AmpTalk.com

[dreams]

Hi Everyone.

I'm on a Christmas shopping hunt...and would like some advice from someone other than a pushing salesman...or people that really haven't a clue about amps.

My son who's 16 would like a new amp for Christmas. Right now he plays a lower to middle of the row Ibanz on a small practice amp with no special effects. He has been self taught to play, and is doing GREAT!. (he's been playing now for 2 years) He would like the amp to have the ability to play in a larger setting than his bedroom or familyroom. And he'd like one also with a few bells and whistles to play with.

I'm not made of money...so I'm limited there...so these are the 3 I have weeded it down too...

Fender FM212R Guitar Amp
Crate GTX212 Guitar Amplifier with Digital Effects (120 Watts, 2x12 in.)
Behringer GMX212 V-Tone

I've read so many reviews on the amps..that my head is spinning...it seems that they either love each of the above amps...or they absolutely hate it....so I'd really like some outside thoughts on the above amps....or if you have another I should look at. I know these would all put the volume out....and the Crate and Behringer have quite a few effects. I know they aren't tubes...but my money isn't going to get much in the tube department.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[longi]

Has he any plans to play in a band? I used to own a couple of Crate's, they're ok but the sound tends to break up when they're cranked to around the 7 mark. I also here the Vox ADVT range are very good and come with effects built in. They also have a valve in the preamp stage, and from what i can tell, blow all the other transistor/hybrids out of the water. Behringer amps i've heard are pretty unreliable through various amp techs should be steered clear of. If you can push up to the £275-£300 mark there's the Peavey Valveking range which offer good value for money and sound great and gets you into valve territory. Personally for me it would have to be a toss up between the Vox AD50 and the Peavey ValveKing 112....Oh but then there's the Laney range....Arrrgh too may choices!!!

[dreams]

thank you so much for your reply.

I wasn't sure I was going to get one. It's so funny that you brought up the V0xadvt. I actually went to a music store last night to find out more info on it. There are two that I'm lookiing at. But the guy at the music store said that a Ad50vt would be all my son would need. And it would be loud enough to play over drums or what ever if my son and his band went some where beisdes the house. He didn't like the AD100vt because he said it was muddy.

so I'm looking at the Ad50vt 112 and the Ad50vt212. I'm a little confused why an extra speaker doesn't had anymore watts. The guy at the store played a Guitar with it...and it had an amazing sound. They have just marked down the Ad50vt212 and so now it's just a slight bit more than the 112. I believe that will be the one I go with....unless any of you through up a red flag on my choice.

Also have any of you order before from one of the music stores online. Do the amps get to you in one piece, and can you count on their time frame of getting them out?

Thankyou!

[longi]

Grab the 212 with both hands and make out of the shop quick!! Although the extra speaker doesn't add more watts, it will cut through the sound alot better as the extra speaker will cut through racket of a band alot better, as it's moving more air around the cabinet giving you the impression it's actually louder. 2 is definetly better than one. Marshall are pretty rugged beasts so you shouldn't have any problems with it falling apart! Also i've ordered a fair bit of delicate odds and ends including amplifiers, and they've always got to me in full working order. I wish someone would buy me a new amp for Christmas!! Lol!!

[dreams]

Thanks again!!!

That is what I will go with!! Thanks so much, you've really helped!