Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Spitfire on February 28, 2009, 01:48:46 PM

Title: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Spitfire on February 28, 2009, 01:48:46 PM
i know we all play guitar... but do you spend most time getting thru a lot of amps or guitars... ive always been happier using the gutars i have at the time but am much more an amp snob.  I dont think ill ever spend more than £800 on a guitar, yet i have spent way more in the past looking for the amp for me.

The most I have spent on a guitar was for my RG550EX which was £650 (i think) which i no longer have and my current most expensive is my jap Tele coming in at £460.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: ChunkyMunky on February 28, 2009, 01:58:27 PM
Naturally, Aren't amps gonna cost more than a lot of guitars?

I myself am split between both. I'm very happy with my Engl, so I would probably go beserk on another guitar.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Pete24v on February 28, 2009, 01:59:45 PM
For sure i've had more amps than guitars in the last 10 years or so... can't see it changing either!
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Philly Q on February 28, 2009, 02:07:18 PM
 :lol: I am unquestionably a guitar guy!

In the 28 years I've been "playing" I've owned 69 guitars and only about 6 amps I think.

But then I'm a guitar enthusiast more than a guitar player.  I just like guitars.  If I ever took my playing more seriously, then I'd take a greater interest in amps - but I don't think I'd become an amp fanatic.  An amp is just a tool to me, but a guitar has something magical about it.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Lew on February 28, 2009, 02:22:58 PM
Amp guy, I've had a ton more guitars but that's because I've found it easier to get an amp I love, but apart from a couple of acoustics I've yet to form an 'emotional' bond with an electric guitar!
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Davey on February 28, 2009, 02:44:20 PM
guitar guy ... i'm very happy with my amp (less so with the cab), and i dont see myself changing or buying another amp in the distant future. as with guitars, i got a lot of plans, spec sheets, shapes, bla bla bla laid out, that i would ultimatelly like to own
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: hunter on February 28, 2009, 02:56:25 PM

I'm a guitar collector and amp swapper.

Had about 20 amps but they came and went, guitars just pile up, 12 at the moment.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Jonny on February 28, 2009, 03:00:47 PM
I want to more the amp guy than the guitar guy, but space restriction I can fit more guitars so.. :P
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Fourth Feline on February 28, 2009, 03:01:07 PM
Now , for me it's the guitar. I guess it always was really, as playing a guitar or any closely held instrument is an intimate act.

 The amp now only has the function to bring out the best in the guitar for me.  My position was even more consolidated, when I went down the ( long overdue ) Jazz route recently. I practice unplugged about 98% of the time - and the amp when used - is chosen / used to make the guitar sound 'bigger' - not different .  

The 'last straw' for me was seeing / hearing a DVD of Joe Pass going D.I. into the front of house P.A. system. Lovely .  If anything I would now go acoustic - ( or electro- acoustic ) if I had to chose.  Like Philly, I love guitars - but it's about the music to me , it just so happened that I chose the guitar to explore the music on, due to influences at the outset.

I admit that in the interim decades it was about both really. N.O.S. valves in carefully chosen amps e.t.c.   But as previously mentioned by another forumite on a recent thread - even that was about presenting the essence of the style / genre in which I was involved ; -  which was at the time big 'spanky' Soul & R'n'B ( in the true / real meaning of R'n'B ) - and of course warm, cranked electric Blues.

:)
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: hamfist on February 28, 2009, 03:55:48 PM
Amps definately !  I love them, always swapping them. Now I can build and mod them I'm even happier !

I appreciate a nice guitar, but it only has to be a good functional instrument. People on here might notice that I hardly ever take part in the guitar-orientated threads ... i'm just simply not that interested.

I'm almost as interested in pedals, as amps at certain times.

I actually reckon there are 3 classes of obsession.

1/ amps

2/ guitars

3/ pedals
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Simon D on February 28, 2009, 04:13:10 PM
I'm probably more of a guitar guy - I've owned 14 in the 14 years I've been playing (and still have 9), while I'm only on my third amp. That's not to say I've found my ideal amp yet, but I do quite like the one I've got.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Scotty477 on February 28, 2009, 04:18:56 PM

I'm definitley a guitar guy.

I think I've only owned about 5 amps, and 2 of those were small practice amps.

