New amp VS New pup

jonboyuk · #1 06-24-2008, 06:35 PM

Okay after discussing pickup's in another post - I am at the stage where I'm wondering whether it would be better to spend my money on a new amp or better pick ups. I have an Ibanez SA160QM with standard (pretty crappy) pups. I have a keyboard amp to plug into (also crap)!!

I have around £300 ($580) and I don't know what to do.

The pup I like is the Dimarzio tone zone (around £70)
The amp I like is the Line 6 Spider III 75 (around £200)

Yes - I can afford both, but I'm nervous about the combination of the two. I have read that because the Line 6 is all digital, no matter what guitar I use, a £200 VS a £2000 guitar, you won't hear the blindest bit of difference. If I replace the pick up then would it be a waste if I bought this amp?

Please can one of you wise-guitarists advise me?

Many thanks.

**elcid** · #2 06-24-2008, 06:41 PM

The amp will make the biggest improvement. As far as whoever told you that using a digital amp will make it so you cant tell the difference between guitars is an idiot and should have his mouth sewn shut so he stops giving advice. Buy the amp and if you still arent happy buy the pickups.

jonboyuk · #3 06-24-2008, 07:12 PM

That's much better advice. Is the Line 6 Spider III 75 any good?

**elcid** · #4 06-24-2008, 07:17 PM

That's for you to decide. It's not my kind of amp but if you like it and it's in your budget grab it.

Crazy_Guitar · #5 06-24-2008, 09:23 PM

I'm not sure what kind of amp that is.
Anyway, check out the Cube series from Roland. Cube-60 is pretty good!

Petie · #6 06-24-2008, 10:12 PM

I really like the Line 6 Spider III, and what they say about not being able to tell the difference from one guitar to another may be true of some of the factory presets, which are a little over-the-top in terms of gain and effect levels, but why would you buy an amp with that kind of processing power but never create your own sounds? The presets are made to catch someone's ear at a store, but the best thing about that amp is what happens when you start to make your own sounds.

So in answer to your question: Buy the amp and the pickup, and don't be shy about experimenting with amp settings.

Lifeofsobriety · #7 06-24-2008, 10:19 PM

For that much I would go for a nice tube combo... maybe even save up a lil more and get something really sweet. However, I am sure you could be just as happy with the line 6.

kotornut · #8 06-24-2008, 10:26 PM

I have a cube 30 and it's awesome for the price. I definately reccommend it or the cube 60. Also, it's really easy to use unlike most modeling amps, usually the presets on those amps suck and you have to program your own just to see if you like them. hat sound like a lot of hassle t me. It's not like that with the cube.

nosi0 · #9 06-24-2008, 11:01 PM

When you get the Amp and use a lot of distortion there will be little difference between a normal pickup and a quality dimarzio. ofcourse when playing clean or slight overdrive the pickup will make a huge difference. Personaly i would go for the Pick-up but amp is clearly the money for value option.

waylay00 · #10 06-25-2008, 12:32 AM

If you go the solid state route, go with the Cube.

GLG421 · #11 06-25-2008, 01:33 PM

I've been a big fan of my Marshall AVT20. It's a hybrid with a 12AX7 preamp. If you're a fan of the Marshall sound, this has been a hell of a practice amp. It's worth looking into if you're not after a high gain amp.

If it were my money, I'd get the AVT20 or 50 if you need to gig with it. Then add the Pups as well.

I went the modeled guitar route for the longest time, and now have been after a more organic natural tone. The AVT was the first step in that direction.

It gets high praise from me.

Drew · #12 06-25-2008, 07:31 PM

I was a bit underwhelmed with the Spyder III's.

In that budget, the Roland Cube's are a good option - they felt way more organic - but still my favorite "modeling" practice amp is the Tech-21 Trademark 30. It's funny, it's this tiny little thing with a 10" that weights in at about 18 pounds, but it just puts out some of the most kickarse tones I've ever heard from a practice amp. I love mine - the touch sensitivity isn't quite there, but if it was... Man, if Marshalls actually sounded as good as the "brit" channel on this thing, I'd own one.