It is no secret that in order to achieve the best possible desired tones to come out of the guitar, as well to fully showcase the skills of a player. The guitar amplifier that is going to be used will definitely play an essential role on the overall sound quality and also will determine the capacity of the volume output.
Even though it is always nice to play with a gigable head and cabinet or an all valve driven combo amp. There are still many number players recognizing the value of small guitar amplifiers on their playing because these amps can arrive on a sweet spot for alone time practicing, to use it on jam sessions in lower volumes, easier to set up and the space it occupy around the house or studio.
There are many choices around this budget composed of solid state, modeling and the popular now a days the hybrid tube amps. To explain this as simple as possible. Solid state amplifiers uses transistors to create the sound without any parts to maintain or be replaced making it reliable. While the modeling amp can emulate a lot of popular tube driven sound and can carry dozens of effects in its storage presets. Then lastly the hybrid that has tubes on the preamp and power section mix with some solid state components and have few modeling capabilities.
Definitely these are practice amp, enjoyable for what it is intended too, so without further ado in no particular order, here’s our line up for best guitar amps under 200 dollars.
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Yamaha THR5
- 10 watts mini guitar combo amplifier
- 2×3” full range speaker
- Rugged and durable steel housing with top controls
- Controls are amplifier model select, gain, master, tone, effects select, delay/reverb select and volume
- 5 classic amp models to play with consist of modern, Brit-hi, crunch, lead, and clean in true hi-fi stereo sound
- Range of effects like chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay and reverb
- Built-in tuner
- AC power or with batteries
Yamaha is known throughout the music world for the pro-audio equipment they bring to the market. No matter how big or small the product is, the turnout always seems to be exceptional and above all expectations.
The Yamaha THR5 is the smaller version of the Yamaha THR10 and just one of those many great products Yamaha is offering. On this mini amp aside from the controls to blend-in sounds, are 5 classic amp models to play with consist of modern, Brit-hi, crunch, lead, and clean in true hi-fi stereo sound.
Also included with the amp are range of effects like chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, delay and reverb driven by Yamaha’s signature VCM technology. It is a plug and play amp to enjoy. Lightweight that runs on AC power or with batteries.
Marshall MG15FX
- Compact 15 watt solid state guitar combo amplifier
- 1×8” inches custom speaker
- 4 channel amplifier with a clean, crunch, OD1 and OD2
- Controls are gain, clean/crunch select, bass, OD1/OD2 select, middle, treble, reverb, volume, tuner, tap, store, FX select and master volume
- Built-in onto the amp are digital effects like a chorus, delay with tap tempo, phaser, flanger, octave and a dedicated reverb (spring/studio)
- For output/input jacks, it has for a headphone and for an audio player to play with a backing track
Many guitarist personal favorite and probably even those who never pick a guitar in their life would recognize the brand and logo to say that, there is really something special with the amplifiers made by Marshall. The Marshall MG15FX is a solid state 15 watt 8” inch speaker amp with a black vinyl covering that goes well with the gold panel, giving the amp its old school vibe.
It is a small powerful amp consisting of 4 channels separating the clean from the crunch, and has 2 OD channels for a better range of overdrive to capture the quintessential Marshall tones like no other amplifiers can. The modulation effects that comes with the amp is sectioned operated thru a rotary knob consisting of a reverb (spring/studio), chorus, phaser, flanger, delay with tap-tempo and octave adding more to the sound. Then to saves the settings you had dialed-in, it can be stored using the preset mode, so when you switch thru the channels, the settings you had made will be recalled. External player input jack to play along and headphone jack are also available.
Fender Mustang I
- 20 watts modeling guitar combo amplifiers for practice and jam sessions in low volumes
- 1×8” inches speaker
- Black tolex covered cabinet with silver grill cloth cover, Fender logo and handle
- Controls consisting of a gain, volume, 2-band EQ bass-treble, master, amp model presets, modulation effects and delay/rev
- Input/output are instrument cable input, footswitch, headphone out, aux-in and USB port
Entry level amplifiers these days are now better than ever. The number of features they bring to the table are more than enough even for a seasoned player. Every brand has their own version of this type of amps. No less to bring one amp at this price point and has the versatility in sound is none other than Fender.
The Fender Mustang I is a 20 watts amplifier with dozens amp models and on-board effects like reverb, tremolo, delay/echo, phaser and a lot more. Controls for the amp as follows are the gain, volume, treble, bass and master. It is an awesome modeling amp on any level of playing to use at home, studio and jam sessions.
