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Buying An Amplifier

by Mark Starlin

You finally got that electric guitar you’ve been wanting for so long. It looks great and plays like a dream. But how does it sound? Much of a guitar’s tone comes from its construction, but it eventually has to go through an amplifier if you want to be heard. Choosing an amp is tough, there are lots of choices. A good amp can make an average guitar sound better, but a bad amp can make even a great guitar sound lousy. Let’s take a look at the different types of amplifiers available and then I’ll give you some tips on shopping for that perfect amp.

Types Of Amplifiers

This article will be addressing electric guitar amplifiers. Acoustic guitar amplifiers are a whole other ball game. Basically, there are four types of guitar amplifiers: Solid State (analog), Tube, Modeling (digital), and Hybrids. There are also guitar preamps. These units include only the tone section and not the actual amplifier section. This article will focus on actual amplifiers and not preamps or recording devices such as the PODxt or SansAmp.

Solid State Amps

These amps are called solid state because they use transistors for their preamp and power sections instead of tubes. Because there are no tubes to change or go bad, they are very reliable and seldom need repairs. They often have a very clean tone, although many come with “distortion” channels also. The distortion you get from these amps can vary greatly. Transistor distortion can be harsh in some cases (think a cheap distortion stomp box), or quite pleasing with some of the newer “tube simulating” circuitry in higher end units. If a distortion channel is important to you, you will really need to use your ears and compare when you buy a solid state amp. These amps are popular with players looking for a sturdy, reliable touring amp.

Tube Amps

Tube amps were the first type of guitar amplifiers and are still preferred by many guitarists for their warm, fat tone and “organic” 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. Tube amplifiers create distortion by overdriving the preamp tubes. However, the distortion created is very smooth and responds to how hard you play. Most tube amps have separate channels that can switch from clean to distorted tones instantly. There are numerous types of preamp and power tubes, and each type has their own unique sound qualities. Again you’ll need to use your ears to find the one that sounds best to you. Tube amps are more fragile than solid state amps due to the fact that tubes are made out of glass. Tube also need changing occasionally, keep some spares on hand. Many studios prefer tube amps for their rich, warm tone. In fact, most high-end studios use tube microphones for the very same reason.

Modeling Amps (Digital Amps)

Modeling amps have exploded on the scene in recent years. Nearly every large amp maker has an offering now. Modeling amps use the power of digital processors to simulate the sound of old-fashion tube technology. Using software that “models” the sound of a tube amplifier (and cabinets), these amps attempt to put the sound of numerous amps in one box. Some succeed more than others, but they keep getting better every year. Discriminating tube users may notice a difference, but most “civilians” (any many guitar players) won’t. Modeling amps have the advantage of being programmable, allowing you to save numerous preset tones that can be called up with a footswitch. And being digital, they often have built-in digital effects such as delay, chorus, etc. Plus, some include digital or analog outputs with speaker simulation for going direct into a recording interface or PA system.

Hybrid Amps

A few creative builders have started combining the best of each type of amp into one package. Vox Valvetronix amps use an actual tube in conjunction with the solid state power section of their amps. Marshall Valvestate amps use tubes in the preamp section and solid state circuitry in the power section to create a tube tone without using power tubes.

Configurations

In addition to types of amplification, amps come in different configurations. Combos (short for combinations) are self-contained units containing the amplifier and speaker in one cabinet. Amps also come in separate Head and Speaker Cabinets (or Cabs.) These allow you to use any amp head with virtually any speaker cabinet. They also break the amp into two units, making each unit lighter and easier to carry than a single combo. Combining two cabinets and a head is called a “stack.”

Other Options

Other additional features you might encounter include:

Reverb Units: Some amps use spring reverbs, which can be very natural sounding, while others use digital reverb.

Effects Loops: These jacks allow you to add stomp boxes or rack units after the preamp section of the amp to avoid amplifying any effect noise.

Channel Switching: These amps allow you to switch between different preamp channels usually going from a clean tone to a distorted one. Check to see if a footswitch is included. Digital amps often require the purchase of an additional MIDI footswitch to change tones remotely.

Built-in Effects: Roland Jazz Chorus amps are famous for their built-in stereo chorus. Tremolo is another effect many amps feature (great for surf guitar.) Modeling amps usually contain multiple built-in digital effects.

What You Can Expect For Your Money

For most of us, money is what it all boils down to. Getting the best amp for your budget is the goal. Good amps can be had in most price ranges. And with some creative use of effects units, you can multiply your tone possibilities. Now let’s see what you can expect in your price range.

