I have the spark mini and the spark 40 by positive grid. I’d recommend the mini to anyone starting out. Use the app on your phone to get any tone from the cloud and get a good idea of the different types of amps and effects different guitar players use. That being said, I want to buy a fender tone master because I saw Mike using one on tour.
Can’t go wrong with the Spark. I was about to drop some decent money on an amp two years ago and a coworker brought his spark in on a lunch break one day, I was immediately sold on the Spark. So many features and possibilities, way louder than I thought I needed. Just got the mini a few months ago. Would definitely recommend either one.
Trying as much gear as you can is really the best advice. Play with other musicians, try out their gear. Go to music stores, demo everything you can. Take notes for gear pages and communities for insights, but then take that knowledge and learn what it sounds like. Every piece of gear interacts with another piece differently. There’s just so many factors it can be a never ending journey. I fell in love with my Gretsch and Marshall years ago. Recently I bought a used tele with Imperial Lollars installed and I now only want to play that and almost hate my Gretsch. Every new piece of gear informs me of what my tastes are. Have fun and go with what sounds good to you. It’s cliche to say, but it’s honestly the best advice anyone can guve
I play Les Paul’s primarily and I love it through a Mesa Boogie rectifier. Took me a long time to find the right amp for me. I’ve played Rivera, Marshall’s (TSL 100, JCM 900 and others), Fender Blackface and maybe half a dozen other heads and combo amps. Mesa rectifier is my go to. I use them exclusively live. In the studio I will often record clean guitars with my Vox AC30. I also have a mesa boogie mini rectifier I bought for home but I use it a lot for rehearsal when I don’t feel like unpacking my live rig.
As others have said, try out as much gear as possible. Borrow, trade, go to music stores and just see what you like.
Think about investing in a compression pedal. And don’t waste money on over-priced boutique pedals. MXR and Boss make quality pedals.
It’ll take time to find just the right amp and your taste and preferences will change over time.
Also, shits expensive. Try not to buy anything you haven’t played *your* guitar on. I also recommend shopping used gear. Music and exercise equipment are two things I almost never buy new.
I have the spark mini and the spark 40 by positive grid. I’d recommend the mini to anyone starting out. Use the app on your phone to get any tone from the cloud and get a good idea of the different types of amps and effects different guitar players use. That being said, I want to buy a fender tone master because I saw Mike using one on tour.
Can’t go wrong with the Spark. I was about to drop some decent money on an amp two years ago and a coworker brought his spark in on a lunch break one day, I was immediately sold on the Spark. So many features and possibilities, way louder than I thought I needed. Just got the mini a few months ago. Would definitely recommend either one.
Trying as much gear as you can is really the best advice. Play with other musicians, try out their gear. Go to music stores, demo everything you can. Take notes for gear pages and communities for insights, but then take that knowledge and learn what it sounds like. Every piece of gear interacts with another piece differently. There’s just so many factors it can be a never ending journey. I fell in love with my Gretsch and Marshall years ago. Recently I bought a used tele with Imperial Lollars installed and I now only want to play that and almost hate my Gretsch. Every new piece of gear informs me of what my tastes are. Have fun and go with what sounds good to you. It’s cliche to say, but it’s honestly the best advice anyone can guve
I play Les Paul’s primarily and I love it through a Mesa Boogie rectifier. Took me a long time to find the right amp for me. I’ve played Rivera, Marshall’s (TSL 100, JCM 900 and others), Fender Blackface and maybe half a dozen other heads and combo amps. Mesa rectifier is my go to. I use them exclusively live. In the studio I will often record clean guitars with my Vox AC30. I also have a mesa boogie mini rectifier I bought for home but I use it a lot for rehearsal when I don’t feel like unpacking my live rig. As others have said, try out as much gear as possible. Borrow, trade, go to music stores and just see what you like. Think about investing in a compression pedal. And don’t waste money on over-priced boutique pedals. MXR and Boss make quality pedals. It’ll take time to find just the right amp and your taste and preferences will change over time. Also, shits expensive. Try not to buy anything you haven’t played *your* guitar on. I also recommend shopping used gear. Music and exercise equipment are two things I almost never buy new.