The best electric guitar amps in the UK 2023

Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned guitarist, electric guitar amps offer good sound reproduction and emphasize different effects and styles when strumming. But to get the most out of them, you'll need to choose a device that's right for your instrument and your talent. Check out this guide for an overview of the best electric guitar amps.

Marshall MG15GFX 1
8/10

Editor's Choice

Marshall MG15GFX

Best Marshall electric guitar amp

This Marshall amp is perfect for playing electric guitar at home. With a power of 15 W and 4 channels, you gain a pleasant and comfortable sound for small rooms.

119 £ on Thomann

Whether you're an aspiring musician or a professional, this electric guitar amp will allow you to practice at home. The 15W power output may not be enthusiastic, but for small rooms, it does the trick; especially since the amp has 4 channels, an effects processor and a digital reverb. The experience is much more successful and immersive when you choose to connect the amp to headphones and practice without disturbing anyone.

Although the description talks about an electric guitar amp with a line out for recording, the actual unit does not come with one, so it is not compatible with recording software. In any case, this Marshall amp has a pretty wide range of effect settings. It's not enough to satisfy a Rolling Stone guitarist, but it's perfect for beginners, progress, practice and fun at home.

Fender Frontman 10G 2
7/10

Best Value

Fender Frontman 10G

Best cheap Fender electric guitar amp

It's not always easy to find a Fender electric guitar amp for less than 100€, but we found this one for beginners.

54,40 £ on Thomann

Two arguments always come up in the feedbacks about this cheap electric guitar amp: the design and the compactness. With dimensions of 28 x 26 x 14 cm, indeed, it finds its place in small apartments and even in the trunk of the car when traveling (it weighs only 3.8 kg more!). On the other hand, we choose such a device for its performance and not for its design, so let's talk about it.

A power of 10 W and a single-channel sound, it does not always seduce professionals. However, beginners and intermediate players will find in the clean sound and overdrive an opportunity to play like the big boys. Various effects are available: the crunch sound is fine, except when the gain is pushed a little too high, because the sound becomes saturated. Moral of the story: attack the riffs gently! And, of course, with such characteristics, this Fender amp is made to play solo.

Vox AC30 C2 3
9/10

Portable

Vox AC30 C2

Best high-end electric guitar amp

"A real rock beast" is how we would describe this Vox guitar amp with its very British sound. An imposing device, but which imposes itself with the original design of the brand.

710 £ on Thomann

Vox claims 30W of power for this electric guitar amp, but the sound quickly shakes a room if you don't moderate the Master Volume. Nothing more normal, given that it is a tube model very reactive to your way of playing. Musical signature guaranteed! You would have understood: this is a professional Vox amp, a beast that you have to learn to tame before being fully satisfied.

Of course, this Vox electric guitar amp weighs a lot: 32 kg, that's not nothing. But it contains two 12" speakers, so it is understandable. The unit also has 2 channels (Normal and Top boost), a cabinet output and a pedal connection. The Vox signature is easily felt through the clear and crystalline sound that warms up by pushing the volume. If metal fans will have a hard time, rock fans are well spoiled.

Boss Katana Mini 4
7/10

Boss Katana Mini

Best portable electric guitar amp

£ on Thomann
Buying guide • November 2023

Best electric guitar amp

Any specific needs?

Best Marshall electric guitar amp

Best cheap Fender electric guitar amp

Best high-end electric guitar amp

Best portable electric guitar amp

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best electric guitar amps

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE VERY GOOD
Marshall MG15GFX 5
8/10
Fender Frontman 10G 6
7/10
Vox AC30 C2 7
9/10
Boss Katana Mini 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Marshall MG15GFX
Fender Frontman 10G
Vox AC30 C2
Boss Katana Mini
This Marshall amp is perfect for playing electric guitar at home. With a power of 15 W and 4 channels, you gain a pleasant and comfortable sound for small rooms.
It's not always easy to find a Fender electric guitar amp for less than 100€, but we found this one for beginners.
"A real rock beast" is how we would describe this Vox guitar amp with its very British sound. An imposing device, but which imposes itself with the original design of the brand.
Power
15 W
10 W
30 W
Number of channels
4
1
2
Effects
Reverb
Weight
7.7 kg
3.8 kg
32 kg

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Buying guide - electric guitar amp

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How to choose your electric guitar amp

Electric guitar amplifiers come in countless models, sizes, brands, prices... In short, making the right choice seems to be a difficult, almost impossible mission. To make it easier for you to find the right model, we've put together the most important criteria to consider before making your final purchase.
choisir ampli de guitare électrique

#1 - The power

The choice of the power of your future electric guitar amp will depend mainly on your needs and your ambitions. If you plan to use it only at home, a small amp of maximum 30 W will be enough (tube amp from 5 to 20 W or transistor amp up to 30 W). However, if you plan to use it with your band, it is better to choose a more powerful model, of about 50 to 100 W. For a professional use (concert for example), choose a power ranging from 100 to 300 W.

