How Many Amps Should I Have?

asimmd · December 2014

Hi Guys After my questions about which amp I should get,(Mesa Boogie Mark 5/25 or Vox AC15C1) I still can't decide,so how about I get both? Is there an argument for or against doing this. I always thought 1 amp should be enough but I have 10 guitars,so why not 2 amps. Your comments appreciated,thanks Alan

guitarfishbay · December 2014

If you can afford it and it will make you happy then do it!

asimmd · December 2014

I suppose I should have said how many on here have more than one amp?

Drew_TNBD · December 2014

I have:

Kemper Profiling Amp

Diezel D-Moll

VHT Sig: X

Carlsbro 1960's PA valve head

The Diezel was my main gigging amp. But it is only 3 channels, and I tend to need 4 to 6 different levels of gain for our material, and I don't always have time to grab my volume control. So the beastly multi-channel Sig X is sort of an essential. But I still love the tones the Diezel gives me, and I don't really want to part with it if I can help it.

At the same time, at home... I tend to prefer recording with the Kemper, because of volume levels and a wide palette of tones.

The Carlsbro just sorta hangs around, I'd get rid of it if it was worth anything.

ThePrettyDamned · December 2014

I often wonder why folk often only have 1 or 2 amps.

They vary the tone significantly more than the guitar, so I kinda think it's a better investment than multiple guitars.

I just prefer guitars...

HAL9000 · December 2014

n + 1 where n is the number of amps currently owned.

Gassage · December 2014

I agree with @theprettydamned

I have 3 all in one rig. The texture of each is totally different

digitalscream · December 2014

I'd say that if you're gigging, you should definitely have a minimum of two.

I wouldn't be so silly as to specify a maximum, mind.

capo4th · December 2014

It's all about what you want to drink on a certain day....

JohnPerry · December 2014

Six is optimum

TheMarlin · December 2014

Four.

One stage beast (if you don't do gigs, forget this one)

One small gig amp

Home practice amp

small portable battery powers thing (Yamaha THR10c) for business trips, and holidays etc

You could get away with two, if the small gig amp has a decent attenuator (such as Tone King Imperial 20th/Sky King)

Marlin

viz · December 2014

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/146110/#Comment_146110

meltedbuzzbox · December 2014

1 amp is all you need.

I have 3 at present (trying to sell one) I have no desire to play any of them but the best one.

A back up is handy but I dont much fancy lugging close to 80kg of ampage to a gig when I can take one amp and a pedal/pod back up.

dindude · December 2014

1 amp. And make it a good'un.

samzadgan · December 2014

you need 1 main amp...something big and special...

then you obviously need a back up to that...something tonally similar but maybe not as expensive

then you need an old school solid state - think peavey 1980's

then you need a vintage if you have got one above, and if you do, then you need a lesser known brand for cheap

then you need a few small combos darted around the house, fender, marshally, and something boutique

finally you need the new flavour of the day lunch box amp head and cab

of course, all the above excludes digital...so there that too

hubobulous · December 2014

@samzadgan - when are you gonna get the big and special amp then...?

samzadgan · December 2014

hubobulous said:

@samzadgan - when are you gonna get the big and special amp then...?

@hubobulous...im saving up, should be getting it the same time you get a decent 30w head and cab!

but the sad thing is, i'm talking to a guy in australia about a 200w solid state amp...based on a OR120...

hubobulous · December 2014

Wash your filthy mouth out

hywelg · December 2014

I'd say that since an amp is an instrument in its own right probably4.

Something AC30ish
Something old school Marshall
Fender big bold cleans BF Super
Somethin modern, hot rodded Marshall maybe or highgain

Could also argue for
Hiwatt, TweedTwin (keef style), Matchless/BadCat, D clone, and something low wattage for home use.

Nearly up to 10 there.

midlifecrisis · December 2014

must have one for each room of the house, ready to plug in and play anytime,

kitchen, small kustom practise amp, front room, laney vc30. back room , laney cub12r, spare room peavey bandit, bedroom orange micro terror and 12inch cab, hall, small bass amp, downstairs toilet, fender frontman, I need more amps really

John_P · December 2014

Buy as many as you need (and have the spare cash for), there's no rule, I'd suggest one or two decent amps is a lot better than several not so good amps. I seem to have 11 at the moment, not really sure how that happened and I'll probably get rid of at least a couple in the new year.

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