Do I need an amplifier to play an electric guitar?

[dazz]

I just bought an electric guitar online(wanna learn to play). It should arrive sometime next week. Does it require an amplifier or is it possible to hook it up to a computer or something similar.
Actually,I want to be able to hook up my headphones,so I won't disturb anyone in the house. Is it possible?

[bigdaddyyc]

there are amplifiers which sell for $60-$80 that are good for beginners and have a headphone jack.

you could run it through your computer... but that would end up being more expensive and inconvenient than the amp for a beginner.

[TapemanPL]

you can use headphones just plug the headphones into the guitar but you will need the adaptor so that it will fit because the plug into the guitar is bigger than your normal jack

[dazz]

For speakers,I have Logitech Z-5500,if it helps.

If I decide to buy an amp for about $60,where are they sold in Toronto? I don't really want to buy those on ebay.

[TapemanPL]

steves music store which is queen and spadina, or long and mcquade at bloor and dovercourt (around there not really sure)

[nsr250]

http://www.long-mcquade.com/

buncha different locations across GTA as well.

[ephemera]

The signal from the guitar is not high enough to directly put your guitar cable into your input of your soundcard/computer. It will sound distant and just bad.

What you would need is a 'DI BOX' or direct input box that boosts the guitar signal to 'LINE level' that your soundcard can accept.

Or what I did was toss my cheapass amp in the garbage and baught a LINE6 POD 2. It offers lots of effects and different AMP emulations and you can use headphones or have it output to your computer soundcard.

Or you can just get an AMP. It might be a better option for you. Just turn it on and go.

I would recommend going to SongBird Music on Queen West. All their stuff is used gear and low prices.

Look for something like 15 watts or more and look for 'valve' emulation or tubeblaster or whatever. THat means its digital but doesn't sound like crap, but emulates tube amps somewhat. Make sure to try out the amp.

[sPiKyAZN]

For speakers,I have Logitech Z-5500,if it helps.

If I decide to buy an amp for about $60,where are they sold in Toronto? I don't really want to buy those on ebay.

fyi technically your z-5500 has a built in amp...

[Sonbuster]

technically you don't need an amp ifyou're just practicing alone and that you don't want to disturb others. you can still hear the tones.

[dazz]

Thanks for the links and explanation guys.
I know nothing about guitars or amps. I just decided that I want to learn how to play one.
I'll wait for the guitar and then will see if I want to get an amp for it. There are also 9V headphone amplifiers,I saw on a few websites. Those are really cool and I might just it.

[jason9945]

fyi technically your z-5500 has a built in amp...

Yes, but thats entirely different from a guitar amp.

[Paolo]

electric guitars output is similar to that of an analog microphone
so if your pc sound card has a microphone (or phono) level input, it WILL work, but be carefull with the gains, test it so it doesnt clip/distort.

[vladislav]

You can try it through line in or mic, but that will give you a pretty limited range. You can get a cheapo amp or I'd say it's better to get a pre-amp multifunctional pedal of some sort like ZOOM 505 and connect it to your pc.
I just did a search for zoom on craigslist and this came up - http://toronto.craigslist.org/msg/198493914.html
I've seen them as low as 50$ used so I'm sure you can find a better deal.
This will give you a lot more 'sound' to play with and once you pick what you like the most you can go and buy a proper amplifier.

[hagbard]

Dude, you don't even need the guitar.



or if you prefer playing more religious music:

[tigger03]

buy a small guitar amp from Long & McQuade. It'll cost you $40-$50.