Guitar Amp Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for You

Whether you’re practicing at home, recording in the studio, or playing live on stage, the right guitar amplifier is essential to bringing your tone to life. From crisp cleans to growling distortion, an amp doesn’t just make your guitar louder—it shapes the sound, response, and character of your entire playing experience.

At Music Planet, we offer a diverse range of amplifiers to suit every genre, skill level, and setup. This guide will walk you through the different types of amps, how to match them to your needs, and what features to look for when making your choice.

Types of Guitar Amps

Combo Amps

Combo amps combine the amplifier and speaker in a single unit, making them portable and easy to use. They range from compact practice models to stage-worthy gigging amps. Many offer onboard effects and multiple channels.

Best for: Beginners, casual players, home practice, and small to medium gigs.

Head and Cabinet (Stack)

This setup separates the amp (head) from the speaker (cab). It allows for more power and tone customization, especially in professional settings. Heads can be paired with different cabinet sizes depending on venue needs.

Best for: Touring musicians, studio engineers, or guitarists needing maximum volume and versatility.

Solid-State Amps

Using transistor-based circuits, solid-state amps are reliable, lightweight, and generally more affordable than tube amps. They require less maintenance and are great for clean tones and consistent performance.

Best for: Beginners, jazz players, and those wanting durability without the cost of tubes.

Tube Amps (Valve Amps)

Tube amps are prized for their warm, dynamic tone and natural overdrive. They respond to your playing with rich harmonics and feel, though they require occasional tube replacement and tend to be heavier.

Best for: Blues, rock, and professional players seeking vintage tone and responsiveness.

Modeling Amps

These amps digitally emulate the sound of famous amp models, often with built-in effects and presets. Many include USB outputs for direct recording.

Best for: Players who want a variety of tones, studio use, or silent practice via headphones.

Choosing the right amp for your needs

Home Practice

Practicing at home means you need manageable volume, a small footprint, and ideally, headphone support. A low-wattage combo amp or modeling amp with built-in effects helps keep things simple and quiet without compromising tone.

Recording in a Studio

For recording, tonal nuance and responsiveness are key. Tube amps shine here due to their dynamic range, while modeling amps with USB outputs provide convenient, high-quality recording options. Look for amps that respond well to pedals and offer EQ control.

Gigging and Live Performance

When playing live, you need enough power to fill the room and cut through the mix. Mid-to-high wattage tube or solid-state combo amps—or head and cab stacks—are great for this. Features like multiple channels and footswitch compatibility add flexibility on stage.

Playing Multiple Genres

If you play across a range of styles, a modeling amp is ideal thanks to its tone versatility. Alternatively, a clean solid-state amp paired with a pedalboard can be tailored to suit different genres.

Practicing Silently

For players who need to practice without disturbing others, amps with headphone outputs and auxiliary inputs (to play along with tracks) are ideal. Many modern modeling amps offer these features and even app connectivity.

Portability for Jamming and Travel

If you’re constantly moving or jamming with friends, you’ll want something lightweight, compact, and easy to set up. Look for battery-powered mini amps or small combo models that can fit in the boot of your car.

Key Features to Consider

Wattage

What it is: The amp’s output power, measured in watts.

Why it matters: Wattage determines overall volume and headroom. Lower wattage (under 20W) is great for practice or studio use, while 30W+ is better for live gigs.

How it varies: Tube amps sound louder than solid-state amps of the same wattage due to natural compression and breakup. Some amps offer switchable wattage for versatility.

Channels

What it is: Separate input settings for different tones (e.g., clean, crunch, lead).

Why it matters: Multiple channels let you switch between tones during a song without needing external pedals.

How it varies: Basic amps have one channel; advanced models may have two or three with dedicated EQ and gain controls.

Built-in Effects

What it is: Effects like reverb, delay, chorus, or distortion built into the amp.

Why it matters: Built-in effects save space and help beginners explore sounds without extra gear.

