Skate-Wear Central

Handmade Todd

How To Find The Right Guitar Amp

Choosing the right amplifier for your guitar is by no means an easy task.  Usually a guitarist will think of style, as well as price first, when considering options.  Assuming you have bought a guitar recently, this guide will suggest a few tips, for buying a new or used amplifier.  There are dozens on the market – with low to “sky’s the limit” prices.  Assuming that you are a beginning or aspiring guitarist, this guide should give you some guidance.  Perhaps you have just bought a Fender, Epiphone, Gibson, Dean, Ibanez, Kramer or other guitar, of fairly good to good quality, you will need a good amp to compliment your style.

One cannot think of a guitarist performing live, without thinking about their guitar to some extent.  Visualizing Jimi Hendrix’s “Stratocaster” with a wall of amplifiers behind him, — yes the much emulated and desired Marshall Stacks, which are quite expensive.  Eric Clapton, in his early years, preferred Marshalls as well, though he did also prefer to play a Les Paul, or his legendary “The Fool” SG, before he switched over to a Stratocaster as well.  Speaking of “The Fool’s” current owner, Todd Rundgren, who prefers an old Fender Mustang, is known to like the crispness of Peavey amplifiers.  I have owned several Peavey amplifiers, including a P.A. and must admit, they are really hard to beat for clarity of sound.  I also owned a Marshall Stack 100 Watts at one time, and attribute much hearing loss from it.  Honestly, I think the same classic sound, with less decibels can be achieved, through smaller amps.

Really you must ask yourself, in relation to the guitar you have, what kind of sound are you wishing to project?  Will this be acoustic?  Straight ahead Rock and Roll?  Country?  Blues?  Heavy Metal?

What kind of budget are you on?  If you are like me, I would rather start with a smaller amplifier to get a feel, for how I like the sound and how it sounds with the guitar.

SOLID STATE VS. TUBE AMPLIFIERS

There are many guitar purists who swear by tube amplifiers over solid state.  They want that warm crunch or presence of vintage tube analog sound.  The cost of a vintage amplifier is expensive.  One can also emulate or simulate the sound of a tube amplifier, from effects pedals, such as Ibanez Tube Screamer, which is quite popular, for this purpose.  Behringer and Peavey have smaller amps which sound fairly good, with trans-tube technology, in relation to the vintage Fenders, Vox, and Marshalls.  But for our purposes, we shall focus on solid state amplifiers due to cost for the beginner, versatility, and the simple fact, that digitally the sound can be reproduced, to an extent, only a professional would notice.

$100 Budget

Let us assume that you have $100 to spend on an amplifier at this time.  Note, you can always add effects pedals.  In addition, due to digital technology, you can also purchase pedals which will simulate all the classic and vintage amplifiers.

There are inexpensive practice amplifiers out there ranging from $30-80, but it would be safe to say, that the bedroom, backstage or den is the only context you will be able to use them in.  Usually they are about 10 Watts of power, although good in tone, you may want to consider something that can be used in other atmospheres, such as jamming along with friends, or even having enough power for small clubs, or coffeehouses.  Among those smaller amps for practice:

Rogue, Peavey Audition, Rocktron, Ibanez, Behringer V Tone, Kustom, Fender Frontman 15G

Behringer Ultracoustic, Pignose, even a 10 Watt Marshall

These amplifiers may be what you are seeking if you are considering to mic them through a P.A. System, or you really just want an amplifier, to jam along with songs in the comfort of your bedroom, but it is best to consider amps starting in the 15 watt range and going up from there.

By the way, don’t feel embarrassed by the use of pedals and effects you will find that most guitarists use them.

Lastly, you may want to get a custom handmade amp built for you by someone like Jack at jacksaxe.com. Custom amps have the advantage of being built to your desires and needs.

Whatever you do, make sure that you have done your research before buying an amp. You will be glad you did.

About the Author

Written for the owner of http://jacksaxe.com/
This article can be reproduced in whole or in part, providing this byline is included along with a followable link to http://jacksaxe.com/

