Should I Sell My Amps? [Is it Wrong to Keep Gear and Not Use It?]

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For sure, plugging into an Amp with just a guitar is quite a different experience, and I think it's awesome to remind myself sometimes. But, modelers are what I find easier to record with, and I've found even recently that an "in the room" amp tone doesn't necessarily record better than a modeler. So I've got a few amps like this Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne that look pretty, sound awesome, but don't get used much....Should I sell them?
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/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[@SergioAureo]

I sold everything I didn’t use and didn’t love to the point of regretting selling it. If you love your amps and you can afford having them laying around, just keep them.

[@SergioAureo]

@Hämmingus I started by selling big amps and got an amp that I thought it would be a great bedroom amp: a Cornell Plexi 7 which has power scaling that goes as far as 1/8 of a Watt. But even on that setting I can’t get it under 75/80 db. Conclusion: too loud for my apartment, especially because I have some annoying downstairs neighbors… I ended up with that amp that I really love and a Two Notes Captor X. Is it the same thing as the awesome feeling of playing my amp in the room? No. But it is as close as I was able to get with headphones. I also love my HX Stomp but the real amp+captor x combination is more pleasing to me and I can get far more dynamics with that setup…

[@fivewattworld]

Of course I've been on this journey for a long while. You only know what is "enough" by periodically having too much and too little. It's how you figure out what's "enough". I will say that I've always thought that is a beautiful amp BUT I don't need to carry it anywhere. ;). I've settled on a compact and a Deluxe Victory Copper at this point and I like working with just one amp and learning it inside and out.

[@vox1962]

I love the immediate satisfaction of my amps, I plug in and that sound is there, no mucking about, nothing sounds looks or smells like a real AC30, Deluxe Reverb or JMP 2204. Playing through a real amp is a visceral experience, one’s guitar interacts and responds to them in a way impossible with modelers, they’re not something that just makes your guitar louder, the amp and speakers are an instrument themselves.

[@lukather1]

Impossible with modellers 🤪

[@joncaven9319]

First thing I notice is the less “ processed “ sound. Your playing changes as well. The sense of dynamics is different. You always play so well, it’s cool to hear you play through the amp.

[@oldmanshreds]

I sold everything and left only HX Stomp and two guitars. Life's good.

[@myguitarsandme]

It's a tough one. The practical side says sell it. You can get pretty close with your modelers. The emotional side says keep it. Although you can get close with the modeler, there's nothing like the feeling of a proper valve amp, even if you only plug it in once in a while. Do you need more than one to satisfy that feeling? I would say no. My recommendation is keep the one you love most, and let go of the rest.

[@smellytele9629]

I've sold two amps since picking up my FM3. But I've also bought two amps since I picked up my FM3. I gig almost exclusively with my FM3, so amps are just kinda a luxury for home use. I could easily live without the large amount of gear I have, but it'd be a sad, sad existence. Gear is fun!

[@Herfinnur]

That clean-ish tone sounds better than most modellers, but I'll bet you it's the speakers and microphone doing that, not the amp. You could maybe test if you don't get the same great tone if you just set up a similar -or random - amp in a modeller and run it through the amp's loop, or alternatively through any simple transistor amp you might have available. As long as it's the same speaker and microphone pairing, I bet the character of that sound will be consistent through several different amp modellers. To whit: what speaker, microphone position and microphone are you using?

[@kyran4238]

Gear stresses me out and stops me from playing. Do I need it? Do I use it? If it is no and no then it is not helping me play more.

[@ac8704]

I'm down to 2 guitars (one single coil, one humbucker) and a helix floor. I use headphones or studio monitors at home, and direct to FOH and IEMs live. I just came to the realization that really didn't need everything I had. And once it was gone, I really didn't miss it. My vote is sell :) Get down to your one favorite amp.

