I have recently started a band with some friends. We play mostly small bars and clubs. With summer coming, we hope to play some open air parties. We are currently using a Gipson GA 17 RVT. We are going to need to replace it as it is starting to go out. I have never purchased an amp before. Do you have any recommendations as to a brand or specific things I should be looking for in an amp?

I have not played live in a very long time, neither has my husband but we are both Fender people. What is your budget and what have you thought of so far? Have you went window shopping at all yet to check deals and see whats avalible? We have a fender princeton chorus for the house here but you might be looking for something a little bigger.

Hi Jillian, candit has a point. You're really going to want to start off by identifying a budget, then we can give you some suggestions. The Fender Princeton Chorus that Candit mentioned is a great amp but probably somewhere "middle of the road" price wise. If you want to stick towards the lower price ranges, there are a number of options and of course you can spend as much as you want to. Let us know what you're able to spend...

You say that "we" are currently using the Gibson amp. Is this just for you to play guitar, or is everyone going through this? Are you looking for a PA or a guitar amp? Just curious to clarify.

Some lighter budget options in PA's would be Kustom or Behringer, and even Carvin makes a solid mini-PA. Fender also has the Passport series. That's all pretty well self-contained.

As for guitar amps, try offbrands. They're cheap and some are weird but can be pretty solid. Drive, Pignose, Danville, etc. Again, Behringer is another great cheap brand. They use most of the same parts as higher end makes, but it just comes in a cheaper package.

Chris you hit the nail on the head. Before spouse and I were hitched he plays for some semi local bands out in CA, but when the bands spilt, the extra amp's and whatnot did just hte same. We got the fender because we knew we still wanted to play, but we did not want to play pro anymore (I never have, only him).


Here are a Google couple of ideas just for a quick Fender search.