#2 - Ease of adjustment

Pay particular attention to the effects and channels available on the electric guitar amp. The number of elements (inputs and outputs) that you will be able to connect to it is based on the number of channels. So, the more channels the better. As for effects such as reverb, flanger, distortion..., they will allow you to adapt the sound to your desires, giving you the opportunity to produce a plethora of sounds and musical styles.

#3 - The type of electric guitar

Not all amps are suitable for all electric guitars. Basically, powerful amps are best if you have a full or all-electric guitar. Acoustic-electrics (with a hollow part) require less power. In any case, the electric guitar amp must be able to avoid the flaws of your guitar at all times while producing intense sounds.

#4 - Dimensions and weight

The ergonomics, dimensions and weight of your electric guitar amp relate mostly to the use you intend to make of the equipment. For home use, choose a model that can match your home decor, that you won't move or carry around frequently. On the contrary, a light and compact amp is perfect for professional guitarists and musicians who often go on tour or perform.

#5 - The level of the guitarist

Each type of electric guitar amp is aimed at a specific level. Assuming you're just starting out, transistor amps as well as digital modeling amps are highly recommended. They are inexpensive and very easy to handle. An experienced guitarist is well advised to choose a hybrid amp. Tube amps, on the other hand, will please the professionals thanks to their warm resonance and their exquisite playing dynamics.

How does an electric guitar amp work?


As its name suggests, an electric guitar amp is used to amplify the guitar sound it receives, in the form of an electrical signal. It will increase the volume produced by the guitar and will make this sound more musical and warmer. An important point about the amp is that it also gives the guitarist the power to control the degree of transformation and amplification of the sound produced.

Basically, the guitarist produces a sound by strumming the strings. The guitar's pickups transform this sound into an electrical signal. This signal is then transferred to the amplifier, usually through a cable. The amp then amplifies or transforms this electrical signal from the guitar before transmitting it to the speaker. Finally, the loudspeaker transforms this amplified electrical signal into sound again, but this time with a higher volume.

An amp is composed of a preamplifier and a power stage. These are the two elements that allow a signal to be amplified perfectly. This is what we call the amplification regime. They will amplify this signal further, transform it to a saturation regime.

Electric guitar amps offer different functions depending on the model. Some offer basic tones and volumes. Others offer more advanced features such as pre-equalization, emulation capabilities, etc.

Tube or transistor electric guitar amp ?

Electric guitar tube amp

A tube electric guitar amp is essential to get a better tone out of your instrument. Indeed, even the strength of the musician's stroke can influence the sound with this type of amplifier. The variations of the signals coming from your electric guitar are represented more accurately. Furthermore, it has a character to be more powerful for their power ratings compared to transistor amps that have identical specifications. That is, a 50 watt tube amp will generally be much louder than a 50 watt solid state amp.

One reason to choose this type of amp is its responsiveness. It has a subtlety that allows each electric guitar player to create a unique sound signature. On the other hand, you need to turn up the volume all the way to get the perfect sound from the tube electric guitar amp. This can harm your ears and the overall sound of your song. Also, it is quite heavy and the tubes in it are quite fragile, which can be aggravated if you move it hot.

Transistor electric guitar amp

This type of electric guitar amp is often more reliable. It uses transistors instead of tubes. Offering smooth and bright tones, it is suitable for fairly quiet musical styles like modern jazz. This means that it delivers clear, crisp, clean sounds. It's also much lighter than a tube amp, and requires no maintenance.

In addition, the transistor electric guitar amp consumes less power and does not produce excessive heat. It's also easier to transport. In short, it's the favorite of musicians because of its many qualities. Unfortunately, it is less dynamic and less responsive than a tube electric guitar amp. In case of malfunction, it is difficult to repair it yourself because of the small components that make it up.

Verdict

Between these 2 types of electric guitar amps, base your choice on your preferences, your environmental needs and your budget. The transistor electric guitar amp is suitable for home use because of its weight and advantages. But the sound quality of a tube electric guitar amp compared to others may surprise you!

Why buy an electric guitar amp?

Lightweight and portable

Electric guitar amps are fairly light and therefore portable. For a gigging musician, especially someone in a band who needs to run through several tones during a set, a modeling amp can be a great way to accomplish this with a single amplifier without lugging around several amps and a massive pedalboard.

