Need help with choosing an amp

[PRSfanboy46]

So this is part two to my search for my next tube amp.

So today, I have also considered getting a sub 1000 dollar orange amp or the micro dark terror for metal. I want to get something that is just practical for me. Because something like the MT15 or a blues junior or deluxe or ac15 is quite loud for bed room playing. Anyone with a micro dark terror from orange who genuinely uses it, how is it so far?

 

[CandidPicker]

I hear this, but went the solid state multi-fx/FRFR route earlier this year and have been happy thus far. All for under $1000. HeadRush Gigboard, FRFR108 powered speaker, HeadRush Expression pedal, several cables.

Fulfills my needs both from the effects side, and the compact Gigboard replaces both the preamp/effects. The collection of effects and amp models does what I'd need, and leaves room for expansion with its FX Loop if some boutique effect might be required.

The FRFR108 serves as a powered amp/speaker. Plenty loud, and works well for bedroom levels as well. Can be used with headphones and volume attenuated at the Gigboard level.

Currently have 4 rigs designed for clean, smooth, crunch and lead, also 4 separate acoustic rigs, all in one setlist, for use with my electric guitars and my PRS SE A60E.

The Gigboard can dial in anything from clean to metal, and does surprisingly well. If you're looking for something under $1000, this does the job well.

 

[Black Plaid]

Might I urge you to consider an Archon 25 previously owned? A fantastic amp that easily dials down to low volumes (at least my 100 does!)

 

[PRSfanboy46]

I hear this, but went the solid state multi-fx/FRFR route earlier this year and have been happy thus far. All for under $1000. HeadRush Gigboard, FRFR108 powered speaker, HeadRush Expression pedal, several cables.

Fulfills my needs both from the effects side, and the compact Gigboard replaces both the preamp/effects. The FRFR108 serves as a powered amp/speaker. Plenty loud, and works well for bedroom levels as well. Can be used with headphones and volume attenuated at the Gigboard level.

Currently have 4 rigs designed for clean, smooth, crunch and lead, also 4 separate acoustic rigs, all in one setlist, for use with my electric guitars and my PRS SE A60E.

The Gigboard can dial in anything from clean to metal, and does surprisingly well. If you're looking for something under $1000, this does the job well.

I'm not exactly looking for a multi fx thing, they just seem unreliable and just complicated. People were telling me "Oh get a helix it's so much better than an amp" like my budget is 1000 dollars, not 1800. I just want something basic. I am looking at the orange micro dark terror and a 1x12 and that'll cost about 500 dollars, an EQ and a reverb would be about an extra 100-150, so about 650 for the entire rig.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

Might I urge you to consider an Archon 25 previously owned? A fantastic amp that easily dials down to low volumes (at least my 100 does!)

I found one on reverb for like $760 but I feel like I need to start small and work up. Basically functionally and practicality over complications. I don't really trust myself per say with something that expensive. Maybe that reverb listing was a steal, for a 1300 dollar amp (and the one listed was in mint condition), maybe it's worth it, but I don't want to get my first tube amp and then have issues with it (replacing tubes) and then that could get pricey.

 

[CandidPicker]

I'm not exactly looking for a multi fx thing, they just seem unreliable and just complicated. People were telling me "Oh get a helix it's so much better than an amp" like my budget is 1000 dollars, not 1800. I just want something basic. I am looking at the orange micro dark terror and a 1x12 and that'll cost about 500 dollars, an EQ and a reverb would be about an extra 100-150, so about 650 for the entire rig.

FTR, I've checked both HeadRush & Helix, and the HR Gigboard has a friendlier GUI. The Gigboard, FRFR108 and expression pedal came in under $1000, about $968, IIRC.

If you're more the plug & play type of guitarist, I'd check either Orange or Egnater series. Both do clean and can dial in a good metal tone. The Egnater 20W head/cab or combo might be worth looking into...I've not tried any Orange amps, but can attest to the Egnater, owning a 40W head/cab once...

 

[bodia]

I still say this

 

[PRSfanboy46]

I still say this

I dont know man, I have had bad experiences with using digital modelers on computers before and I never got a tone I liked out of them. I think I am gonna do a 1x12 with a orange micro dark terror head

 

[PRSfanboy46]

FTR, I've checked both HeadRush & Helix, and the HR Gigboard has a friendlier GUI. The Gigboard, FRFR108 and expression pedal came in under $1000, about $968, IIRC.

If you're more the plug & play type of guitarist, I'd check either Orange or Egnater series. Both do clean and can dial in a good metal tone. The Egnater 20W head/cab or combo might be worth looking into...I've not tried any Orange amps, but can attest to the Egnater, owning a 40W head/cab once...

