There are a lot of different guitar amps on the market, and it can be tough to figure out which one is right for you if you’re just starting out. In this blog post, I’ll take a look at some of the best guitar amps for beginners and give you my opinion on each one.
How to pick the best guitar amp for beginners;
Getting into electric guitar can be an exciting time, but it’s also full of tough decisions. You have to pick your instrument, try out a ton of amps before finding the right one, and hone your skills so you sound great. It can seem like there are more questions than answers when you’re just getting started on this journey.
With that in mind, we’ll go over some of the best guitar amps for beginners and talk about what they do well. We’ll also look at a few models that aren’t necessarily beginner-friendly and help you figure out whether they’re right for you or not. I’ve played on all these amps, and I think my advice will be helpful for any beginner out there.
We’ll start by talking about your budget. This is the most basic question you have to answer when trying to find the right amp because it dictates just about everything else that follows. An expensive guitar amp will naturally sound better than a cheap one, but there are also amps in every price range that do an amazing job. We’ll look at amps for every budget, to help you understand what’s out there.
if you’re just starting out, the best guitar amp for beginners should probably be cheap;
There are a lot of different things that factor into how a guitar amp sounds, but the main ones are wattage, size, and type. The best way to tell which of these is most important is by looking at your own needs. If you’re playing in a small room with just a few friends or at home alone, then wattage probably isn’t too important to you. However, if you’re playing in a large venue with a loud drummer, then wattage will definitely be an issue. Size is often closely tied to wattage; bigger amps have more oomph behind them and can produce louder sounds, but they also take up more space and aren’t as practical for smaller gigs.
type of guitar amp also affects tone; As for type, there are a few distinct styles of amps out there. Tube amps use vacuum tubes to generate their power and store their sound, while solid-state amps rely more on electrical components. You’ll find some people arguing about each on the Internet if you look hard enough, but these debates are pretty silly when you get down to it.
Both styles sound good in the right scenario, so don’t stress out about them too much. Just remember that tube amps will probably need more maintenance than solid-state amps, and try one out for yourself before making a big purchase.
Despite all these things that go into how an amp sounds, none of them matter as much as your own personal preferences do. What sounds amazing to me could sound terrible to you because we all have different ears. Trust your gut when trying out amps and don’t worry about what other people think until you’ve tried these things out yourself. If you like how it sounds but can’t afford it right now, find a cheaper alternative that you think is just as good.
Ultimately, the best guitar amp for beginners is whatever works well for you. Don’t be afraid to shop around and experiment with different amps until you find something that’s right, or go online and read product reviews if that’s how you learn best. Everyone has their own unique style, and that goes for amps too.
Below are my top guitar amps for beginners;
- Boss Katana 50 MKII
- Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth
- Fender Mustang LT50
- Vox VX15 GT
- IK Multimedia iRig Micro Amp
- Yamaha THR10II
- Blackstar HT-1R
6 Best Guitar Amps for Beginners – Reviews 2022
#1. Boss Katana 50 MKII
Our overall best guitar amp for beginners is the Boss Katana 40 MKII by the reputable brand, Boss.
Boss is one of the most well-known names in the guitar industry, thanks to its long history in the field of effects pedals. The Boss Katana 50 MKII takes advantage of this legacy and transforms it into one of the best values for beginning guitarists.
For less than $200, you get five distinct amp voicings as well as 60 different effects, so there’s something for everyone’s sound. You also get a USB PC interface, allowing you to record directly onto your PC.
With 50 watts of power and a 1×12 speaker, you’ve got a setup that can handle from the bedroom to the rehearsal room to the stage.
Pros:
- -Sounding great for the price
- -Lots of effects and voicings to play with
- -USB interface included
Cons:
- -Not as loud as some other options
- -May be too many options for some beginning guitarist
#2. Blackstar Electric Guitar Mini Amplifier
The Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth is a compact amp that packs a lot of punch. If you are a beginner with limited space, this is your best option.
As of this update in early May 2022, over 4,000 musicians have given it a high average rating of 4.7/5, more than 95% positive ratings.
This amp uses innovative, cutting-edge tone-shaping technology to provide you with three different tones: clean, overdrive, and sonic enhance.
You also get Blackstar’s patented Infinite Shape Feature that allows you to tweak the sound beyond what traditional tube amps are capable of.
Combine that with built-in digital effects, an aux input for playing along to your music library, speaker-emulated output, and Bluetooth connectivity, and you’ve got a compact amp that’s perfect for beginners.
The Blackstar Fly 3 is a 3 Watt guitar amplifier that provides incredibly rich tone and texture in a portable package. The patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) lets you to dial in the exact tone you are after, from the USA to UK tones. A built-in MP3 / Line In allows jamming along or listening to music, while the emulated Line Out can be used for silent practice or recording. There’s also an onboard tape delay effect for adding layers of sound and dimension to your playing.
