Best Electric Guitar Amps in 2024

At its most basic level, a guitar amplifier boosts the signal from your electric guitar’s pickups so they can produce sound through one or more loudspeakers. But beyond that, a guitar amp will shape the tone of your instrument by emphasizing or de-emphasizing various frequencies and adding distortion and other sonic characteristics. Indeed, a guitarist’s amplifier choice is a primary component of their sound. This guide will explore the best electric guitar amplifiers available at various price points. We’ll also cover different variations, ranging from squeaky-clean combos to red-hot heads. Want to learn how to buy the best electric guitar amp for you? Check out our Electric Guitar Amp Buying Advice below!

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $500Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $1,000Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $2,000Best Electric Guitar Amps $2,000 & Above

Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $500

Soldano SLO Mini 30-watt Amp Head

Four pounds of classic Soldano tone

It’s easy to mistake the Soldano SLO Mini 30-watt amp head for a toy, as it weighs in at just four pounds. Until you plug it in, that is. This scaled-down guitar amp head not only delivers 30 watts of harmonic-laden Soldano tone, but it also offers familiar sound-shaping controls that echo the SLO Mini’s full-sized, 100-watt forerunner. An onboard effects loop, a universal power supply, and iconic Soldano aesthetics round out the SLO Mini’s irresistible features. Want real-deal Soldano tone in a portable package? Then get your hands on an SLO Mini — it’s a bona fide, pint-sized powerhouse.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductSoldano SLO Mini 30-watt Amp HeadTypeSolid StateNumber of Channels1Total Power30WInputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs2 x 1/4-inch (8/16 Ohm)Effects LoopYes

BOSS Katana-50 MkII EX 1×12-inch 50-watt Combo Amp

All-in-one guitar rig with expanded features

Armed with a 50-watt power section, five inspiring amp voicings, and 60 high-quality effects, the BOSS Katana-50 MkII EX stuffs a complete guitar rig into a convenient 1×12-inch combo amplifier, along with a whole host of new utility features. The Katana-50 MkII EX does everything from clean to crunch to lead, and it has a paint-peeling, “Brown”-style voice and an acoustic guitar preset. You get all the tone shaping you can handle with dedicated gain, EQ, and effects controls. Realistic cabinet emulations, new 1-cord Stereo Expand, and full GA-FC and GA-FC EX footswitch compatibility give you added setup options and rig tweakability. Adjustable power scaling and a power amp input round out the Katana-50 MkII EX — it’s a certified one-stop shop for all things guitar.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductBOSS Katana-50 MkII EX 1×12-inch 50-watt Combo AmpTypeSolid StateNumber of Channels5 x Amp TypesTotal Power50W (25W, 1/2-W Settings)Inputs1 x 1/4-inch (Instrument), 1 x 1/4-inch (Power Amp), 1 x 1/8-inch (Aux In)Outputs1 x 1/4-inch (Rec/Headphones), 1 x 1/4-inch (Line Out)Effects LoopNo

Orange Super Crush 100 100-watt Solid-state Head

This solid-state bruiser is a tone monster

Anyone thinking a solid-state guitar amp can’t deliver the hard-rockin’ goods has never plugged into a 100-watt Orange Super Crush 100 solid-state head. Seriously — this thing is a genuine scorcher, yielding crushing tones (pun intended) through a muscular, 4-stage preamp. The Super Crush 100 boasts footswitchable clean and dirty channels, with a wide-ranging 3-band EQ and independent clean volume, dirty volume, master volume, and gain controls. An ear-grabbing reverb adds dimension to your playing, while a fully buffered effects loop lets you patch in your stompboxes and other processors. You also get a dual-mode cabinet emulation circuit that supplies realistic, miked-up sounds. Teeming with old-school tone, rafter-shaking output, and classic Orange styling, the Super Crush 100 is an amp you can’t go wrong with.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductOrange Super Crush 100 100-watt Solid-state HeadTypeSolid StateNumber of Channels2Total Power100W Class A/BInputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs2 x 1/4-inch (8/16 Ohms, 1 x XLR (DI)Effects LoopYes

Fender Mustang LT25 1×8-inch 25-watt Combo Amp

Contains decades of amazing Fender amp tones

The Fender Mustang LT25 1×8-inch 25-watt combo amp contains 30 greatest-hits guitar tones spanning decades and continents. This digital modeling amp includes 20 digital amp models, along with 25 effects and 50 presets, giving you what you need for inspiring practice sessions and attention-grabbing performances. And even though this feature-packed 25-watter weighs only a tad more than a gallon of paint, its 8-inch speaker delivers enough room-filling sound to get your audience pumped up. You also get a headphone output, aux input, and convenient USB connection for silent practice, playing with backing tracks, and recording straight to your DAW, respectively. Players hunting for a great-sounding digital modeler will get their money’s worth from the Mustang LT25.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductFender Mustang LT25 1×8-inch 25-watt Combo AmpTypeSolid State with Digital ModelingNumber of Channels1Total Power25WInputs1 x 1/4-inch, 1 x 1/8-inch (Aux)Outputs1 x 1/4-inch (Footswitch) 1 x 1/8-inch (Headphones)Effects LoopNo

Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $1,000

Yamaha THR30 II Wireless 30-watt Modeling Combo Amp

The ultimate portable busking machine

Do you want to take realistic tube tones with you wherever you go? Well, with the Yamaha THR30 II wireless 30-watt modeling combo amp, you can! This uber-portable guitar amplifier is a busker’s absolute delight, combining battery-powered operation, a locker’s worth of guitar and bass amplifier emulations, and even microphone models for your acoustic-electric together in one package. There’s also flat voicing for anything else you’d like to connect. Thanks to Yamaha’s state-of-the-art Virtual Circuitry Modeling, the THR30 II serves up realistic sound and feel. You can polish your performance to an arena-quality sheen with great-sounding modulation, echo, and reverb effects. Bluetooth support makes playing along with backing tracks a breeze, and a built-in wireless receiver enables cable-free performance if you own a Line 6 Relay G10T wireless transmitter. Whether playing on a street corner or in the middle of a cornfield, the Yamaha THR30 II has what it takes to deliver an inspiring performance.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductYamaha THR30 II Wireless 30-watt Modeling Combo AmpTypeSolid StateNumber of Channels1Total Power30W (2 x 15W Stereo), 15W (Battery)Inputs1 x 1/4-inch, 1 x 1/8-inch (Aux In)Outputs2 x 1/4-inch (Line)Effects LoopNo

Marshall ORI50H Origin 50-watt Tube Head

Plexi-inspired British tones

In the mood for a vintage-inspired, Brit-style tonal extravaganza? If so, then the Marshall ORI50H Origin tube head is ready and willing to accommodate you. This 50-watt marvel is jam-packed with three ECC83 preamp tubes, two EL34 power tubes for genuine tube-infused tone, and two built-in voices with a tilt control for dialing in the perfect blend of bright and normal textures. A presence knob and a 3-band EQ allow you to carve out the perfect sound while a footswitchable gain boost gooses your output for extra-punchy solos. Switchable 5W/10W/50W power enables you to unleash high-output sounds at any volume, and an effects loop makes integrating your favorite stompboxes easy. Whether you’re practicing in your bedroom, jamming in your garage, or rocking out in a sold-out venue, the ORI50H will churn out the rich, harmonic tones all guitarists dream of.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductMarshall ORI50H Origin 50-watt Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels1Total Power50W (10W/5W Power Settings)Inputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs1 x 1/4-inch (16 Ohm), 2 x 1/4-inch (2 x 16 Ohm/Single 8 Ohm), 1 x 1/4-inch (DI Out)Effects LoopYes

Supro Delta King 12 1×12-inch 15-watt Tube Combo Amp

Maximum British Invasion–era merriment

If you dig the sound of the British Invasion, then the 15-watt Supro Delta King 12 1×12-inch tube combo amp is your cup of Earl Grey. This amp lets you enjoy all the crunch and attitude of a cranked 1960s Supro at bedroom volumes with a simple twist of its master volume knob. This 6L6-loaded, Class A tone monster is a breeze to dial in, too, thanks to its simplified controls, FET-driven boost, and Pigtronix FAT high-gain mode, which drops midrange-laden, rock-ready textures right into your hands. A custom-made analog spring reverb is also on hand for added ear candy, as is a line output that eliminates the need to mic the amp for recording or live performances. Plug into the Supro Delta King 12 — a lightweight combo amp with rebellious tone and old-school style to spare.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductSupro Delta King 12 1×12-inch 15-watt Tube Combo AmpTypeTubeNumber of Channels1Total Power15WInputs1 x 1/4-inch (Line In), 1 x 1/4-inch (Power Amp In)Outputs1 x 1/4-inch (Line Out)Effects LoopNo

Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus 2×10-inch 40-watt Stereo Combo Amp

40 watts of the quintessential clean tone

The Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus 2×12-inch 120-watt stereo combo amp delivers definitive, clean tone with the most iconic built-in chorus effect on the planet. Unfortunately, the classic JC-120 weighs as much as a full-grown Labrador retriever and doesn’t fit into this section’s price range. Plus, at 120 watts, it’s loud enough to cause structural damage to most family-sized dwellings. Enter the Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus 40-watt stereo combo amp. This mind-blowing 2×10-inch combo amplifier abounds with the clear, clean tones made famous by its heavyweight sibling but delivers the tonal cargo in a lightweight, 40-watt package. You get the same built-in effects as the 120 watter, including vibrato, distortion, reverb, Roland’s iconic chorus, and a stereo effects loop for all your other processors. You also get mono and stereo inputs, enabling you to use the JC-40 with guitars, keyboards, multi-effects units, and just about anything else. If you want classic Jazz Chorus tones without the unwieldiness and excessive volume, then the JC-40 is guaranteed to make you smile ear to ear.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductRoland JC-40 Jazz Chorus 2×10-inch 40-watt Stereo Combo AmpTypeSolid StateNumber of Channels1Total Power40WInputs2 x 1/4-inchOutputs2 x 1/4-inch (Line)Effects LoopYes

PRS HDRX 20 20-watt Tube Head

Your one-way ticket to Hendrix’s tones

Jimi Hendrix is, without a doubt, at the zenith of coveted guitar tones; his tone is one of the most influential of all time. The PRS HDRX 20, a lower-wattage take on Hendrix’s Woodstock-era amplifier, gets you on your way to attaining the virtuosic guitarist’s elusive, British-tinged sound. The HDRX 20 wasn’t designed around assumptions and educated guesses. Instead, PRS got their hands on Hendrix’s actual late-1960s amp head and pored over its circuitry with an obsessive eye for detail. The HDRX 20 nails it with 5881 power tubes that break up at lower volumes, three 12AX7 preamp tubes, and an all-new master volume knob that makes low-volume saturation a mind-bending reality. You’ll love this amplifier’s straightforward controls, flexible channel blending, powerful tone-sculpting features (like the 3-band EQ), and presence and gain controls. To top it off, the HDRX 20 includes internally bridged channels to eliminate the need for external jumping. Even if you’re bad at math, the equation still adds up: Strat + smiley-face fuzz + Vibra-Chorus + HDRX 20 = Jimi Hendrix’s tone at Woodstock.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductPRS HDRX 20TypeTubeNumber of Channels2Total Power20WInputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs1 x 1/4-inch (16 Ohm), 2 x 1/4-inch (8/16 Ohm), 2 x 1/4-inch (4/8 Ohm)Effects LoopNo

Best Electric Guitar Amps Under $2,000

Orange OR30 30-watt Tube Head

The Orange amp that has it all

Orange calls its OR30 30-watt tube head “the amp that has it all.” It’s a claim that’s hard to deny. This amp packs 30 watts of power, giving you clean headroom at lower levels and edge-of-breakup tones as you crank the gain. Don’t worry about disturbing the peace at home, either, because the OR30 can operate on 2 watts of power for bedroom-appropriate volume levels. And did we mention that the OR30 is also the first Orange amp to feature a bright switch? The 3-way bright switch takes the already impressive tone-shaping capabilities to new heights. Plus, the amp head has a footswitchable volume boost, so you can transition from rhythm to lead with a single stomp. To truly understand how great the OR30 is, you need to hear it for yourself.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductOrange OR30 30-watt Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels1Total Power30W; 2W Power ReductionInputs1 × 1/4-inchOutputs2 × 1/4-inch (8 Ohm), 1 × 1/4-inch (16 Ohm)Effects LoopYes

Marshall DSL40CR 1×12-inch 40-watt Tube Combo Amp

Marshall’s road-tested workhorse

If you’re thirsty for modern British tones but find that a Marshall stack is overkill for your humble needs, then this Marshall DSL40CR tube combo amp is calling your name. This 40-watt, 1×12-inch combo amplifier picks up where the legendary JCM800 and JCM900 models left off, arming you with two footswitchable channels of certified Brit-voiced tone. Moreover, each channel features two modes, giving rise to everything from glassy cleans to hard-rock crunch to ultra-high-gain shenanigans. A refined EQ section and flexible resonance control offer effective sound shaping, while high and low power modes enable you to achieve an appropriate volume level for any situation. You also get a studio-grade reverb, bypassable effects loop, and a line output with Softube-designed cab modeling. Players searching for the ultimate workhorse tube combo owe it to themselves to plug into the Marshall DSL40CR. There’s a reason why so many guitarists rely on it as their go-to amp for studio, rehearsal, and stage.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductMarshall DSL40CR 1×12-inch 40-watt Tube Combo AmpTypeTubeNumber of Channels2 (2 Modes Each)Total Power40W (20W Power Setting)Inputs1 x 1/4-inch (Instrument), 1 x 1/8-inch (Aux In)Outputs2 x 1/4-inch (4 Ohm), 2 x 1/4-inch (8 Ohm), 1 x 1/4-inch (Internal 16 Ohm Speaker), 1 x 1/4-inch (Softube Emulated Out)Effects LoopYes

Peavey 6505 1992 Original 120-watt Tube Head

Peavey’s legendary high-gain heavyweight

High-gain aficionados will find everything they’re craving in the 120-watt Peavey 6505 1992 Original tube head. This amp head is a dead ringer for the company’s early ’90s, 120-watt firebreather, boasting five 12AX7 preamp tubes, a 6L6GC-fueled power section, and a custom-built output transformer for maximum authenticity. This 2-channel brute provides all the tone-shaping controls you could want and possesses enough versatility to tackle spanking cleans, throaty crunch, and full-bore cacophony with equal assurance. You also get a preamp out jack and a pro-level effects loop. Whether you’re into rock, hard core, or metal, the 6505 1992 Original is a distortion lover’s dream come true.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductPeavey 6505 1992 Original 120-watt Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels2Total Power120WInputs2 x 1/4-inch (Normal, High Gain)Outputs1 x 1/4-inch (Preamp Out), 2 x 1/4-inch (4/8/16 Ohm)Effects LoopYes

Vox AC30C2 30-watt 2×12-inch Tube Combo Amp

British Invasion tones... and more!

Vox’s classic AC30 tube combo epitomizes the jangly, high-end character favored by British Invasion–era guitarists, and the Vox AC30C2 tube combo amp elevates this sound to exciting new heights. Equipped with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers, this 30-watt, 2×12-inch combo amplifier offers normal and top-boost channels, each with independent volume controls. The top-boost section includes a 2-band EQ, while this amp’s master section contains tone-cut and volume knobs. You get onboard reverb and tremolo effects plus a true-bypass effects loop for patching in your pedals and other sound-shaping equipment. Want a larger guitar rig? Who doesn’t? Vox gets this, so it has included a switchable 8-/16-ohm output jack for routing your signal to external speakers and a 16-ohm output jack for running an extra cab in addition to the internal speakers. Whether you want to create Beatles-esque chime, Brian May–style grind, or Edge-like soundscapes, your wish is the Vox AC30C2’s command.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductVox AC30C2 30-watt 2×12-inch Tube Combo AmpTypeTubeNumber of Channels2Total Power30WInputs4 x 1/4-inch (High/Low Normal, High/Low Top Boost)Outputs2 x 1/4-inch (8/16 Ohms)Effects LoopYes

Friedman PT V2 20-watt Mini Tube Head

20 watts of hard-rock dynamite

The Friedman PT V2 takes the sound of the company’s lauded BE-100 and crams it into a 20-pound mini tube head flaunting 20 watts of certified EL84-fueled muscle. This lightweight tube amp re-creates its larger sibling’s vibe quite nicely, churning out classic-rock chime, hard-rock crunch, and heavy-metal thunder that made the original such a modern classic. And although the PT V2 features a single-channel design, it’s certainly not a one-trick pony; its 3-band EQ, fat switch, Sat switch, and 3-position S switch give you all the sonic flexibility you can handle... and then some. You also get an ultra-transparent effects loop for easy integration with the rest of your guitar rig. Players searching for killer rock tones in a lower-watt package owe it to themselves to plug into the Friedman PT V2.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductFriedman PT V2 20-watt Mini Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels1Total Power20WInputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs2 x 1/4-inch (8 Ohm), 1 x 1/4-inch (16 Ohm)Effects LoopYes

Best Electric Guitar Amps $2,000 & Above

Fender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb 1×12-inch 20-watt Tube Combo Amp

One of the most beloved tube combos — ever

The Fender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb 1×12-inch 20-watt tube combo amp is a modern, handwired incarnation of the definitive club amplifier. But don’t take our word for it — ask any of the countless pro guitarists who’ve gigged with one of the original tube-laden beauties for the past five-plus decades. Plug into the ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb, and you’ll quickly discover what all the fuss is about. It simply bleeds tube tone; it’s loaded with four 12AX7 and two 12AT7 preamp tubes, two 6V6 output tubes, a 5AR4 rectifier tube, and tube-driven reverb and tremolo. This combo amp includes normal and bright channels and ample tone-shaping controls, giving you everything you need to create your ideal rock, country, blues, or fusion tones. If you have an insatiable craving for pure Fender tone but don’t need tons of wattage, then the ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb will satisfy that urge. It may be the last guitar amplifier you’ll ever need to buy.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductFender ’64 Custom Deluxe Reverb 1×12-inch 20-watt Tube Combo AmpTypeTube, HandwiredNumber of Channels2Total Power20WInputs2 x 1/4-inch (Normal), 2 x 1/4-inch (Bright)Outputs1 x 1/4-inch (Internal Speaker), 1 x 1/4-inch (External Speaker)Effects LoopNo

Mesa/Boogie Mark VII 90-/45-/25-watt Tube Amp Head

The ultimate Mark-series amp has arrived

Randall Smith has stated that the 90-/45-/25-watt Mesa/Boogie Mark VII tube amp head is the greatest achievement of his five-decade career, and after you plug into it, it’s easy to understand why. This ultra-flexible tone machine delivers all the classic Boogie tones. Plus, it adds two new sounds created especially for the Mark VII. You get three channels with three selectable modes per channel and a full complement of independent tone-shaping controls for each channel. Multi-Watt power reduction and a Simul-Class Power section offer three distinct characters across three wattage ranges. A built-in CabClone IR, a Bias Select switch, a serial effects loop, onboard reverb, MIDI switching, and a 6-button footswitch are also on tap. Mesa/Boogie connoisseurs can stop waiting for the ultimate Mark-series amp — the Mesa/Boogie Mark VII has arrived.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductMesa/Boogie Mark VII 90-/45-/25-watt Tube Amp HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels3Total Power90W (45W/25W Settings)Inputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs4 x 1/4-inch (2 x 8 Ohm, 2 x 4 Ohm), 1 x 1/4-inch (Line Out), 1 x XLR (Cabinet Simulator)Effects LoopYes

Revv Generator 120 MKIII 120-watt Tube Head

Revv’s triple-digit fire-breather

Are you searching for a fully loaded, high-wattage amp head for high-octane metal? If so, then the 120-watt Revv Generator 120 MKIII tube head is one of the best-equipped high-gain tube amp heads you’ll find anywhere. Besides its trademark articulate high-gain sound, the Generator 120 delivers doom-laden sludge, classic-rock crunch, and Nashville-worthy cleans with zero compromise — a tone “generator,” indeed! There are plenty of onboard controls for customizing your tone, and you get power scaling, a serial effects loop, a studio-quality reverb, and a super-useful noise gate. You also get Bluetooth and MIDI control for integrating the amp with professional-level stage rigs. But that’s not all! The Generator 120 also includes a stereo-out reactive load and cabinet simulator powered by Two Notes Torpedo–embedded technology. Serious players would have to look long and hard to top this high-gain titan.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductRevv Generator 120 MKIII 120-watt Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels4Total Power120W (10W Setting)Inputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs1 x 1/4-inch (16 Ohm), 4 x 1/4-inch (4/8 Ohm), 2 x XLR (Torpedo Out L/R)Effects LoopYes

Soldano SLO-30 Super Lead Overdrive 30-watt Tube Head

Is it the best high-gain amp ever built?

Thanks to its revolutionary cascading-gain preamp design, the Soldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive has been touted by many as the finest high-gain guitar amplifier ever built. That said, 100 watts is a lot of juice for most situations. Hence, the raison d’être for the Soldano SLO-30. The SLO-30 Super Lead Overdrive tube head is a 30-watt version of Sodano’s famed fire-breather, spitting out the same thick, juicy sizzle as its larger sibling but at a real-world volume. This 2-channel tube amp head includes a normal channel that yields glassy cleans perfected with bright and crunch switches and an overdrive channel that delivers the SLO’s coveted high-octane distortion. There’s plenty of room for tailoring your sound with independent preamp gain, master volume controls, and shared bass, middle, treble, presence, and depth controls. You also get a tube-buffered effects loop, a variable slave output, and a rotary impedance selector that enables you to deploy the SLO-30 in many applications. Rock, metal, contemporary blues... The Soldano SLO-30 Super Lead Overdrive does it all. Plug in, and you’ll never look back!

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductSoldano SLO-30 Super Lead Overdrive 30-watt Tube HeadTypeTube, HandwiredNumber of Channels2Total Power30WInputs1 x 1/4-inchOutputs2 x 1/4-inch (4/8/16 Ohms), 1 x 1/4-inch (Variable Line Out)Effects LoopTube Buffered

Bogner Uberschall Mk2 100-watt 2-channel Tube Head

A classic high-gain Bogner returns!

With its 100 watts of power and seven cascading gain stages, the Bogner Uberschall Mk2 100-watt 2-channel tube head is ready to breathe fire. This version of the Uberschall Mk2 comes loaded with EL34 tubes, which deliver a more scooped, “British” sound than 6L6 tubes. Each of the amp’s two channels has three operating modes, so you can tailor your tone to absolute perfection. And if you need hands-free control, this amp also includes a 4-button footswitch for changing channels, adding boost, and more. Whether you’re looking for slick cleans or all-out brutality, the Bogner Uberschall Mk2 has it all — and more.

Add to cartLearn MoreAdd to list

ProductBogner Uberschall Mk2 100-watt 2-channel Tube HeadTypeTubeNumber of Channels2Total Power100WInputs1 × 1/4-inchOutputs1 × 1/4-inch (Line Out), 1 × 1/4-inch (Speaker Out)Effects LoopYes

Electric Guitar Amp Buying Advice

So many electric guitar amps... so little time. With so many shapes and sizes of guitar amplifiers available, selecting the right one can be confusing and challenging. You may ask yourself which is better: A head or combo? Solid state or tube? Plus, how much power do I require for my situation? What kind of speakers will work best? What’s an effects loop, and do I need one? To learn the answers to these and other burning questions, keep reading.

Head & Cabinet or Combo Amp: Which Should I Choose?Which Is Best: Solid State or Tube?Wattage: How Much Power Do I Need?Guitar Amp Speakers: Does Size Matter?Reverb, Built-in Effects, Effects Loops & More

Head & Cabinet or Combo Amp: Which Should I Choose?

Amps come in two typical configurations. A guitar amplifier can be a standalone unit that houses a preamplifier and power amplifier. That configuration is what’s known as a “head.” An amp can also be an all-in-one cabinet that contains a preamplifier, a power amplifier, and a loudspeaker. This configuration is known as a “combo amp” (or “combo,” for short).

Heads are light and easy to carry when you compare them to combos. That said, heads require a separate speaker cabinet. This necessitates that you’ll have to cart around at least one extra box. The good news is that this also means you can use virtually any speaker cab. A head combined with a single speaker cabinet is referred to as a “half stack,” while a head with two speaker cabinets is called a “stack” or a “full stack.”

A combo is generally heavier than a head due to the weight of the built-in loudspeaker. But the trade-off is that you’ll only have one piece of gear to lug around. And, although you’re limited to the speaker installed in the amp, the loudspeaker in question was likely tailored specifically for the amp, ensuring a great sound without a painstaking search for a matching cabinet.

SHOP GUITAR COMBO AMPS

SHOP GUITAR AMP HEADS

Which Is Best: Solid State or Tube?

Most amplifiers fall into one of two categories, depending on their circuitry: solid state or tube. Solid-state amplifiers employ transistors for their preamp and power sections. On the plus side, they are generally reliable, seldom need repairs, and are usually lighter in weight. They often have a clean tone, though plenty of high-gain solid-state amplifiers are out there. Solid-state amps are popular with players looking for a sturdy, reliable touring amp. While most of the solid-state models of yesteryear were low-cost practice amps, this is no longer the case. Quite the opposite; you’ll find many high-end solid-state amps on world-class touring stages everywhere.

