BEST GUITAR AMP FOR THE MONEY
Best Guitar Amp For The Money
Are you looking for the Best Guitar Amplifier For The Money? It really depends on the player. Also, there are many amps and makers out there so it can be difficult to sort through it all. Here at GuitarGearFreak.com, we've got you covered. Here's a list of some of the best guitar amps for the money ~
On this list, we tried to manage to list every price range, and we'll admit...It's difficult because there are too many great amps out there.
(Also, because we're such avid combo lovers, we have stuck to combo amps on this list. There are some great head/speaker duos some would say are much better, but typically combos can come cheaper, they are much less to haul around, and overall easier to deal with in any given situation.)
We are sure you will be happy with any of these picks. All of these are winning guitar players on a budget.
OUR PREFERRED LIST OF GUITAR AMPS WORTH THE MONEY
VOX AP2AC amPlug AC30 G2 Guitar Headphone
Headphone Out
AUX Input
AC30 Sound
Tremolo & effect select (3x - Chorus, Delay, Reverb)
Auto Power Off Function
17 Hrs Battery Life
First appearing in 2007, The Vox AC30 amplug is 1 of 7 other headphone guitar amps. The others are:
- Bass - Low Freq response w/ a rhythm function (Bass Guitar)
- Blues - Tweed Amp Blues Tones
- Classic Rock - Classic UK 100W Amp Sound
- Clean - Boutique Amp Sounds
- Lead - Heavy Gain Lead Tones
- Metal - Really Heavy Gain Tones
These headphone amplifiers are at a very low cost, especially for the features on this headphone amp.
First of all, you get an AUX input so you can plug in your favorite track and play right along with it.
It also has Tremolo, and 3 different Chorus, Delay, and Reverb settings to suit your needs. It also has an automatic power-off feature to help save your battery power.
The tone on this can go from a great analog guitar clean sound to a good overdrive.
You can take lightweight device anywhere you want to go and jam in peace and quiet, which I'm sure your neighbors and family will thank you for.
We really dig the fact that you have all of this variety crammed into this, and we're sure that you will too. If you want to find more information on this, you can
check it out on Amazon here.
Danelectro N10B Honey Tone Mini Amp
Leather Handle
Clean and Overdrive Tone Settings
Belt Clip for Travel Use
Louder than most mini-amps
Offers a great clean, or overdriven sound
The HoneyTone N-10 Guitar Mini Amp is an awesome little amp that sounds much bigger than you would think it would. The tones are really great as well.
Since it is a small battery-powered amp, the overdrive can sound a little much if overdone - which is understandable.
The overall design of this is amazing. It has a boutique-vintage look that's very eye-catching.
The portable mini amp also features a belt clip so you can actually strap this onto your waist and walk while you play.
Compared to other mini portable amps, this one defeats them in overall quality, tone, look, and price. If you are interested in the HoneyTone, you can find more info on Amazon here.
Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 Guitar Combo Amplifier
Over 70 Amps
Over 100 Effects
Over 20 Speaker Cabinets
Control Amps and Effects Remotely
Tone Matching Modulation
Share/Rate Tones via Facebook and Twitter
The Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 has MANY features, especially for the price. If you're looking for a louder option, they do have a 75w and 100w option as well.
The big feature on this is the fact you can control EVERYTHING on your phone through using an app and Bluetooth that's specifically designed for your every need. You can even select a song you like and the app will match the guitar tone and effects.
Also, you can plug your AMPLIFi directly into your computer and use it as an interface to record. The guitar will sound exactly how you set it on the amp.
You can also save your settings on the app to come back to it at any given time.
We chose this mostly because of the tremendous amount of features on this amp, but also the look of it. The amp has an almost classic-modern quality to it which is very exciting to look at.
If you are interested in this amp, you can check out more info on Amazon here.
BUGERA V22 INFINIUM
Hand Built
22w Combo Amp
2x EL84 Tubes / 3x 12AX7 Tubes
Built-in Reverb
Amazing Mode - Switch from Triode to Pentode Operation
Tube amps like these go for alot more than what they cost, possibly because this company is fairly new.
The amps tones are really great. Bugera uses top quality electronics and tubes that showcase the amps experience. The tubes bring a very clean clear sound.
Not only the sound but vintage look an feel of the amp looks amazing.
Taking Guitar World's Gold Award for Overall Value says alot about their quality and value.
If you are interested, you can find more info on Amazon here.
