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February 16, 2024
Which guitar amp is right for you?
Guitar Amplifier Buying Guide:
Find the perfect guitar amp setup and start playing!
Your electric guitar is hardly electric until you plug it into an amplifier and flip the switch. Whether you're an experienced pro working to create the next killer tone or a newbie just looking to upgrade your current rig, knowledge is power when it comes to amplifier selection.
This comprehensive Guitar Amplifier Buying Guide is here to help you find the perfect tone. Check out our guides for combo amps, amp heads, speaker cabinets or acoustic guitar amps, and you'll find our top picks broken down by the factors that matter to musicians. This guide gives players of all levels the knowledge needed to pick out the best gear to match their exact needs.
This comprehensive Guitar Amplifier Buying Guide is here to help you find the perfect tone. Check out our guides for combo amps, amp heads, speaker cabinets or acoustic guitar amps, and you'll find our top picks broken down by the factors that matter to musicians. This guide gives players of all levels the knowledge needed to pick out the best gear to match their exact needs.
For portability and sonic power, the combo can't be beat. Combining a speaker cabinet and an amplifier head means more room on stage or in the studio, as well as in the van or trailer and less hassle loading in and out of shows.
Many of the huge tones you've heard on your favorite records have come from diminutive, unassuming combo amps. Since many of the smaller tube-amp combos are lower wattage, you can crank them up for that coveted power tube overdrive at reasonable volumes -- perfect for studio sessions or smaller club gigs. Due to the ever-increasing capabilities of modern PA systems, combo amps are a mainstay on the biggest concert and festival stages as well. You don't have to be a pro to enjoy these amps, however, since their smaller size makes them perfect for beginning guitarists or those who just want to jam in the comfort of their own home.
Many of the huge tones you've heard on your favorite records have come from diminutive, unassuming combo amps. Since many of the smaller tube-amp combos are lower wattage, you can crank them up for that coveted power tube overdrive at reasonable volumes -- perfect for studio sessions or smaller club gigs. Due to the ever-increasing capabilities of modern PA systems, combo amps are a mainstay on the biggest concert and festival stages as well. You don't have to be a pro to enjoy these amps, however, since their smaller size makes them perfect for beginning guitarists or those who just want to jam in the comfort of their own home.
Amplifier heads are the engine behind your tonal fury. Originally developed for high-power situations like huge concerts, amp heads also came with pro-level price tags. Today, however, they can be found at all wattage levels and serve as great alternatives to combo amps at costs that won't break the bank.
Today, you have the choice of anything from 1-watt heads that pack a surprisingly mighty punch, to the full-on brutal power of 100+ watt heads, necessary for the most demanding -- and incredibly loud -- stadium shows. Compact, but large enough to demand attention, an amplifier head is what powers your sound while offering a number of different controls and options to refine and define your guitar tone.
Today, you have the choice of anything from 1-watt heads that pack a surprisingly mighty punch, to the full-on brutal power of 100+ watt heads, necessary for the most demanding -- and incredibly loud -- stadium shows. Compact, but large enough to demand attention, an amplifier head is what powers your sound while offering a number of different controls and options to refine and define your guitar tone.
Looking to really control your volume and the ability to distort your sound? Consider the role your speaker cabinet plays. Often overlooked as the least important part of your guitar rig, speakers play a vital role in finally delivering your personal definition of perfect tone.
Available in multiple configurations -- from single speaker cabs to the iconic 4x12 monsters that usually come to mind when the subject of amp stacks comes up -- there is a cab out there for all tastes and needs. Depending on the size and materials of the cabinet, its power rating, the number of speakers and their configuration, a cabinet can help create nearly limitless variations on an amplifier's sound.
Available in multiple configurations -- from single speaker cabs to the iconic 4x12 monsters that usually come to mind when the subject of amp stacks comes up -- there is a cab out there for all tastes and needs. Depending on the size and materials of the cabinet, its power rating, the number of speakers and their configuration, a cabinet can help create nearly limitless variations on an amplifier's sound.
Get a little more oomph out of your acoustic guitar with an amp made especially for the instrument. Essentially mini-PA systems, these amps provide a ton of clean headroom, preventing the distortion many players consider undesirable for acoustic amplification. Many of the amps are also have multiple channels, featuring XLR inputs for microphones so you can be heard loud and clear in any situation, and on-board effects to make you sound like a professional.
Projecting an acoustic instrument's natural, unplugged sound without adding any coloration has challenged amp makers for decades. No longer! These outstanding acoustic amplifiers give solo and group players unmatched flexibility in projecting and crafting their live sound.
Projecting an acoustic instrument's natural, unplugged sound without adding any coloration has challenged amp makers for decades. No longer! These outstanding acoustic amplifiers give solo and group players unmatched flexibility in projecting and crafting their live sound.