Orange Crush 20RT
- 20 watts solid state guitar combo amplifier
- 1×8” inches custom voice of the world speaker
- 2 channel amp for clean and high gain tones
- Controls are channel switch, clean and dirty channel with separate volume knobs, 3-band EQ treble-mid-bass and gain control
- With a built-in spring reverb effect and a chromatic tuner
- Set of input/output jacks for a headphone and audio source to play along with a backing track
Orange Crush 20RT is one of the best solid state amplifier you’ll ever find in the market today on a relatively reasonable price. It is a 20 watts amplifier with 8” inch custom voice of the world speaker placed inside the legendary orange housing with a basketweave speaker cover that dates way back since 1968 and continued on till today as part of its original features.
On top of the amp are the input jacks to plug-in the guitar, headphone and audio source together with the very simple controls as follows for shaping the sound. Separate volume controls for clean and dirty channel, 3-band EQ treble-middle-bass, gain control, a toggle switch to go from clean to dirty, and digital spring reverb knob. The amp also has a built-in chromatic tuner that tells which string you are tuning and LED indicator that flashes green when already in tune. The amp literally is a plug and play amp that get its awesomeness thru its simplicity. This amplifier favor those players who likes to keep it simple, dwelling themselves to the good old classic sound of a guitar and amp.
Blackstar ID:CORE Stereo 40 V2
- 40 watts guitar combo amplifier
- 2×6.5 inches speaker for a wider sound
- Voice select from 6 classic channels namely clean warm, clean bright, crunch, super crunch, OD 1 and OD 2
- EQ with patented ISF to go from British to american or something in between
- 12 stereo effects to boost the overall tones using the amp
- Stereo MP3/Line In with dynamic EQ for great sounding music playback
- Speaker emulated line out for silent practice or recording, USB port and footswitch
- Mains powered via a separate PSU (Included)
Blackstar is another well-known brand with a popular range of guitar amplifiers catering players to avail a good sounding quality amp in any budget. Speaking of budget, Blackstar ID:Core Stereo V2 is that kind of amp offering flexibility of amplification with 150 to 100 watts stage ready size guitar combo amplifier, and the smaller 40 watts (2x20W), 20 watts (2x10W), and 10 watts (2x5W) version. Every amp has two speakers giving each a stereo type quality on the sound.
The Blackstar ID:Core 40, 20 watt to 10 watt models has identical control capabilities maximizing the guitar players creativity and making sure no one is left behind. The voice knob on the amp carries two overdrive sound for variety, an OD1 and OD2. Also with the voice knob is a super crunch/crunch, and bright clean to warm clean channel. This amp will not be complete without Blackstar’s patented ISF knob to go form American to British soil type of sound, so expect more sound coming out from this amp.
Other add-on features that can be found on this amp are the modulation effects like a delay and reverb operated in just a press of a button. Also such features to edit and store patches made available using the Blackstar Insider software thru USB..
Fender Champion 40
- 40 watts 2 channel solid state guitar amplifier
- 1×12” inches Fender special designed speaker
- Housed in the classic designed cabinet with silver grill cloth
- Controls on the amp is a volume for the clean channel, channel select button, channel 2 has gain-volume-voice, 2-band EQ bass-treble, Fx level, Fx select and tap
- Voicing knob enables guitarist to tap into historic sounds like British, Tweed, Blackface, and Metal
- On-board effects are reverb, delay/echo, chorus, tremolo and vibratone
- Included are headphone out and aux-in input jacks
Beside the superb guitars Fender makes, this giant in the musical instrument business is also well invested in providing great amplification to pair with the guitars/basses on their stable and for other guitar brands as well. The offering of Fender for a budget friendly amp is the solid state Fender Champion 40, which is a 40 watts model having two channels in black with a silver grill cloth cover.
Channel 1 is for the regularly used clean to crunch sounds and channel 2 where it gets really interesting, the heavy stuff every player sought after. The independent volume control, gain control and voicing knob enables guitarist to tap into historic sounds like British, Tweed, Blackface, and Metal. Then last but not the least, it will not be complete without Reverb, Delay/Echo, Chorus, Tremolo, Vibratone and other effects it carries.
