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Choosing an Amp

2 bytes removed, 21:31, 28 November 2014
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Budget
If you are a tone junkie, you may want to consider a good modeler. For the price of 1-2 quality amps, you get several dozen to hundreds of models.
Remember that your amp purchase isn't your only expense. Tube amps have to be retubed and possibly maintained every so often. If you need additional effects, such as [[BoostsBoost|boost pedals]], [[Noise GatesGate|noise gates]], or [[Delay|delay]]/[[Reverb|reverb]], those can add up quickly. So can cables, pedalboards, gig bags, cases, etc. Write it all out, then set your budget. If you are a professional and need absolute reliability with bigger gigs, you should also have a backup amp. If tone is crucial or budget isn't a big concern, you can fully duplicate your rig; but practicality often necessitates a watered down, "get-through-the-gig" backup rig.
A major part of amp tone is what cabinet it is paired with. Cabs can range from fairly cheap to quite expensive. If it's a key part of your amp's tone, you may have to spend a bit of money here - the expensive amp but cheaper cab solution may not be a solution at all. Or you can consider looking smaller, such as getting a 2x12 vs. a 4x12. I use a modeler with a FRFR wedge monitor, and it was quite cheaper than a real guitar cab.