So I've been playing for about 6 years on acoustic, and after researching, I'm wanting to get a Mexican Telecaster as my first electric as something affordable with a smooth sound.

As far as the set up with it though, I'm kind of at a loss. Where is the best place to buy an amp, and what brands would you recommend? Anything else you would recommend for someone buying their first electric? I would consider myself an intermediate player.

If this isn't the right place for this thread, feel free to move it. Wasn't sure if it should be entertainment, nerdery, or general.

Champ Bailey said:

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So I've been playing for about 6 years on acoustic, and after researching, I'm wanting to get a Mexican Telecaster as my first electric as something affordable with a smooth sound.

As far as the set up with it though, I'm kind of at a loss. Where is the best place to buy an amp, and what brands would you recommend? Anything else you would recommend for someone buying their first electric? I would consider myself an intermediate player.

If this isn't the right place for this thread, feel free to move it. Wasn't sure if it should be entertainment, nerdery, or general.

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Best of luck in your journey!

There are no set rules. It's about finding something you're comfortable with.

For me, as an acoustic-first player...I ended up with a semi-hollowbody electric because of the feel. The Epiphone Dot and Casino are comparable to a Mexi tele. But tele's are great guitars too. It's also easy to swap out the pickups in the basic ones.

For an amp, I would honestly recommend going with a POD. The new POD Helix is super nice, but very expensive. I just recently upgraded to a POD HD500X (previous model) and it's more than adequate for my needs.

Obviously it depends on your budget (what an expensive hobby this can be...haha) but I think a POD would give you some flexibility with trying different sounds and types of amps...plus effects, all in one package. And it's easy option to use with headphones, and a direct XLR out for running into PA system or amp live. And it's just easier to move around.

Fender amps might be a good first place to look as well if you want to start with a physical amp.

For beginners, I usually recommend getting something cheap or used. But that's usually because beginners don't know what their "sound" is yet. You have been playing for 6 years, so maybe you kind of know what you want.

I think for most players, it is all about "feel" and "sound". There's a reason you don't see everybody playing the same guitars through the same amps. Everyone has their own personal feel and sound. Buying guitar equipment is like buying a car......gotta test drive it. Go to Guitar Center or whatever, and plug into as many amps as you can.

Thanks guys, appreciate the help. So as far as buying equipment, definitely will check out GC to test, but is there a place that gives you pretty good pricing when you know what you want?

Where are you located and how much are you looking to spend? I've been considering ditching a Gibson les Paul studio and Marshall code 50 amp for a while. I'd rather sell it a little cheaper than I'd like to another Ag.

Are you playing in the bedroom or do you want to gig? If it's the bedroom, go to Guitar Center and find an amp that would fit in an airplane overhead that has some choices for distort and clean sounds built in. Then buy it and enjoy. The point of airplane overhead is that you don't need another piece of furniture to enjoy that MexiTele. Get something small, and you'll still rattle the windows.

I have a small Roland Microcube that I jam all the time. It's sitting on top of my Fender tube amp which is sitting on top of a Marshall combo. When I play with a band, I go straight into the mixing board with pedal / amp modeler that I forgot the name of.

Bo Darville said:

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Where are you located and how much are you looking to spend? I've been considering ditching a Gibson les Paul studio and Marshall code 50 amp for a while. I'd rather sell it a little cheaper than I'd like to another Ag.

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Austin. I'm trying to stay below $800 on a guitar and $200 on the amp. I think you would definitely get more for that setup. I appreciate the offer though!

Philo B 93 said:

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Are you playing in the bedroom or do you want to gig? If it's the bedroom, go to Guitar Center and find an amp that would fit in an airplane overhead that has some choices for distort and clean sounds built in. Then buy it and enjoy. The point of airplane overhead is that you don't need another piece of furniture to enjoy that MexiTele. Get something small, and you'll still rattle the windows.

I have a small Roland Microcube that I jam all the time. It's sitting on top of my Fender tube amp which is sitting on top of a Marshall combo. When I play with a band, I go straight into the mixing board with pedal / amp modeler that I forgot the name of.

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Thanks. Yeah bedroom pretending is what I'm doing most of the time.

Can't tell you what type of guitar to get. That's kind of like telling you to like blondes or redheads.

