larsalo Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 I am a beginner/intermediate guitar player who wants to start exploring guitar effects and amp modelling. Would you advice me to get the hx stomp or something else. I am 14 and I don't have any experience with modelling or any effects. When I i try to read about the stomp I run to a lot of terms that I don't understand and complicated English (I'm not a native speaker) I don't have any other pedals and I'm not thinking of getting any atleast for a while. I have a few questions. Can you just plug your guitar into the stomp and plug your headphones to it or do you need to plug the stomp to an amp or a PA system. Should i get an better amp? I have a cheap 50 dollar amp but does its quality matter if im using amp modelling? Or should I try out the different amp models and buy an amp I like. Do I need to buy anything with the stomp like extra cables or footswitches to use it? If you think i should buy something else than the stomp my budget is around 550€ But yeah the main question is would the stomp be good for an inexperienced teenager who just wants effects and amp modelling and recording on a budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunedinDragon Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Quite frankly I'm not sure you're ready for a Helix quite yet. Since you're just starting out you might be a whole lot better off with a modeling amp to help you get used to the idea of how to build signal chains with different amps and effects. Something like the Line 6 Spider V 120 would be a very good starter amp with a lot of the same things as a Helix, but less complicated to set up and use. But a lot of what you would use and learn on a Spider V would translate directly to something more sophisticated like a Helix eventually as your guitar and technical skills grow. It's also quite sufficient if you would want to start playing in a band or jamming with other people. It's kind of the same reasoning that would say that someone just getting started driving probably shouldn't dive into a Lamborghini...something smaller and simpler would be best until you've driven for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 I agree with @DunedinDragon.... Since you are also asking about upgrading your amp,,, grab a Spider V and get used to how it all works. The money should be less than a stomp It will provide you with a good enough amp to solve those issues It will introduce you to modeling so you can start to get a feel for that. IIRC..... The Spider works well with headphones... so if silent practice is important, it should be able to accommodate that (someone please correct me if I am wrong) The spider will not have all the bells/whistles that an HX product will (stomp, effects, helix, etc...) but it is more than enough to get you going. FWIW: At this time I go direct to PA/Monitors with a Helix most of the time, but having a good amp is very important. I have those as well for when I need them. 1 hour ago, larsalo said: complicated English (I'm not a native speaker) FYI: Your English is very good! Your questions were very clear and easy to understand :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 I agree with the above. You mention recording and the Spider V amps come with the Cubase LE recording program so that's an advantage too. But mostly it's just a much simpler all-in-one intro to amp/FX modelling. You can always step up to Helix later if you want but with Helix you will also need other equipment and it's hard to decide what other stuff is best until you've gained some experience. These Spider amps will hold good resale value. Compare the specs of the various models to choose what's best for you. Personally I think the V60 is a great mid-range featur-rich product if your budget allows. It has a 10-inch speaker with plenty of power if you ever want to join a band, a built-in looper that will give you hours of fun and practice, and built-in wireless receiver if you ever want to go cord-free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvroberts Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 While I totally agree with everyone above that a Helix anything is not for your stage of playing, I think that the next question is - where are you likely to play? If it will only be at home, you need to look at the best practice amps. If there is some chance you might play with a drummer or a small group of friends somewhere where you can make a bit more noise, you choices will be a little different. The Yamaha THR series are a very good solution for home playing and the new THR30 would even do for small group practice (not a gig!) - THR10 would be more than enough if you won't be playing with anyone. These have lots of advantages like being able to be a great general music player and a play along system. Portable - sound great not too many options but more to explore with a computer connected when you want to start to explore the brainspace that modellers like the Helix represent. Also in the same territory is the Boss Katana - the range covers smaller versions that compete with the THRs all the way to real gigging amps all built on the same basic concept. The beauty of all these is they are designed for someone like you with great sounds at the push of a button and at the same time don't act as a dead end, but let you dive deeper as you learn. Check some YouTube videos on best practice amps and the amps I mention. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Agree with all of the above, and adding the BOSS Katana amps for consideration. Your $50 amp is the first thing to get rid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsalo Posted December 22, 2019 Author Share Posted December 22, 2019 Thanks to you all. I have some additional info but probably doesn't matter. I mostly play metal and play really quiet or trough headphones. I would be willing to spend spend more than the 500 if I would buy both the amp and something separate because I just want something I can use for a long time without having to upgrade because I want to start saving for a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsalo Posted December 22, 2019 Author Share Posted December 22, 2019 Oh an the stomp is 150€ on sale now so I would have the money to buy some ok amp plus the stomp but yeah ill look into the modeling amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 If you do buy the HX Stomp I would not buy a regular guitar amp to go with it. I would buy a good FRFR speaker (PA speaker or studio monitors depending on whether or not you plan to play outside your recording studio). There's lots of info about this on various threads in this forum but the bottom line is: a regular guitar amp and an amp modeller have to fight with each other in terms of who's in charge of the preamp and cab sounds. Duplicating the model with the physical rarely sounds good. It's more complicated to get good sounds with that setup. Not recommended for a modeling beginner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 7 hours ago, larsalo said: Oh an the stomp is 150€ on sale now so I would have the money to buy some ok amp plus the stomp but yeah ill look into the modeling amps. If you can get a NEW Line6 Helix Stomp for 150 Euros, JUMP ON IT! You can buy a NICE guitar for the difference between that and what we pay for them here in the U.S.! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 4 hours ago, rd2rk said: If you can get a NEW Line6 Helix Stomp for 150 Euros, JUMP ON IT! You can buy a NICE guitar for the difference between that and what we pay for them here in the U.S.! Something doesn't seem quite right about that price... at the current exchange rate, that's ~$166, a few bucks less than what the Helix backpack currently sells for, lol. Can't be right... at almost 75% off, it's gotta be used, or a banged up demo unit or something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datacommando Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 3 hours ago, cruisinon2 said: Something doesn't seem quite right about that price... at the current exchange rate, that's ~$166, a few bucks less than what the Helix backpack currently sells for, lol. Can't be right... at almost 75% off, it's gotta be used, or a banged up demo unit or something. Just done a quick trawl through the HX Stomp prices in the current U.K. market and I would put the average price in the region of $500, approx 450 Euros or £380. I can’t find anywhere listing a price anything even near to the 150€ “larsalo” has mentioned. Surely, some mistake - if not - buy one for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsalo Posted December 23, 2019 Author Share Posted December 23, 2019 8 hours ago, rd2rk said: If you can get a NEW Line6 Helix Stomp for 150 Euros, JUMP ON IT! You can buy a NICE guitar for the difference between that and what we pay for them here in the U.S. Oops I meant its 150 off the normal price. This is what I meant when I said I'm not a native english speaker. I could get it d For 500 when its normally atleast 600 or I would have to play like 100€+ for the postal costs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBD_123 Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 Thanks for clearing that up :-) I was Googling around frantically trying to find that deal too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-Thunder Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 I'm far from an expert on this, but from your description I think I would also suggest the Boss Katana, and save a bit of money which you can then put towards the guitar you are saving for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashetler1 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 The suggestions for a modeling amp are good, but you couldn’t go wrong with the helix considering the helix will always be relevant even if someday Down the road you find yourself playing a high end tube amp or a full sized helix or Kemper, the hx stomp will still be a highly useful tool. The little modeling amp however will likely get sold for a fraction of what you paid for it. I currently have the helix lt and am looking to also get an hx stomp for my church bass gig were I dont need the extra features and need a smaller object. The helix can do anything and have a use in any setup. so do yourself a favor and buy something that will be a tool That you likely won’t ever outgrow. If you need a speaker for it, buy a pa speaker and in the future you’ll have a stage monitor as well. If I could go back in time and spend my money wiser I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larsalo Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Oh sorry guys i forgot to update. I got the hx effects for 380 used and im very happy with it. I realized i dont need amp modelling or recording. Im also getting a better amp soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashetler1 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Congratulations, that piece of gear should be useful too you for a long time as well and if you want to move on you can sell it for what you paid, good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.