Beginner guitarists typically start off using small practice amps that can be taken home and used regularly – typically between 10-40 watts in terms of power output.
When purchasing a larger amp for use at a gig, three factors need to be taken into consideration: venue size, skill level and budget.
Types of music you like to play
Your genre of music will play a huge role in selecting an amplifier. Some amplifiers feature built-in effects designed to produce specific tones for different genres; other amplifiers can produce more universal sounds suitable for all styles of music and may even allow you to tailor its frequency response with built-in equalization (EQ).
Wattage of an amplifier also plays a critical role. It dictates the maximum volume an amp can reach before distorting, though wattage doesn’t equal loudness; for instance, even low-wattage tube amps can become quite loud if turned up to full blast – thus emphasizing why finding an amp with plenty of headroom is essential.
Depending on the space in which you plan on playing (such as home or practice room) a lower wattage amp should provide enough sound quality without needing to turn up all the way. However, for larger venues or when playing with drums an amp with higher wattage may be necessary.
Once you know how many watts you require, you can start looking at additional features of an amp. Some amps offer built-in reverb and other effects that can alter your tone; other amplifiers feature various input and output ports and speaker cabinets which create the overall sound of an amplifier and can influence everything from treble to bass frequencies.
Noteworthy is also that many guitar amps come with additional pedals that enable you to customize your tone. For instance, an overdrive pedal can produce various types of distortion, or you could pair an amp with a compressor pedal in order to increase sustain and reduce gain – making these additional accessories invaluable investments for any guitarist.
Your skill level
Your choice of guitar amp will depend heavily on the genre you play and skill level; metal guitarists might prefer an overdrive solo while country and acoustic guitarists might prefer crisp precision or gentle sounds of their instrument. Beginners should consider compact portable amps, while more experienced guitarists might afford an expensive amp equipped with features to help them attain their desired tone.
Wattage is one of the key elements in any guitar amplifier, as it determines how loud its output can get before distorting sound waves or breaking up altogether. A lower wattage is ideal for beginners who wish to play quietly; higher wattages should be reserved for live playing or recording sessions.
On the market are numerous types of guitar amplifiers, including tube and solid-state amps. Tube amps use vacuum tubes to increase signal amplitude while solid-state amplifiers use circuit board transistors – with tube amps usually costing more due to using vacuum tubes compared to transistors – yet many enthusiasts believe they produce superior sounds.
Most guitar amps feature an equalizer (EQ), which allows users to control the frequencies of your sound and alter its tone; this feature can help achieve any style from heavy metal to smooth jazz. Furthermore, most amplifiers feature gain controls which allow users to boost your guitar signal amply enough for more aggressive tone or simply increasing volumes during recordings.
Some amps are specifically tailored for acoustic guitars and acoustic effects, enabling you to amplify their sound while exploring effects which would otherwise be difficult or impossible with traditional electric guitar amps. A good acoustic amp can make an enormous difference in sound if performing live or recording.
The venue you’ll be playing in
Decidence when choosing an amplifier depends heavily upon its environment. While “this amp goes to 11,” may not always apply, as more space requires filling, louder must it be for effective playback.
Beginners typically opt for smaller practice amps with 10-40 watts of power and 8” or 10” speakers as their first amplifier choice, however for playing larger spaces or with other musicians it might be worthwhile upgrading to either a combo amp or stack amp – both types comprise one unit that includes both amp head and speaker cabinet, while stacks consist of separate amp heads connected to multiple speaker cabinets (sometimes known as twins).
At medium-sized venues or gigs, it is wise to utilize an amplifier with 50 to 100 watts of power. This size of amp will help your music sound fuller when performing alongside other musicians while competing with bass and drums when it comes to volume levels.
Other than wattage, speaker choice will have a profound effect on how your amp sounds. A 12” solid-state model is often found in guitar amps; this provides great sound for all sorts of musical genres. Some players may prefer tube-based amps which use vacuum tubes to boost signal amplitude for warmer tones than solid-state models.
Your choice of an amplifier should also take into account its back, as this will determine how the sound reverberates out from its cabinet. A closed back will produce more focused sounds while an open one will spread them more evenly around a room. Furthermore, its ohm rating plays a factor as well; ideal amp ohm ratings range between 4-16 ohms for optimal audio playback.
Your budget
Once you know which guitar amp you wish to buy, the next step should be figuring out your budget for it. There are numerous choices available from inexpensive beginner amplifiers to luxurious Fender, Vox, and Marshall reissues; as well as many features specific to each player and genre of music they play.
Affordable guitar amps generally fall between $40-200 and typically offer solid-state models with low wattages. Mid-range combo amps in this price range may contain tube models with higher wattages or combine both solid-state and tube amps for greater versatility, while professional musicians who play frequent gigs will likely opt for higher end amps featuring either all tube or all solid-state technology.
As a rule of thumb, small venues require amps with higher wattages than larger venues. When playing gigs, an amplifier with more watts will help ensure your music can be heard by audiences; but keep in mind that wattage doesn’t always correlate with volume levels.
Make the most of your money with a dual-channel amplifier, which offers more options when switching tone settings and can offer you more flexible sounds for any situation. Furthermore, if recording music at home is in your plans, consider an amp with built-in effects which will give your sound a polished polish.
Once you’ve established your budget, the next step should be exploring the features of each amp. First off, determine whether you prefer a combo or stack amplifier, as well as which size speakers would best fit. Combo amps tend to be less costly because they combine the head unit and speaker cabinet into one piece of equipment while stack amps separate these elements in order to provide more power and versatility in playback; these may cost more, however. Stack amps offer superior sound quality as well as greater venue flexibility when choosing where you play live.