Finding the right guitar amp can be more challenging than finding the right guitar. All the different features, all the different technology, all the different prices. There is a sea of amps available to you, but they do indeed tend to suit some guitars, or guitar styles better than others. However, as technology in the amp world has progressed, that is less the case than it used to be – particularly with practice amps for home use.
Amps can be an extremely complex and in-depth topic that can be discussed for weeks on end. At Whatsthebest.co.uk, we've focused on explaining the fundamentals of guitar amps and have recommended the best ones for home use and for small gigs.
Amp tech
Valve/tube amps: These are the kinds of amps that have been used for decades. Valves/tubes (Europeans call them valves, Americans call them tubes) in amps look somewhat like a lightbulb and glow when they heat up. Valves in amps don’t last forever and need replacing every so often, but guitar purists argue that valve amps produce organic sounds and tones that are impossible to replicate. Modern solid-state amps argue otherwise.
Solid-state amps: These kinds of amps use circuit boards for tone. They use something called digital modelling to recreate the sound from valves. The technology in these kinds of amps has made strides in the last decade or so. They used to, and sometimes still do, get criticism for sounding fake. However, modern ones are very good to the point where big names are even using them in performances. The main bonus with solid-state amps is that you can get a great one that provides all the sound you’ll need for little cost.
Amp types
Combo amps: These are the typical amps you’ll see around - single units that have the pre-amp (the part with the control knobs), power amp (the part that transforms the electrical voltage from the guitar into a larger noise) and the speaker, all in one. Great for transporting or a compact unit that won't take up much room in your house. All of our recommendations below are combo amps.
Stacks: A separate amp head sitting on top of a speaker cabinet, or cabinets. This used to be the way to get big noise. It’s not so much the case now because of the advances in digital technology, but some people prefer it for the sensation of a cabinet of speakers shattering the airwaves.
Blues and Jazz players usually opt for small or medium sized valve combo amps for their sounds. Those pursuing rock and metal will want a larger amp that can handle it.
Very important tip: Don’t fall for the 'more watts will be louder' trap. Sound is measured in decibels. Power will give you ‘cleaner’ sound at higher volume - this is called ‘headroom’.
Practice amps
Modern ones, with their digital modelling, produce fantastic tones at lower volumes which wasn't always the case. Nowadays you can get tremendous sound quality at a conversational volume. They are small and portable. If you want lots of features, best to aim for at least a 30W amp.
The 10-watt solid state VOX does not have a wealth of features but it's a wizard little practice amp. With its simple bass, treble, and gain controls you have enough versatility, but ultimately it's the quality of sound you enjoy most from this baby VOX. It has a clean/overdrive button too and of course, has the classic, classy VOX look.
Pros:
Quality little amp
Perfect for a bedroom or library
Clean sound
Cons:
Look elsewhere for more features
Best digital modelling
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Get the latest in modelling technology from Vox so your house will reverberate to the most realistic amplifier sounds you can find. In addition to beautiful tone, this 40W amp will give you sustained quality of sound when you turn up the noise.
Pros:
Unbeatable realistic sound
Sustained quality of sound
Cons:
Possibly price, but performance is truly remarkable
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Consider the Orange Crush 35RT as your heavy-duty practice amp for heavy playing. The 35RT doesnu2019t have a host of effects, but the twin channel, high gain design makes it thoroughly versatile in delivering wonderful tones. Four stages of gain make it heavenly for rock and metal players.
Pros:
Quality
Great high gain and reverb
Cons:
No effects
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A superb option for beginners. This amp comes with a wealth of features that allows incredible tweaking. This model was recently updated so the presets were improved, as was the modelling. The net result is a punchy 30W amp that gives great realistic tone, and frankly, you are unlikely to need anything more.
Pros:
Good price
Incredible number of effects
Cons:
None worth mentioning
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If you want a simple, quality practice amp then the Roland CUBE-10GX will be right up your street. At around £120, it has a very attractive price tag, but you arenu2019t losing out on quality. In terms of features, all the effects are under a single control - there isnu2019t a raft of them, but the amp is still very tweakable. The most important thing is that the Cube 10GX is a very well-made amp.
Pros:
Small
Light
Quality
Cheap
Cons:
Not many features
Best small amp
The Fly 3 from Blackstar looks too small and too cheap to be taken seriously. Think again. You can power it either with a 6.5V DC supply or with six AA batteries. At less than 1kg you can almost put in your pocket. But when push comes to shove, you get great tone from Blackstaru2019s ISF channel at lower volumes and surprising performance when you crank it up. Oh, and itu2019s a crazy price.
Pros:
Ridiculous value
Impressive performance
Cons:
Size and power has limitations
Small gigs
The following are valve amps. If playing with just the amp, aim for a decent amount of power 30-40W, but if you will mic the amp to a PA, then shredding it on a 15W will do fine.
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This valve amp has u2018Bluesu2019 in its name for a reason. With a single channel, its reworked preamp and reverb circuits, this amp gives a full, clear sound ideal for rock and blues guitarists.
Pros:
Cool vintage design
Sounds great cranked up
Cons:
Few effects
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If you are into your clean, classic British sounds, the valve Vox AC15C1 is all about that. It carries a lot of heritage and was a Vox style of amp favoured by almost every rock band in the 1960s and 1970s. A deep, rich, warm tone is what you can expect here.
Pros:
Wonderful tone
Well made
Portable
Cons:
Price
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This is essentially the big brother of the above Fender Blues Junior. A 40W amp that you can haul onto any stage and unleash your blues or rock sounds upon the crowds.
Pros:
Perfect for rock and blues
Vintage looks
Cons:
Price
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Thoroughly versatile while giving the true natural sound that many guitar purists crave. Two gain modes with a set of two each give you four gain modes which allow you to shape whatever sound you please. Marshall rules supreme for equipment designed for larger gigs, and that industry-leading name has squeezed its know-how into a smaller unit.
Pros:
Versatility
Relative price
Cons:
Not many
For solid state amps suitable for small gigs, look at decent size combos, at least 50W-60W for a good level of oomph.
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Blackstar uses its clever TVP (True Valve Power) technology in its ID range, so they offer some of the best tonal variety youu2019ll find. The ID
Pros:
Lots of power
Blackstar’s ISF control
Cons:
None
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The Blackstar above comes with some of the best tonal variety around, but this comes with the best. With 128 presets, and hundreds of effects, your imagination may well run out of ideas before this amp does. The truly remarkable thing is that the Spider replicates all those voices with real accuracy.
Pros:
Huge tonal variety
Price
Cons:
Display is a little small
Acoustic guitar amps
A good amp for an acoustic should simply amplify the clean tone of the acoustic guitar. No distortion, but should offer EQ (equalisation) that may help acoustic stand out when playing alongside other instruments, and give the acoustic sound some added depth.
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A unique battery-powered amp for acoustics, the AC-33 allows you to make anywhere your stage. Features include ambient effects to suit your environment and anti-feedback to keep your sound crisp and clear.
Pros:
Cordless (has an AC plug-in too)
Very well-made
Cons:
Not the coolest looking amp
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Marshall gives you a multitude of features in the AS50D. It has a two-channel setup, clever digital effects for chorus and reverb, and anti-feedback. An output of 50W is plenty for performances.
Pros:
Wealth of features and effects
Cons:
Quite heavy at 16kgs
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The 4.5kg Vox VX50 is the antidote to the heft that plagues the Marshall AS50D. Its punchy at 50W, but the real treat with this amp is the Nutube preamp that helps deliver a wonderful tone. For the performer looking for exceptional transportable sound, the Vox VX50 has you covered.
Pros:
Lightness
Looks
Cons:
None