My Axe(that means guitar, posers)

[OMGWTF420]

just broke a string and dont have any to replace it, fml

[nichomachean]

I would ask what kind of budget you're looking for?

Overall, in terms of amp, for the most legitimate sounds (both clean and overdriven), you can't be tube. There are plenty of boutique craftsman creating wonderful amps across a range of sounds and needs. Bad Cat amps, for example, have great class A overdriven sound and crystal-clear cleans. ENGL, on the other hand, makes face-melting, high gain monsters for the metalheads and shredders out there. I think tube amps are worth the investment, even if they are pricey.

In terms of guitars, most companies make great guitars, and tone is a matter of many things, including the wood combinations in the neck, fretboard, and body; which electronics you place in the guitar, and scale. In terms of your current guitar, I am skeptical things like fret buzz and high action cannot be adjusted (it sounds like your repair guy doesn't seem to know his stuff). I play an Ibanez S with EMG active pickups as my more "metal" guitar (it has exceptional clean sounds as well), and stick to a Dean Evo for my more classic rock, Gibson-Les-Paul-style guitar.

Solid state is great on a budget, but all-in-all one will not find the same tone from it as tube circuitry.

Just my 2 coppers.

[OMGWTF420]

Originally Posted by nichomachean [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I would ask what kind of budget you're looking for?

Overall, in terms of amp, for the most legitimate sounds (both clean and overdriven), you can't be tube. There are plenty of boutique craftsman creating wonderful amps across a range of sounds and needs. Bad Cat amps, for example, have great class A overdriven sound and crystal-clear cleans. ENGL, on the other hand, makes face-melting, high gain monsters for the metalheads and shredders out there. I think tube amps are worth the investment, even if they are pricey.

In terms of guitars, most companies make great guitars, and tone is a matter of many things, including the wood combinations in the neck, fretboard, and body; which electronics you place in the guitar, and scale. In terms of your current guitar, I am skeptical things like fret buzz and high action cannot be adjusted (it sounds like your repair guy doesn't seem to know his stuff). I play an Ibanez S with EMG active pickups as my more "metal" guitar (it has exceptional clean sounds as well), and stick to a Dean Evo for my more classic rock, Gibson-Les-Paul-style guitar.

Solid state is great on a budget, but all-in-all one will not find the same tone from it as tube circuitry.

Just my 2 coppers.

awesome insight dude, i still consider myself a novice, ive only been playing for a little over 2 years so this is the kind of stuff i need to hear.

as far as my budget goes, im looking at around 300-400 on a new amp, a guitar will probably in the same ballpark area however ill be looking at used stuff too so hopefully i can get a good deal

[nichomachean]

Nice.

For a good little 5w tube amp, see if you can pick up a used Epiphone Valve Jr. It only has a gain knob, with nice cleans, and breaks up nicely as you ramp it up. You should be able to pick up the amp for about $100, and the matching 1x12 cabinet for $60-85.

In terms of guitar, in the $300-500 range there are all kinds of great guitars. I am actually a big fan of Schecter guitars, which for the price play really well and have room for upgrades. I am also a fan of Dean guitars in this price range, as well as some of the Ibanez (the S-series have some of the smoothest necks I've ever played). I would recommend the Schecter Omen series if you like fixed bridge, or the Damian series if you want to mess with the Floyd Rose vibrato. They both come with passive or active pickups.

Good luck!