Under $250

This category typically includes “practice” and portable amps. These will mainly be solid state combo units featuring low power (under 30 watts) and small (8" or 10") speakers, although there are some basic tube amps to be found. You won’t find many additional features in this price range and the distortion tones may not excite you. Your best bet is to get a good clean sound and add stomp boxes for distortion.

$250 to $500

In this price range you will find mostly combos, with a few exceptions. You will also start seeing more tube and modeling amps. Power will average about 50 watts, with some models going as high as 120 watts. You will also find 12" speakers for fuller sound. Some models will feature channel switching, have reverb, or built-in effects.

$500 to $1000

This is the "bread and butter" price range for mass market amp manufacturers. Almost every type of amp is represented in this price range. Deluxe modeling amps with plenty of built-in effects are common. There are also plenty of tube combos. You will start to find separate head and speaker cabinets and considerably more power. You will also begin to see "twins", or combos that have pairs of 12" speakers with built-in stereo effects.

Over $1000

You’re spending some serious money now, and you should expect to find some serious amps. You’ll find mainly tube amps, modeling amps, and hybrids. Everything from top of the line Boogies, to Marshall stacks, to hand-made boutique amps. This is the cream of the crop and the price reflects it.

How To Shop For An Amp

Obviously, the best way to pick an amp is with your ears. Visit your local music store (or several) and try as many amps as you can. Try all types, including types you might not have considered. Hearing the difference between solid state, modeling, and tube amps will help you narrow down what you actually want. You may even be surprised by something you never thought you’d like. Try all price ranges, too. How will you know which $500 amp sounds closest to a $1500 amp if you’ve never heard one. That goes for modeling amps, too. If you’ve never played a Mesa/Boogie, how would you know if the digital simulation is even close?

Make sure you try the amps out with the same model guitar you own. Pickups and body construction make a huge difference in an amp’s tone. What sounds good with a Les Paul may not sound quite as good with a Telecaster. Try out all the channels, effects, and to see if they meet your needs.

Play the amp quietly at first. If it has a good tone when played softly, it probably has a good speaker. Yes, you need to crank it up also, but don’t be obnoxious about it. A minute or two of loud playing is enough to tell if the amp sounds good loud. The sales staff hear many guitar players every day and they probably won’t be impressed by your abilities. Nobody likes a show-off. In fact, they will probably appreciate you more if you keep it a reasonable volume.

While some amps are made to crank, don’t forget about the clean tone. A good clean tone should be available if you need it for chorus, delay, or other “clean” effects.

Final Comments

Many players start out with inexpensive amps, but usually don’t stay there. If you try out a great sounding amp that you would love to have but simply can’t afford, start saving. The day you get that “dream amp” will be just as good as the day you got your “dream guitar.” Together they will make a real “dream team.” Just like buying a guitar, buying an amp takes lots of shopping and comparing. Trust your ears, and happy hunting.