The most I've paid for an amp is £240, which was a Marshall TSL601 - which I didn't keep. My current amp is a Peavey Classic 50 212. Cost was an absolute bargain at £200 used  :D

In contrast I've spent a lot more on my guitars. £1400 for my LP, £750 for my SG2000, £550 for a Strat Plus ... and quite a few more.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: ailean on February 28, 2009, 06:04:21 PM
I'd say 60/40 amp. I like my gear to be balanced, but if I've got a good guitar then I'll focus on the amp rig. If the amp rig gets a step above then I'll be looking for a guitar.

Lucky for me Sue is the other way, so she worries about the guitars and I worry about the amps.  :)
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Will on February 28, 2009, 06:12:32 PM
I don't see why amps should cost more guitars, I think I have had this conversation with mates before.
I would like another amp, and a few more guitars (will happily trade up though).
Currently: 2 amps and 2 guitars
Ideal: 2-3 amps, maybe 3-5 guitars
I think I'm a player, even if I play bad :?
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: AndyR on February 28, 2009, 06:13:17 PM
Guitars for me, most definitely...

In fact, it's only since I've been on here that it's crossed my mind that some people might be more taken up with the amp side of things. Not sure why that never occurred to me before!
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: d1dsj on February 28, 2009, 06:24:52 PM
Guitars for me, however... I did go through a few different amps until I found an amp that was the right platform for the guitars I have to sound good. A good amp will let the guitars own character come through, a bad one makes all your guitars sound the same IMO.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: sebby123 on February 28, 2009, 06:27:22 PM
Allways have stayed with my paul but have gone through orange marshall peavey soldano and right now im set with my mesa mark iv :)
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: MrBump on February 28, 2009, 06:30:48 PM
I have to say, I'm more a kebab guy.

I could take or leave the guitars.  Or amps.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: marantz1300 on February 28, 2009, 07:42:30 PM
I think Amp. I still have all three valve amps that I have bought. My first was my Boogies, Studio pre and 50/50. I got these befor I played guitar.I wanted a valve amp fir my HiFi and came across them at a boot sale. The old boy wouldn't split them so I bought both. I had never heard of Mesa Boogie.About six months later I got curious and bought a Lester copy to try them with. Oh such tone. My Hiwatt I like even more.Although I'm tempted to trade it for a Marshall sometimes,I think I'd miss its glorious tone to much. My guitars I end up swapping,except for the Silhouettes.They are great.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Twinfan on February 28, 2009, 08:53:35 PM
Guitars for sure.  I get really attached to them, and a couple I have are just magical.

Amps are a tool.  I like 'em, I have some, but I can always get another built.  Guitars are harder to replace...
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: dave_mc on February 28, 2009, 09:12:48 PM
i have way more guitars than amps, but that's mainly because guitars take up less room... :lol: can i cheat and say "Both"?
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Jonny on February 28, 2009, 10:54:14 PM
i have way more guitars than amps, but that's mainly because guitars take up less room... :lol: can i cheat and say "Both"?
Dave I haven't seen any of your collection, apart from an Eggle, your Legra and.. something else. With an amp of some sort I think. What do you really have?
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: gwEm on February 28, 2009, 11:08:19 PM
i agree with twinfan, amps are easy to replace, guitars much harder. so i am a guitar man.

but as an electronics engineer i do like amps and tinkering with them. its vital to have the right amp for your sound, much more than guitar probably


Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: marantz1300 on February 28, 2009, 11:54:49 PM
Play a Squier through a great ampand you'll have  some fine tone. Play a Lester through a cheap amp and you'll have no tone.              :lol:
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Adam.M on March 01, 2009, 12:36:05 AM
I really, REALLY want to be an amp guy but it is just impossible whilst living at home.

I have to make to playing a PRS into... Amplitube... or Guitar Rig...

It hurts :(

Doesn't help that i'm a cheap git neither :D i guess thats the traits of the Yorkshire man in me.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 01, 2009, 12:56:11 AM
Guitars for me.I think it is because I hold the guitar and have a more, ahem, intimate relationship with it.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: _tom_ on March 01, 2009, 01:02:17 AM
Guitars I think. Well, I gas for  them more than amps. That being said I really want to try a new amp right now, hence why I'm considering getting a Blackstar HT5 :)

Adam I feel your pain, when I'm at uni I have to use Amplitube 2 til I move out of halls.. but if I like the blackstar I'll get a 1x12 and move that into the new house I'm moving into for next year :D
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Elliot on March 01, 2009, 01:48:33 AM
Amp guy me, if I could afford it and didnt live in a terrace
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: broken cord on March 01, 2009, 02:03:58 AM
I am starting to lean towards being an amp man. I have my share of nice guitars but the amps are really doing it for me lately.