Versatile

Options abound when it comes to electric guitar amps. Some models of electric guitar amps are equipped with Bluetooth, USB, and WiFi to connect to the Internet, allowing them to receive new features and hardware upgrades, which turn your amp into a more multi-use and versatile accessory for amplifying your external devices as well.

Reliable

Many electric guitar amp models faithfully recreate your selected settings over and over again, barring any major problems. The signal never changes and there's no way to overload the amp, making them easier to maintain.

Pleasing to the ears

Electric guitar amps are best known for their exceptional warmth. They generate less warmth, depth and grit, but also less dynamics. Surprisingly, this last point is where one of their advantages comes into play: they deliver almost constant sound quality, regardless of volume. They are pleasant to the ear, something you can't explain in a lab. Your audience's ears can't get enough of the sound of an electric guitar amp. The warmth acts like a blanket, soothing the ears.

Less maintenance

As with many things in the world of guitars and amplifiers, it comes down to what's best for you. What drives most people to opt for a good electric guitar amp is mainly that it requires less maintenance.

Tips

Start with the basic settings

The settings of your amp play an important role in the quality of the sound emitted. If you're new to using an amp, it's a good idea to put all the settings in the 12 o'clock position to get a neutral tone. Then, as you progress, you can experiment with different types of tone and see the sound effect produced.

Avoid too high a gain

Many guitarists tend to turn the gain settings all the way up in an effort to get a fat sound, ideal for rock and metal. However, be aware that the higher the gain, the more compressed the sound will be. So it's better to stay on a reasonable gain so that your guitar doesn't lose its natural tone.

Protect the lamps of your amp

Note that a tube amplifier is more fragile, because the tubes themselves are very fragile. These tubes have a "stand-by" switch that allows them to heat up and cool down smoothly without the guitar signal getting through. To protect them as much as possible, be sure to leave the stand-by switch on for a minute when you turn on the amp and before you turn it off.

Remember to wear headphones or earplugs

You should be aware that the sound emitted by your amp will eventually damage your delicate eardrums. That's why it's essential to wear headphones or earplugs to reduce the volume. Custom earplugs are the best choice, as they allow you to control the level of reduction. However, note that they are a bit more expensive.

Mark your settings

When transporting your amp, the knobs may be moved slightly. So, to avoid losing your ideal settings, make small marks with a felt pen at the level of these. Of course, this solution applies to those whose amp does not offer the option of saving presets.

FAQ

What type of electric guitar amp is best suited for an experienced guitarist?

For the advanced guitarist looking for better acoustics, a hybrid electric guitar amp is a great fit. This accessory combines tube and transistor technology in one to deliver great sound. The tube provides a warm sound. The power is optimally maintained by the transistors. Such a device is offered at a reasonable price.

How do you connect an electric guitar amp to a mixer?

In general, the mixer has 3 types of outputs, including RCA (unbalanced signal), XLR (signal can be mono/stereo and balanced/unbalanced) and 6.35 jack (unbalanced signal). The electric guitar amp has the same ports, but in input mode this time. So all you have to do is match the inputs to the appropriate outputs.

How do I adjust the volume of an electric guitar amp?

You can adjust the volume of your electric guitar amp to suit your needs. If you have a tube amp, you can set the volume with a knob. Of course, you need to take into account where you are, as the sound quality differs from place to place. Do some tests before playing.

Is it possible to use two electric guitar amps at the same time?

Yes, it's possible. You just have to make sure that both amps have an effect loop. In case you want to enjoy the benefits of both at the same time, we advise you to get an electrically isolated box called A/B box with one input and two outputs. If it has a phase inverter, it will be even more convenient.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , bestreviews.com
  2. , thewirecutter.com
  3. , guitargearfinder.com
  4. , guitarverdict.com
  5. , reviewingthis.com
  6. , soundreview.org
  7. , stars-music.fr
  8. , instrumentdemusique.org
  9. , guitariste.com
  10. , musiqueguitare.fr
  11. , sonovente.com
  12. , woodbrass.com
  13. , cultura.com
  14. , instrumentdemusique.org
  15. , gear4music.fr
  16. , woodbrass.com
  17. , stars-music.fr
  18. , laguitarefingerstyle.com
  19. , guitariste.com
  20. , bfmtv.com
  21. , hguitare.com
  22. , amazon.co.uk
  23. , fr.euroguitar.com
  24. , michenaud.com
  25. , fr.audiofanzine.com
  26. , ampli-guitare.net
  27. , bax-shop.fr
  28. , instrumentdemusique.org
  29. , leboncoin.fr
  30. , meilleuresavis.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Marshall MG15GFX 9
Marshall MG15GFX
Fender Frontman 10G 10
Fender Frontman 10G
Vox AC30 C2 11
Vox AC30 C2
Boss Katana Mini 12
Boss Katana Mini

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