no idea what I'm talking about

[link5001]

I have been playing acoustic guitar for years now and a couple years back picked up my first electric (MIM Strat) and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

Two years later, I can't explain it, I've just never enjoyed the sounds I'm creating with this setup. I don't know if it's the guitar, the amp, or the combination of the two but the tone just sounds thin and "dinky," no matter how I play with the controls.

When I start considering how to make a better decision about an amp all I know is that 1) I want it to be a tube amp and 2) I want it to make me want to play my electric every day. The subject of good amp/bad amp is so highly subjective that I fear I may never make my way through the forest of options.

Here is what I'm asking: I have the option to pick up a 90's 2x12 fender tone master cab with Celestion Vintage 30's in it for $235. Cosmetically it leaves a lot to be desired but it is supposedly in great working condition.

ON A BUDGET I am considering adding an Orange Tiny Terror to this. I don't need a ton of wattage because I don't gig but I want "slap yo mama" tone. Alltogether it would cost me 600-800 dollars (hope to sell the deluxe for 300). -OR- I could just get a combo tiny terror 1x12 for $850. -OR- some time tested better configuration to suit my needs.

Anybody have any thoughts? Is it better to have a cab so that you can just pop different heads on it or in the combi the way to go? Good place to look for cheap combis/heads? Should I just build my own? (haha) Any advice is much appreciated.

[txstrat]

At what volume level do you usually play?
The HRD (Hot Rod Deluxe) has a somewhat midrangey character and I think if you turn the volume up to at least 5 on the dial, the sound (even with single coil pickups) should be everything else but thin. But that way the amp might be simply too loud.
If you don't like the character of the single coil pickups (they sound thin and tinny compared to a humbucker pickup, generally spoken) a different pickup might be the right choice. Besides you wouldn't have to spend lots of money on a new amp, to find out the thin sound was from the pickups.

There are lots of humbucker pickups out there as direct replacement for single coil guitars.

Before buying any of these things I'd go to a music store and try different combinations.

[link5001]

Well, I wouldn't mind cranking it up to 5 if the amp didn't make this buzzing/rattling noise like something is vibrating against wood every time it got loud. As far as the pickups go, I've considered picking some up. If the HRD didn't Rattle at high volumes I might be happy enough with it. Any idea what could be causing that?

[Glass Snuff]

Basically, I agree with everything txstrat said.

Have you tried adjusting the pickups? If they're too low, the sound could be described as "thin and dinky".

Also, MIM Strats can be great, sometimes better than USA models, but not always. Take your guitar to a store an make some comparisons. And do try some humbuckers while you're there.

Can you crank the amp? Again, if the volume is too low, it's not going to get the sound that makes most people pick up an electric and wail away. In fact, most home players find a distortion pedal to be a necessary part of their rig.

Fender amps are great for a certain sound. They lean towards country and old blues unless they're pushed to the concert levels that Keith Richards and Pete Townshend use. If all your heroes played through Marshalls, then the Tiny Terror will get you much closer to that sound. And the fact it's lower wattage will let you push it harder.

Vintage 30's are great for heavy rock to metal. A separate head and cabinet have several advantages, though they tend to be more expensive than a combo. In the same neighborhood of the Tiny Terror are the Marshall Haze 15 and the Vox Night Train. Each is a slightly different flavor of the same dish.

Again, you can hear all these things in a store, and what you hear will make quick work of all the forumed opinions out there.

[txstrat]

Any idea what could be causing that?

Wow that could be a lot of things.
First I would have a look for loose screws or bolts: e.g. Speaker, chassis, handle, reverb pan on the bottom of the cab etc.
If these were not the culprit I'd go for the chassis itself e.g. Transoformer bolts, fixation of the pcb card(s), pilot light etc.
If these weren't the culprit either it migh be the speaker itself. Can you try a different cab?

[Gibsonman63]

I played acoustic for seven years before picking up the electric. The two instruments really aren't as similar as you would think. Acoustic guitar playing is much more physical and percussive and good tone is generally a balance between the string attack and the body resonance. It doesn't quite work out that way with electic guitar. If you play the same as an acoustic, you get a loud note that dies off very quickly and the amplifier doesn't get to add the magic to your sound. I was able to address this problem initially by using lighter picks and moving my pickups farther from the strings until I was able to develop a subtler technique. I found it very difficult to play softer with confidence and conviction in the beginning. Also, most of your tone is in the mid-range control. Set the amp where it sounds good to you and then spend a little time dialing in the mid-range.

As far as equipment, it is totally dependant on the style of music you plan to play. I wouldn't spend a ton of money on equipment until I played a lot of amps and guitars and even then, I would not buy anything new. There is too much good used gear out there at 1/3 to 1/2 off. For good basic guitar tone in the lower to mid-level price range, there is nothing new under the sun, just marketing hype and cheaper production methods.