Which of these amps should I get?

Question

My birthday's coming up and I am getting an amp from guitar center from my parents. I cannot spend more than $500. I have a mim Fender Standard Telecaster and I like to play classic rock, metal, and blues. I will be using the amp for practicing and small gigs. Please suggest one if you dont think i should get one of these.

1. Fender Frontman 212R 100w. $330.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Frontman-212R-100W-2x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-104506076-i1323510.gc

2.Line 6 Spider III 30 30W 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp. $200.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-Spider-III-30-30W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-103944799-i1168995.gc

3. Marshall Micro Stack(What I was thinking about). $300

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshall-MG15MSII-Micro-Stack-101897007-i1145874.gc

4. Vox Valvetronix AD50VT. $380

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-Valvetronix-AD50VT-50w-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-102806882-i1145847.gc

Answer 1

The Vox is not strong enough to play in small gigs, the Spider lll sux even more, the Marshall, even WEAKER! 15watts is nothing, get the Fender, i have a yamaha 15watts small, sux, g*y, but its alright cuz im in no band, don't plan to b, just play for my own pleasure, low volume so yeah, FENDER

Answer 2

If you have 380 you can spend, check into a Crate V18 212. (approx 379, Musicians Friend)

  This is an 18 watt tube amp, (Class A Power) 2 12 inch speakers, with reverb,  and dont be misled by the paltry 18 watts.  This will blow the doors off any 60-80 watt solid state amp out there.  2 of the amps you have listed are what they call "modeling amps" (the line 6, and the vox) .  While you may see some of the touring pros using amps like these, the ones they are using are highly modified in every aspect of the amp.  One problem with the "store bought" modeling amps is the presets are very inconsistent in output levels, and the effects are way overprocessed.  So.. if your going to do any type of gigs with these modeling amps, they will turn out to be just one big headache, and you will be tweaking preset after preset, volume, and tone settings  all night long.

   If you are able to do this,.. try to listen to Eric Claptons "Layla".  His guitar sound came from a 1959 Fender Champ, total of 8 watts Class A tube power.  Yep... all that sound out of 8 watts.  By the way, the Crate amp I mentioned also comes in an 18 watt 1x12 set up as well, (approx 329-349) and seeings how its only driving one speaker, its got a little more guts than the 2 x12 that I just bought. Add a couple of effects pedals, and this will outclass in my opinion any of the amps you have listed above. Especially with the guitar you have.. excellent choice for blues and classic rock.  By the way.. classic rock, blues... thats tube amps my friend!  Some of them no more than 50 watters!

Happy shopping...Happy Birthday,  and keep on playing!