Finding the right amp

I need a new amp and Christmas is coming soon, so that's probably what I'm going to ask for. I haven't the slightest clue how to pick one out. All i know is it's gonna be from $300-$1000 range and that's it. So how would I pick one?

look for amps that some of your heros have used, and try some out in a local guitar shop, see which one you like. the price range that you have is also pretty nice considering that you have, you should look for really nice ones.

Just go to a guitar shop and try out a bunch of different amps. Play with the settings and stuff. Pick your favorite

both of what these guys say = good advice

Yeah. Make sure that you play all of the amps. And i mean plat the *** out of them. Seriously. Spend a few hours there. Maybe take two days to do it all. That is a must. The other thing is, with a thousand bucks, you'll probably want to go for a tube. But thats kind of an opinion thing.

also don't foret about Craigslist.org, you can usually find some pretty smoking deals on there(saw a vintage JCM 800 2203 stack for $900) and you can typically go try out the amps before you are 100% on buying them.

or kijiji

kjijijijijiji?????

craigslist is a GREAT way to get good equipment. i check the musical instrument section of CL every day just to see what's out there. there are plenty of amps out there (it might help to play on different amps and get a better feel for them before you purchase one used). but i highly recommend craigslist or any other used item swap. i have bought and sold camera gear on it for years, just bought my first guitar used of CL (couldn't resist, saw an ibanez artcore AS73 for almost 50% off retail) and i have come out of every exchange with both myself and the other party happy.

honestly, i think an amp that is good for someone who doesnt know what their looking for is a vox vt15 or vt30 they are pretty broad in terms of what sound they can make, and have a good bang for their buck. they vt30 is about 400 canadian

i agree wiht this guy this happen to me and i check list everyday im bout ot buy guitar pedals and mabye some pickups lol

Thanks alot for the help guys

I would recomend a Line 6 if you like a heavy/meaty distortion.

Line 6 has two very different "streams" if you will.
Recommend a model?

I use a spider lll 15 watt. But i tried a larger one at Guitar center, not sure of the model (probably spider lV 75-125 watt) and sounded a lot heavier

No offense, but i would personally advise against buying a line 6 spider. They look extremely nice to a beginner because of the breadth of effects they have, but the sound quality is pretty poor, due to the fact that they're all digital.

I like the sound. I dont use the effects much.

Everyone has their own taste in sound, so its good to expeiment with different styles and brands and settings

agreed.

I would suggest trying to find a Peavey Bandit(the red label ones from about 8 years ago), they sound great and have 3 different distortion types, plus they are pretty solid.

so solid that they're solid state. ;)

yeah, but they are good for people who want a pretty good sounding distortion without the maintenance or the cost of a tube amp.

Oh yeah, no question. and tube amps can be finicky too.

+1 For The Peavey bandit!