Bugera BC15
- 15 watts guitar amplifier with 12AX7 tube on the preamp section
- 1×8” inches vintage-tuned speaker
- Vintage cabinet with tolex cream cover, plastic corners, woven speaker cover and handle
- Controls are simple to carve out tones consisting of a gain, bass, treble and master
- Standard features like an On/Off switch, CD input to play with a track and headphone input is also available for quiet practices
Switching from clean to the dirty channel is easily done by a push of a button, turning on the high gain mode for the big sounds to use on lead riffs and licks. Other controls to mention on the Bugera BC15 to blend sounds is the shift switch button to change for a more thinner sound, along side the gain, bass, and treble knob which gives a variety of tones on such a small amp. Standard features like an On/Off switch, CD input to play with a track and headphone input is also available for quiet practices.
This 15 watts vintage looking amp with a 30 watts capacity 8” inch speaker from Bugera packs a power for great sounds and has the features to compete with other guitar amps on the same level. It is one affordable guitar amplifier with a tube driven preamp on the list that has a clean channel for clean tones and as you crank up the volume gives a crunch players love to have on an amp.
Vox Valvetronix VT20X
- 20 watts modelling amplifier with a 12AX7 tube preamp circuit from Vox
- 1×8” inches standard speaker
- All black motif Vox cabinet with the classic chicken fence grill and chicken knobs
- Top panel above controls are the amp model selector, gain, volume, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble,, power level and power On/Off
- Top panel bellow controls are user programs, effects selector, value 1 and value 2
- Bias shift and class button changes the feel of the sound
- Built-in tuner
- Instrument input, aux-in, headphones out, footswitch and USB connectivity
To those in need of an amp for small jam sessions in their practice room, this 20 watts modelling amp with a 12AX7 tube preamp circuit from Vox can give the cleanest of clean and highest of gain that is surprisingly loud. The controls at first may look pretty complex, but as you get use to it, you’ll find the amp is extremely flexible and unique for its size.
The Valvetronix 20 watts version is loaded with usable features to satisfy your requisite on sound. Starting of with its modelling technology allowing to recreate a number of sounds of different amplifiers with complete control over the volume from really low to a full 20 watts. Additional amp models if still not enough can be access by plugging the VT20X modeling amplifier onto the computer via USB to use the editor librarian software.
Another things to get excited about the amp is the preset feature for saving your own sound and 33 on-board presets preprogrammed coming from Vox. Followed by on-board effects totaling to 12. Pedal 1 has Compression, Chorus, Overdrive, Distortion, then Pedal 2 Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Delay, and Reverb types Room, Spring, Hall and Plate. Built-in tuner is also available and to further tone shaping, bias shift and class button changes the feel of the sound.
Monoprice 611705 Tube Combo Amplifier
- 5 watts all tube driven guitar combo amplifier
- 1x12AX7 tube preamp and 1x6V6GT tube on the power section
- 1×8” inches Celestion speaker
- Open back vintage style cabinet with metal corners and handle
- Control panel to blend-in sounds is situated in front for easy access consist of a master volume, tone and a 1-watt/5-watt attenuator button
- Output jack is present at the back to use an 8 to 16 ohm external speaker, giving more versatility to your sound
Very champ like sound on a budget. This amp from Monoprice offers guitar players real tube powered amplified tones in a fraction of a price compared to the leading and well-known brands. It is a 5 watt amp with 8” inch Celestion speaker placed on a open back cabinet, powered by 12AX7 tube preamp and a single 6V6GT tube that delivers the punch to capture awesome classic tube sounds.
The control panel to blend-in sounds is situated in front for easy access consist of a master volume, tone and a 1-watt/5-watt attenuator button. An output jack is present at the back to use an 8 to 16 ohm external speaker, giving more versatility to your sound.
California Tone Research Set5
- 5 watts guitar tube combo amplifier
- 1x12AX7 preamp tube and 1xEL84 tube for power
- 1×8” speaker hosue in a black tolex covered cabinet with silver cloth grill cover
- Controls are situated at the top panel, easy to see, tweak and operate consisting of one channel volume, treble and bass
- 1/4” inch output jack for 8 to 16 ohm speaker is available at the back
California tone research Set5 maybe a mouthful to say and a less notable name compared to other brand on this list. But even so, this amp is making waves for the all tube sound it can generate and has receive great reviews across to take the time hearing and have a good look at it.
The amp has 12AX7 tube on its preamp and an EL84 tube for power house in a small cabinet covered in tolex and has basket weave speaker cover. The controls are situated at the top panel, easy to see, tweak and operate consisting of one channel volume, treble and bass. 1/4” inch input jack for the guitar and the power switch also are also at the top panel, then a 1/4” inch output jack for 8 to 16 ohm speaker is available at the back.
