Squeeze 40 creamy watts out of this bona fide tone machine. Ready for both stage and studio, the Hot Rod Deluxe delivers clear articulation at any volume.
When it comes to buying an a guitar amplifier there are a lot of options available, and choosing one can be confusing especially when you are a beginner or budding player. There might be many features that you think you need.
In today’s market, it’s easy to find hundreds of electric guitars amplifiers that retails from less than $300. There is no right or wrong answer when choosing a guitar amp.
Choosing a Beginner Guitar Amp - Guide
In choosing your first guitar amp you have to first consider how much you have to spend, the style of music you like to play, and what kind of tone you like best. It is perhaps best to start with something small. You might feel that a Marshall stack is the way to go, especially if you have the money, but for home use, big amps are hard to work with because to drive them into distortion, you have to get really loud. They also take up a lot of space.
Anything over 30 watts or so is usually overkill for home practice or casual jam sessions. Remember, even a 15 watt amp is loud when cranked. What you sacrifice with lower wattage is clean volume. But if you primarily use a dirty, overdriven tone, small will work just fine.
While amplifiers come in a variety of configurations, we'll focus on three types for this guide: tube, modeling and solid-state mini amps.
Tube amps, typically the most expensive type, are held in high esteem for their tonal qualities and heritage dating back to the earliest dates of amplified music.
Modeling amps tend to be somewhat more affordable, require less maintenance and provide a wealth of tonal options.
Portable Solid-State mini amps are a great choice for someone looking for a small, battery-powered practice amp that fits in a backpack. One thing to keep in mind is that watt for watt, tube amps are much louder than their solid state and modeling cousins.
The NUX Mighty 8 BT MKII portable modeling amp includes a 6.5" FRFR speaker with IR technology, offering you limitless tonal possibilities. By using eight AA batteries, this portable amp will let you busk anywhere for up to eight hours. The Mighty 8 BT MKII provides a variety of effects for electric guitar and bass guitar including amp modeling and cabinet IRs.
It also comes with acoustic amp modeling and acoustic IRs to let you simulate acoustic guitar tones. There’s even an additional channel on the amp to plug in a dynamic mic, making it a great solution for live performances. The MightyAmp APP and Mighty Editor edit software lets you tweak all the signal blocks and parameters. The MIGHTY 8BT MKII includes GATE, EFX, AMP, IR, MOD, DLY and RVB signal blocks.
The smallest of the full-format Crush models, the Orange Crush 12 combo amplifier is designed for guitarists with a no-nonsense attitude to quality tone. Featuring a powerful 3 band EQ, dedicated overdrive control plus the CabSim-loaded headphone output means huge tones at whisper quiet levels.
Get that punchy tone Orange is known for in this tiny amp. Simulate the sound of a monster 4x12" Orange cab in your headphones with the CabSim technology.
The twin-channel Orange Crush 20 amplifier takes an uncompromising approach to guitar tone and puts it in a compact and portable package. Orange's high gain, 4-stage preamp design serves up a hugely versatile palette of rich distorted tones with a commanding delivery that belies the amp's modest footprint.
This means responsive overdrive and detailed levels of saturation never before heard in a practice amplifier.
Frontman amps deliver quality tone at a great price, with custom-voiced built-in overdrive for great tone and the unmistakable Fender Blackface look. The 10-watt Frontman 10G features a 6-inch Special Design speaker and a selectable gain control that can rock guitar tones from tube-emulated overdrive to full-strength ultra-saturated distortion; perfect for blues, metal and the famous Fender clean tone. It features a 1/8" headphone output for silent practicing.
Perfect for beginners, the Vypyr X1 is loaded with analog distortion and 12 effects to help you find your voice. Peavey continues a tradition of innovation and excellence with the VYPYR X1 modeling amplifier. This evolution of the groundbreaking VYPYR series features updated styling, superior cabinet design and acoustic performance, and improved TransTube technology.
- 20 Watts RMS
- Variable instrument input
- Lightweight and portable
- 2 instrument models
- Universal delay and reverb
- Headphone jack
- Analog TransTube distortion. .. Many more
Perfect for solo performers, the two-channel Fender Acoustasonic 15 amplifier offers excellent on-the-go amplification for vocalists and musicians alike.
This acoustic guitar combo amplifier gives you clear and warm acoustic-electric projection -- all in compact 10.5-pound transportable form. A two-channel design with an XLR mic input allows you to use this baby as a small PA as well as an acoustic amp. Three-band EQ controls allow you to shape your sound and control feedback, and an onboard chorus effect adds a little tonal color to your mix.
Step into the world of Marshall amplifiers with the versatile CODE25. Select from 14 different preamp models to recreate the sound of classic Marshalls.
CODE has 14 MST preamps, 4 MST power amps and 8 MST speaker cabinets. It has 24 FX including: Compressor, classic stompbox Distortions, Auto Wah, Pitch Shifter, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger and Tremolo. It includes Delays with Tap Tempo, and studio quality Reverbs. CODE's MST preamps produce some of the most acclaimed and best loved Marshall tones.
- MODEL: 25C
- RANGE: CODE
- TECHNOLOGY: DIGITAL
- PRESETS: 100
- WATTAGE: 25W
- INPUTS: 1
- CONTROLS: BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE, GAIN, VOLUME, PRE FX, AMP, MOD, DEL, REV, POWER, CAB
The ID:CORE 40 V3 is designed to make live streaming, recording, any practicing easy. A TRRS line output allows you to send audio directly to a smartphone to live stream your playing. The Cab Rig next generation Emulated Output has user controls for cabinet and room environment so you can fine tune the direct sound that works best for you.
- 40W programmable combo with enhanced features
- 6 voices and 12 Super Wide Stereo effects
- Live streaming TRRS output for easy use with smartphones
- Cab Rig software with controls for cabinet. room, and more
- Low noise hardware for improved sound quality
- Ergonomic moulded handle in the back of the unit
- Editing software for deeper control.
The Fender Mustang LT25 is ideal for beginners and students, with a super-simple user interface and a collection of 30 presets covering a wide range of music -- a "greatest hits" of electric guitar tones. The versatile signal chain with high-quality onboard amp and effects models produces amazing tones, making it an ideal practice amp
The Mustang LT25 lets you carve out your sound with the help of over 20 amp models and 25 effects, while its lightweight design makes the amp super-portable.
Don't be fooled by its simplicity. The Marshall MG15GR Guitar Combo Amplifier delivers a range of classic and modern tones, with all the essential features that players need, and so much more. All the amps in this range are fitted with an emulated headphone output to make silent practice easier than ever.
You'll have 2 channels to precisely sculpt your amp's sound with a 3-band EQ, Clean & Overdrive channels, Custom 8 inch speaker and Line In for jamming along with tracks. Marshall MG15FX
The Line 6 Spider V 20 MkII amp delivers authentic and inspiring tones instantly, making it a perfect partner for running down licks, writing songs, and experimenting with cool guitar textures at home or on the road. There's even a USB interface for recording. The easy-to-use tone and effects controls also make dialing in your own tones a breeze,
Even if you're uneasy about tone construction, Presets crafted by professional players have your back, and a bevy of classic amp sounds were voiced by a renowned tube-amp maker.
The Line 6 Spider V 30 MkII is far more than a practice amp. Whether you like to plug in and immediately rock a traditional amp tone, or enjoy tweaking parameters until you’ve devised a unique and awe-inspiring sound. This machine gives you the tools to create exactly what you want. Classic Speaker mode provides an organic sound and feel, while updated presets—including vintage amp presets voiced by a renowned tube-amp maker, and Artist and Iconic Song collections—deliver classic tones with all the rage, subtlety, sheen, and roar you demand.
The Line 6 Spider V 30 MkII has a wide range of amp and effect sounds, plus drum loops and a built-in tuner.
This versatile 15-watt amplifier delivers BIG SOUNDS in a small, affordable package. It includes eight modeled digital amp tones, including Clean, Classic OD, Metal, and Crunch, for a wide variety of tonal options. It also has four modulation effects, plus delay and reverb, for an even more polished and refined sound.
A built-in 36-pattern electronic rhythm module with adjustable tempo and volume provides accompaniment for practice sessions, or you can use the aux input to connect your phone or other external audio devices to play along with your favorite songs or backing tracks.
- Digital amp tones: PP Cleans, Cleans, Blues, Crunch, Lead, Rhythm, & Metal
- Onboard Effects: Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Delay, & Reverb
- Built-in 36-pattern Electronic Rhythm Module / adjustable tempo and volume
- Headphone output that bypasses speaker for quiet practice.
The basic building blocks of the TransTube(r) sound are the exclusive designs of the preamp and power amp. The preamp section tailors gain to meet the need for any amount of drive, from crystal clear to thick, smooth sustain. The power amp reacts just like a tube output section by responding to the preamp with natural compression that increases as the amp gets louder.
Get the range and dynamics of a tube amp with this TransTube combo amp. The preamp and power amp work together to bring you the natural grit of a tuber.
The LX15 is a compact, simple to use beginner and practice amplifier for electric guitar. With 15 watts RMS power and twin 5" speakers, the LX15 delivers huge Laney sound and features a classic 'master volume' style preamp allowing gain and master level to be balanced independently. With a 3-band EQ tone stack plus a Drive switch to add distortion, an assortment of great tones can be dialled in from spanky clean to overdrive sounds with real punch.
The mini-jack AUX input allows for connection of a playback device such as MP3/iPod/CD for jamming along to songs or backing tracks, plus there is a headphone socket - a great feature for private practice or silent late-night sessions.
The Laney LX20R amp features clean and drive channels, as well as a lush reverb for a slick, polished sound. A twin channel guitar amp with 3 band EQ and on- board Reverb - giving gain choices from clean to extreme. The 3-band EQ tone stack gives instant tone shaping options to adjustment to suit the guitar and music style. Reverb can be dialed in to add ambience to the tone. Plus, an AUX input for jamming along and a headphone socket - great features for private practice or silent late-night sessions.
Tthe Blackstar Debut 15E features all-analog design for natural sounding clean and overdrive tones. It unleashes huge stereo sound through a pair of 3" speakers, and even includes an on-board "tape echo" delay. The gorgeous vintage cream and oxblood styling perfectly compliments the flexible ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control and built-in "tape" echo effect.
The stereo Line In source makes the Debut 15E perfect for listening to music or playing along with backing tracks, while the headphone and speaker-emulated output make silent practice and recording easy. All-analog Clean and Overdrive channels.
Built to the respected CUBE standard, the Roland CUBE-10GX delivers big, full tones with its custom 8-inch speaker and heavy-duty cabinet design. Clean, Crunch, and Lead amp types come ready to play from the factory, but you can easily switch them out from your favorite mobile device. It also includes options for shaping your tones even further with three-band EQ and onboard chorus, delay, and reverb effects.
Comes with three onboard effects: chorus, delay, and reverb (including plate and spring reverb types. There's also a Rec Out/Phones jack, which mutes the onboard speaker and provides a direct output complete with COSM speaker modeling. This is a great feature for quiet practice with headphones.
Utilizing Virtual Element Technology, the VT20X produces extremely accurate amplifier modeling and features 33 unique preset programs of famous guitar rigs.
The Vox VT40X modeling guitar combo amplifier employs sophisticated digital technology, along with a unique analog circuit, to bring you authentic tube power amp performance. A multi-stage Valvetronix tube preamp incorporates true tube circuitry, so you feel the subtle nuances that you'd expect from a tube guitar amp.
A tightly sealed cabinet and expertly designed bass-reflex structure, along with 13 classic stompbox effects, ensure that the Vox VT40X modeling guitar combo amplifier delivers an unbelievably powerful tone that far exceeds its modest size. The analog Valvetronix tube preamp ensures rich, warm tone.
This solid-state 80-watt 1x12" combo packs Peavey's TransTube technology for extra punch, and independent EQ, reverb and resonance controls on each channel. It has footswitchable clean and lead channels with a three band EQ on each, great sounding reverb with level control and a footswitchable effects loop.
The amp puts out a powerful 80 watts at 8 ohms into the face melting Blue Marvel speaker and a cool 100 watts at 4 ohms, so using an extension speaker is no problem! TransTube technology does make a difference.
The Katana-50 MkII takes the acclaimed Katana guitar amp series to the next level, turbocharging the core platform with more sounds, more effects, and more features. Newly-voiced variations are now available doubling the tonal options. And the onboard effects categories have been expanded from three to five, providing even more real-time processing to choose from.
The usability has been ramped up too, with a power amp input for modelers and multi-FX, updated editor software, and many other enhancements. Great for modelers or as a pedal platform, the Katana-50 MkII combo is versatile for any setting.
The Line 6 Spider V 120 MkII amp gives you the tools to create exactly what you want. Classic Speaker mode provides an organic sound and feel, while updated presets—including vintage amp presets voiced by a renowned tube-amp maker, and Artist and Iconic Song collections—provide you with authentic building blocks from which to craft your sound into raging metal, ambient landscapes, chiming pop, or virtually anything you can conjure up. Full-Range Speaker mode is optimal for acoustic guitars and jam track playback.
Whatever drives your creativity, the Spider V 120 MkII amp gets you there with all the ease or complexity that defines your personal musical mantra.
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