Introduction and amp advice

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:14 pm

Hello all....my name's Rob and I will be the lucky recipient of the 650D Bob Belloff just sold

I am 53 and recently retired so I've got lots of time on my hands. I have decided to take up guitar again, something I haven't attempted since I was around 12 yrs old. My father played and taught and my younger brother plays and teaches so I should have lots of help. My brother has offered to give me his Tele since he plays bass now but I wanted to try something with a little wider neck. I started looking at the 650's and fell in love with the looks. The history of the Rics also intrigues me. The first album I ever bought, at age 13, was The Byrds Mr Tambourine Man followed very closely by The Beatles Rubber Soul and The Kinks Greatest Hits. Must have been fate. Anyway I'm looking for a little practice amp and I'd like some effects. I'd like to keep it under $300 and am considering the Tech 21 TM30 or maybe the Vox AD30VT but am wondering if I'd be better off spending that amount on a straight amp and adding a digital effects unit later. I like Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Blues and Jazz. Any suggestions? Thanks!

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:20 pm

Congratulations and welcome, Rob!

Immediately after buying my first Rick about 14 months ago, I bought a Line 6 Spider II 1-12 for $250.00. Nice little amp, and it resides in my office for those lunchtime inspirations.

A couple of months later, I picked up a VOX AD30VT, which my daughter now keeps in her room for practicing her guitar. I find I prefer it to the Line 6. It's especially nicely set up with 11 effects and 11 amp presets. It's got a 12 AX7 in the power amp stage and an adjustable output level. It's very intuitive to use.

Good little practice amp.

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:20 pm

Hi Paul, thank you and nice to meet you. Wow, I wasn't aware the Vox used a tube. I thought it just had a tube 'sound'. Well, that's definitely a plus in it's favor since I am very into tube audio and have lots of 12AX7's lying around

. Did you mean in the preamp stage? Thanks for the heads up.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:24 am

Welcome from me also, Rob!

A nice coincidence... I took up guitar again at age 53 (in 2004) - some 30 years after laying it down. My first serious guitar purchase after the hiatus was also a Rickenbacker - a 330/6 FG.

I'm sure you'll have a heap of fun with your 650D. I have one also and I do like it although perhaps not as much as some of my others. I think a Vox amp would be a good companion for it also. I have no experience with the VT series - mine's an AC30CC1 but I'm sure you couldn't go wrong.

Enjoy!

.... Aitch

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:11 am

650D-ers, unite!

Welcome, Rob, and thanks for starting this thread - i'm also thinking of buying an amp for my 650D that will be in my hands in the summer...

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:26 am

My AD50VT is easily the best sounding modeling amp I and my various guitar player pals have ever heard. Line 6 stuff is too blatty and brassy for me.

skeeterbuck · Post by **skeeterbuck** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:31 am

Another welcome from me Rob!

You lucky to be starting off again with a very nice guitar. The 650D should make you learning progress that much easier. you have already received several good recommendations from Paul.

If you happen to have a music store in your area that have an assorted selection of amps, you should consider taking your Ric with you and trying as many different amps that meet you price point.

Also consider something used. You might well be able to find something a little nicer used for the same amount. Good luck with your quest!

On a side note..... I just turned 51 last November and it's a good feeling to know that their are others here in my age bracket.

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:32 am

Nice to meet you Howard and Sheena! Thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking around this forum for about a week now and am familiar with your names already. In fact I've browsed the 'picture' thread and have actually seen Howard playing his Ric I believe. Seems like a nice bunch of people here

I thought about ordering one also Sheena but just couldn't bear to wait for months...not a real patient guy. But what a deal though. I could have got one shipped to my door for around $712 I think. One place I called had some 650C's on the way that were expected in June but even that was too far away. How on earth do you manage the wait! I'd be dying!

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:40 am

Hi Alan and Charles...thanks for the suggestions. Yeah Charles, I get the feeling there are a lot of 'us' in here....right Howard

To tell you the truth, I would not choose any other age to be right now. Retirement is great....I can play hours every day. When I choose a hobby I always seem to go all out for some reason so I'm also learning the bass. I've been switching back and forth but I much prefer the guitar. My wife will think I'm crazy for passing up a free Tele to spend hundreds on the Ric but I really feel good about this.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:57 am

I haven't hit retirement yet, Rob - couldn't be that lucky!

Although I am having a 'temporary' retirement when I travel to your fair land for 9 weeks later this year

Hmmmm.... going all out on hobbies, eh? Sounds familiar to me. I've bought many guitars (and a bass) since I started again - some would say far too many!!. The same thing happened when I got into stunt kites some years back - still into that, too!

Ricks will always give you a good feeling. At least your wife only thinks you're crazy - some would really give you a hard time for passing on a freebie......

Of course I must warn that many here (myself included) will tell you that one Rick is never enough and that you 'need' to get a 12 string to accompany a 6. If you like the 650 neck, go for a 660/12!!

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:13 am

LOL! Gee thanks Howard.....my wife will love you for that. Sounds good to me though

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:30 am

Rob, Welcome to the forum, and the 650 club. And yet another from the year of the dragon, LOL.
I use a Fender Blues Jr. for a small amp, 15 watts, all tubepower. They are closer to $400 though. Charles gave good advice take your 650 with you and try them out.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:35 am

For a smaller tube amplifier a Traynor YCV20 is hard to beat, especially if you are buying in US dollars. One of many reviews can be read here.

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 6:31 am

Hey, Welcome, Rob.... Howard (we call him Aitch) is right: one Ric is NOT ENOUGH!

I have "too many," some may say.... But there's always just one more....

dragon1952 · Post by **dragon1952** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:53 pm

Hello fellow Ricksters! Thanks for the welcome and advice. You're probably right Melissa. I can see a 650C or maybe a bass in the future.

I think I'll have to stick with the wider necks with my fat fingertips though but I'd love to have one of the 'jangly' models.
Good catch on the Year of the Dragon Ken....not everyone knows the connection there! That Traynor looks sweet. So far I have for consideration:
Traynor YCV20 - ~ $549 shipped
Tech 21 TM 30 - $279 shipped
Tech 21 TM 60 - $519 shipped
Vox AD30VT - $239 shipped
Probably have to go used on the TM 60 and YCV20...or wait until the old lady forgets about my current expenditures

It's not that I can't afford it, just justifying the need I guess. My tubed audio habit consumes lots of resources also and she's not interested in either one