Quilter MicroBlock 45
- 45 watts portable pedal format guitar amplifier
- Control layout is easy to operate consisting of gain, tri-Q and master volume to channel-in a smooth clean and a couple of different levels of dirty rocking tones
- Includes a headphone jack for silent practice and aux-in to play with an audio source
- 33 watts of power into 8 ohm to a full 45 watts into 4 ohm making it versatile
This pedal format amplifier is compact to be placed on a gig bag and weighs only half a pound to bring it anytime and play anywhere. It can deliver a 45 watts of solid state power for solo practice and powerful enough to use it on sessions or even to gig with it.
The very basic control layout is easy to operate consisting of gain, tri-Q and master volume to channel-in a smooth clean and a couple of different levels of dirty rocking tones. Other features that comes with the Quilter MicroBlock 45 is a headphone jack for silent practice and aux-in to play with an audio source. It can push 33 watts of power into 8 ohm to a full 45 watts into 4 ohm making it versatile. Use only proper speaker cable.
Vox MV50 AC Amplifier Head
- 50 watts solid state guitar amplifier head with NuTube
- Road worthy metal housing and handle
- Front panel consist of gain, tone, volume, VU output level guage and instrument input
- Includes a EQ switch to go from flat to deep, headphone out and attenuator switch 50 watts 4 ohm, 25 watts 8 ohms and 12.5 watts 16 ohm found at the back
The Vox MV50 AC Series are variation of 50 watts miniature amp heads with an all analog preamp circuitry that features the revolutionary new vacuum tube, the Nutube which can produce authentic tube tones for its size. Each model namely the AC, Clean, and Rock are meant to access different sounds specific for a guitarist purpose and taste using the set of controls given on each model.
The AC is modeled after the classic Vox AC amp, Clean for a more American clean sound, and the Rock model for high gain British kind of sound. The amps also includes a EQ switch to go from flat to deep, headphone out and attenuator switch found at the back. Impedance of 4 to 16 ohm and use only speaker cable.
Peavey 6505 Piranha
- 20 watts guitar amplifier with 1x12AX7 valve on the preamp section and solid state power
- Small to carry, lightweight and can fit on a gig bag
- Controls are master volume, gain knob, single rotary EQ, and Crunch/Lead channel switch.
- Input/output jacks are for the effects loop, auxiliary input for tracks, speaker output and headphone out
The affordable and simple to operate 6505 Piranha head is a high gain 20 watts guitar amplifier on a compact format with 12AX7/ECC83 valve on the preamp section and solid state power to pair with a cabinet of choice. It is small to carry, lightweight and can be the perfect amp for practice, especially to get any beginner started.
Controls are master volume, gain knob, single rotary EQ, and Crunch/Lead channel switch. Input/output jacks are for the effects loop, auxiliary input for tracks, speaker output, and headphone. 4 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Orange Micro Terror Head
- 20 watt solid state output power
- 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tube
- Huge tones using only a master volume, gain and tone controls
- Roadworthy casing with handle
- Headphone jack, aux-in jack and at the back is a jack for the speaker cabinet
- 8 ohm minimum to 16 ohm impedance to match and use only speaker cables
Light and amazingly small on a sturdy looking box. The Orange Micro Terror is a 20 watts guitar head amplifier with a 12AX7/ECC83 tube preamp for jaw dropping sound, and the price has always very friendly on the budget that if you elect for one, definitely you can’t go wrong.
Controls to carve tones on this amp are the master volume, gain, and tone. Available input/out jacks are for the headphone, aux-in for an audio source, and at the back, a jack for a speaker cabinet. In comparison with the Orange Micro Dark Terror this one don’t have an effects loop. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Bugera T5 Infinium
- 5 watts all tube driven guitar amplifier head
- 1x12AX7 preamp tube and 1xEL84 power tube with Infinium technology to get more life and mileage out of the tube
- Controls are On/Off toggle switch, gain, phat button, treble, bass, reverb and volume
- At the back is an attenuator switch to go from 0.1W. 1W and 5W, phone and speaker out
Small, powerful and fully featured cage style tube head amp to capture the very best vintage and modern sound all together without having to break the bank is what the Bugera T5 Infinium can offer. Everything from traditional clean, crunch to modern high-gain sounds, the T5 delivers it using its 1x12AX7 preamp tube and 1xEL84 power tube so you can get out the most on a 5-watt amp.
Supporting all of this power is a vintage equalizer section with dedicated bass and treble to refine. Also to include a reverb control as a finishing touch to the sound and the Infinium technology to get more life and mileage out of the tube. Impedance of 4 to 16 ohm and use only proper speaker cable.
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