Geni Swing Guitars

Reverb Effects

Learning to play guitar is an enjoyable endeavor that can bring years of satisfaction.  Achieving expertise is a never-ending journey that begins with a first single step.  Learning to play the electric guitar must begin with an additional second step: picking the right guitar amp for you.

Guitar amplifiers have come a long way from the late 1930's when they were first used to accommodate the popular Hawaiian music fad by amplifying the sound of the lap steel Hawaiian guitar; a staple of that music genre.

Today's instrument amplifiers are, not surprisingly, technological wonders that can be broken divided in to five categories:

Traditional Guitar Amplifiers

Heavy Metal / Hard Rock Guitar Amplifiers

Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers

Bass Guitar Amplifiers

Electronic Keyboard Amplifiers

Listed below are six simple steps that will help you select the best guitar amp to start your journey.

Select a Traditional Guitar Amplifier.  Purchasing your first guitar amp should come from this group.  This category could be defined further into sub groups:  stage amp and practice amp.  Your first guitar amp should be thought of as a good practice instrument.  However, while it is important to learn music on a good instrument, if you find yourself short on funds - spend less on your first amp and more on the guitar itself.

Get the basic features only. Your first amp should have volume and tone (bass and treble) controls for sure.  Useful features also available on many practice amps are a gain control and reverb effect.

Manipulating the gain control will give your guitar a distorted or gritty sound while adding reverb will give your guitar more presence or a spatial echo effect.

You may wish to add other external effects later when you have a better idea of what kind of sound you are looking to achieve.  Having more effects "on board" your amplifier will only drive the price of your amplifier up. 

Two inputs are better than one. Having at least two inputs will allow you to plug in another guitar player to your amp so that you may rock out together.  Many smaller amps will have this feature - make sure yours does, too.  For a little more money you can upgrade to a guitar amplifier that has two channels.  Having a separate channel enables a second instrument or microphone to independently control the volume and tone from the same guitar amp.

Select an amplifier that is small enough to take places without difficulty and yet store easily in your home. Being able to go mobile will allow you to practice with others or participate in a fun jam session at your friend's house.  The lower wattage amps should still allow for plenty of sound.  If you are thinking of adding drums to a practice session you will still be able to purchase a small amplifier, but you will need to select one with more wattage.

Don't worry about resale value. Remember that you are looking for a starter amplifier rather than one that you can grow in to.  There are many more factors involved in selecting a guitar amp for serious amateurs or professionals. Discover your style and genre first and concentrate on learning how to play your instrument before investing in an expensive amp.  When you are ready to purchase a second amplifier, you can give away your starter amp, or keep it for a practice amp that you don't mind tossing in the trunk for a quick get away practice session.

Research before you buy. Finally, another good tip to follow is reading several guitar amp reviews online. This is an excellent way to learn and become exposed to features that you might not know existed, but may consider useful before you spend your hard earned money on your first guitar amp.

SanAntonioYardSale.com is a site that offers many guitar amplifiers for sale in all sizes and price ranges. A brief review accompanies each sale listing.

Following the above steps should guide you down the right path to effectively selecting your first guitar amp so that you can enjoy your original task at hand, learning to play the electric guitar.

Lexicon PCM92 Reverb Effects Processor $1799.95 Lexicon PCM92 Reverb Effects Processor

Lexicon Pcm92 Reverb Effects Processor $1799.95 Lexicon PCM92 Reverb Effects Processor

Fishman AFX Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $279.95 Fishman AFX Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Lexicon MX300 Stereo Reverb Effects Processor with USB $249.95 Lexicon MX300 Stereo Reverb Effects Processor with USB

Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb Effects Pedal $169 Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb Effects Pedal

Rocktron Cyborg Digital Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $219 Rocktron Cyborg Digital Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Blackstar HT-Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $299.99 Blackstar HT-Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Plush Verbrator Loop and Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $329.73 Plush Verbrator Loop and Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Lexicon MX200 Dual Reverb/Effects Processor $181.95 Lexicon MX200 Dual Reverb/Effects Processor

Blackstar Ht-Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $299.99 Blackstar HT-Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Boss Rv-5 Digital Reverb Effects Pedal $169 Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb Effects Pedal

Lexicon Mx300 Stereo Reverb Effects Processor With Usb $227.45 Lexicon MX300 Stereo Reverb Effects Processor with USB

Lexicon Mx200 Dual Reverb/Effects Processor $181.99 Lexicon MX200 Dual Reverb/Effects Processor

Fishman Afx Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $249.95 Fishman AFX Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Lexicon USB Reverb/Effects Processor $299.99 This reverb/effects processor features a variety of reverb sounds, including arena, studio and chamber, to enhance your music. The built-in compressor and de-esser help vocalists sound their best.

Used Lexicon Mx200 Dual Reverb Effects Processor $99.99 In Store Used USED LEXICON MX200 DUAL REVERB EFFECTS PROCESSOR

Lexicon MX400 Dual Stereo/Surround Reverb Effects Processor $299.95 Lexicon MX400 Dual Stereo/Surround Reverb Effects Processor

Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $220.5 Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Reverb TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal $149 TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Reverb TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal

Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $121.5 Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

TC Electronic NR-1 Nova Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $269 TC Electronic NR-1 Nova Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

Boss FRV-1 '63 Fender Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $139 Boss FRV-1 '63 Fender Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

DigiTech Hardwire Series RV-7 Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal $149.95 DigiTech Hardwire Series RV-7 Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal