Your guitar amplifier will determine your sound just as much as your electric guitar will. Options for amps are endless, from tiny earphone units that plug right into your guitar to powerful 100-watt tube heads that can power eight or more speakers. Here are a few different paths you can take in selecting the guitar amp that is best for you.
Parts and features of guitar amps
All amps consist of a “preamp,” which processes your guitar signal with effects like distortion, and a “power amp,” which boosts the affected signal with enough wattage to drive loudspeakers. Preamps and power amps often have their own separate volume knobs, usually labeled “gain” and “master,” respectively. Preamps also control your tone via knobs for hi/mid/lo frequencies, or sometimes with multi-band graphic equalizers.
Some amps feature on-board effects as well. For example, reverb and tremolo come standard on most higher-end Fender and Vox amps. If you have additional effects pedals, you can either place them between your guitar and your amp, or if your amp has an “effects loop,” you can put them between the preamp and power amp for more subtle tone shaping. Digital “modeling” amps go even further for players who lack effects pedals, featuring multiple preprogrammed effects available on demand.
Guitar amp features to keep in mind
Watts
The volume of a guitar amp depends on its wattage. You can go as quiet and affordable as a Vox Amplug, a simple, sub-1W unit that plugs into headphones. For personal bedroom practices and small jam sessions, amps between 15W and 40W will have more than enough power. For larger live shows and noisy rock rehearsals, 50W-100W are loud enough to cut through other guitars, bass, and drums.
Vintage or modern sound
The amps that defined the classic rock sounds of the 1960s used vacuum tubes, which produce a very warm, vintage-style tone. Venerable brands from the era like Vox, Fender, and Marshall still make and sell tube amps with very specific sounds. Fender tube amps are known for their clean surf and country tones, and guitarists prefer Vox for the jangly, mid-heavy sounds of the Beatles. As for Marshall amps, they provided the massive crunch for 1970s supergroups like Led Zeppelin. Drawbacks of tube amps are their price, and they can lack versatility.
Amps that use solid-state transistors are a more approachable alternative to tube units. They require less maintenance and tend to be lighter and more affordable. Smaller solid-state amps by Fender and Blackstar are excellent for home practice, and they can adapt to effects pedals even better than some tube amps. The most versatile options are digital amps like the Fender Mustang GT, which has preset sounds that emulate multiple effects and specific vintage tube amps. However, many purists feel that digital modeling amps lack the warm authenticity of analog effects pedals or tubes.
Speakers
Although technically not part of an amp, speakers play a huge part in the sound that’s produced. Most amps are “combos,” housing one or two speakers between 6” and 12” in diameter in the same enclosure as the amp. Combo amps can be small at-home practice amps, or large suitcase-sized 100W models.
Some players prefer the versatility of separate amp heads, like the Fender Bassman (made for bass but loved by many guitarists), and the EVH 5150, designed by Eddie Van Halen. Heads do not contain speakers, but they connect to external speaker cabinets that can house four to eight separate speakers, usually between 10” and 15” in diameter.
Which amp is right for you?
The best amp depends on where you want to take your playing. Beginning players, especially younger guitarists with noise-sensitive parents, can easily start with an affordable headphone unit. Small modeling combo amps are a great “variety pack” of tones and effects for players who are still searching for their personal sound. Established performers likely already know what their detailed amp preferences are. If you’ve decided that there is no substitute for loud, classic goodness, there is no replacement for splurging on a premium tube combo or head.
If you’re looking for specific amps to add to your setup, consider the following hand-picked selection:
Fender Mustang GT 40 40W (2x 20W In Stereo) WiFi Digital Amplifier ()
Users love this model for the inclusion of great presets that pair with any playing style.
Fender Champion 40 Guitar Amplifier ()
Another standout Fender model, this amp comes with cool effects, a headphone jack, and amp modeling.
Vox AC4 Custom Vintage 4W RMS Guitar Amplifier ()
This stunning Vox amp boasts top-notch style and options, including a custom-voiced speaker and JJ tubes.
Blackstar HT Studio 20H 20W 2-Channel All-Tube Guitar Amplifier Head ()
From low-key overdrive to killer distortion, this amp truly does it all. Plus, it looks beautiful in the limited-edition bronco tan coloring.
Marshall Studio Jubilee Mini 2525H Guitar Amplifier Head ()
Finish off your setup with a Marshall amp head built to deliver the sound you want in just about any style.
Marshall DSL40CR 2-Channel 40W Valve Combo Amplifier()
Pick your preferred tone, play just about anywhere, and rock your next solo with this amazing combo amp from Marshall.
Orange Rocker 32 30W 2×10″ 2-Channel Stereo Guitar Amplifier ()
With its innovative twin-channel design, massive sound, and impeccable engineering, this Orange amp and speaker combo demands to be heard.
Feature photo by Portuguese Gravity on Unsplash