Tube amps employ vacuum tubes (also known as “valves” for our friends in the UK) in their preamp and power sections. Many guitarists prefer tube amps for their warm, fat tone and organic-sounding distortion. Tube amps usually sound louder than solid-state amps of the same wattage and have a definite feel that you don’t get from solid-state amps. That said, tube amplifiers are typically more fragile than their solid-state counterparts. Plus, tube performance can deteriorate over time, so tubes need to be changed occasionally.

Now, combining the best of each into one package, hybrid amps use an actual tube in conjunction with the solid-state power section of their amps. Many hybrid amps use a tube preamp section and solid-state circuitry in the power section to create a tube tone without requiring power tubes.

So, should you get a solid-state amplifier or a tube amplifier? The answer is “yes.” Seriously — either is fine. Each type of guitar amp has pros and cons, and you should choose the type of amplifier you prefer without fear of judgment.

Wattage: How Much Power Do I Need?

Many guitarists wonder how much wattage they need when selecting a new amplifier. This one is pretty simple, as it depends on the venue size of where you plan to play. For club dates and even small halls, today’s combos are well-equipped to deliver the power you need to be heard all the way in the back. If your goal is to have enough sonic firepower to fill a giant auditorium or even an open arena, then there’s no question that you’ll want a high-powered stack with at least a 4×12-inch cabinet and a 100-watt head. However, some players still prefer a smaller amp — such as a Vox AC30 — for its specific tone. From there, they’ll mic the amp and then run it into the PA system (provided the PA will handle it, of course).

Remember (because of how they produce harmonics when driven hard) that a tube amp will often sound louder than a solid-state amplifier with equal wattage. This doesn’t mean that tube amps are louder than solid-state amplifiers; rather, this is how our ears and brains perceive them due to the type of distortion inherent in each design. Wattage isn’t the only factor determining a guitar amplifier’s volume; speaker efficiency also plays a significant role in this.

How Many Watts Do You Really Need?

Guitar Amp Speakers: Does Size Matter?

Different sizes of speakers produce different sounds. Smaller speakers can produce higher frequencies than larger speakers, which is why a tweeter is small and a woofer is large. In the real world, a 10-inch speaker will generally produce a better top end than a 15-inch speaker. There’s also a difference between open-back cabinet and a closed-back cabinet designs, which will affect the sound, too. And even though speakers may be the same size, they can still have different sound characteristics.

Many blues players swear by those old, open-back, 4×10-inch Fender amps, as they can produce a range of tones from smooth to searing. If you want a big rock sound, then you’ll likely want to plug your guitar into a 100-watt head with one or two 4×12-inch cabinets. One well-known guitarist insisted on using four 4×12-inch cabinets, which may explain his resulting hearing problems. Today, manufacturers can customize their amps by combining a specific size cabinet with a particular size set of speakers.

Reverb, Built-in Effects, Effects Loops & More

Guitar amplifiers can include all sorts of added features, such as reverb or other built-in effects, effects loops, channel switching, and more. Reverb creates artificial ambience (similar to what a room produces) by using springs or digital processing. Guitarists use reverb to add dimension to their playing. Amplifiers can include other built-in effects as well. Tremolo, which can be tube-driven or produced digitally, is a cyclical variation in amplitude over time. Tremolo is a common effect and plays a huge part in the sound of many vintage amplifiers. Many amplifiers contain built-in digital effects, such as delay/echo, modulation, and compression.

Effects loops are common features, especially in higher-end amplifiers. Effects loops are jacks that enable you to insert stompboxes or rack effects between your amp’s preamplifier and power section, thereby preventing the preamp from coloring the sound of the effects. This means you can place processors — most notably modulation and spatial effects — after your amplifier’s preamp distortion so the effects can maintain their full clarity in high-gain situations.

Channel switching allows you to toggle between different preamp channels, usually going from a clean tone to a distorted one. Many amplifiers come with a footswitch that enables hands-free channel switching.

Get Your Hands on a Brand-new Guitar Amplifier at Sweetwater Today!

Sweetwater has the right electric guitar amplifier to help get your musical message out to your audience. Since there’s so much to consider when purchasing an amplifier, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 to get started!
The post Best Electric Guitar Amps in 2024 appeared first on inSync.