Hello! What is a reasonable beginning guitar/amp/speaker combo for someone inspired by surf music (specifically the Trashwomen) and wants to give it a try? Have little guitar experience; can play a few chords and House of the Rising Sun; but that's about it 
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
New guitarist
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Joined: Dec 19, 2016 Posts: 2 |
Posted on Dec 19 2016 12:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 19, 2016 Posts: 246 Tampa 
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 01:22 PM
I vote for Fender Super Champ XD. Has onboard Reverb (and several other effects). As well as decent modeling of some classic fender amps. It actually sounds really good, as opposed to most of the beginner/medium digital modeling amps, as it has a tube power section. The current version (XD2) is kind of pricey for a beginning amp at $375. But the first generation sound as good, and can be found used all over the place (CL or online) for under $200. Here's one on Reverb for $190 They are quite small. But gigs have been done with them (assuming there is a decent PA) —Guitarist for Black Valley Moon & Down By Law |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 02:08 PM
For guitar, I'd go for a Squier Jaguar: I'm going to make an expensive suggestion here, a used Fender Princeton Reverb either the '65 or '68 reissues. Link to the '68 You could spend $375 for a new beginner amp and then in a year need to upgrade. For $700 used, you get a professional amp that gets you where you want to go today and you save the $375 of a beginner amp. Another suggestion would be the Fender Excelsior, but you would need to buy reverb to go along with that one. This is one of my favorite Fender amps in recent times. For the Reverb there are tons of decent pedals you can buy these days and that is covered in many threads on this board. You need something you can just plug in and turn up and bash out chords in the Trashwomen style. |
Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222 
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 03:10 PM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:34:28 |
Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4053 Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 03:30 PM
Another vote for the Squier Jaguar For an amp and great value, bang for buck, one could look at the Boss Katana amplifiers. Cheers, http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic |
Joined: Feb 21, 2011 Posts: 513 Ontario 
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 04:34 PM
I agree with the Squire Jaguar. I have one and its Greattttt! I like it much much more than the Squire Jazzmaster. For living room practice I run it through a Roland cube. Good bang for the buck. —I am not obsolete, I am RETRO.... |
Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1018 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 07:02 PM
Tqi wrote: .. For used amps, the Vox Pathfinder 15R is one of my favorite solid-state amps.. After replacing its Vox speaker with a Weber import 8" ceramic I enjoy the Vox Pathfinder 15R I bought for $80 from a Guitar Center. The original Vox speaker was harsh with clean tones. I sold it on Ebay for about what the Weber cost me. The built-in reverb is far too weak for a surf tone so I add a pedal. Its overdrive somewhat resembles the Vox AC15 and is worth the bucks I spent on this by itself. —Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com |
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Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222
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Posted on Dec 19 2016 08:07 PM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:33:49 |
Joined: Aug 26, 2014 Posts: 138 Kent 
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 03:07 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
I completely agree - I went through a number of amps before settling on a Princeton 65 - overall I could have saved myself money by going straight there - and if you decide it's all not for you then you would probably get a decent price if you sold it! I do personally prefer Jazzmaster to Jag - but I think I might be in a minority Wherever you go, there you are http://rogerfowles.co.uk/ |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 07:40 AM
Another vote for a Princeton Reverb; the '68 Silver Face reissue version has a tiny bit of a lower-mid bump over the Blackface PRRI, only due to a tiny tweak in the tone stack. But either one is my go-to amp when trying out a guitar in the local shop. Smooth, and the on-board reverb is lovely. —Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
Joined: Jul 17, 2016 Posts: 101 Sacramento
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 08:58 AM
I agree, the Princeton Reverb 68 Silver Face reissue. It is my go to amp for everything: home use, practice, etc. Only when playing a bigger venue that was not able to mic, did I use a different amp. For home use it is perfect, at low volume you are not losing much in the sense of tone, low, miss or highs. —The Me Gustas |
Joined: Oct 08, 2014 Posts: 1073 Northern Ohio
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 09:18 AM
Don't forget to practice! Da Vinci Flinglestein, The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube |
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Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 10:16 AM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:33:26 |
Joined: Jul 23, 2014 Posts: 637 LA -ish
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 12:15 PM
Practice is pretty key. Jag is the bomb, but it is possible to play on at least a few other guitars if you squint a little. If you are on a budget, given that you are at the house of the rising sun stage, I might suggest getting a Mustang I,II,or III for an amp. These have a selection of amp models built in which, while not as good as the real thing, are not at all horrible and will allow you to sample various amps and see which ones speak to you without having to drop a lot of coin to start. Good luck! mj —mj
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Joined: Dec 19, 2016 Posts: 2 |
Posted on Dec 20 2016 01:29 PM
Whoa! I can't believe the number of great responses I've received in less than 24 hr! Thank you to everyone. I am ready to go...Nightmare at the Drag, baby!! |
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Joined: Oct 08, 2014 Posts: 1073 Northern Ohio
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 01:51 PM
Well done- you went from house of the rising sun to obscure reference in 24 hours. A new land speed record. Da Vinci Flinglestein, The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube |
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Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 01:56 PM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:33:17 |
Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1683 Georgia
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 03:04 PM
I'm with Jake on the recommendation to go straight to a band practice-worthy amp. The Princeton Reverb reissues mentioned would be great, but I also second the recommendations for the Excelsior based on my experience. Since Jeff (CrazyAces) recommended the Boss Katana, I'd go that route in the price range, or take a look at the Monoprice brand 15 watt 1x12 amp. A friend told me a few days ago that he'd scored one for under $200 and was loving it. The Vox Pathfinders are nice. I used mine for a few practices at a bandmate's house but mine has actually crapped out. If you're going to go upwards of a couple hundred bucks on a starter amp, I'd highly recommend saving that and heading straight toward one of the better options mentioned. —The Mystery Men? |
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Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 03:28 PM
- Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 12:33:09 |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Dec 20 2016 03:45 PM
DHughes wrote:
Getting away from gear for a minute, if you're generally new to instrumental surf music and want a direction for some practice, read my post here, 2nd from the bottom, 2nd paragraph. And don't forget to breathe. Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
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