As the popularity of playing the electric guitar grew exponentially over the years that started way back in the early 1950’s. So does the demand of guitar players for better guitar amplification with rivaling capabilities in terms of output volume, quality of sound, tonal controls and functionalities thru the number of built-in effects and amp model presets that can come with the guitar amplifiers.
Even though we are lucky to have an overwhelming variety of guitar amplifiers at this age with superior technology to choose from. Picking the right one is still as hard on what or whether to choose a valve amp, solid state or an advance modelling amp because of contrasting ideas hyped by their on-board features and especially about the undying tone debate.
To tackle the heart of the matter without over analyzing. My small piece of advice would be is to come up with your own personal preference which may take you unavoidably going in and out of your specifics and comfort zone. In order to arrive on a narrowed selection of guitar amplifiers geared towards on what is mainly essential for your playing and has the strongest appeal before eventually pulling the trigger.
Onward now to the amps. These type of amps on the list can already be considered for the working class musician. They are loud enough especially when running on a mic of a PA system to influence a big part of their sound at home, recordings and when on the road playing on small to mid size clubs for the amp to naturally pay for itself.
While for those beginners who are excited to get their feet wet on a guitar amp at this price range. They’ll be delighted not only by the sound having an above passing mark in the ear test, but the built quality as well for that everyday long hours of practice and in soonest of time to use for jam sessions.
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Peavey Vypyr VIP 3
- 100 watts modeling guitar combo amplifier
- 1×12” inches custom voiced modeling speaker
- 24 electric guitar models, 6 acoustic models, and 6 bass models controlled by WYSIWYG controls (what you see is what you get) which is easy to use to channel the sounds that you like for all instruments
- Amplification for a variety of instrument types
- On-board looper and enhance chromatic tuner
- Dozens of stompbox models for additional range of sound and amp models that includes the Peavy 6505 to hit high gain tones
- Other features are headphone output jack, aux-in jack and USB port to plug into the computer to record and access the Vypr edit software
This innovative Vypyr VIP 3 guitar amp from Peavey is a first of its kind on combining amplification for three separate instruments in one amp namely for an electric, acoustic electric and bass guitar. It is consist of 24 electric guitar models, 6 acoustic models, and 6 bass models controlled by WYSIWYG controls (what you see is what you get) which is easy to use to channel the sounds that you like for all three instruments.
The TransTube analog circuit and 32-bit floating point SHARC processors as sound source of the amp is a perfect combination of Peavey’s technology to create a powerful modeling amplifier that makes guitar players feel and sound like playing on a tube amplifier. Also built-in to this combo amp are dozens of stompbox models for additional range of sound and amp models that includes the Peavy 6505 to hit high gain tones fulfilling the needs of metal players. Other features that comes with the amp are headphone jack, aux-in jack and USB port to plug into the computer to record and access the Vypr edit software.
Boss Katana-100
- 100 watts modeling guitar amplifier for practice, studio and stage
- 12” inches custom speaker
- Top control panel is divided to four sections consisting of power section, effects, equalizer and amplifier
- Power section has the On/Off switch, tone setting from channel 1 to channel 4 button and panel button, presence knob, master volume and power control switch (Standby, 0.5W, 50W, 100W)
- Effects section controls are buttons and rotary knobs for the booster/MOD, delay/FX and reverb
- Equalizer section is 3-band EQ bass-middle-treble
- Amplifier section is the gain, volume and amplifier types brown, lead, crunch, clean and acoustic
- Includes an Fx loop send/return, line out, aux-in, headphone/record out, USB B type port, footswitch and GA-FC jack
If you like some of the guitar amplifiers coming from Roland, for sure you will also like the ones offered by Boss because basically they are same brand. This 100 watts 12” inch speaker modelling amp that Boss has can deliver an awesome range of gig worthy high volume sounds to shake and be heard across the room. The Boss Katana-100 is integrated with a wide selection of effects and amp models which are customizable using the free Boss tone studio editor software making it pretty exciting effective combo amplifier for beginners and seasoned veteran players alike.
Functionality and dynamic response on accessing clean to dirty tones is a breeze using the dedicated gain, EQ, presence, and effects control knobs. Then when the desired settings are achieved, the channel set-ups and effects combinations can be stored on a memory for instant recall making it stage ready.
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 100
- 100 watts guitar modeling amplifier to cover most venues
- 2×10” inches speaker for a wider sound
- Controls on the amp are master volume, effects level, effects type, and effects button mod-delay-reverb, 3-band EQ bass-middle-treble and patented ISF to go from British tones to American or something in between, volume level, gain level and voice with 2 clean channels, 2 crunch and the 2 overdrive channels
- Looper feature is also available with 30 seconds record time and infinite overdubs, USB connectivity for recording to a computer and for the free insider software, Fx loop send/return, footswitch, MP3 line-in and headphone out
Considering adding amps in different sizes for different gigs or a totally new type amplifier from the ones you always use can open up a new class of sounds. This idea of playing with different size amplifier is epitomize by Blackstar ID:CORE Stereo 100 up to the 150 model and lower wattage Blackstar ID:CORE Stereo V2 40 watts (2×20W), 20 watts (2×10W), and 10 watts (2×5W) version. Offering players a full range of possibilities.
The version that is gigable are the Blackstar ID:CORE Stereo 100 and 150 models for its volume capacity to get loud without affecting much the overall quality of the 2 clean channels, 2 crunch and the 2 overdrive channels will remain effortless to growl for a super stereo wide experience. Equalization of the sound is done by using the bass, middle, treble knobs and Blackstar’s patented ISF control to have the option to emulate American and British vibe of sound. Looper feature is also available with 30 seconds record time and infinite overdubs, 12 vintage style effects including octaver, tap tempo, an mp3 line input, USB connectivity for recording to a computer and for the free insider software.
Marshall DSL5CR
- 5 watts 2 channel valve driven combo guitar amplifier
- 2xECC83 preamp valves and 1x12BH7 power amp valves
- 1×10” inch Celestion Ten-30 speaker
- Claasic black cabinet, gold front panel controls and black cloth cover with the Marshall logo
- Classic gain channel controls are gain and volume
- Ultra gain channel controls are gain and volume
- Equalization bass-middle-treble with EQ shift
- Built-in reverb effect
- At the back panel are the Fx loop send/return, footshwitch socket, aux-in, emulated out, and a convenient low power button to make the amp 1W instead of 5W
It is no secret and almost a given fact that every guitar players dream is to own a Marshall. On that note, by looking thru its full range of models. The guitar amplifiers this famed brand offers is open to any players budget, making it possible for anyone to wish and have one. Topping the list on Marshall’s entry for a guitar amplifier at this price point comes from its DSL Series, the Marshall DSL5CR.
This amp is a 5 watts 2 channel valve driven combo guitar amplifier with 1×10” inch Celestion Ten-30 speaker to practice and bring it on any stage. The controls are located in front and in gold with a reverb effect, classic gain channel, ultra gain channel and equalization treble-middle bass which furthers the Marshall tones this small amp can deliver. At the back panel are the Fx loop send/return, footshwitch socket, aux-in, emulated out, and a convenient low power button to make the amp 1W instead of 5W
Vox AC10C1
- 10 watts guitar valve amplifier
- Combination of 2x12AX7 preamp valves and 2xEL84 tubes for the power section
- 1×10” inches VX10 Celestion speaker
- Housed in Vox legendary cabinet with the chicken wire grill cloth speaker cover and chicken knobs
- Controls on the amp are the On/Off toggle power switch, volume, gain, bass, treble and reverb
- At the back is an external speaker out 10 watts into 16 ohms
Vox AC10C1 is a 10 watts tube amplifier with 1×10” inch custom celestion speaker housed in a classic style closed back cabinet and chicken wire grill cloth. Players will only get a positive response with this guitar amplifier due to the combination of 2x12AX7 preamp valves and 2xEL84 valve reactor power section, and when all are being fired up, will produce that genuine tube amplified sound.
The controls for this amp is situated on top, easy to see and get familiarized consisting only of a master volume, gain, bass, treble and it now comes with a built-in reverb that makes it even more articulate. This amp is at top of its class for home use, studio base and bringing it on stage to cover fully a small to mid-size venues.
Ibanez TSA15
- 15 watts guitar tube combo amplifier
- 2x12AX7 preamp tubes and powered by 2x6V6GT tubes
- 1×12” inches Celestion speaker
- Genuine Tube Screamer circuitry built-in the front end
- Controls for the amp are standby toggle switch, On/Off toggle switch, volume, bass, treble, boost/normal toggle switch, Tube Screamer On/Off. overdrive, tone and level control
- At the back is where to find the attenuator switch to transfer from 15 watts to a 5 watts power, speaker out (4 ohm to 16 ohm speaker cabinet extension), foot switch jack and Fx send/return
Ibanez TSA15 was first introduced a decade ago. It’s a 15 watts combo amp powered by 2x6V6GT tube circuitry followed by a 2x12AX7 tube preamp with celestion 1×12” inch Celestion speaker. The amp also has a built-in tube screamer giving the amp a totally different tonal characteristics on the drives and shows how much the amp can handle pedals making this tube amplifier a welcome addition for those tone chasers.
Adjacent to the tube screamer section and past the boost toggle switch is the clean section. The range of clean channel is just great staring from really clean until you spice things a bit by turning the volume level up and tweaking the sound more using the bass and treble to give that nice bluesy crunch sound. Moving at the back of the amp is where to find the attenuator switch to transfer from 15 watts to a 5 watts power. Other speaker out (4 ohm to 16 ohm speaker cabinet extension), foot switch jack and send/return input jacks for effects.
Fender Super Champ X2
- 15 watt guitar tube combo guitar amplifier
- 1x12X7 preamp tube and 2x6V6 tubes
- 1×10” inch Fender design speaker place on a black texture open back cabinet
- Channel 1 is pure volume for the clean that starts to bite in every turn of the volume knob
- Modelling section that has a separate volume, gain and voicing control with 16 presets that includes the blackface, silverface, tweed, British combos and many more
- EQ bass and treble, FX adjust, and FX select consisting of a delay, reverb, chorus, tremolo and vibratone
Fender enduring success only means one thing, they really make exceptional products. Aside from the pioneering achievements of the guitars they make. They also never had a hard time on making a significant impact with their line of guitars amplifiers by influencing how we perceive what a great sound is, not only on a guitar but musically overall. Those vintage amps are simply the best, however they are very expensive for an average Joe, that’s why they develop a line of amps which are budget friendly and great in their on way in delivering those legendary sounds.
In the many amp models Fender offers, the Fender Super Champ X2 is a superb valve amplifier with a mix of modeling amp quality on the side that makes the Champ X2 a hybrid. For its size, volume output, and awesome quality of tube driven and modelling capabilities, the X2 can be a go to or a good back up amplification for any player who likes the combination of those sounds.
Bugera V22 Infinium
- 22 watts guitar tube combo amplifier
- Powered by 2xEL84 power tubes and a 3x12AX7 tubes on the preamp section with infinium life technology monitoring the tubes
- 1×12” inches turbosound speaker
- Front panel controls are the clean, channel button switch, gain, volume, bass, mid, boost button switch, treble, master volume, presence, reverb, standby toggle switch and power toggle switch
- Features a normal and bright inputs, effects loop send/return, pentode/triode mode switch to transfer from 15 watts to 5 watts output volume, foot switch input jack, and infinium tube monitoring LED light
Nothing beats a natural sound. That is why no matter how expensive they are, tube amps are irreplaceable and always be on the list. Introduction on playing with a tube amp this days became more reachable thanks to a company like Behringer on developing Bugera amps. These are powerful good sounding valve driven amps with a boutique vintage look that is easy on the pocket.
Bugera V22 Infinium is a hand built 2 channel 22 watts tube combo. Powered by 2xEL84 power tubes and a 3x12AX7 tubes on the preamp section with infinium life technology monitoring the tubes. Meaning you’ll get more mileage with the tubes twenty times than normal before replacing. On the front panel is where to find the two channels. One for the clean controlled by volume and gain, then the the other one is the multi stage lead channel for the overdrives and distortion. Both channels shares the boost button for highs/lows and EQ consist of bass, mid, treble, presence, and a high definition dedicated reverb control to blend and achieve an awesome sound. More feature can be seen on the back of the amp like effects loop, pentode/triode mode switch to transfer from 15 watts to 5 watts output volume, foot switch input jack, and infinium tube monitoring LED light.
Randall RD20H Diavlo
- 20 watts 2 channel tube guitar amplifier head
- Powered by 4x12AX7 preamp tubes and 2x6V6 main power tubes for monstrous tones
- Controls are the master volume, EQ bass-mid-treble-presence used for both channels, individual gain control for each channel, and the overdrive channel with a separate volume knob
- Located at the back of the amp are sockets for an FX loop, speaker out, foot switch, and speaker emulator
On the upper echelon of amps when it comes to producing crispy clean and distinct high gain metal sound. The Randall RD20 head 2 channel 20 watts guitar amplifier is an absolute monster. This particular model on the Diavlo series of amp is powered by 4x12AX7 tubes on its preamp and 2x6V6 for main power tubes with a boost mode.
It has a master volume, EQ bass-mid-treble-presence used for both channels. Individual gain control for each channel, and the overdrive channel with a separate volume knob. Located at the back of the amp are sockets for an FX loop, speaker out, foot switch, and speaker emulator. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Peavey 6505MH
- 20 watts all tube driven mini guitar amplifier head
- 2xEL84 power tubes and 3x12AX7 preamp tubes
- Controls to dial tones are pre-gain and post-gain knobs for both channels, shared 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, reverb effect and power amp section to control resonance and presence
- Other control at the back is the attenuator switch for 20 watts, 5 watts, or 1 watt output power
- Speaker defeat button for the MSDI to create a dummy load across the amp, and impedance switch for 8 or 16 ohm
- Jacks at the back are USB record output, for the foot switch, FX loop, DI out and speaker out
In your face crazy gain tones and set to deliver awesome clean sound on a small head using its 2xEL84 power tubes and 3x12AX7/ECC83 preamp tubes are all built-in with Peavey’s 6505MH head. This 2 channel amp offers versatility on both channels. The clean/rhythm section has the option of playing just clean, or by adding bright and crunch to it. While the lead channel where it really makes a massive difference on the distortion.
Controls to master in dialing tones are pre-gain and post-gain knobs for both channels. Shared 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, reverb effect, and power amp section to control resonance and presence. Jacks at the back are USB record output, for the foot switch, FX loop, DI out, and speaker out. Other controls also placed at the back are attenuator switch for 20 watts, 5 watts, or 1 watt output power. Speaker defeat button for the MSDI to create a dummy load across the amp, and impedance switch for 8 or 16 ohm cabinets and only use proper speaker cable.
Marshall Origin50H
- 50 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- Powered by 3xECC83 preamp tubes and 2xEL34 power tubes
- Single channel guitar tube head amplifier to deliver the classic Marshall tones
- For controls it has a master volume to get a classic overdrive, presence to boost the frequency, 3-Band EQ bass-mid-treble with a tilt control to blend two different preamp voices and a gain with a boost by pulling onto the knob or using the footswitch to engage for that extra level of crunch to play those lead tones
- Power output toggle control to go from 50W to 10W or 5W
- On the rear panel of the amp are the speaker outs, DI out, footswitch jack and FX loop send/return
Promises to match or be a lot better than its predecessor in terms of features, finishing and to continue on delivering the legendary valve Marshall tones players loving and rave about is the Marshall Origin Series that includes the Origin50H guitar head all valve amplifier.
Marshall Marshall Origin50H is a 2 channel 50 watts valve amplifier for having a 2xEL34 power valves and 3xECC83 valves in the preamp section for the purpose of delivering amazing clean to punchy overdrives perfect for any style of playing. Front panel controls it is consist of a master volume with presence control, equalization bass-middle-treble-tilt, gain with boost, On/Off power toggle switch and the power output toggle control to go from 50W to 10W or 5W. Then at the back are the speaker outs, DI out, footswitch jack and FX loop send/return. Impedance of 8 to 16 ohm and use only proper speaker cable.
Bugera T50 Infinium
- 50 watts guitar tube amplifier head with 2 channels
- 4x12AX7 tubes on the preamp and 2xEL34 power tubes with Infinium life multiplier technology
- Clean channel has it own EQ bass-mid-treble and the lead channel EQ bass-mid-treble has a separate volume knob to use aside from adjusting at the main master volume
- Built-in reverb is placed for ambient sound, path switch to boost and tone cut for further tone shaping
- Jack sockets at the back are consist of an FX loop, DI out, speaker out and the foot switch
The Bugera T50 Infinium is hard to beat when it comes down to the best affordable amp head to buy on the market today for players on a small budget. It is a hand built 50 watts guitar amplifier with 2 channels. Powered by 4x12AX7 tubes on the preamp and 2xEL34 power tubes with Infinium life multiplier technology placed on a boutique style cage casing.
For operation, both channels has designated controls in carving out tones. The clean channel has it own EQ bass-mid-treble and the lead channel EQ bass-mid-treble has a separate volume knob to use aside from adjusting at the main master volume. On the master control panel side, a built-in reverb is placed for ambient sound, path switch to boost and tone cut for further tone shaping. Jack sockets at the back are consist of an FX loop, DI out, speaker out, and the foot switch. 4 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
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