Conference napalm::guitar

    
    
    Can you give us some more to go on?  Do you have a $$ range in mind?
    What kind of music does he play?
    
    There are scads of choices here.
    
    There are Peavey Special 130's floating around for less than $200.  He
    *will* be heard with that puppy.  It's small, too.  But maybe he has
    taken an oath never to use Peavey gear.
    
    What more can you tell us.
    
    Kevin
    
    

Yea, I just stopped by his office and mentioned the tube thang... I'm bias,
been stuck on Marshall/Fender/Gibson so long nothing else matters so I won't
save him much money... keep 'em coming.

Droid

    Also check out Note 2 of this conference for used stuff - no one in
    *here* would ever take you to the cleaners.  %^)  Seriously, though,
    he'll definitely get more bang for the buck if you buy privately than
    if you buy from a dealer.
    
    Dave

I bought a used Peavey Studio Pro 50 from Harvey's in Milford for $125.
It does 50wts into a 12" and it peels paint.

Other faves (used):

	Lab Series L5		~$250 - 300
	Yamaha G50-112		Isn't there one in "For Sale"?
	Peavey Bandit		~$175 - 200
	Peavey Special 112	~$150 (~$230 new)
	MusicMan 110/Fifty	~$150 - 200
	Fender 85		~$200

What I don't like:

	Randall
	Holmes

The best features are "channel swiching" to switch between rhythm and lead
sounds and "reverb" to put a little life in the signal. Most amps have
these features.

I second Kevin's suggestion to look into any of the boys religious beliefs
about amps. Different amps are fashionable in different circles.

As for stores - this time of year is feeding frenzy time for most music stores.
Most parents do not understand that haggling is essential and that the stores
can be persuaded to take %25 to %40 off of the list price on most items.

Used gear also takes a *tremendous* mark up a a particular local chain. The
stuff can be got at ~%30 less than what they are asking.

Private sales are cool if you deal with someone you trust. I've never been
done a bad deal by anyone in this notes file.

My main amp? A Fender Super 60 that I bought at %35 off list just after
Christmas 3 years ago.

    My first amp was a 60w CRATE.  CRATE is another good choice for
    fairly-priced very reliable solid-state guitar amps.  They have an
    excellent warranty as well, 2 years on some components, 5 years on the
    rest.  They are easy to find on the market.
    
    Also, it can get loud enuf 2 B heard.
    \Gary

    Look for
    
    Something in the 50 to 100w range with either 1 or 2 12 inch speakers.
    I preffer a dual 12 combo at 100wats
    
    At his age, and assumed level of ability, get something
    functional, and inexpesnive.  One thing it ought to have
    is some sort of master volume/ overdrive capabilities.
    
    
    If you walk into any store with a price idea and the above two
    suggestions in mind, you'll be walking in with alot more
    to go on than 70% of the crowd that walk the streets looking
    for gear this time of year.
    
    Some brands that you may see.
    
    Peavey, (Without a doubt, everyone will have at least one, A used
    	    one, with the snots already beat out of it.  For sure
    	    a very functional choice)
    
    Dean Markley (Good bangs for the buck, most have chanell switching,
    	 	  {Clean/dirty} and effects loops, with some voicing
    	          switches.  In other words, functionality wise, they
    	   	  seem to offer a lot of cute things.)
    
    
    Laney (O.k. but I prefer a Markley)
    
    Crate (Alright, as long as we're talking the standard combo
    	   series.)
    
    Used fenders (May find them pricey)
    Used Yamahas (The older ones have better overdrive capabilities.)