I'm most likely gonna ask for an orange micro dark terror head with a matching 1x12 and an EQ pedal and a reverb pedal as well

 

[sergiodeblanc]

An Archon or Mesa Recto will carry you through college. Buy once, cry once.

Yes, I’ve said that before, but sometimes repetition is the only way.

I don't want to get my first tube amp and then have issues with it (replacing tubes) and then that could get pricey.

A pair of EL84’s is like, $30. About less than half of what an oil change costs you and you’ll only have to do it once every couple years.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

An Archon or Mesa Recto will carry you through college. Buy once, cry once.

Yes, I’ve said that before, but sometimes repetition is the only way.



A pair of EL84’s is like, $30. About less than half of what an oil change costs you and you’ll only have to do it once every couple years.

I mean i found a archon 25 for 760 on reverb that was mint but I want to start low and work up

 

[GuitarJammin]

my advice...is don't start low. Archon 25 is my little practice amp...love it...tubes are cheap. Archon is a basic amp. No reverb just two channels. If you buy the Archon 25...you likely will never need another small amp...later on down the road you can just buy your beast amp. Besides...the beast amps are where its at when you got your own place to rock at.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I mean i found a archon 25 for 760 on reverb that was mint but I want to start low and work up

I feel that, and I know you wanna be respectful of your parent’s money.

So if you spend $750 on a used real amp, and let’s say you decide you don’t like guitar anymore, or you need something bigger down the line, then you can sell that real amp for most of what you paid for it.

If you buy a micro terror and some $50 pedals and the same thing happens, you’ll get $200 back.


And I know kids gotta figure stuff out on their own but... I was that 15yr old who had his wonderful mom take him to the music store, and had her buy me a new Crate half stack for the same amount of money as the used JCM800 that the salesman begged me to buy instead, and I said no.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

I feel that, and I know you wanna be respectful of your parent’s money.

So if you spend $750 on a used real amp, and let’s say you decide you don’t like guitar anymore, or you need something bigger down the line, then you can sell that real amp for most of what you paid for it.

If you buy a micro terror and some $50 pedals and the same thing happens, you’ll get $200 back.


And I know kids gotta figure stuff out on their own but... I was that 15yr old who had his wonderful mom take him to the music store, and had her buy me a new Crate half stack for the same amount of money as the used JCM800 that the salesman begged me to buy instead, and I said no.

Well I mean I have more than 50 dollar pedals, most of my stuff is close to 100 dollars. I am looking for simplicity personally, not big expensive tube amps.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

my advice...is don't start low. Archon 25 is my little practice amp...love it...tubes are cheap. Archon is a basic amp. No reverb just two channels. If you buy the Archon 25...you likely will never need another small amp...later on down the road you can just buy your beast amp. Besides...the beast amps are where its at when you got your own place to rock at.

I mean personally, I wanna respect my parents money and not have them spend a lot for me, because my taste is constantly changing in a way. Like I want something for now that is simple and cost effective.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Well I mean I have more than 50 dollar pedals, most of my stuff is close to 100 dollars. I am looking for simplicity personally, not big expensive tube amps.

I mean personally, I wanna respect my parents money and not have them spend a lot for me, because my taste is constantly changing in a way. Like I want something for now that is simple and cost effective.

Yo, kid... pass the phone to your parents. We need to talk for a minute.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

Yo, kid... pass the phone to your parents. We need to talk for a minute.

sorry I don't understand that could you explain it???

Edit nevermind

 

[sergiodeblanc]

sorry I don't understand that could you explain it???

Edit nevermind

I honestly, truthfully, don’t mean any disrespect. I just wanna keep you from sticking your finger into a light socket.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

I honestly, truthfully, don’t mean any disrespect. I just wanna keep you from sticking your finger into a light socket.

Hey man I'm sorry, I contradict myself very often. What I mean entirely is that I want to keep my rig as least as expensive as I can yet have quality.

 

[GuitarJammin]

Ok got it. I didn't catch the parent's money part. If that's the case i agree get the cheapest amp that makes you happy. I'd go to the store and play on it and see if it does the job for you personally. If you like it and you feel good about it no one else's opinion really counts. Maybe someone here uses one and see this thread hopefully.

I've played on one at stores for fun, but i have not "genuinely" used it as you stated. I don't really consider that amp a tube amp personally. I travel a lot for work and one of the things i like to do is visit local area big box stores with my guitar and play on different amps to kill time and educate myself. I can tell you I've had some unexpected surprises doing that..so I'd advise doing that...getting out there and playing on anything that'll do metal in your price range. You might confirm the Orange is the one, but then you might find a sweet deal OR a different amp you were not expecting to like.