Orange Crush 35RT - 35W 1x10" Guitar Combo Amp
35w Solid State
2 Channels
1x10" Orange Speaker
3-Band EQ, Volume, Gain, and Reverb
Tuner
Effects Loop
If you know anything about Orange Amps, you will know they are all quality.
Orange amps have an amazing clarity sound to them. Even their built-in gain is top notch, and despite the amps lower price tag - the quality of tones you can get out of this beast do not disappoint.
This amp is great for all is great for all genres. The 2 Channel footswitch can switch between both a clean and a 'dirty' channel for an easy change in dynamics.
Orange amplifiers seemed too unobtainable a while back, but now we can buy a great amp on a budget and obtain that Orange sound.
If you're interested in finding out more, you can check it out on Amazon here.
Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior III 15-W LTD Tube Guitar Combo Amplifier, Tweed
2x EL84 and 3x 12ax7 tubes
Footswitch 'FAT' option
Built-In Spring Reverb
Tweed Cabinet
Jensen P12N Speaker
We have to add a Fender amp in here somewhere, and this is a beaut! The Fender tube sound shines and shimmers on this great guitar amp.
The Hot Rod Blues Junior III also has a spring reverb to hone in some of those vintage reverb sounds.
We also really love the 'FAT' option switch (can also toggle using a footswitch) to add a hefty boost of tone to the sound at a moments notice.
We chose the Tweed Cabinet option because who doesn't love Tweed? It adds alot of character and separates itself from the pack of black cabinet amps. Also, it pairs nicely with the vintage pointer knobs.
We love this amp, and I'm sure you would too. Once you have it, you never wanna let go.
If you are interested, you can find more info on Amazon here.
VOX AC15C1 Guitar Combo Amplifier
15w Tube Combo
2x EL84 and 3x 12AX7 Tubes
1x 12" Celestion G12M Greenback or Alnico Blue Speaker
Gain, Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Volume Controls
Effect Loop
External Loudspeaker Jack
This is THE LEGENDARY VOX amp. If you're looking for the 'British Guitar Sound', this is THE amp to buy.
This amp has such a clear and distinct great top sound. The quality is beyond great, especially for this price range.
We absolutely love the signature VOX grill cloth as well. Almost brings you back to a time when they started.
The VOX AC15C1 also has an external loudspeaker jack so if you for some reason feel it's not loud enough, you can plug the VOX amp into a bigger speaker to swap speakers, OR you can plug into the extension jack and use both for added volume.
It also has the classic spring reverb and Vox tremolo added as well to add to that vintage guitar tone. There's a good reason why many popular artists have continued to use this amp for over 60 years now.
We're sure seasoned guitarists here would agree - this amp is a force to be reckoned with. It has proved it can stand the test of time.
If you are interested, you can find more info on Amazon here.
Marshall Amps Marshall Origin 50W Combo
50w Valve Combo
3 x ECC83 and 2 x EL34 Tubes
Switchable Power Output Section
Tilt control - Blends Bright & Normal Sounds
12" Celestion Midnight 60 Speaker
Effects Loop & Boost Footswitch Option
To be honest, wasn't much of a Marshall fan previously. Must be the way the amps looked. The sound that came out of them was great, but the design of the cabinet just left me uninspired.
But our voice has been heard! The new amp design looks amazing! Marshall took their amazing electronics and tubes and crammed it into a beautiful classic-vintage looking cabinet.
And man, the sound on these things. It makes me wanna buy 12 of them and tear the walls down AC/DC-style. (Much Love Angus)
The Tilt control feature is great as well as it adds more control of the tone, and the tubes add the perfect Marshall overdrive sound.
I'm sure once you get your hands on one of these, you will understand why this amp is on this list.
If you're interested in this, you can find more info on Amazon here.
Supro 1695T Black Magick - 25W 1x12" Combo Amp
25w Tube Amp
4x 12AX7 and 2x 6973 Tubes
1x12" Custom Supro BD12 Speaker
2 Channels Wired In Parallel
Volume, Tone, Tremolo Controls
Tremolo Footswitch Option
We're Not Worthy! We're Not Worthy!
This has to be our favorite guitar amp on this list.
This amp is a Rock n' Roll 'holy grail' recreation. This amp is absolutely amazing. The tones on this are unreal - such crystal clarity through this guitar amp.
The breakup tones you get on this when pushed are amazing as well. You just can't find a bad sound out of these.
The signature tremolo on this is one of the best, if not THE best we've ever heard. Combined with tone for days, if you're looking for THE amp, your search is over.
No other amp in this price range compares. And the vintage-style cabinet looks incredible - definitely a showstopper.
If you are interested in this, you can check out more info on Amazon here.
Fender '65 Super Reverb
45w Tube Amp
2x 6L6 Groove Tubes, 1x 5AR4 Rectifier, 4x 12AX7, 2x 12AT7 Tubes
4x10" Jensen P-10R Speakers
Tube Reverb and Vibrato
Tilt Legs
Last but definitely not least - Legendary Blackface Super Reverb recreation tube amplifier. This amp shimmers til you roll over in your death bed.
This amp comes in at a close 2nd to the Supro on our preferred version of this list. With the number of tubes built into this beautiful monstrosity, it provides such a clean bright tone.
The breakup from the tubes when cranked is extremely smooth. Also, the tube driven signature spring reverb and tube vibrato sing stunningly smooth. This guitar amp will more than cover playing over a full band.
Fender did this one right.
If you are interested in this amp, you can find more info on Amazon here.
Whatever genre you play, you must make sure the guitar amplifier fits the sound. Also, guitarists must make sure the amp fits their needs as far as volume - whether it be on stage or in their home. You also want to make sure it is a super affordable amplifier that's easy on your wallet.
Here are a few factors on how to choose the best guitar amp for your money:
- Amp Volume
- Amp Tones
- Tube vs Solid State Amp
- Amp Budget
- Guitar Amp Design
- Travelability
- Guitar Amp Features
- Investment
Amp Volume
You have to take into consideration where most of the time spent playing this amplifier will be. Will you play your amp on stage? Will you be playing at home? Will you play your amp in your apartment? Do you have a loud drummer? What style/genre music does your band play? You don't want to purchase a 10-watt amp, playing hard rock with a loud, hard-hitting drummer - you will not be able to hear anything. At the same time, you wouldn't want a full stack in your living room or apartment (or maybe you would...)
Amp Tones
Some amps are more 'chimey' than others, while other amps have a heavy low-mid range - which both could be good and bad depending on what style of music you play. All amps have their tonal range. We would recommend checking out the videos next to each of these amps to get a good idea of what tonal range speaks to you.
Tube vs Solid State Amp
Tube amps tend to have a more cleaner-overdrive breakup sound when cranked, while solid state amps have a high-gain distortion. So some like only a little breakup in their guitar tone, while others like the full distorted sound. This is a huge debate, and again it really all depends on the player and the style of music they play. We absolutely love Tube amps, so we're going to go with Tube Amps all the way.
Amp Budget
The Budget should possibly be the #1 or #2 factor on this probably, and for good reason. Take into account how much can you spend on an amp and go from there. No need to break the bank, there are PLENTY of great amps in your price range.
Guitar Amp Design
The physical qualities of a guitar amp should be a factor. For us, guitar amps and guitars alike are like hot rods - you gotta have something great looking for the show. Have you ever been to a concert and the show became heightened because of the look of their amp or guitar? Maybe it's just us, but there's something about the look of a guitar amp or electric guitar that helps push a guitarist to create music they would have never even thought of.
Travelability
Have you ever had to lug around a 100-pound amp before? If you haven't, it's insane and we do not want you to go through that. You want to consider how heavy an amp is, and where you are going to play with this amp. Having rollers installed does help. But just trust us - stairs? carrying case weight on top of the amp? It's no joke.
Guitar Amp Features
Does the amp have tremolo? reverb? effects loop? Whatever the case may be, you want to take this into consideration as well if you're not planning to have a pedalboard that fixes most of these (pedalboard fixing a missing effects loop - not so much).
Investment
And lastly investment-ability. You should factor in, especially if you're paying for a higher end amp, whether or not the amp will be worth the price you paid for it later down the line or eventually worth more. Many musicians trade out their amps, or sell them, and want to get at least most of what they paid for it. The same goes for guitars - Nobody wants that BC Rich or lighting pink design on that Jackson guitar do they?
What it really all comes down to is what amp speaks to you~
It's good to note that most guitar amps can be bought much cheaper online compared to stores that raise their prices due to their inventory upkeep and storage. Also, through online you can purchase safely through reputable companies with great return policies. We've created a great list here for you guys. Hope you like it. If you have anything you would add, let us know in the comments at the bottom.
Related Articles
Guitarist Pedalboard Rundown - Courtney Barnett
We broke down what Guitarist, Courtney Barnett, is using on her live sets
Cool Guitar Gadgets
Technology is improving. To keep you up-to-speed, we have a list of some of the best guitar gadgets out today.
Unique Gifts For Guitar Players
Does your Significant other play Guitar? GuitarGearFreak.com riled up some awesome unique gifts for guitar players.