[@tonystartup3817]

Nothing wrong with keeping a few amps around. If you don't need the money and have the space why not keep them. It's only a bit silly if you have dozens of the things sat around gathering dust. Just remember to turn them on and play them occasionally

[@tonystartup3817]

@Hämmingus I'm not sure it's needed either. I've heard stuff about capacitors needing current every now and again but not sure how true that is. It's more that if you've an amp sitting there in storage it's nice to use it every now and again to remind yourself that it's worth keeping. If it never gets played at all then it might as well be sold

[@joeygentile7829]

I sold all my amps, with the exception of one… my Tone King Imperial mkiii. So far, playing live with my Quad Cortex has been so convenient when it comes to setting up and keeping my stage volume down. Plus, I always know what to expect regarding tones from the different amps I use for particular songs. I’m glad I made the switch and couldn’t be happier, but I will probably keep the Tone King because it’s such a great amp.

[@DrProgNerd]

Did you get the email from Neural that they are introducing 'Hybrid Mode' - where you can have scenes and stomp in a preset? Exciting stuff.

[@joeygentile7829]

@@DrProgNerd I just checked and I did!!!

[@RogerThat902]

I sold a few amps off, but am keeping at least 2. I think everyone (if they can afford it) should have their dream amp for the moment. And possibly an amp that you don't care about too much, but could be useful to bring somewhere. The dream amp can and should change--it used to be a blues junior, now it's a David Allen, tomorrow perhaps a Dumble lol. But I'd regret not having a tube amp that I loved if for nothing else to compare.

[@jbbourbon178]

When you said it was spikey through the Marshall cab, that is what I hear in all tube amps. They are all bright and spikey without a band behind them and I much prefer the sound of modelers in the room through modelers.

[@grade43podcast]

I had amps, then got the HX Stomp and I found the compromise that works really well for me: the catalyst. It's super convenient at home, it's light weight, and it's perfect for the types of gigs I play. It also reduces all the noodling I was doing on the HX Stomp. Nothing against any of it and do what makes you happy for sure

[@grade43podcast]

Regarding the topic of having stuff around the house, I find it all has a cost or burden of some sort. We're far from where we'd like to get but decluttering is top of mind for us.

[@seanandben]

Hi John. Wonderful playing as always. I must say it's something I hadn't noticed in your playing before, but particularly in the opening few minutes, you sound very like Larry Carlton in the way you're targeting chord tones. I mean that as a compliment of the highest order to avoid any confusion! I'd buy your MK V 25 if you ever wanted to sell it. 🙂 A very cool video - I've had every MK series Boogie since MK 1.

[@alanparkinson4568]

I sold my Electra Dyne combo as I kept hurting my back whenever I lifted it. I do miss it and thought it was one of the best Boogies ever (and I’ve owned loads). I have a similar dilemma with gear and tend towards selling stuff I don’t use. However this does occasionally lead to regrets….

[@jamestopping4248]

I'm in the same boat. Downsized my pedalboard and integrated an HX Stomp XL. Now I run it through the power amp in of a Katana Artist, with a line out going to the PA. It keeps stage volume down, is super easy for quick set up gigs, and best of all sounds amazing while being reliable and consistent. Now my JVM410 Marshall half stack is gathering dust. but I don't have the heart to get rid of it yet!

[@jbbourbon178]

I sold my Dr Z Maz 18 and Two Rock earlier this year and am considering selling my Marshall SV20. Helix is the only practical option for me these days. I don’t particularly enjoy it, but it works and doesn’t kill my family’s ears. I prefer playing at softer volumes anyways. However, a part of me is afraid of being ampless as a player.

[@steveburrows101]

Whole point of a selection of gear is that the tonal variety inspires experimentation - both guitars and amps. So keep the good stuff. And it's always more immediate and satisfying to change tone / voice by twiddling a live knob than adjusting parameters on a modeller / computer. When you find a new voice "live" you can model it for future use. My 2d. So keep some iconic / inspiring stuff - but only as much as you can keep to hand for immediate use; if you put it in a cupboard or behind a stack of other gear "just in case" then get shot of it.