TODD OLDHAM’S HANDMADE MODERN – CHARLEY HARPER ESSAY

Womens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer Texas A&M Sandals $51.95 GO AGGIES! With these Rainbow sandals you’ll truly be the 12th man! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Mens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer USC Sandals $51.95 GO TROJANS! Fight On for ol’ USC in these Rainbow sandals! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Womens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer UNC Sandals $51.95 GO TAR HEELS! These Rainbow sandals are sure to make Rameses jealous! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Mens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer Texas A&M Sandals $51.95 GO AGGIES! With these Rainbow sandals you’ll truly be the 12th man! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Womens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer USC Sandals $51.95 GO TROJANS! Fight On for ol’ USC in these Rainbow sandals! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Mens Rainbow Sandals Premier Single Layer UNC Sandals $51.95 GO TAR HEELS! These Rainbow sandals are sure to make Rameses jealous! Handmade and held together with strong glue, Rainbow Sandals will stay in one piece and will keep your feet comfortable with sponge rubber that molds to your individual foot shape. Rainbow Sandals keep the beaches clean and our feet comfortable, and they have grown to become a world-known brand that provides us with a variety of sandal choices, as well as shoes and boots. With an unbeatable Rainbow Guarantee, your Rainbow Sandals and Footwear will carry your feet for miles. SIZING NOTE: Mens Rainbow Sandals run true to size, however, they have a wider footbed than the womens Rainbow Sandals. Many women with a wider foot order the mens sandals if the womens sizes are too narrow. See Rainbow Sizing Chart to compare mens and womens sizing. NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT USE PETROLEUM OR OIL BASED CONDITIONER, CLEANER, SEALER OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CHEMICAL ON THE LEATHER SURFACE OF RAINBOW SANDALS. DOING SO WILL CAUSE UN-REPAIRABLE DE-LAMINATING AND SUCH DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RAINBOW GUARANTEE

Lost Handmade Tee $21 Lost Handmade Tee

Lost Handmade T-Shirt – Black $21 Remember when you were little and you used to make handmade presents for your ma? Well, the Handmade tee from Lost is similar – it was handcrafted to fit your toned surfer bod and express your easy going lifestyle; it was made for you bro. It boasts screen print “Hand Made in CA USA” lettering and a Lost surf board on the front to make you stand out as the most stylin’ dude in the beach scene. Even your mom would approve – and you didn’t even have to lift a finger or glue anything together!

Lost Handmade T-Shirt – White $21 Remember when you were little and you used to make handmade presents for your ma? Well, the Handmade tee from Lost is similar – it was handcrafted to fit your toned surfer bod and express your easy going lifestyle; it was made for you bro. It boasts screen print “Hand Made in CA USA” lettering and a Lost surf board on the front to make you stand out as the most stylin’ dude in the beach scene. Even your mom would approve – and you didn’t even have to lift a finger or glue anything together!

Mens Lost Tee – Lost Handmade T-Shirt $21 Online Exclusive! Lost graphic on front with black text. Logo loop at bottom. Crew neck. Short sleeves. Slim fit. Machine washable. Imported. 100% cotton.Medium shown

Ezekiel Sweeney White Boardshort $39.99 Don’t upset Master Todd, or else he might add a splash of color to these black & white Sweeney boardshorts from Ezekiel! Trust us, red isn’t your color.

Mens Electric Sunglasses – Electric Hardkx Gloss Sunglasses $80 Take on the hectic world with the Hardknox Gloss Sunglasses by Electric. 6-Base CR39 lens. 3-Barrel stainless steel hinge. 6-Base handmade frame with inner wire core. 100% UV Protection.

Mens Vestal Sunglasses – Vestal De Luna Sunglasses $90 Online Exclusive! Opt for a fresh new look with the De Luna Sunglasses by Vestal. Glossy handmade acetate frame. Metal temple accent and logo hit. Metal accent on top. 5 Barrel hinges. 4 Base lens. 100% UV Protection.

Sanuk Woodstock Espresso Women’s Sandal $25 Wear your heart on your feet with these Woodstock sandals from Sanuk featuring a delicate, corrosive-resistant peace sign on the handmade synthetic leather straps!

Mens Electric Sunglasses – Electric Hardkx Brown Sunglasses $85 Online Exclusive! Snag these awesome rectangular-lens shades from Electric, featuring a handmade acetate frame. That means you get that sweet depth in the sunshine, where you can see though the clear bits of the tortoiseshell pattern. The lens tint is amber and not gray, giving everything a chilled out honey-brown hue, thats sure to please your peepers on any day -sunny, or overcast. 5 3/4″ W x 111/16″ H x 61/4″ L. 100% UV protection lenses. Handmade acetate frame. Soft carrying bag included.

Sanuk Rio Shoe $52 Show off your beachy/hippie style year-round with the Sanuk Rio Women’s Slip On Shoes. With a handmade herringbone pattern – frayed edge detailing – Smooth textile liner and a molded EVA footbed keeps you in style and comfortable no matter what the weather.

Women’s Sanuk Scurvy $38.99 Vegan & Vegetarian-friendly slip-on; Handmade canvas upper; Grippy Vulc-Lite outsole;

Sanuk Standard Gray Sidewalk Surfer $39.99 Add a splash of funk to your everyday wear with the Standard sidewalk surfers from Sanuk featuring a handmade canvas upper and lightweight “Vulc-Lite” footbed with a canvas sock liner!