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What’s cool in practice amps these days?

My housekeeper asked for advice on what to buy her oldest son for Xmas, a 13yo looking to start playing guitar. We’ve got the guitar sorted and have them pointed towards lessons, but I’m trying to figure out what amp to recommend.

I know the Vox Pathfinder 15 (w or w/o the r) was the thing for a while. Pedal friendly, decent on board dirt, some analog FX, outs for headphones, recording, and a cab. What’s the modern equivalent?

Looking for:
- preferably available from big box usual suspects, but might consider used
- cheaper the better. $100-200 ideally.
- imagine the mom and the siblings would want there to be a headphone output
- simpler the better, probably. I don’t know the kid or how general savvy he may or may not be.

I’m half tempted to track down a used Pathfinder, but other than trekking to GC - - I don’t have any personal experience in this area.

What youze gots?

Boss Katana?
I played it briefly, on headphones, it was good!

But for $200, it has all the features a beginner can dream of before jumping into "better" amps.

I was just about to suggest Boss Katana as well...
Maybe micro dark / terror mini half stack?

Definitely the Katana.
If she needs to keep it under $200 new, Orange has a bunch of smaller amps that sound fine and are pretty simple.

Line six spider

Katana

The new yamaha THR one is killer. Sounds really good at low volume.

Probably can get the old one used for cheap.

DRodriguez wrote:The new yamaha THR one is killer. Sounds really good at low volume.

Probably can get the old one used for cheap.

I have a THR10c and it's great great great.

Katana

There's a used Pathfinder in BST right now for $100 shipped

Katana. One of the best gear purchases I've made. Ballsy statement, but I stand by it. So much bang for your buck.

Oooh - definitely going to check out that bst Pathfinder.

And the Katana looks interesting. Seems like a lot for the money and I trust the recommendations here more than anywhere else.

Takk!

I was undecided too between Yamaha and the Katana. I'd use it mainly with headphones or at really low volume, so the Yamaha could be a better option size wise, but I read the manuals of the latest versions of both and the Katana seems more interesting overall. Think I ll grab the 50.

I've got both and I'd say if you're only going to use it very quietly or with headphones or as a computer interface, the Yamaha is much better. It just sounds great. If you think you might ever want to bring it somewhere to play with someone else, the Katana is great to have around because it sounds good and it's lightweight.

oldangelmidnight wrote:I've got both and I'd say if you're only going to use it very quietly or with headphones or as a computer interface, the Yamaha is much better. It just sounds great. If you think you might ever want to bring it somewhere to play with someone else, the Katana is great to have around because it sounds good and it's lightweight.

Now I'm doubtful again
Since you have both of those, what do you think reacts better to pedals? Thinking mostly about dirt..