Practice amp question

Don R Brown · From: Rochester, New York, USA

I'm a 10-month n00b, I'm enjoying learning and making progress, but my playing is for my own enjoyment, not looking to join a band or such.

We are in the process of buying a second house near our daughter in Tennessee, about a 13 hour drive from home. While my steel would be going back and forth with us, it makes sense to buy a cheap amp to leave down there to cut back on the amount of stuff we haul.

At home I'm using a Nashville 112. Looking on Craigslist I see several fairly cheap practice amps such as a Dimebag Darrell Blacktooth and a Peavey KB/A 30 (which is a keyboard amp) for under $100.

Since I'm not looking for expert quality and tone, just something to practice on, would one of those or something similar suffice, or do the experts feel strongly I should stick to a steel-compatible amp? We're looking at 3 to 4 times that for another 112 and while I'm not el-cheapo, why pay more for something beyond my skill level? Opinions welcome - thanks!

Cal Sharp · From: the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN

I bought a Bandit 65 w/12" speaker that works fine for practice, and even small gigs. $150 from Craigslist. But if you're practicing by yourself you don't even need an amp.
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Pete Conklin · From: Austin, TX

Don, have you considered a headphone amp? I've got a Line 6 Pod Pocket and it's great for practicing.
It's got a nice reverb and delay.

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

I've seen Peavey Special 130s for under $100 in my local craigslist. I saw one for $50 once, and they said it works fine. I've heard that's actually a pretty good steel amp for mid to low volume use.

Jack Dougherty · From: Spring Hill, Florida, USA

Don....

I have a KBA 100 listed here... Very Happy

J

Don R Brown · From: Rochester, New York, USA

Guys, thanks for the help. I picked up a Peavey KB/A 30 for $80, sounds good to my untrained ear and will be fine for continued learning.

Cal, I replied to a CL ad for just what you mentioned, a Bandit 65, for $75, but the seller had a change of heart and decided to keep it.

Mickey Adams · From: Bandera Texas

ROLAND 80X/80XL....
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Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Try a Fender Super Champ x2.

David Stilley · From: Santa Cruz, California, USA

Hi Don,

I've been considering one of these, they seem like a good tool for a beginner to learn and practice with. Also useful as a warm up tool when playing out or in hotel rooms, or at night when normal people sleep (often the best and most creative time for musicians). They have a lot of useful features besides the headphone amp. I haven't used one before but I've seen them for sale in the forum classifieds before so maybe they work well for steel as well as regular 6-string. The Tascam G-10 Guitar Trainer:

http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-GB-10-Guitar-Trainer-Recorder/dp/B00452V2S8/ref=sr_1_139?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1356050027&sr=1-139&keywords=Guitar+practice+amp
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Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

Roland Cube.

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

To see some pretty well known players, who could afford anything and have tried and used everything from high end botique amps to rack systems, recommend the Roland Cubes. Admittedly they are not for everyone and/or every situation, but I've found for practice and very quiet venues(where I can get good tone right down to cut off), they fit my needs perfectly. Finding an amp that will play any gig I could use my NV112s for and still play quiet enough to effectively play a nursing home situation, the Cube 80XL was perfect. New Years Eve, I'll have my NV400 in play, but we'll be playing to a room packed full of partiers. Not that the Cube or a couple of them couldn't handle it, I will have one for back up, but to play loud the NV400 can just get-r-done. Disclaimer... I have not used or tried the Cube 40s or any of their smaller amps. Just don't need to...

Rob Williams · From: Charleston, SC

Don R Brown · From: Rochester, New York, USA

I wound up buying a used Peavey KB/A 30 from Craigslist. I've used it a couple times so far and it works fine for the skill level I have. And the seller was a decent guy who is into bluegrass, blues and country, playing guitar, ukelele, and another stringed instrument which starts with banj, but I don't think we're allowed to use that word around here! Laughing

We share a lot of the same musical tastes and the guy invited me to come jam with him sometime so I can start to get used to playing with something live rather than a CD. So it was a win all the way around.

Thanks for all the input! There is SO much to learn about steel and all the related equipment - I'm having a ball learning!

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

Don, based on how much volume and clear sound you want in a practice amp, I use a Fender SP-10, got it for 36 bucks shipped on ebay, works good for me.
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Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Don R Brown · From: Rochester, New York, USA

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