Just got a guitar - need amp suggestions

[Requiem]

So I bought a used Epiphone Les Paul Studio Standard on ebay for pretty cheap (I figure it will be good to learn on until I get good enough to where a good guitar means something to me, and from reading reviews/watching videos, it seems like a decent guitar), and I need to buy an amp now. To the musicians out there, what would some cheap suggestions be?

I am looking to spend less than $150.. preferably way less, but that's probably the high end of what I'm looking to spend. I want something that will get the most out of my money pretty much. The style of music that I primarily want to learn is blues, but of course I like/listen to rock so I want something with enough settings to mess with that will give me a good versatile sound. Also, not sure if this is something that comes on all amps or not, but I need one with a headphone jack, as I have a pair of nice quality headphones that I will be using if I play at night here.

Also, does anyone have some good resources for learning to play guitar? I understand that I'm going to suck ass for a while, and I will be mostly teaching myself, but I do have several friends who play and said they will show me some things to help learn.

[DaveWadding]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-25R-Frontman-Series-II-Guitar-Combo?sku=480669

Probably all you'll need. They have smaller amps (15W or so) for about 70...I dunno. look around there.

and www.ultimate-guitar.com for lessons/tab etc

[The Mask]

try and scrape the money for a marshall. lot of the other ones i've tried without getting into huge pricey ones are crap and sound like a wasp in a tin.

[asphyXy]

http://www.andertons.co.uk/and_news_files/images/mesa-dual-rectifier-head.jpg

[Requiem]

I have heard good things about Marshall practice amps being good in the long haul. ^Definitely want something with a nice full sound in a small package.

[Requiem]

Watched some youtube vids of that Fender 25R and it seems like a really nice amp even when used with some shitty guitars. Obviously a lot of that is playing, but it seems like a really good deal. The only issue I have with Marshalls are that they seem to be more expensive for something comparable.

Although I just read while typing up this post that those Fenders are out of stock until 11/2 so I might have to look elsewhere, which sucks because they also included a nice tuning pedal for no charge. Love this site though. All kinds of nonsense that I will never be able to afford.

[CSL]

I have a little Marshall amp. I will sell it to you for £1000

[CSL]

But seriously, my (very limited) advice would be to get a 2nd hand one from a little guitar shop. I can't remember how much mine was since I only paid a small amount towards it but converted, it was definitely less than $150

[The Mask]

what do you like to play? if it's anything at all rock where you're going to need distortion get a marshall, no two ways about it. i am watching your fender on youtube and the distortion is cack.

[Requiem]

Blues and Rock primarily. Have no interest whatsoever in metal or anything of that nature.

Looked at a couple Marshalls that seemed pretty good though, and apparently put out a LOT of sound for how small they are.

[Bad Company]

I've got a peavey rage 158 as my practice amp. Sounds good enough, mainly have it for its headphone jack. Unfortunately my Peavey Triumph 120 Stack doesn't have a headphone jack, and pisses my flatmates off to much.
Also, It's all about the pedals, I rekon get a good multi function one. My boss has one and it's amazing. It's a pain in my arse chaining all of mine together.

Some good reviews for the 158 here http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/guitar_amplifiers/peavey/rage_158/index.html

[Requiem]

Since I am new to this, would someone be so kind as to explain the function of various pieces of equipment, as well as the importance of certain things? While I plan on this just being a hobby, I would like to get pretty serious with it and start learning before I even start learning, so to speak.

[Requiem]

Also... so many different amp suggestions. Was kind of hoping there would be a general consensus on where to start, but I suppose a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Just don't know what makes some amps better than others. :-\

[Fabien Barthez]

If you don't already play guitar, and are looking to learn, I suggest you sell it and buy an acoustic.

[Requiem]

Multiple people have said that, but I have no desire to play acoustic music. Down the road when I start to understand what I'm doing, I may decide otherwise. But for now, learning to play on something I'm not that interested in isn't going to get me anywhere.

[Fabien Barthez]

You are right. There are no acoustic guitars in the Blues....

[Fabien Barthez]

Seriously, guitarists learn and practise on acoustics to improve their standard on an electric. And since you are only just starting out, you will be playing by yourself I guess, and there is no worse sound than amplified virign guitarist.

[Penner]

Try the Roland Cube. Great practice amp. So many effects and it really gives you a starting point on a lot of stuff that you might not know about.

You can really perfect your tone with this practice amp and then, possibly in the future, you'll know what sound you want when you buy gigging equipment (such as the MESA above).

Watch this video dude. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBwq4UXI9VA

I've had one for years. Even after I bought more expensive equipment I still keep this one to play around with.

10/10.

[Penner]

Fabien that's stupid man. Acoustic and Electric are two different sounds. You DON'T have to start on an acoustic.

[Requiem]

That might have worked great for you Fabien and I know why other guitarists use it to practice, but as I said, I have no desire to play acoustic music. I don't care if other guitarists use it.. like Penner said, electric and acoustic are completely different sounds, and I have NO interest in playing that sound. AT ALL. I don't care if acoustics can be used to play blues. I don't WANT to play blues with that sound. Has nothing to do with genre or anything.. I just don't want to play that, and if I was to try learning that way, I would probably quit because I didn't enjoy it. And that completely defeats the purpose.

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

Fuck guitars. Buy a mandolin instead.

[The Mask]

yeah stick to electric. i always wanted an electric guitar as a kid more than anything ever, but they got me an acoustic cause its "better to learn on" but i didn't want to play acoustic, so i never learned and they passed it off as a fad and something i would never stick with. anyway for my 13th or 14th birthday i finally got an electric and i played it religiously and got pretty good, and in time i started playing acoustic when i wanted to.

srsly though what do you want to play? like what are your favourite bands and what songs would you like to learn? i will try help find you an amp for whatever suits your style best.

[Requiem]

Some of my favorites (guitar-wise) are John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd (love me some Floyd).

I am leaning heavily toward that Fender 25R. I figure if I ever find its distortion lacking, I can buy a pedal or something to help with the issue.

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

She my sweet little baby, I'm her little lover boy.