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When we were first learning to play the guitar, I’m sure we all dreamed of standing in front of a wall of amps and playing to a crowd of people who loved us. But you have to start small and build up to that, and there’s no better way to do that than by putting into one of the best guitar amps for beginners.
If you’re new to electric guitar, getting a good beginner guitar amp will get you ready to play your first riffs, chords, solos, and more, both at home by yourself and with friends. If you choose one of the bigger types, you might even be able to use it for your first couple of shows.
Because technology has come a long way, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your first speaker. Our list of the best guitar amps for beginners includes some great options with a range of sounds for different types of guitarists and a reasonable price.
Best Beginner Guitar Amps Comparison Table
| Product Name | Power | Speaker | Effects | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Katana 50 MKII | 50W | 12″ | 60+ | Yes |
| Fender Mustang LT25 | 25W | 8″ | 20+ | Yes |
| Positive Grid Spark Mini | 10W | 4″ | 40+ | Yes |
| MUSTANG™ MICRO | 1W | N/A | 12+ | Yes |
| Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth | 3W | 3″ | 6 | Yes |
| Vox AC4C1 | 4W | 10″ | N/A | No |
| Orange Crush 20 | 20W | 8″ | 6+ | No |
Boss Katana 50 MKII
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 50 Watts |
| Speaker | Custom 12-inch |
| Channels | 5 (Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, Acoustic) |
| Effects | 60+ Built-in effects |
| Connectivity | USB, Aux input, Headphone out |
Because of its long and illustrious history in the field of effects pedals, Boss is often regarded as one of the most recognisable names in the guitar business. This heritage is then taken by the Boss Katana 50 MKII and translated into one of the most affordable guitar modelling amps for beginners that can be found anywhere on the planet.
You can get five distinct amp voicings and sixty various effects for a little over $/£200, so regardless of your own preference in terms of tone, this product has something to offer you. When you factor in additional capabilities, such as a USB PC interface, which enables you to record directly onto your personal computer, you have a fairly tempting bundle.
The Good
- Five channels and more than 60 effects give you a wide range of sound options.
- Custom 12-inch speaker with loud, clear sound
- USB connections make it easy to record and edit.
The Bad
- Compared to other amps in its class, it’s a little bit heavy and bulky.
- Some users have said that the footswitch doesn’t work right.
Fender Mustang LT25
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 25 Watts |
| Speaker | 8-inch Fender Special Design |
| Channels | 30+ amp models and effects |
| Connectivity | USB, Aux input, Headphone out |
There is an abundance of material for us to plug into in order to perfect our skills at playing the electric guitar, ranging from mobile applications and desktop software to rackmount guitar modellers, micro headphone guitar amps, and more. If anything, the sheer number of options available can be a little bit daunting, what with interfaces that can replace your amp and amps that can also function as interfaces, all of which come equipped with pretty much everything that you actually require beneath the hood.
Fender is not a new player in the field of modelling amplifiers; the company’s Mustang amps have long pleased us with the quantity of features, sound quality, and ease of use they offer. Then, what exactly is the LT25 and why is it so important? So, it’s a modelling combo with an eight-inch speaker, 20 amp models, 25 effects, an auxiliary input, and USB connectivity.
The Good
- A lot of different amp models and effects
- The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.
The Bad
- Some users have said that the tone doesn’t have as much depth as other amps.
Positive Grid Spark Mini
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 20 Watts |
| Speaker | 4-inch custom driver |
| Channels | 40+ amp models and effects |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Aux input, Headphone out |
Positive Grid has distinguished itself as one of the most forward-thinking companies in the guitar industry in a span of time that is rather brief. Their potent guitar VST, BIAS FX 2, and Positive Grid Spark 40 practise amp were all complete game-changers when they were first released, and the newly released Positive Grid Spark Mini is following that trend.
The Spark Mini, much like its larger sibling, is an amazingly ingenious little amplifier that will undoubtedly transform the way you perform your practise routine. Once you’ve paired your instrument with the app that goes along with it, you’ll have access to millions of tones and effects. Even better, the sophisticated auto-chord feature will display the chord changes to any song that you feed it.
The Good
- A lot of different amp models and effects
- Smart app with personalised practise options and backing tracks.
- Bluetooth connectivity for easy streaming and jamming.
The Bad
- Some users have said that at higher volumes, the sound isn’t clear.
- There aren’t many ways to change the tone.