Under $100
Line 6 Spider III 15
The Line 6 Spider III 15 Guitar Combo Amplifier delivers detailed amp models based on some of the greatest guitar sounds ever created. It features four amp models: Clean, Crunch, Metal, and Insane. Six Effects (2 simultaneous) including phaser, Chorus/Flanger, Tremolo, Sweep Echo, Tape Echo, and Reverb. Four user-programmable channels. CD/MP3 jack. Headphone/Direct Out for practice or recording. Custom 8" speaker. 15 Watts
Available At Guitar Center
Line 6 Spider III 15 15W 1x8 Guitar Combo Amp Standard
Under $200
Roland Micro Cube
The Roland Micro Cube Battery Powered Amp with COSM and Effects gives guitarists a genuine Roland Cube amp in an ultra compact 7-pound package. Despite its tiny proportions, the MicroCube packs a big punch and comes with 6 DSP effects: chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, and separate delay/reverb; 7 COSM amp models including JC-120 and a special mic preamp model; and a new Digital Tuning Fork. Plus recording / headphones output and stereo auxiliary input for CD players, etc.
Available At Guitar Center
Roland Micro Cube Combo Amp Black
Fender Champion 600
The Fender Champ Amp is a 5W tube guitar amplifier with a 6-inch speaker and 1950 "two tone" cosmetics. This simple tribute to the collectable 1949-53 era Fender guitar amplifier makes small-room sessions lots of fun! Originally intended as a student model, the Champ Amp has also been employed by many professionals for its low output, easy-to-record capabilities. Fender has added a higher-gain preamp circuit to take the overdriven tone beyond that of the original, and a choice of High- or Low-gain inputs. An internal speaker output jack allows the use of a larger speaker cabinet.
Available At Guitar Center
Fender Champion 600 5W 1x6 Combo Amp Standard
Under $300
Vox Valvetronix VT30
The Valvetronix VT30 30W combo amp provides 22 amp models ranging from the latest high-gain types to hard-to-find boutique and vintage amps. The VT30 also boasts a full complement of effects, allowing it to cover the needs of a wide variety of styles and performance techniques. The VT30 also includes 66 preset programs, including 22 song programs that simulate the guitar sounds of famous guitarists, so even beginners can start enjoying serious guitar sound right away. The VOX Valve Reactor circuit is the key factor that separates the Valvetronix series from other modeling amps. The 100% analog original power amp circuit actually has the same power amp circuit as a full-tube amp, using a 12AX7 miniature triode to reproduce a distinctive tube amp sound unattainable by digital technology.
Available At Guitar Center
Vox Valvetronix VT30 30W 1x10 Guitar Combo Amp Black
Under $500
Peavey Windsor Studio
The single-channel Windsor Studio amplifier features a footswitchable Boost button that increases the preamp level. Now you have the flexibility of a dual-channel amp plus control over the dynamic response. You also get the rich distortion characteristics of Windsor amp's class-A tube power topology. The Boost function can be used as an overdrive feature for the power section or simply as a volume boost for soloing. This 15-watt amplifier uses two 12AX7 preamp tubes and one EL34 power-amp tube in a single-ended configuration with no negative feedback. Also onboard is a transformer-balanced XLR direct output with a unique microphone simulator. Additional features include true spring reverb, preamp volume, master volume, three-band tone equalization, footswitchable effects loop and a single 12" loudspeaker.
Available At Guitar Center
Peavey Windsor Studio 20W 1x12 Tube Combo Amp Black
$500 - $750
Peavey Delta Blues 115
If the blues is your way of life, the Peavey Delta Blues Amp is your amp. 30 classic all-tube watts are way louder than solid state and modern flexibility comes from a tremolo with speed and intensity controls, pre- and post-gain controls on the lead channel, 3-band passive EQ, a boost switch, external speaker jack, and an effects loop. Jamming or gigging, this baby can hold down your end of the sound.
Available At Musician's Friend
Peavey Delta Blues 115 Tube Combo Amp Tweed
Marshall Haze MHZ40C
The format and versatility of the 1x12 40W Marshall Haze combo makes it the perfect partner for guitarists looking for a gig-worthy compact workhorse with enough features, power, and tone capabilities to handle a wide variety of situations. With its EL34 power stage and ECC83 powered preamp, this portable 40W combo has been designed to deliver to the guitarist's expectations through the power and feel of its valves. Laid out in a top-loaded format, the Marshall Haze sports 2 distinctive footswitchable channels.
Available At Guitar Center
Marshall Haze MHZ40C 40W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
Over $750
Egnater Rebel 30
The Egnater Rebel-30 112 Tube Combo Amp offers 30W of all-tube sonic power from 2-channels. The Rebel-30 amp features Egnater's unique TUBE MIX knob, giving you access to an incredible variety of tones, from American to British and all points in between. Channel 1 delivers rich cleans with controls for volume, treble and bass. Channel 2 dishes out powerful, touch-responsive overdrive with treble, middle and bass EQ, as well as a wide-range gain knob that takes you from growl to scream. Both channels feature Egnater's signature BRIGHT and TIGHT switches and each channel has its own WATTS knob so you can access both low-wattage crunch and serious clean headroom, or any combination you choose.
Available At Guitar Center
Egnater Rebel-30 112 1x12 30W Tube Combo Guitar Amp Black/Biege
Mesa Boogie Roadster 100W
The all-tube 2x12 Mesa Boogie Roadster combo amp offers the plug-and-play-minded guitarist a way to enjoy a myriad of footswitchable preamp choices without any power option anxiety. Throughout 2 lower gain channels you'll discover every classic clean sound in the pairs of Clean and Fat modes. Once you've dialed in your ultimate clean sound, you can duplicate it in the other channel and modify it for single-note applications, a more pushed version, or decide to switch to another mode for a radically different sound. Meanwhile dedicated American Blues and English Rock sounds reside in the amplifier's easily clippable mid-gain realms of Tweed and Brit. These dynamic and incredibly expressive modes would make an amazing amplifier all by themselves as they roam the zone between clean and clipped with authentic finesse. Channels 3 and 4 contain all the mind-altering iconic sounds of the legendary Dual Rectifier Solo Head and hand you the keys to the world of high gain—both retro and future. The Raw, Vintage, and Modern modes cover the entire range of gain from a sweet clip, through liquid voice, and up to a crushing wall of tight grind and are duplicated in both channels. This again enables you to either find a favorite sound and dedicate the channels to slight differences or configure them for wildly different styles.
Available At Guitar Center
Mesa Boogie Roadster 100W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black