Mind you, I’m saying that a bit tongue and cheek, and am writing this after I read a thread on The Gear Page from a user who was ranting about people asking total strangers, “What amp should I buy?” I can see his point. There are so many amps out there, each with their own character, that it’s virtually impossible to suggest an amp to someone.
I’ve been asked that question more than a few times, and here’s my answer: Go to a music store and start trying amps out. If it’s a tube amp that you’re after and you’re new to tube amps, go with something very simple and inexpensive, but the important thing is to try out a bunch to see if the sound pleases you. If you’re not new to tube amps, you should know better than to ask that question. 🙂
I know, the second part of the answer is a bit on the facetious side, but puh-lease! Just like with the the newbie to tube amps, you have to try out a bunch to see what you like. Period.
I’ve said this before: No one can tell you what’s good and what’s not. They can tell you about build quality. They can tell you about reliability. They can describe in great detail what the tone of an amp is like TO THEM. But in the end, you have to try it out for yourself to see if you like it. There’s no other alternative.
Find your tone is work, and they say, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince or princess. ROCK ON!!!
Guitar Gear 
Very nice, and as happens I had to break out the online dictionary..(puh-lease!) Duh..
While I agree, no one can tell you what to buy, you need to find it. I will tell people what they sould at least spend a lot of time with, using questions like
What kind of stuff do you like to play?
How much $ do you have to spend?
What songs have tones you really like and
would like to have in your playing?
Are you the kind of person that can buy soemthing to try it and sell it a month later to get something else?
If you play modern metal, like EVH’s For Unlawful C…K… tone and have no trouble buying and selling things on a whim then you should spend quite a bit of time with a 5150 combo..
Why a 5150,
and why the combo?
You can get one used on Craigslist for about $500, the 5150 head often needs a bias adjustment mod to sound good with the combo you can just order a pair of power tubes from Eurotubes for that exact amp.
the amp is still sought after so it’s not too hard to sell. I would even say it’s one of the benchmark amps for modern metal.
what I’m getting at, is for the type of music you like try the amps that are used by the most people. Then when you ask a question of someone you at least have something to go by..
ie… how do you think a mesa F series compares to the 5150?..
Answer.. a little less gain, and slighty brighter in the rhythm channel..
Establish a relationship with a good local shop. Don’t be afraid to ask for other’s opinions. Try the stuff as much as possible with your own gear and buy used until you have got enough experience. Works for me. I only play once week at church so my demands are low. Bought a VibroChamp XD used for 125.00 it has a line out for PA and works and sounds great with both single coils and humbuckers. Also bought a used Peavey B210 bass amp for my bass used for 160.00 and it is great also.
Above all develop your ear and buy what sounds good to you and you can afford.