Guitar Amps for Dummies

So you got an electric guitar, now you need an amp. Where to start?

It can be a tad daunting, there's a lot of info out there. So I made a super easy guide to understand guitar amps to help you decide!

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Tube vs. Solid State vs. Modeling

Tube amps should be looked at as the OG amps. Solid states then came along to get that sound but make it more usable and tagging on extra features. Modeling amps then are the smartphones of the bunch. You can basically get anything you want, but the rabbit hole runs deep. Depending on your use case, a lot of hours will be spent dialling in the perfect sound on a computer.

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Tube Amps:

• Sound Quality: Known for their warm, rich, and dynamic tone. They respond well to your playing style and volume adjustments.
• Maintenance: Require regular maintenance, such as tube replacements, but many players believe the superior sound quality is worth the effort.
• Examples: Fender Twin Reverb, Marshall JCM800.

Solid State Amps:

• Sound Quality: Use transistors instead of tubes, offering a cleaner, more consistent sound. They are reliable and generally require less maintenance.
• Durability: More durable and lightweight compared to tube amps.
• Examples: Boss Katana, Fender Frontman series.

Modeling Amps:

• Versatility: Use digital technology to emulate the sound of various amp types and effects. Great for players who want a wide range of sounds without multiple amps.
• Convenience: Often come with built-in effects and preset storage, making them highly versatile and user-friendly.
• Examples: Line 6 Spider V, Kemper.

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What power (wattage) do you need?

Now, take the following with a grain of salt. I personally rock a Boss Katana 100W. You can alter the wattage from standby (kind off like sleep mode) to 0.5W, 50W and 100W. being a bedroom guitarist asI am, I almost never put it higher than 0.5W. I think turning it up to 100 would likely blow the double-glazed windows out on full blast. On 50W I would need to turn the volume waaay down.

So why get a high-wattage amp as a bedroom guitarist? Well, in the case of the Katana, it's physically bigger and came with more features. Also, the speaker inside the cab (the Katana is an amp and speaker combo) was of a higher quality, which can be heard even on lower wattage and volumes.

This all goes to show, please do your research. The info below is to be used as a guideline.

Low Wattage (1-20 Watts): Ideal for home practice, recording, and small gigs, low wattage amps make it easier to achieve overdriven tones at lower volumes. They are portable, affordable, and less likely to disturb neighbors.

Mid Wattage (20-50 Watts): Suitable for practice, small to medium gigs, and rehearsal spaces, mid wattage amps offer a good balance between volume and portability. They are versatile and can handle a variety of playing environments.

High Wattage (50+ Watts): Best for venues and playing with a loud band, high wattage amps are capable of producing very high volume levels. They are powerful and provide plenty of headroom for clean sounds at high volumes.

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Built-in effects

Using the same Boss Katana example from above, that amp comes with a bunch of effects built in. To me, a great asset and the reason I went for that one. As a bedroom guitarist, it gives you a bunch of ready-made options that lower the cost of trying different sounds.

The Katana even comes with software to open up hundreds of small additional changes and effects:

That being said, know you don't necessarily need this. Something like a Katana or equivalent is great to try different stuff. But many like a specific sound right off the bat. And, you can always alter your sound using pedals. I wrote a great started article on what your first pedalboard should have.

This Katana also has footswitch capabilities to switch between built-in effects. This is separate of a full pedalboard. It could be a great entryway into learning to use pedals, so consider that.

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Speakers

Some amps are only a head, while others feature a speaker cab too. With only a head or a modeling amp, 99% of the time you won't get any sound output without using external speakers. A speaker cab can be bought separately, or sometimes it's built in the amp.

In the latter case, you often have these differences:

‍Single Speaker Amps: Single speaker configurations, like 1x12 (one 12-inch speaker), are common in practice and mid-sized amps. They offer a good balance of sound quality and portability. Smaller configurations like 1x10 or 1x8 are found in practice amps, which are portable but may lack the fullness of larger speakers.

Multiple Speaker Amps: Configurations like 2x12 (two 12-inch speakers) provide a fuller sound and are common in many gigging amps. For a massive sound, 4x12 (four 12-inch speakers) cabinets are used, typically paired with high-wattage heads. These setups are often used in larger venues for their powerful projection.

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Portability and weight

Are you truly solely a bedroom guitarist or going out to practice every so often? If yes to the latter, consider the weight. I bought my Boss Katana off of a 12 year old girl who couldn't haul it to practice herself because of the weight. Don't worry, her dad did the selling. She changed to a little Yamaha THR5 and it was perfect for her. This Katana 100 is heavy at 17kg or over 35Lbs, where that Yamaha is only 2kg or 4.5Lbs.

Not necessarily a deal breaker, but please consider the weight and size of your purchase before you get it.

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Inputs and outputs

Amps can have literally 30 inputs and outputs. This could be a whole separate article on its own, but let's keep it simple.

1. Guitar Input

Primary Input: This is where you plug your guitar into the amp. Typically a 1/4-inch jack, the primary input is straightforward but essential, as it directly affects the signal chain. Some amps offer multiple input options (e.g., high and low gain inputs) to accommodate different pickups and playing styles. Likely not needed for you, but check regardless.

2. Headphone Output

Silent Practice: A headphone output allows you to practice quietly without disturbing others. Handy if your parents, spouse or neighbours start to complain. Look for amps with high-quality headphone outputs that provide a good representation of the amp’s sound. Some models include cab simulation to ensure the headphone sound is close to what you would hear from the speaker. I have experienced bad ones and it's really bad. So bad that you don't want to ever use it again, and that'd be a shame.

3. Auxiliary (Aux) Input

Playing Along with Backing Tracks: An aux input lets you connect external audio sources, such as a smartphone, MP3 player, or tablet, allowing you to play along with backing tracks or your favorite songs. This input is typically a 1/8-inch stereo jack. It’s a great feature for practicing, as it enables you to integrate other music sources seamlessly into your practice sessions.

4. Effects Loop

Enhanced Effects Management: An effects loop allows you to place effects pedals between the preamp and power amp sections of your amplifier. A great pedal for this is the Boss loop station rc-5. This is beneficial for time-based effects (like delay and reverb) and modulation effects (like chorus and flanger), ensuring they sound clear and natural. The loop usually consists of a send (output to the effects) and return (input from the effects) jack. This setup can greatly improve the sound quality of your effects by keeping them out of the amp’s gain stage.

5. Line Out and Direct Out

Recording and Live Sound:

• Line Out: A line out provides a direct connection from your amp to a recording device or PA system, capturing the amp’s sound without using a microphone. Ideal for home recording or live performances where miking an amp isn’t practical or wanted.

• Direct Out (DI): Description: Similar to a line out but often includes speaker simulation to mimic the sound of a miked speaker cabinet. Perfect for direct recording and live sound applications, providing a more authentic amp tone through PA systems or recording interfaces.

6. Speaker Outputs

Connecting External Cabinets: Speaker outputs allow you to connect your amp head to various speaker cabinets. They come in different impedances (measured in ohms), so it’s important to match the amp’s output to the cabinet’s input. Common configurations include 4, 8, and 16 ohms. Some amps have multiple outputs to connect more than one cabinet, offering flexibility in building your rig.

7. USB and MIDI Connections

Modern Connectivity:

• USB: A USB output allows you to connect your amp to a computer for recording, editing, and firmware updates. This feature is common in modern modeling amps. Ideal for home recording and accessing amp software for tone customization.

• MIDI: MIDI inputs and outputs enable you to control your amp’s settings and effects using external MIDI controllers. This is useful for complex setups and live performances where quick changes are needed. Facilitates integration with other MIDI-enabled gear, allowing for synchronized control of multiple devices.

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There you go! That's likely all the info you need to make a decision. Now I'd recommend looking up some YouTube tutorials to find your required brand, type and sound. Best of luck!