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We Know: How to Buy a Guitar Amplifier
About Guitar Amplifiers
When buying a guitar amplifier, if you don't want to try them out yourself, ask the sales person to demo the models. Ask
them to play the style of music you play, and to play the same music with each amplifier. You want the clearest sound
possible.
Tube amplifiers usually cost more than solid state amplifiers, and tube amps need to be warmed up before they work right and
they require playing at higher volume. Some musicians prefer the sound of tube amps over solid state, but most beginners
should stick with the solid state amps because they create a more forgiving sound.
What to Look for in a Guitar Amplifier
When looking at beginner guitar amplifiers, compare the following:
- Power. For beginners, an amp that generates from ten to thirty watts is acceptable.
- Controls. Most amps have from one to twelve separate controls. The basic ones are bass, volume/post gain,
middle and high. Amplifiers with multiple channels usually have separate controls for the clean and distortion channels,
including a pre gain for the latter. Chorus controls usually include depth to control how much effect you generate, and
rate to control the effect's speed.
- Multiple channels. A minimum of two channels is good.
- Digital sound effects. Extend your sound with delay, chorus, reverb, and other effects.
- Headphone jack. When you need to isolate the sound.
- Tones. Punk, Country, Jazz, Rock and other tones are available.
- Guitar tuner.
- Preset drum loops.
- Multi-band equalizer. A minimum of three bands is good.
- Tape or CD input.
- Modern/vintage sound switch. Change the sound of your output.
Guitar Amplifiers
At sites like musciansfriend.com, you can find guitar amps at discount prices, and unbiased reviews from customers
about each product. Here are several guitar amps that are available:
- Marshall MG100DFX/MG412 Slant Cab Half Stack Package (product #482807): Two channels, 100 watts. Sells for
around $600.
- Fender G-DEC Guitar Digital Entertainment Center (product #480868): 100 performance presets, 15 watts. Sells
for around $270.
- Marshall JCM 2000 Triple Super Lead 100 and 1960A Package (product #482802): Three channels, 300 watts. Sells
for around $2,135.
- Peavey TransTube Rage 158 1x8 Guitar Combo Amp (Product #481364): Two channels, 15 watts, three band equalizer.
Sells for around $88.
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