This mini amp is battery powered so it can be taken on the go, and also includes a handy mini clip for attaching it to your guitar strap. Whether you are just starting out playing guitar or looking for a travel amp, the Blackstar Fly 3 is an excellent choice.
Pros:
- -Innovative tone shaping technology
- -Patented ISF for getting the exact sound you want
- -Aux input for jamming along or listening to music
Cons:
- -Some reviewers found it difficult to get a good overdrive sound
#3. Fender Mustang LT50
Another great option for beginners is the Fender Mustang LT50.
The Mustang LT50 is a great choice for beginners because it’s easy to use and gives you a wide range of tones to play with. The Fender Mustang LT50 50-watt combo amplifier is perfect for practice, studio, or small gigs.
It features a single 12″ Fender Special Design guitar speaker, wooden cabinet, simple user interface with 1.8″ color display, stereo headphone output for silent practice, and USB interface for recording or firmware updates. The bundle includes the amp, a 24-pack of Fender guitar picks, and a 10ft Fender Instrument Cable.
Pros:
- -Simple user interface
- -Wide range of tones
- -Stereo headphone output
Cons:
- -Some reviewers found the included picks to be too stiff
- -May be too small for some venues
#4. Vox VX15 GT
The 15-watt Vox VX15 GT guitar combo amp features 2 channels, an Aux In jack and headphone jack, built-in digital effects with Dedicated FX control, sturdy metal grille and tilt-back cabinet design. Its sound can be described as classic Vox, with great clarity and rich harmonic overtones.
The Vox VX15 GT is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a reliable amp that will grow with them as they become more advanced players. With its easy-to-use interface and range of tones to explore, the Vox VX15 GT is a great option for anyone starting out on their musical journey.
Pros:
- -2 channels
- -Aux In jack and headphone jack
- -Built-in digital effects
Cons:
- -Some reviewers found the sound to be too harsh/harsh-sounding
#5. Yamaha THR10II
The Yamaha THR10II offers realistic tube amp tones and feel, plus essential effects, in a compact and affordable package. 15 guitar amps, 3 bass amps, 3 mic models for acoustic electrics, and flat modes for everything else provide plenty of sonic variety. Bluetooth support lets you playback audio from your device, edit sounds with the remote app, and more.
Hi-fi audio playback with extended stereo technology ensures great sound quality. Plug-and-play USB connectivity makes recording and playback easy. The remote editor/Librarian app for desktop and mobile devices provides even more sonic flexibility.
If you’re looking for a compact and affordable amp that can give you great tones and effects, then the Yamaha THR10II is an excellent choice. With its range of features and tones to explore, this amp is perfect for beginners or advanced players looking to take their sound to the next level. So whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, the Yamaha THR10II is an amp that can grow with you.
Pros:
- -15 guitar amps, 3 bass amps, and 3 mic models
- -Bluetooth support for easy audio playback
- -Hi-fi audio playback with extended stereo technology
Cons:
- -Some reviewers found the Bluetooth connection to be unstable
#6. Orange Crush 20
This 20-watt amp is loaded with features, including foot-switchable channels, an analog signal path, and a cabSim-loaded headphone output. The new high gain preamp design provides four stages of preamp gain, giving you plenty of power to drive any cab. Plus, the 20-watt design provides plenty of headroom for any gig.
The Orange Crush 20 is a great choice for beginners or advanced players looking for an affordable and versatile amp. With its range of features and tones, this amp is perfect for any player looking to take their sound to the next level. So whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, the Orange Crush 20 is an amp that can grow with you.
Pros:
- -Foot-switchable channels
- -Analog signal path
- -CabSim-loaded headphone output
Cons:
- Lacking some features
Everything You Need To Know About Buying Your First Guitar Amp!
FAQs
Q: What’s the best guitar amp for beginners?
A: There are a lot of great amps out there for beginners. Some of our favorites include the Blackstar Fly 3, the Fender Mustang LT50, and the Vox VX15 GT.
Q: How much should I spend on a guitar amp?
A: This depends on what kind of amp you’re looking for, as well as your budget. Generally speaking, you can find good guitar amps at a range of prices, from around $100 to several hundred or even thousands of dollars. Ultimately, the choice is up to you and your preferences.
Q: How do I choose the right guitar amp for me?
A: The best way to choose the right amp for you is to consider your needs and budget. If you’re just starting out, you may want to look for an amp that’s relatively affordable and easy to use. As you become more experienced, you can start looking for amps with more features and power. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose an amp that you feel comfortable using and that provides the sound quality and effects you’re looking for.
Hi there! I am Jack Musau, the founder of this Best Guitar Amp Review site. I am an avid musician with several years using both traditional and electric guitars and created this site to assist others looking to find the best guitar amplifiers in the market today. I also offer private coaching and training on how to use guitars and guitars amps of all kinds. You can reach out to me using my email, jack@soundspros.com.