MUSTANG™ MICRO
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 1 Watt |
| Speaker | Full-range speaker |
| Channels | 12 amp models |
| Connectivity | Headphone out |
The Mustang Micro is an excellent amp for beginners and fulfils many of the requirements for such an amp. This micro amplifier has a height of three inches and a width of only one inch; it connects directly to your guitar and gives you the freedom to sit or move while you hone your skills. The Mustang Micro is packed with 12 different amp types and 12 different effect combinations, despite its diminutive size.
Additionally, it is compatible with Bluetooth, features a headphone jack for practising in peace, and a USB-C connection for recording, upgrading the firmware, or charging the Micro’s inbuilt lithium ion battery. The Mustang Micro is the ideal amp for the guitarist who is always on the move, whether they are honing their skills as home or squeezing in a session while on the road.
The Good
- Ultra-compact and portable design
- For such a small unit, it has a lot of different amp models.
- Take out your headphones for quiet practise
The Bad
- There aren’t many ways to change the tone.
- Only 1 watt, so it can’t be used for live shows.
Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth
| eature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 3 Watts |
| Speaker | 3-inch speaker |
| Channels | 2 (Clean, Overdrive) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Aux input, Headphone out |
The Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth is the right amp for a beginner who doesn’t have a lot of room. This tiny amp weighs less than 1 kg, but its 3-inch speaker puts out an amazing amount of power. It also has 2 channels, so you can switch between a rich, clear sound and something a bit rougher. Adding a delay effect will also help your sound sound fuller.
We like that you can connect two Fly 3 guitar amps in stereo, and the fact that they have Bluetooth built in so you can jam along with backing tracks or stream music is an added bonus. It is a great buy for guitarists on the go, no matter how good they are. It is especially good for college students and anyone who needs to keep the noise down.
The Good
- Small and portable, with the option of batteries
- Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to stream music and jam.
- A separate overdrive channel gives you more options.
The Bad
- There aren’t many ways to change the sound of a 3-inch speaker, and it might not be loud enough for larger rooms.
Vox AC4C1
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 4 Watts |
| Speaker | 10-inch Celestion VX10 |
| Channels | 1 |
| Connectivity | Headphone out |
Vox is probably a name that most players have heard. The British company is a must-have when it comes to tube guitar amps. Their beautiful AC30 amp made them famous. Vox’s AC4C1 is a small tube amp that is kind of like a baby version of that tasty 30w tube beast. The Vox AC4C1 is a combo amp with a single 10-inch speaker. It can only put out a maximum of 4 watts, so it won’t exactly rock the house.
As you might expect, the AC4C1 only has a few controls: bass and treble controls on the front of the EQ, an input gain knob, and a master volume control. All of these knobs are the famous Vox chicken head knobs, which look cool and are very old. It’s an amazing classic, that’s for sure. It’s been around since 1961, and the Top Boost circuitry in this amp is sure to make you smile if you’re looking for that beautiful British clean sound.
The Good
- Simple controls and a classic Vox sound.
- The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.
- Celestion 10-inch speaker for a full sound
The Bad
- There aren’t many ways to change the tone.
- Only 4 watts of power, which makes it hard to use for live shows.
Orange Crush 20
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power | 20 Watts |
| Speaker | 8-inch Voice of the World |
| Channels | 2 (Clean, Dirty) |
| Connectivity | Aux input, Headphone out |
If you find that the onslaught of amp models and effects that you get with the Boss Katana and the Positive Grid Spark is a little too much for you to process, then the Orange Crush 20 may be a refreshing change of pace for you. The Orange has complete analogue circuitry, which is something that is not commonly seen in this digital age, and it focuses on producing two sounds to the best of its ability rather than trying to produce as many effects as it possibly can.
The Crush is still a rather versatile combo amp, with the ability to produce everything from sparkling cleans to over-the-top filthy rock tones thanks to its dual channels, which are named Clean and Dirty. Now, don’t get us wrong; we’re not trying to mislead you.
The Good
- Controls that are simple and easy to use
- The design is small and light to make it easy to carry.
- Voice of the World speaker with an 8-inch diaphragm for clear and bright sound
The Bad
- There aren’t many ways to change the tone.
- Some users have said that the tone doesn’t have as much depth as other amps in its class.
FAQs
A starter guitar amp is an amplifier made for people who are just starting out on the guitar and need a cheap, easy-to-use amp to learn and practise with.
When looking for a guitar amp for beginners, you should think about things like power, speaker size, sound quality, built-in effects, and how easy it is to use. You’ll need an amp with enough power to hear yourself over the guitar, a speaker size that fits your needs, good sound quality, and built-in effects that can help you try out different sounds and styles.
Guitar amps for beginners can cost anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars. Most of the time, it’s best to stick with amps that cost between $100 and $200. These tend to have a good mix of features and quality while still being reasonable.