What first?

[Doodleface]

Hello everyone, I'm a long time lurker and It's high-time I ask for advice.

I'm still quite young (16) but through the magic of the internet I have become obssesed with high-end and boutique gear. I really don't want Mesas/Marshalls/Fenders anymore because I know about Bogners, Diezels, Egnaters, ENGLs, etc..

That's just some background info on me.

My question however:

What should I buy first, a power-amp or a pre-amp. I know what pieces I want. (VHT 2/50/2, and Egnater M4 w/2 modules) both are pretty much the same price. I just don't know what to get first.
I can't afford both at this point. So is it wise to get one over the other? Can I incorporate one into my rig as it exists now (I hear lots of people talk about using the 'power sections' of their heads) I have a little solid-state Carvin 1x12 combo, it has no effects loop.

Sorry if I'm being unclear.

 

[Marshall Freak]

If you have an amp now, get the preamp first, because you can run the preamp into the FX loop of your amp or even into the front end of your amp to power it. If you get a power amp, it won't really do you much good until you get a preamp.

 

[cyndicate]

Hello everyone, I'm a long time lurker and It's high-time I ask for advice.

I'm still quite young (16) but through the magic of the internet I have become obssesed with high-end and boutique gear. I really don't want Mesas/Marshalls/Fenders anymore because I know about Bogners, Diezels, Egnaters, ENGLs, etc..

That's just some background info on me.

My question however:

What should I buy first, a power-amp or a pre-amp. I know what pieces I want. (VHT 2/50/2, and Egnater M4 w/2 modules) both are pretty much the same price. I just don't know what to get first.
I can't afford both at this point. So is it wise to get one over the other? Can I incorporate one into my rig as it exists now (I hear lots of people talk about using the 'power sections' of their heads) I have a little solid-state Carvin 1x12 combo, it has no effects loop.

Sorry if I'm being unclear.

Looks like with your current combo you wouldn't benefit from buying either first. Just save up and buy both at once. Without the FX loop you can't run the preamp and use your current amp as a power section. Even if you bought the Poweramp/preamp do you have a cab to run it through? I would just look into something more affordable and still really great, just because you know of higher end gear there is no point in disregarding Mesa/Marshall/Fender's just because it is not boutique.

 

[maiden_fan]

Boutique gear does not necessarily sound any better than your average marshall / fender. Hell I have played plenty of boutique gear and owned a portion too, but im still incredibly happy with my Marshalls.

This is all in my IMO but rather than scrimping and saving for gear you have never played, (this is an assumption) you should go and play some amps that are available for you to try and see what you like. Then buy it used and when you have enough money to upgrade it, sell it for what you paid for it.

tony

 

[chunktone]

What style of music are you doing? You may want to shop around more. After using rack preamps and power amps for years, I switched back to using an all tube head, and a multi-processor, and my tone has never been better.

 

[redrol]

I'm still quite young (16) but through the magic of the internet I have become obssesed with high-end and boutique gear. I really don't want Mesas/Marshalls/Fenders anymore because I know about Bogners, Diezels, Egnaters, ENGLs, etc..

Yeah well, thats a really douchebag type of thing to say. You are basically young and like the 'idea' of having a popular amp to fit in with the other douchebag types on HCAF. It's ok you will grow out of it.