You have just bought your first electric guitar, and now you are wondering which amp to choose? That is normal: the amp market is vast, complex, and prices run from €50 to several thousand euros. This complete guide will help you make the right choice according to your budget, your musical style and where you will be playing.

Why an amp is essential

An electric guitar does not sound without an amp. Unlike an acoustic guitar, which produces sound naturally through its resonating body, an electric guitar picks up the strings’ vibrations through magnetic pickups and turns them into a weak electrical signal.

That signal has to be amplified to be audible. Without an amp, your €2,000 Les Paul will sound like a piece of wood with strings on it — thin, bodiless, characterless.

The amp is not just a loudspeaker: it shapes the sound. The same guitar tone will go from a crystalline clean on a Fender Twin, to a rock crunch on a Marshall, to metal saturation on a Mesa Boogie. The amp accounts for 50% of your sound (the other half being the guitar plus your fingers).

The amp: an investment as important as the guitar

Many beginners spend €400 on a guitar, then buy a €50 amp. That is a mistake. A good amp will flatter even an entry-level guitar, while a bad amp will hold back even a high-end one.

Golden rule: balance your guitar/amp budget. If you have €600 in total, aim for €300 of guitar plus €300 of amp rather than €500 of guitar plus €100 of amp.

The different types of amp

There are three main families of amp, each with its advantages and drawbacks.

1. Solid-state amps

How they work: they use transistors to amplify the signal.

Advantages:

  • Affordable price: the cheapest on the market (€50–300 at entry level)
  • Reliability: no maintenance, no valves to replace
  • Light: easy to carry
  • Stable sound: they sound the same cold or hot
  • Solid cleans: excellent clear, precise clean tones

Drawbacks:

  • Less musical saturation: the grain is drier and less warm than a valve amp
  • Less dynamic: they respond less well to playing nuances
  • Artificial compression: they lack that organic valve “feel”

Who for?

  • Beginners on a tight budget (under €200)
  • Guitarists playing mainly clean (jazz, funk)
  • Home practice without sensitive neighbours

Examples:

  • Boss Katana 50 MkII (€249) — the best value for money
  • Fender Mustang LT50 (€200)
  • Roland Cube (€150–250)

2. Valve amps (tubes)

How they work: they use vacuum tubes (valves) to amplify the signal.

Advantages:

  • Warm, organic sound: the natural grain of valves is incomparable
  • Exceptional dynamics: they respond wonderfully to playing nuances
  • Natural compression: when you push the amp, it compresses musically
  • Rich saturation: crunch and saturation sound rich and complex
  • The reference sound: this is THE sound of the great rock albums

Drawbacks:

  • High price: from €400 minimum for a genuinely good valve amp
  • Heavy: transformers and valves add weight
  • Maintenance: valves have to be replaced (every 2–5 years, €50–150)
  • Fragile: sensitive to knocks and rough handling
  • Loud: they sound best pushed hard, which is a problem in a flat

Who for?

  • Intermediate/experienced guitarists chasing THE sound
  • A comfortable budget (€400 minimum)
  • Rock, blues, metal styles
  • Practising in a house or a rehearsal room

Examples:

  • Laney IRT Studio (€449) — excellent value with attenuation
  • Marshall DSL20HR (€599) — the iconic Marshall sound
  • Fender Blues Junior (€500–600) — the reference American clean

3. Modelling amps (digital)

How they work: they use digital processors to simulate different types of amp and effect.

Advantages:

  • Extreme versatility: they emulate dozens of different amps
  • Built-in effects: delay, reverb, chorus and so on, already in the amp
  • Excellent for learning: explore every style without buying ten amps
  • Value for money: a lot of features for the price
  • Practical: headphone output, USB recording
  • Controllable volume: they sound good even at low volume

Drawbacks:

  • Complexity: it can be bewildering for a beginner (too much choice)
  • Digital sound: purists find it less organic than a real valve amp
  • Obsolescence: the technology moves fast
  • Learning curve: it takes time to master all the settings

Who for?

  • Beginners wanting to explore every style
  • Home studio and recording
  • Eclectic guitarists playing several styles
  • Home practice (sensitive neighbours)

Examples:

  • Boss Katana 50 MkII (€249) — the king of affordable modelling
  • Positive Grid Spark (€270) — aimed at practice and fun
  • Line 6 Spider (€150–300)

4. Hybrid amps

How they work: they combine transistors and valves (generally valves in the preamp, transistors in the power amp).

Advantages:

  • A compromise between valve sound and the price and practicality of transistors
  • More affordable than full-valve amps
  • Warmer character than pure solid state

Drawbacks:

  • Neither fully valve nor fully solid state
  • They do not sound as good as real valve amps

Who for?

  • A mid-range budget looking for a compromise
  • A stepping stone towards valves

Examples:

  • Orange Micro Dark (€200)
  • Blackstar HT-1R (€300)

Understanding power

Power in watts is the criterion beginners misunderstand most. Here is the truth.

Power ≠ volume

A 100-watt amp is not twice as loud as a 50-watt amp. In reality, you have to multiply the power by ten to double the perceived volume.

