure, but then you're paying almost as much for the Cab Clone as the whole Mustang combo. ;-)
I was going more budget-y.

 

[László]

I was going more budget-y.

That's never as much fun, you know. :flute:

 

[Ovibos]

That's never as much fun, you know. :flute:

Oh so true.

I was hoping the Mustang's USB would be usable as an interface for recording, but no dice. So that's 'lost savings'.

The Scarlett is a nice bit of kit, tho. The glowing 'halo' clipping indicators on the inputs are genius.

 

[László]

Oh so true.

I was hoping the Mustang's USB would be usable as an interface for recording, but no dice. So that's 'lost savings'.

The Scarlett is a nice bit of kit, tho. The glowing 'halo' clipping indicators on the inputs are genius.

I've been using various pieces of Focusrite gear since their original Red Series in 1994. It's generally very high quality stuff.

 

[DHW]

I recently picked up a blackstar 5w combo... the thing is killer for a budget amp!

 

[László]

We have these PRS guitars, which are among that world's finest sounding and playing instruments. The amplifier is at least half of the electric guitar equation, if not more than half.

There are low-wattage amps out there that are pretty fantastic. Suhr's Corso comes to mind. It can be lowered to less than one watt. And there are others. Dr. Z has an 8 watt amp that is wonderful. There are of course other very high quality amps that will give the player low volume but will sound terrific.

Yes, these amps cost a bit more. But they're capable of being something that some of these other amps aren't, namely, they're capable of being superb amps that compliment something as fine as a PRS guitar, and they're truly worth exploring.

There, I've said it. Not telling anyone what to do or think. Just posting a gentle suggestion to check them out.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Used Mesa.

 

[Boogie]

Used Mesa.

+1
Used MkIIIs go for $800 frequently. Express models are even less. But, there's nothing wrong with starting with a Blackstar, Fender Mav, or Line 6. My boys have a Line 6 that is a remarkable amp that doesn't have a bad preset. It's a good place to find your sound at a reasonable price. Buying from a local shop is a great way to start a relationship, but if there aren't any, there's no shame in Amazon-ing it.

 

[CoreyT]

If you are just playing at home like me, there is nothing wrong with a solid state modeling amp like the Blackstar ID series.
I own three of them, and they all sound nice.
I also own a Mesa Mark Five 25 head and dual stack, but that is overkill for home playing.

Even the small Roland Microcube and the Yamaha THR 10X battery operated amps are nice to jam with at home, and they both come with MP3 inputs on them to jam along to your favorite tunes.
I find I use those two small amps more than anything as they can give you a killer overdriven high gain tone at a whisper.

Take a look at the YouTube demos of them and the Blackstar ID amps.
Those sound great at a whisper too, but they are much bigger than the Roland or Yamaha,

 

[HANGAR18]

Your mission should you choose to accept it is to find a hand wired Russian tube amp from the 20th century made by a company called SOVTEK.
You are specifically looking for one which has both a VOLUME & MASTER dials. The Tube Midget 50H is the best.
These amps usually sell for well under $1000.00 and they sound great on both clean and dirty channels. Amps that sound this good usually sell for well over $1000.00