How it varies: Some amps include only basic reverb; modeling amps may offer dozens of effect presets.

EQ Controls

What it is: Knobs for adjusting bass, mid, and treble frequencies.

Why it matters: Lets you fine-tune your tone to suit your guitar, playing style, and room acoustics.

How it varies: Entry-level amps may have a single tone knob or basic 3-band EQ; pro amps may offer parametric EQ or presence controls.

Connectivity

What it is: Inputs and outputs such as headphone jacks, aux inputs, USB, FX loop, and line-out.

Why it matters: More connectivity increases versatility for practice, recording, or live use.

How it varies: Budget amps might only have a basic input; others support full-feature recording setups or external pedals.

Speaker Size and Configuration

What it is: The diameter and number of built-in speakers.

Why it matters: Larger speakers (e.g., 12") deliver more bass and fuller tone; multiple speakers add spread and volume.

How it varies: Small practice amps may have 6.5" or 8" speakers, while stage-ready combos usually use 10" or 12" speakers.

Recommendations by Skill Level

Guitar Amps for Beginners

Carlsbro Kickstart 50B 50-Watt Combo Guitar Amplifier
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Simple controls, built-in effects, and enough power for home and small jam sessions make this a versatile first amp.

Joyo JTA05 Sweet Baby 5-Watt Vintage Tube Amplifier
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A great entry into tube tone, this compact amp is ideal for home use and offers warm, vintage character.

Guitar Amps for Advanced Musicians

Supro Amulet 1612 1x10 15W Combo
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With vintage styling, tube warmth, and modern versatility, this amp is a favorite for recording and small stage use.

Vox AC15C1 All-Tube 1x12 Combo Amplifier (Royal Blue)
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Classic British tone and all-tube dynamics make this a go-to amp for pros seeking timeless sound and expressive feel.

Popular Brands at Music Planet

Carlsbro

Carlsbro is known for dependable and affordable amplifiers, especially popular with beginners and educational institutions. Their products offer intuitive controls and solid tone for entry-level players.

Target Audience: Beginner guitarists, hobbyists, and schools looking for value-packed amps.

Supro

Supro delivers boutique-style tube amps with vintage aesthetics and lush, responsive tones. Their amps are often used by professionals in studio and live environments.

Target Audience: Tone-conscious players, studio musicians, and those seeking classic sound with a modern twist.

Ashdown

Originally known for bass amps, Ashdown also creates powerful guitar amplifiers with modern styling and robust build quality. They blend clarity with punch and are often praised for clean tones.

Target Audience: Players who want versatility, modern design, and rugged reliability for both stage and studio.

Vox

A legendary name in guitar amplification, Vox is famous for its jangly, chime-like tone and iconic tube circuits. Models like the AC15 and AC30 are staples in rock and indie music.

Target Audience: Intermediate to professional players chasing classic tones and expressive tube response.

Essential Accessories for Guitar Amps

Instrument Cables

A reliable cable is essential for clean signal transfer. Look for shielded, low-capacitance cables and avoid overly long runs to prevent tone loss.

Footswitches

Footswitches let you change amp channels or turn effects on/off without using your hands. Make sure the footswitch is compatible with your amp model.

Amp Covers and Cases

Protect your investment with a padded cover or hard case—especially important for tube amps and gigging setups. Dust and moisture protection prolong amp life.

Extension Cabinets

For head-and-cab setups or expanding a combo amp, an extension cabinet can add depth and projection. Match impedance and wattage to avoid damage.

Attenuators

These devices reduce output volume without sacrificing tone, allowing you to drive a tube amp at lower volumes. Perfect for home recording or apartment use.

Final Tips Before You Buy

A guitar amp is more than a speaker—it's the heart of your tone. Take time to consider your playing environment, tone preferences, and future goals. Whether you're jamming in your room or hitting the stage, the right amp should inspire and support your sound every step of the way.

Need help choosing? Visit a Music Planet store or contact our team for expert advice. We'll help you find the amp that lets your music shine.