1-2 Watt - Emery Sound Micro Baby Tube amp
5 Watt - Peavey Royal 8 with Tone Tuby Hempcone speaker
18 Watt - 65 Amps London 18
20 Watt - Koch Studiotone

I've been into the low power lately, it's great for playing at home.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: viking on March 01, 2009, 06:01:31 AM
Interesting thread  8)!Guitars,of course...Not only electrics,all kind!Classical Spanish,Flamenco,Gipsy Jazz,Bass,electros etc..Plus,luths,Sythars,tamburas(Afghan) etc..
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on March 01, 2009, 10:53:45 AM
Great question

I am so involved with guitars and can have pretty much anything I want - so in a way I have always been a guitar guy

BUT

I have always been into amp tones and got into the whole rack thing in the 1980s - much like a HIFi buff gets into separates rather than all in one stereo units.

The Egnater modular preamp has been a great cure in so many ways as it does nail the flavours pretty well and I can just change module.

My girlfriend has taken to counting amps when she comes round and makes her observations known if the collection seems to have grown (seems the same rules dont apply when I count her shoe collection)
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: d1dsj on March 01, 2009, 11:26:51 AM

My girlfriend has taken to counting amps when she comes round and makes her observations known if the collection seems to have grown (seems the same rules dont apply when I count her shoe collection)

 :lol: ha ha ha
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Ratrod on March 01, 2009, 12:41:45 PM
I have and had way more guitars than amps. Currently I have three electric guitars and one amp.

That doesn't mean I don't care about my amp and tone. I've spent alot of time choosing the right amp for me.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Nolly on March 01, 2009, 01:08:48 PM
I'm a guitar guy. I do love a good amp, but they always feel replaceable, whereas no two guitars are the same.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: ChunkyMunky on March 01, 2009, 01:17:22 PM
I'm a guitar guy. I do love a good amp, but they always feel replaceable, whereas no two guitars are the same.

+1
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: Twaddlefish on March 01, 2009, 01:42:47 PM
I think I'm a guitar guy as well. Although I've only had 4 guitars and 3 amps, I've become so much more attatched to my guitars. I'm one of those guys who knows what he wants to sound like and doesn't want to create more than 5 or 6 different sounds, all of which I can do with some tweaking of my current gear.

I love my guitar, and precious few people are allowed to play it who aren't me!
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: sgmypod on March 01, 2009, 02:46:33 PM
Erm both...
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: martinw on March 01, 2009, 03:35:24 PM
Erm both...

Bingo!  :D

The first electric guitars often came with an amp as a set. Sometimes the amp had no controls, as those on the guitar were seen as enough.

Both together, form the instrument in a symbiotic way.
Each without the other is useless.
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: sgmypod on March 01, 2009, 04:46:15 PM
Erm both...

Bingo!  :D

The first electric guitars often came with an amp as a set. Sometimes the amp had no controls, as those on the guitar were seen as enough.

Both together, form the instrument in a symbiotic way.
Each without the other is useless.
..sometimes plus pedals
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: donovan.x on March 01, 2009, 05:04:41 PM
I was just a guitar guy, now however I am consumed by a need for Guitars, Pick ups, amps and now pedals, when will it end.
I really belive however that better/more gear= better playing!
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: dave_mc on March 01, 2009, 08:20:24 PM
Dave I haven't seen any of your collection, apart from an Eggle, your Legra and.. something else. With an amp of some sort I think. What do you really have?

er... :lol:

ibanez rg1570
musicyo kramer striker
patrick eggle vienna (newer tiggle semi-hollow version)
patrick eggle new york pro
edwards LP standard
Tokai strat copy
legra V

Engl Savage SE
Epiphone Valve Junior Halfstack
Vox pathfinder (first amp :lol: )

several pedals, most of which i don't use, as they sounded good on my old solid state amps but don't sound too good through valves.

Don't tell twinfan, i still want to be able to keep him going about buying too much... ;)
Title: Re: are you an amp guy or a guitar guy?
Post by: nfe on March 01, 2009, 08:37:46 PM
I'd love to be an amp guy, but I've never been able to justify buying a bunch of amps nor have I ever had the room to keep them or ability to run them at a real volume.

So more guitars it is  :lol: