5 Things to Consider When Buying Your First Serious Guitar Amp

So we’ve gone over the 5 things to consider when you’re buying your first serious guitar. It can be a tough decision. If you’re shopping for an electric guitar, finding the right amp is just as important as finding the right axe.

The amp is what ultimately shapes your sound. There are thousands of variables in developing your sound. It’s important to find the right gear to get you where you want to be.

You want to find an amp that brings the best out of your chosen guitar. The variety of guitar-amp tone combinations is almost limitless, so try them all.

Okay, so you can’t try them all. Music stores will have a limited selection.

So here are five things to consider when buying your first serious guitar amp.

1) Tube or Solid-State?

It’s an argument that will persist as long as there are still guitar players. Tube vs. solid state. Which is better?

Most tube amp enthusiasts will say solid state amps don’t compare in terms of tone and quality. Most solid-state ampers will beg to differ.

Truth is, solid-state modeling technology has come a long way. Even the most stubborn of tube purists are admitting to the high quality of modern solid-state modeling amps.

Tubes naturally have a warm, full sound, to put it simply. They can produce a clear tone that cuts through even the fullest of mixes. When equipped in the right amp, with the right speaker, they can deliver the fullest, thickest sound you could want from an amp.

Tube amps have their shortcomings when compared to solid-state amps.

Solid-state amps are often more versatile. They come with effects, multiple different channels, and can simulate many classic amps and stompboxes. All in one single lightweight, durable chassis. You can pretty much get any sound you want from a single amp these days.

As long as you’re willing to sacrifice tone.

Though it is still a live debate, the general opinion is that solid-state amps are not quite as genuine-sounding as they could be. Sure, they can imitate a tube amp very well, but it’s still not quite the real thing.

It’s getting close. Try both, and see if you like the functionality of a solid state, or the natural warmth of a tube amp.

2) Wattage/Size

Amps come in many shapes and sizes. The higher the wattage, the louder the amp.

Consider this carefully. 15-watt tube amps have been on the rise lately due to their portability and sound. Sure, you could buy a 100-watt Marshall, but you would never get the volume past 2. Even a 40-watt Fender amp will already be too loud at 2.

Consider the application. Tube amps will start to break up and distort at certain volumes. If you just plan on playing at home, lower wattage is better, as you can play it clean at a low volume, or play with natural distortion without causing an earthquake.

If you’re planning on gigging, or jamming with a full band, it’s better to get a higher wattage amp. That way, you can still get a clean sound at a loud volume without pushing the amp too hard.

But don’t go too big if you’re planning on gigging. Remember, you have to move that thing in and out of a vehicle. If you’re shopping for something bigger, give it a lift and make sure it’s manageable.

3) Sound

This bring us to the real purpose of the amp; shaping your sound.

Every amp has its own unique sound. Fender and Vox tend to be very bright and punchy. Marshall and Orange are thicker and fatter sounding.

If you’re looking at tube amps, you’ll hear the most variance in sound from amp to amp. Certain amps use different tubes, speakers, wiring, transformers, etc. This all contributes to the sound of the amp. Listen for the different qualities, and find an amp you enjoy listening to.

Whether it be a tube amp or solid-state, make sure you try different channels, different settings, different volumes, and even different guitars.

4) Price

Unlike guitars, the price of an amp is usually a pretty good indicator of quality.

Expensive amps are expensive because the parts are expensive. Expensive parts transmit sound more efficiently, giving you a cleaner tone. Better tubes are more expensive, and better speakers are more expensive.

Having said this, there are some great little amps in the $300-$600 price range.

Try out expensive amps and try out cheap amps. Work within your budget. There are great amps in every price range, but do as much research as you can, so you know what you are getting. It costs nothing to try an amp in a music store.

5) New vs. Old

Finally, how do today’s amps compare to yesterday’s amps?

Well, if you’re shopping solid state, go as new as possible. That’s where the best technology is.

If you’re going tube, you have to search for the difference.

Some old tube amps sound better than new ones, depending on how well they are maintained. Tubes need to be replaced every few years. It needs to be well looked after to make sure the amp doesn’t fall apart. Check for loose connections, broken tubes, and blown speakers.

If the amp is all clear and well maintained, you may find it sounds better than new amps.

Companies over the years will find ways to make the same product, at a cheap cost to the factory. This means cutting corners in areas they can afford to and machining parts and systems in the amp rather than building by hand.

Workers who make amps by hand will put quality into every detail of the build, leaving you with a more dependable product. Mechanized processes can overlook discrepancies and deliver a flawed product.

In some cases, an earlier era of amp has this higher standard of workmanship.

Do your research, and make sure you are getting a quality product.

All in all, the best way to determine what amp is best for you is to get out and try as many as you can. You will likely want to try different amps over the years; most guitarists do. Find one that will work exactly the way you want it to at this point in time.

As your style develops, your taste in amps will change. Then you can do it all again.