Fender makes many high quality electric guitar amplifiers.
When it comes time to purchase a guitar amplifier for your performance needs you will have a lot of things to consider.
There are a wide range of amps on the market and it can at times be confusing as to which one is best for you and your type of performance, your budget, and your tastes.
Let’s look at some of the things that you will need to keep in mind when you are shopping for a guitar amp and how you can choose the best amp for your needs and not spend too much in the process.
Tube or Solid State Amplifier – Which is Best?
The first thing that you will need to look at is whether you want to purchase a tube based amplifier or one that is solid state.
Tube based amps are able to deliver loud sound and warm tones easily, the problem is that they have a tendency to be high maintenance and run very hot when in use.
Tube amps can also be quite heavy, but they can produce a natural distortion that is popular with many guitarist when they are over driven.
Solid state amps are great for those who need to have a smaller footprint, lighter weight and more finite control.
While they run cooler and offer a clearer sound, they do not produce as loud of an output without additional power supplies being introduced. They are also more expensive, and when over driven they tend to produce a lot of back noise to the sound created.
Beginning guitar players often buy a guitar and amp package as one unit at first and don’t really need to get into all of the nitty gritty details, although it is good information to have and be aware of for the future. Many beginners start learning to play on a kids guitar and work themselves up from there as they get better.
Combo Amp or Head and Cabinet?
Next you will need to decide whether you are in need of a combo amp or one that is a head and cabinet option.
If you decide to go with a head and cabinet you will need to select not only the amp that you need, but also the speaker box that you will need to use with it. This means that you will have a little bit better control over the sound that is produced by being able to select the amp and speakers that will best serve you.
Head and cabinets are a more customizable option, but at the same time it can be more expensive and you have to worry about the compatibility of the amp with the cabinet. This is a more professional option, however and will afford the artist the chance to create a better end result.
Combo units are smaller and easier to transport, but they have a limited amount of power and dynamic range. They also have the disadvantage of being hotter, not being able to interlink as well with larger systems such as clubs and auditoriums and can produce distortion at lower output levels. Combo units are great for practice, small performance spaces, or even as a part of a sound chain for recording.
Now that you have a better idea of some of the things that you are look at when you are going to purchase a guitar amp, you may want to take a look at something like a Fender Mustang amp with an Ibanez RG2EX1, for your needs.
These amps can range in price from very basic to very expensive and the quality that you get will be determined by the amount that you are willing to spend on the product. Taking the time to investigate the items that you are considering beforehand will go a long way in getting yourself the best amp for your needs and budget.
