Amplifier Amp
How To Choose and Buy An Electric Guitar Amplifier
You’ve got your hands on an electric guitar you’re happy with. But it’s awfully quiet without and amplifier to get you going. And shopping for amps is an overwhelming task if you don’t know what you’re looking for. He’s a beginner guide to what’s out there.
First off, look at your situation and see what you’re going to be playing. Jazz combo? Heavy metal group? Cover band? Just at home practice? That’s going to help you hone in on what you need.
Second, get the best amp you can afford for you. If your tastes run to lo-fi sounds, you’ll probably be happy with something inexpensive. But if you’re looking to reach the heights of tonal pleasure, you do get what you pay for here.
Third, find out what your favorite players are playing through. If you’re attracted to that particular tone, a good starting place is finding out what amp they use. Most players consistently use the same type of amps.
When you go to a store to try out amps, be sure to use your own guitar to try them. Most stores are ok with this. A different guitar will make the amp sound differently.
And of course, there’s a ton of amps built for other instruments: bass, electronic drums, keyboards, vocal PAs, etc. Ignore all those for now.
Now, once you’ve narrowed the field a bit with those three steps, we can look at the different types of amplifiers available.
First is the option of what’s driving the amp:
Tube Guitar Amplifiers
This is the oldest type of amp, and to many people, still the best sounding.
Pros: Sweet classic tone, power saving, louder than solid state amps at the same wattage
Cons: Tubes are breakable and need to be changed every so often
Solid State Guitar Amplifiers
In these, tubes are replaced with transistors.
Pros: Much sturdier for heavy use, good for particular guitar sounds like 80′s rock
Cons: Harsher tone on the high end and overall thinner tone compared to tubes
Digital Guitar Amps
Also called a digital modeling amp, this is one of the newest breeds.
Pros: Huge variety of sounds and effects including modeling of much more expensive amps. Fantastic for cover bands who need a huge variety of sounds.
Cons: Tones sound fake on cheaper models though more expensive ones sound great. A bit of a higher learning curve to learn how to get to all the sounds.
Hybrid Guitar Amps
These combine tubes and solid state transistors. Oftentimes with the tubes running the amp and transistors used for effects and such. While the tone won’t be dead on like a good tube amp you’ll get close for a lot less money.
All of these amps come in a variety of sizes and wattages from little 10-15 watt single 8″ speakers to monster 200 watt full stacks with 4-8 12″ speakers. Your choice will depend on those first three steps you went through. If you just need something to practice on at home, a little 15 watt is all you need. Your neighbors will thank you for it! I use a great little Vox 5 watt DA5. Bonus: It fits is my suitcase for solo road gigs. Not loud enough on it’s own for a gig, but you can always mic it through a PA system.
When you need something to keep up with a band, take a look at a 1×12 or 2×12 combo amp. There’s plenty of great ones out there from Fender, Line 6, Mesa Boogie, Soldano and others. Again look to see what your favorite players are playing.
If you’re going to be playing at least mid-size clubs or larger, then you can look at half and full stacks. You’ll get great tone and they look fantastic on stage. But I guarantee you’ll get tired of hauling them around after awhile… unless you’ve got roadies!
I keep at least 3 amps on hand. A tiny practice amp like the Vox described above. A Line 6 2×12 modeling amp for studio work and smaller gigs. And a Marshall half stack for much larger shows.
So to wrap up… Look at what your needs are and compare them to the guidelines above to see where to start looking. Don’t just go by size, wattage, or heaven forbid, looks. Check out what your favorite players are playing and then sit down in a store and try out as many as you can until you find the one you like.
Life’s short… Play loud.
About the Author
Get your free Get Hot On Electric Guitar report for the best guitar practice techniques to make you the hottest six string slinger in town! http://www.GetHotOnElectricGuitar.com.
Orange Amps OR50
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Train Wreck Express Amplifier / Amp Named “Ingrid” Born 1992 – Ken Fischer $37,500.00 |
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NEW KICKER WX10000.1 AMPLIFIER CLASS D MONO AMP 10,000W $35,820.00 |
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Amplifier Research 100W1000M1 Power Amp, 80 – 1000 MHZ, 100W $24,995.00 |
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Cisco 15454-OPT-AMP-C 15454 Enhanced Optical Amplifier $13,955.00 |
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Cisco 15454-OPT-AMP-C Optical Amplifier Module 1YearWrnty 2XAvl ASK MORE QTY $13,950.00 |
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Amplifier Research 10S1G4 Solid State Broadband Amp, 0.8 to 4.2 GHZ, 13 watts $9,985.00 |
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☆★☆1957 GRETSCH ELECTROMATIC ROUNDUP 6120 VINTAGE TUBE GUITAR AMPLIFIER 6169 AMP $8,989.00 |
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Crown I-Tech HD Series IT12000HD Amplifier AMP $8,935.50 |
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Mint Vintage Peerless A-100-A 100A Mono Vacuum Triode Tube (1948?) AMP Amplifier $8,000.00 |
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Pair VAC Renaissance One-Forty 140 Monoblock 300B Tube Power Amplifiers Amps $7,999.95 |
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PST / Comtech AR4819-50 Amplifier, 400 to 1000 MHz, Power System 50W Amp $7,995.00 |
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Vintage 1956 Pre-CBS Fender 5E4 “Super” Tweed Guitar Amp Amplifier NEAR MINT! $7,850.00 |
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Ophir 5058 Amplifier, 0.8 to 4.2 GHz, 13 Watts (GRF5058) Linear Wideband Amp $7,895.00 |
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Crown MA-12000i Amp Amplifier MA 12000i AC Line Connector $7,197.75 |
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Crown I-Tech HD Series IT9000HD Amplifier AMP $7,197.75 |
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*RARE* Two-Rock Overdrive Signature 100 Watts Amplifier Amp Head $7,000.00 |
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1973/1979 Red Marshall Model 2052 Guitar Bass P.A./Amplifier Speakers Amp Rare!! $6,666.66 |
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15454-OPT-AMP-17C Cisco Optical Amplifier 17dB Gain C $6,395.00 |
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LFD NCSE Amplifier amp NEW!! www.generubinaudio.com $6,295.00 |
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AMPLIFIER RESEARCH KAW2020 AMP 200 MHz – 500 MHz / 100W $6,150.00 |
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Two Rock Matt Schofield Signature Amplifier Head Amp $5,995.00 |
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Crown I-Tech HD Series IT5000HD Amplifier AMP $5,958.75 |
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IFI Wideband Amplifier Model M5580 .01-1000 MHz AMP5580 Instruments For Industry $5,400.00 |
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AUDIOVALVE EKLIPSE Ouptut Impedence / 50Ohms Noise / 0.05mV Pre Amplifier Amp $5,429.99 |
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Hughes 8010H15F000 TWT Amplifier, 8 – 18 GHz, 10W 8000H Traveling Wave Tube Amp $5,395.00 |
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BLADELIUS IDUN Inputs/ 2 balanced / 5 single-ended Pre Amplifier Amp $5,309.99 |
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Roksan Platinum Series PR15B Pre Amp + Power Amplifier *Next Day Delivery UK* $5,139.23 |
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Vintage Motorola Radio Tube Theater Amplifier AMP 146.94 repeater PA Ham Radio $5,200.00 |
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Warhorse WX10000.1 AMP KICKER 20,000W MAX SUBS SUBWOOFERS SPEAKERS AMPLIFIER NEW $4,999.99 |
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★☆★-1968 PARK 50 VINTAGE TUBE VALVE PLEXI MARSHALL JTM 45 AMPLIFIER HEAD AMP-★☆★ $4,999.00 |
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1956 Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe Guitar Amplifier amp $4,925.00 |
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LFD NCSE Amplifier amp USED only 4 or 5 weeks, MINT!!! $4,995.00 |
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New nortel CPL-Raman Amplifier NTT831AA DRA 04 Distributed C-Band Amp -40-75V $4,950.00 |
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⬅⬅⬅–1965 VOX AC30/6 VINTAGE JMI ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR TUBE VALVE AMPLIFIER AMP $4,899.00 |
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Amplifier Research 5S1G4M1 Solid State Broadband Amp, 800 MHz – 3.0 GHz, 5 Watts $4,895.00 |
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McIntosh MC402 stereo amp/amplifier..clean clean w/$300 power cable $4,299.99 |
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1970 MARSHALL 20W COMBO AMP VINTAGE AMPLIFIER $3,995.00 |
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TPL VHF LOW BAND RF AMP 2-4W 300W PA1-3AF-HMS HIGH POWER AMPLIFIER 42.50MHZ $3,999.99 |
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BLADELIUS SIGYN Inputs / 1 balanced / 3 unbalanced / 1 tape in Pre Amplifier Amp $4,039.99 |
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John Suhr Amplifiers SL68 Handwired Head Amplifier Amp $4,032.00 |
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John Suhr Amplifiers SH100 100W Handwired Head Amp $4,032.00 |
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McIntosh MC402 Stereo Amp Amplifier $3,999.99 |
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XXX-15000D SOUNDSTREAM AMP CLASS D 16,400 W MAX SUBWOOFERS AMPLIFIER XXX15000D $3,999.99 |
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1969 MARSHALL PLEXI JMP 100W SUPER LEAD VINTAGE TUBE GUITAR AMP AMPLIFIER HEAD $3,999.00 |
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Vox Mystery Amp Rare 1964 AC10 AC20 guitar amplifier $3,899.99 |
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1961 Fender Pro Amp Brown Oxblood Amplifier 61- Amazing Condition! $3,900.00 |
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1961 Fender Bandmaster P/B Blonde Oxblood Amp 61 Amplifier $3,750.00 |
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NEW KICKER IX1000.1 MONO AMP CLASS D CAR 2010 AMPLIFIER $3,824.00 |
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★☆★1973 AMPEG SVT VINTAGE ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR TUBE AMP AMPLIFIER BLACKLINE HEAD $3,699.00 |
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LFD Zero LE IV Signature Amplifier, NEW!!! amp $3,695.00 |
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Two Rock Jet 50 Head Black Boutique Guitar Amplifier Amp $3,595.00 |
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Two Rock Jet 50 Watt Amplifier Head Amp $3,595.00 |
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Two Rock Jet 35 Combo Amplifier 35 Watt Tube Amp $3,450.00 |
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ACOUSTAT X ELECTROSTAT TUBE AMPLIFIER SPEAKER DIRECT DRIVE POWER AMPS $3,450.00 |
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★★★1955 NATIONAL STAGE STAR 1280 T VINTAGE TUBE SUPRO AMPLIFIER VALCO GUITAR AMP $3,399.00 |
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Fender Deluxe Reverb Amp Vintage 1966 Amplifier Blackface Rare Green Stamp $3,299.00 |
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NEW Carr Amps Slant 6V Tube Electric Guitar Amplifier 6V6 2×12 Speakers Combo $3,350.00 |
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ATOLL PR300 Sensitivity / 500mV Input Impedance / 220kohms Pre Amplifier Amp $3,329.99 |
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Gama-Go Amp’D Up Mug $10.70 For when your rock n’ roll lifestyle needs a jolt of caffeine. This mug features a full color wraparound guitar amp design…. |
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Black Aluminum Volume Control Amplifier Knob Wheel $5.31 Black Aluminum Volume Wheel for standard split shaft knobs; Weight: 11.6g… |
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GUITAR AMP Mug Coffee Cup 11 oz This high quality ceramic mug makes a great gift for anyone! The design is on both sides of the mug! The image is adhered through a heat process that makes it durable and long lasting. The colors won’t fade, so the mug can be enjoyed for years to come!… |
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Antennas Direct DB8 Multidirectional HDTV Antenna $64.59 This powerful multidirectional HDTV antenna lets you receive over-the-air high-definition signals and features up to a 15.8dB gain for improved reception…. |
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Backtracks (2CD+DVD) $22.93 Detailed item info Track listing DISC 1: 1. Stick Around 2. Love Song 3. Fling Thing 4. R.I.P. (Rock In Peace) 5. Carry Me Home 6. Crabsody In Blue 7. Cold Hearted Man 8. Snake Eye 9. Borrowed Time 10. Down On the Borderline 11. Big Gun 12. Cyberspace DISC 2: |
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Before the Amplifiers-Live Acoustic $7.82 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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How to Install Car Amplifiers $48.99 Dr. Crankenstein’s zany yet helpful Car Audio Installation Staff will take you step-by-step through a car amplifier installation job. Doc, Julie, and Tina, the lovely assistant, will give you helpful hints and pro’s tricks to show you how to install your own killer amplifier system. Whether you’re looking to have a system that pounds the pavement, or you just enjoy accurate sound reproduction, thi… |
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Jump-N-Carry JNC300XL 900 Peak Amp Ultraportable 12-Volt Jump Starter with Light $112.51 Ultra-portable jump starter can be stored virtually anywhere and weighs just 9 lbs. Delivers 900 Peak Amps of jump starting power 27″ #4 gauge cables provides efficient power transfer to vehicle’s battery Built-in flashlight is great for emergencies and everyday use 12 Volt outlet to power accessoriesA great balance of power and portability, the SOLJNC300XL packs the punch of 900 Peak Amps of sta… |