[@JoelVitu123]

I dont know about your amps, you make a great job and it deserves a better light. 👍🏻

[@zacharyoliver1325]

Okay, now that I've had time to pick my jaw off the floor and wipe the drool off my chin, I'm going to make the simple point that guitar (and gear by extension) is about maximizing the fun and the connection to the music that we feel compelled to create, not just about the practicality of carrying stuff to and fro from a gig or whether it's too loud in the house. You said it best when you remarked that there's really something special -visceral- about playing an amp in a room.

[@Plextortion]

Glad to see you finally got mic'd up........now find the light switch......lol.

[@haroldbelfast]

The second you hit the first notes using the real amp, I could tell the difference: the sound not only of your fingers on the strings, but the strings on the frets. It's almost like you can hear your fingerprints in your playing; something you definitely don't hear with the modelers.

[@97guitarzan]

You play so well man! Not letting go of any more of my amps. I mostly use ampsims and particularly S Gear in my studio. In my opinion , if you don't need cash and have the space I would keep. I have a Maz 18 and I'll never sell it. I did sell off a fair amount of stuff a few years ago...it does have to be under control...I guess :) .

[@hughesp]

I think it depends on long is the period of "not using" the gear? With amps, if they aren't powered up for years, the filter caps dry up and you actually end up with the amp effectively deteriorating faster than it would if you played it more often. Likewise, I feel like there's a point where guitars can reach a state of neglect if you are never pulling them out of the closet, doing adjustments, monitoring humidity, etc... Or you know, if you are keeping stuff in a barn and it's exposed to the elements... At any rate, I feel like if you have gear like that, which is going YEARS without being used, that in most cases it is likely better that someone else be actually maintaining it... But as long as you aren't neglecting the gear and allowing it to deteriorate, then I don't think you need to have all your gear in regular/frequent rotation.

[@10sassafras]

I’d say keep one or two at most. A good 22-50w combo will see you through just about any gig or jam. You’ll enjoy having the space.

[@zacharyoliver1325]

Jeez, Johnny! You must've eaten your Wheaties this morning. You were just breathing through those changes. Beautiful. What were you talking about again?

[@johnschober4008]

All I can say is there's stuff I wish I'd kept from over 20 years ago. Do you ever use anything like Two Notes Captor/Torpedo to record your amps? I've shifted back to amps/pedals over modellers/plugins for recording because of these.

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey John - I use the Fractal X Load yeh!

[@jakollee]

I totally agree that an amp should have on-board reverb! It's so frustrating to me when I go to a rehearsal studio or gig and none of the backline amps have reverb! I prefer not to use up a space on my pedalboard for a reverb pedal, but sometimes will bring along a Hall of Fame mini (and extra power supply) just in case. Great intro jam and wonderful noodling throughout! That amp's reverb sounds fantastic. I wouldn't sell it, you might really regret it in 5, 10 years.

[@timhopkins3810]

Hi John, I’d do what you thinks best but if you’re not using it then maybe selling. The whole regret of selling things is a big thing though… With regards to noise, have you thought of going down the two notes captor route - that would make it more manageable and easier to record but obviously removes the amp-in-a-room sound. To put it in context I’m currently looking into adding amps into my home set up and using a captor x or something to make the levels more manageable 👍

[@landon.cunningham]

You've got to have something to grab and go play with your friends or situations like that. A PA isn't always available for a modeler - and I find FRFR speakers not to be pleasing at all - and I've tried them all - at least all I can get my hands on. Nothing will replace the amp in the room for the user experience IMHO. I love to be in the room with someone playing guitar - in fact I find it more pleasing to be in the room than to be the one playing in the room. Now for recording, playing at home, in ears, yada yada - modelers are fab. I play mine most of the time. But, you still need an amp - at least one. Perhaps - at least one for most situations (Deluxe for small room or club, Twin for outside, and a head).

[@jonaszdabrowski]

Sold my amp after not using it for 3+ years, and guess what... Needed one last week. Got to have at least one amp, is what I think now 😅

[@thenumber1bobo]

This is why I keep one really good cab with speakers I love on hand, and just buy heads. Combos add up space quickly and are somewhat redundant

[@MaTTheWish]

I just bought a vintage guitar last week, it's called a classic vibe Starcaster.