As for amp, I bought a little Orange practice amp to screw around on. It is only 35 w, but is loud enough to play along to drums and bass at the house. You can pick one up used for about $160ish. Sounds tits. Highly recommend.

Oh I have a Boss SD-1 pedal I can throw in too. Never used it for some reason.

Bo Darville said:

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Champ Bailey said:

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Bo Darville said:

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Where are you located and how much are you looking to spend? I've been considering ditching a Gibson les Paul studio and Marshall code 50 amp for a while. I'd rather sell it a little cheaper than I'd like to another Ag.

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Austin. I'm trying to stay below $800 on a guitar and $200 on the amp. I think you would definitely get more for that setup. I appreciate the offer though!

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Like I said, I'd rather another Ag have it and I haven't played it in 2 years or so.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Les-Paul-Studio-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar.gc

It's that one, with a Gibson hardshell case. Amp is a Marshall code 50. If you meet me in Waco I'll let you have both for $900 cash.

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Alright! I'll take you up on that. Email me

Ok, I'll send some pics over

Champ Bailey said:

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Thanks guys, appreciate the help. So as far as buying equipment, definitely will check out GC to test, but is there a place that gives you pretty good pricing when you know what you want?

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If you're testing out gear at GC, don't leave there to go somewhere else to find it cheaper, unless you're looking for used. GC is the big box of music gear.

I have this little guy
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Class5--marshall-class5-1x10-combo

Made in England, tube amp. It will crank. Combine it with a boss pedal or similar if you want overdrive. Not made new anymore, but should be able to find used in the $300 range.
Guitar center online sells used, just search for this one and there are a lot.

I love the Class 5, just wish it had a separate gain control.

Guitar Center.... I'm so angry at you for killing the independent music store.

And Guitar Center.... I'm so fearful that Amazon will put you out of business.

Philo B 93 said:

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Guitar Center.... I'm so angry at you for killing the independent music store.

And Guitar Center.... I'm so fearful that Amazon will put you out of business.

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I think there will always be a demand for a brick and mortar guitar/instrument store. Now whether they continue stocking accessories is another question. A couple of years ago I bought a capo at Amazon for $3 that GC was charging $15 for.

Reverb.com is my favorite gear spot

Bo Darville said:

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Champ Bailey said:

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Bo Darville said:

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Where are you located and how much are you looking to spend? I've been considering ditching a Gibson les Paul studio and Marshall code 50 amp for a while. I'd rather sell it a little cheaper than I'd like to another Ag.

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Austin. I'm trying to stay below $800 on a guitar and $200 on the amp. I think you would definitely get more for that setup. I appreciate the offer though!

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Like I said, I'd rather another Ag have it and I haven't played it in 2 years or so.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Les-Paul-Studio-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar.gc

It's that one, with a Gibson hardshell case. Amp is a Marshall code 50. If you meet me in Waco I'll let you have both for $900 cash.

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Awesome.

I got a gibson les paul least expensive model in 2016 when they had the 50s, 60s, and 70s tribute model edititons. I ended up with the 50s because it has similar coils to a telecaster so you get a good texas country bluesy sound out of it. I never liked the telecaster look but I do like the sounds produced by lots of country musicians so it was perfect for me. You can get this for $699 I believe. Well worth it. It sounds much much better than the epiphone I bought way back in middle school. I don't play live performances or anything like that but I do still think it is worth getting a quality guitar.

Id keep my eyes out for a used fender blues jr.

I picked up a blues jr for under 200 and got my peavy delta blues for 150 at a garage sale

Bo Darville said:

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Champ Bailey said:

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Bo Darville said:

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Where are you located and how much are you looking to spend? I've been considering ditching a Gibson les Paul studio and Marshall code 50 amp for a while. I'd rather sell it a little cheaper than I'd like to another Ag.

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Austin. I'm trying to stay below $800 on a guitar and $200 on the amp. I think you would definitely get more for that setup. I appreciate the offer though!

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Like I said, I'd rather another Ag have it and I haven't played it in 2 years or so.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Les-Paul-Studio-Deluxe-Electric-Guitar.gc

It's that one, with a Gibson hardshell case. Amp is a Marshall code 50. If you meet me in Waco I'll let you have both for $900 cash.

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Damn, that's a good deal. Good bull