I was a newb 6 years ago. I almost got a modeling amph, but after researching here, got a good, basic tube amph. If I had it to do over, I might consider starting out with something quite small like a Blackheart Little Giant (5w I believe, great sound). I got a 30w Peavey Classic. A lot of amph for a beginner. Don't get me wrong, I have loved that amph, but just starting out, something like a Blackheart Little Giant will do fine. Then you can play with your multieffects pedal though it, and experiment from there.
The vid below is a head version, but you can get a combo version.
Mark Wein, a member here, demos one here, with some cleaner sounds demoed as well.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson