From a parent's point of view, I'd say a five-watt amplifier is ideal for a beginning guitarist. I remember when my brother was learning to play bass, and he'd play the same thing over and over - and he insisted it had to be LOUD. I'm not sure why my parents didn't put a stop to that. But then, my sister and I always thought my brother was spoiled....

My own son, who is now 37, had a band in our garage every day for years. I can't understand why the neighbors didn't call the cops, but they all seemed very proud to know Nic. Now he has parties in his loft in Brooklyn, and the neighbors DO call the cops.

-Joe-