[@southpaw335]

I would have said you might get away without it, then i heard you play through it. So as an avowed boogie fan, nope i’d vote keep it. On the topic of boogies, what is it about the reverb on your Mk3 that is not working for you? My long serving Mk3 has a fine sounding reverb… i guess you’ve checked the regular things like reverb tube etc

[@benjaminck6768]

I have 6 guitars, selling two next week to fund a trip. You feel guilty for selling them but also feel guilty for them just sitting there while you prefer other gear. If you’re still not going to play them after that you that might as well get some return on the investment. We tend to feel guilt selling instruments because emotion is part of playing and it becomes tied to that object.

[@John-mq8qv]

I sold my Orange Rockerverb 50 mk2 and JCM 800 100w reissue heads. That was probably 10 years ago. Even if I kept them they would not have been used once in those 10 years since then. But still, sometimes I wonder, it'd be nice to have them again, and not use them. Oh I'm on the fence. Maybe we should all just get HX Stomps and call it a day.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Gear comes and goes, some gear stays. I still have several tube amps, two digital amps, and down to two modelers. The local market isn't great for mid-level, high-level or pro gear, anything over US $500 sits forever. So selling takes time, but I will sell for the right price. Selling gear, especially amps is problematic with shipping; I've had one amp I purchased completely destroyed by UPS (still works but it's going to need a new cabinet) and a new Marshall 4x12 has a few dents, dings, and tolex rip thanks to UPS. UPS s*cks. Most of my purchases and sales are guitars, I have four guitars for sale, and I just purchased two new guitars this week, one was delivered yesterday, the other will be delivered tomorrow along with the hard case I had to purchase separately from another dealer.

[@davidgoeschguitar6505]

I was going to sell my Mesa Boogie Mark IV Combo recently. Years of lugging heavy gear has taken its toll and when the Boss Katana came out it does the job for what I do live now. I record with a Strymon Iridium mostly now. I did plug the Boogie in last week to test it and had forgotten just how good they sound. It would be a shame to sell it. This video is right where my dilemma is right now.

[@davidgoeschguitar6505]

@Brett Yes, that's right. Lugged it up and down stairs everywhere. I'm too old for that now.

[@davidgoeschguitar6505]

@Brett yes, I havn't taken that step yet. I use the Katana as my monitor and use the line out to the PA. The master volume on the amp doesn't affect the line level so I can control my own monitor level without worrying about the line level.

[@10sassafras]

I think a tube amp and a katana is a good combination. The katana is perfect for some gigs.

[@Jonathandavidk]

Always love your tone, but if I’m being honest the amp sounds better than the helix. I have and use modelers as well. Not an amp snob. That 15% difference in the attack and immediacy are really apparent.

[@David-GandI]

Valve amp with DI out + pedals = happiness

[@Lorneplumber]

I took 2 of my amps to the local rehearsal studio for an hour the other day. They are stopping. Even if I only play them for an hour a year

[@mikeller]

I struggle with that daily. I think I have more gear I don't use, than use...including an Electra-Dyne head & cabinet (which does sound amazing but that is another story)

[@bryantwalley]

Two different questions. First, it's your stuff. It's never wrong to keep your own stuff. Second, should you sell it? I did. The fat bank account looks a lot better than old amps sitting around the room. Nostalgia is overrated. Helix is doing as good as any amp ever did.

[@ZRossi513]

I still keep every pedal, amp and guitar I've ever purchased or was gifted. I kick myself more times than not for certain pieces of gear that I sold in the past in order to cover rent, bills etc.

[@tobyupson6184]

One amp mesa boogie mark 5 25, one strat, one sg, one telecaster, and 12 pedals. I am at the point the gear is now a distraction. Only a bedroom player. I like your discussions on too much gear. Signed up for TrueFire because of your site. Rather learn now than more gear.

