GG2: What price range are you leaning toward? You can often get a decent buy on craigslist if you know what you want. I had an Orange 120W head 3 decades ago so I've been down that road. I tend to stay away from some of the solidstate + multi-effects amps. But, in a pinch some will do.

I personally have a VOX AD30VT that you can grab used for about the $150-200 range. I like the way they've designed the circuitry so that you can get an edge of distortion like an old Fender Tweed and then kick up the input volume to distort a bit more. Some overdrive circuits aren't quite so smooth (usually either one extreme or the other).

I'm typically picky about tone in subtle ways. I normally wouldn't have given this amp a 2nd glance, but I got it on a trade for some desktop support work and have come to LOVE it for some all around practice.

Has one 10" speaker in it (ok, but I'll replace it with a 12" some day). 15 watts will be ok for you if you're looking for portability/studio/or apartment levels. You won't be impressed much with sound unless you're going for a small Class A tube amp and intend on cranking it. If THAT's the case...think about a 5-15W tube amp where you can crank a little. An amp putting out 5W is incredibly loud with the right speaker. The speaker selection is everything, too, but can be changed later.

GG2: Well, I peeked at the SF Bay area (peeking at where Santa Clara was) on craigslist. Here's a couple recent links in craigslist that look like some nice contenders. I've had a Line6 head...not bad for practice for a variety of situations (i.e. plugin an ipod and play along with headphones).

The Vox can be serious little tone contender. It's tube and I just love the way tubes saturate. So...there ya go...my 2 cents worth! :-)

Brad

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/1669713426.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/msg/1667650883.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/msg/1665904570.html (this is what I have)

Also...if you have a tech friend...goto http://www.ax84.com and check out the doberman amps...plus the amp kits they sell. I used to do a lot of forum on this site. It mainly consists of amp techs & hobbyists looking to emulate high end saturated distortion in bedroom level volumes. Don't let the 5W-15W levels fool you...these amps scream and are as loud as you'll need for studio, apartment & playing out mic'd up.

What'd I miss?

Sorry guys, been offline for a few weeks getting my pokémaker iPhone app update completed. Sales have been good. The new version is integrated with the online card database I just launched at http://www.pokemunity.com. Just posted the update to apple last night and it's now in review.

Glitzman: you asked for a satch pokemon card. There might be one on the pokemunity site now.
Roo

Hey Joe, just gettin back up to speed and saw the ice 9 pedal.. I'm sold mate! I can't wait to try one out.

You said two pedals though.. What's the other one?

:)
Roo

GG2 as you can see there are lots of suggestions for your little amp. you need to decide if you want tube or solid state. i prefer tube sound myself. epiphone is making a little 15w 2 piece rig that sounded way good. approx. $300. js mini colossal 5w all tube class A amp, $500. egnater has a 20w, cost restrictive here. $500 for the head no speaker. another $200. for that. the small vox ac15 is nice. not sure but i think its around $300. go to your local guitar store and try some out. used amps may allow you to get a better amp for the money.

Hey Joe, Check out Benavente Guitars if you havent already!

http://www.benaventeguitars.com/

Happy Easter To All.....

Thanks myersbw, HawkGuy, Blue_Moon and tikimon for your advice in selecting guitar amps. I don't want more than 15W because I live in a house that is less than 1300 square feet and share walls with my neighbors. They are very nice people and I don't want to disturb them. Oh, well.....It will be awhile before I get my first electric and amp anyway.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Well it was a bummer to see that the Chickenfoot release got pushed back until early May. Fortunately it's just a couple of weeks.

Al McKenna--You have a nice URL place......Great links.....I love the pictures! I like the wood headboard, pillow picture best. You look kinda sleepy and playful leaning back with your hand on a guitar(?) Great attitude picture!

Your dog buddy has attitude as well. He/she looks like a Westy. I grew up with a Scotty.....cute dog, but so much attitude......barks in the face of larger dogs and acts like he is king of everything......doesn't like birds landing in HIS backyard.....very territorial.......very different from a Lab, the kind of dog Steve and I both like.......one of few dogs Steve likes. He grew up with cats and is very much a cat person. My dad (Joe Fidler) was a cat person....anyway, that's another story.

I gotta work today......it's all good 'cause the library is closed to patrons and it will be quiet for a change.

I like that new version of Stairway To Heaven, for the most part. I'm fine with Mary J. Blige changing up the vocal melody a bit, but it bugs me that she added an extra word to one of the lines ("There's still the time to change the road you're on...")...that first "the" isn't in the original and it bugs me to hear it differently.

Travis Barker changed the drums enough to make it different, but not enough to be distracting. Orianthi's solo is good, and Steve Vai is Steve Vai (but on rhythm guitar).

I love the solo section...it sounds very Frank Zappa-esque. His versions of Stairway To Heaven are well worth looking up on YouTube, by the way, if you don't know them.

Happy Easter or Early Easter Everyone!

Roo: Andrew, you got e-mail! Thanks for the link.

Blue_Moon: Wow, I can see some of the resemblance right there. Hope you're doing well.

Hybes: Mark, no Ipad for me. Besides, I don't even own an Ipod or an Iphone.

Found this on E-Bay. Pretty neat.

Off to work tonight and then a busy day on Easter.

So what does Tres Leches mean? What flavor is that?

I'm retarded, I know, cuz I should prolly already know that....but also, what time is the cake to be served, please and thank you :))

HAPPY EASTER PEEPS!! And especially to Joe and his family.

I want black jelly beans really really badly, and can't find em ANYWHERE!! sigh.....

Chickenfoot dvd release date now pushed back to May 6th...anudder sigh, but I'll wait fer it :)

No, no, no, not this!! Hopefully it's this without the first ingredient!!

Tracie-Black jelly beans!!! You are making my mouth water, woman! My favorite jelly beans--licorice....yum!

My favorite Irish musicians are Enya, The Chieftains, and....and.....A. McKenna....ok, there.

Have a great weekend everyone.

The New York Times has music news.....April 1, 2010 issue online by Anthony Tommasini (Italian last name reminds me of some special musician named JOE).

Anyways the article is "A Shaper of American Music, and Musicians." The article is about William Schuman and how he and his contemporaries saw the roles of musicians in the 20th century. Interesting.

I like keeping up with music news of all kinds.