I have a friend who was originally into pedals but decided to go with a modeling amp. These amp are good and I recommend them if you want something all in one. But somewhere along the way, you’re going to get interested in pedals. Finding a good basic platform amp for those pedals is crucial.
I can get by with three pedals most gigs. I just need an overdrive, some form of ambience like delay or reverb, and a looper. But i can get by with one pedal if I have this kind of amp. It must have three things: a built in reverb, a dirty channel, and an aux in.
These types of (usually solid state amps) are good to have. You want to do a jazz brunch with some backing tracks? Cellphone or MP3 thru aux in and done. You want to work with just a looper? It provides the reverb. Need overdrive to rock with a band at rehearsal or live? You have it. Need to run your keyboard player thru the aux in? It works.
These amps are indispensable. They usually come in 15 watts and are labeled “15R” or something similar.
And that’s that.
randy lin guitar 