[@hansgrayman4809]

Only you know what you need and don't. I am selling off the tube amps I don't play anymore and only keeping one. But I would never not have at least one. I do play through my Fractal FM3 into the frfr most of the time. But I enjoy playing my Mesa so much more. There your amps though. It's your money and life. Good luck with it.

[@Luke_Williamson]

Are you curious to try the new blackstar amped1?

[@DrProgNerd]

All of my amps are gone - except my Port City Pearl....and as much as I love that amp, I rarely play it. I'm playing exclusively out of my Quad Cortex now ....and Kemper before that ....and Stomp before that ....and FM3 before that ...etc. Amps are sexy ...but - to me- the flexibility of modelers far outweighs the mojo of amps.

[@jambajoby32]

Swooped a benson monarch and boy o boy is it great! But I don’t really gig on guitar much so i know the sentiment of “ keep it or sell it?”

[@john808welk]

As soon as one falls in my way I will swoop it up too. Only amp that really has my interest...

[@jambajoby32]

@@john808welk don’t tempt me lol accepting offers at the moment, as I need a vehicle coming up here in the next few months

[@sasjs9776]

Keep it!

[@wesleyfletcher7654]

Nope. Things change and you may need them again.

[@johnnathancordy]

Thanks for the thoughts Wesley! Maybe it's one to sit on for a while longer and see what happens?

[@wesleyfletcher7654]

@@johnnathancordy for sure. It’s an asset. If you need cash or space immediately, sell it. If not, selling it now, only to buy it later if your needs change could be more expensive.

[@MintStiles]

It's a problem only if you don't have the funds or space for it. Some people likes to drink scotch and smoke cigars or buy cars. I like spending my money on rare and collectable guitars and tube amps. Each to his/her own. Sometimes I just like looking at my amp wall. You shouldn't have to justify owning something as long as it doesn't negatively impact your life. If I ever feel like I am hoarding, I just have to watch a JHS video lol.

[@mixodorians12]

If you don't have KZbin channels and don't have to create content everyday then sell..let someone else use it.. if you do there has to be something useful about picking up a piece of gear from the back of your closet, and discovering something about it that may be interesting and making a video about it. As KZbin is a major and important revenue stream for gigging and working pro guitarists and musicians, then having lots and lots of gear on hand is vitally important to feed the KZbin beast I would have thought. I know pro Bass players who are full on into electronic music and have a room full of that stuff, and are not just divesting into KZbin but away from their regular instrument. For us mere mortals, not so much, three presets on a line 6 helix LT into a FRFR speaker is what I use for the majority of the time, my HXFX, Katana and Boss GT1000 is gathering dust.

[@bobvogt2242]

John, you should sell it, then regret it. It's such sweet sorrow and makes you play better.

[@thepedalreview]

I sold all my amps besides my Princeton Reverb that was modded by the founder/owner of Silktone amps. If I were you I would sell them if you’re not playing them at all. Get them into the hands of someone who will actually put it to use.

[@davetoepfer]

Annie Lennox? Top chops.

[@illgottengains1314]

Is it wrong to save money that you won’t spend imminently? Of course not. Amps are better than money, so..

[@johnnathancordy]

Good point...and the value of this isn't going to plummet like the pound lol

[@kevinp_25]

If you sell it are you going to miss it sometimes? If yes, AND you don't need the money, AND you have the space then keep it.

[@lukather1]

Yes ! Pointless- ! 😊

[@djillogika]

Did you make this video to convince someone to buy the amp or to convince yourself to keep it? Seems to me it’s the latter. Some gear are worth collecting - the Mesa amp is definitely one of those. No shame in that 😉

[@adlegol]

It's 7:25 for me 🤣🤣

[@rohanganguli7556]

form this video i can say you will regret selling it based on how much you like it

[@towardstar]

If youre not gigging them, sell sell sell

[@carlBigSpoonjohnson]

Is it costing you money to just sit there? If not hell keep it. My 2 cents

[@rohanganguli7556]

form this video i can say you will regret selling it based on how much you like it