  • 10W: home practice, audible in a flat
  • 20–30W: rehearsals with an acoustic drum kit
  • 50W: small and medium stages
  • 100W: large stages and stadiums

Valves vs transistors

A 20W valve amp sounds much louder than a 50W solid-state amp. Why? Valves naturally compress the signal, which gives a greater perception of volume.

Rough rule:

  • 20W valve ≈ 50W solid state
  • 50W valve ≈ 100W solid state

To start out: what power?

Flat:

  • 10–20W valve with attenuation
  • 20–50W modelling
  • Or a headphone output

House:

  • 20–30W valve
  • 50W solid state/modelling

Rehearsal room:

  • 30W+ valve
  • 50W+ solid state/modelling

Attenuation: the modern solution

Modern amps often offer power attenuation (power scaling). For example, a 20W amp can be attenuated to 10W, 1W or even 0.1W.

That is brilliant because you can push the amp into its sweet spot (where it sounds best) while staying at domestic volume.

Examples:

  • Laney IRT Studio: 15W / 1W / 0.1W
  • Marshall DSL20HR: 20W / 10W
  • Boss Katana: 50W / 25W / 0.5W

The essential selection criteria

1. Budget

This is criterion number one. Here are the realistic brackets:

€50–150: entry-level solid state

  • Decent quality to get started
  • Limited features
  • Examples: Fender Frontman, Marshall MG

€150–300: quality modelling or premium solid state

  • Excellent value for money
  • Versatility and features
  • Examples: Boss Katana 50, Positive Grid Spark

€300–500: entry into valves or high-end modelling

  • Clearly superior sound quality
  • Entry-level valve amps become possible
  • Examples: Fender Blues Junior (used), Laney IRT Studio

€500–1,000: quality valve amps

  • Professional sound
  • Premium build
  • Examples: Marshall DSL20HR, Vox AC15, Fender Deluxe Reverb (used)

€1,000+: professional amps

  • Not your concern as a beginner

2. Musical style

Your style strongly influences the choice:

Blues / jazz:

  • Favour cleans and light crunch
  • Amps: Fender (American clean), Vox (British clean)
  • Tight budget: Boss Katana in Clean mode

Classic rock / hard rock:

  • You need good crunch and lead
  • Amps: Marshall (the rock reference), Orange
  • Tight budget: Boss Katana, Marshall MG

Metal:

  • You need extreme saturation
  • Amps: Mesa Boogie, Peavey, EVH
  • Tight budget: Boss Katana in Brown mode, or a distortion pedal plus a neutral amp

Versatile / exploring:

  • You need every sound
  • Amps: modelling (Boss Katana, Line 6, Positive Grid)

3. Where you will play

Flat with neighbours:

  • Favour modelling with a headphone output
  • Or valve amps with strong attenuation (0.1–1W)
  • Or mini USB desktop amps (5W)

House with no constraints:

  • Every type works
  • 20–50W is amply enough

Rehearsal room:

  • 30W valve or 50W solid state minimum
  • Favour robustness (Boss, Marshall)

Home studio recording:

  • A line/USB output is essential
  • Modelling is very well suited (Boss Katana, Neural DSP)
  • Or valve amps plus speaker emulation

4. Combo or head plus cabinet?

Combo (amp and speaker in one):

  • Advantages: all-in-one, simple, cheaper
  • Drawbacks: less modular, heavier to carry
  • Recommended to start with

Head plus cabinet (separate):

  • Advantages: modular, upgradeable, potentially better sound
  • Drawbacks: more expensive (two items to buy), bulky
  • For experienced players

Budget and recommendations

Very tight budget: €50–150

At this budget, aim for a decent entry-level solid state or a basic modelling amp.

Best choices:

  1. Fender Frontman 10G (~€60) — the acceptable minimum
  2. Boss Katana Mini (~€100) — compact, modelling, headphone output
  3. Blackstar Fly 3 (~€80) — a nice little desktop amp

Our advice: if you can, save another €100 and step up to a Boss Katana 50 at €249. The difference in quality is enormous.

Sensible budget: €200–300

This is the sweet spot for starting out. You reach quality amps that will stay with you for years.

Best choices:

  1. Boss Katana 50 MkII (€249) — BEST BEGINNER CHOICE

    • Exceptional versatility
    • 60+ built-in effects
    • Headphone/USB output
    • Excellent sound quality
    • Expandable via software

  2. Positive Grid Spark (€270) — the modern alternative

    • Smartphone interface
    • Built-in coaching
    • Fun and educational

  3. Fender Mustang LT50 (€200) — a solid competitor

    • Recognisable Fender sound
    • Built-in effects
    • Fewer features than the Katana

Why the Katana 50 is king:

  • Unbeatable value for money
  • Convincing tones in every style
  • Long-lived: usable for 5–10 years minimum
  • Easy to resell if you move on
  • Endorsed by beginners AND by pros as a back-up amp

Comfortable budget: €400–600

You reach entry-level valve amps or high-end modelling.

Best choices:

  1. Laney IRT Studio (€449) plus a cabinet (~€200) = €649 in total

    • Genuine valve sound
    • 0.1W attenuation, brilliant for a flat
    • Rock/metal oriented
    • Emulated out for recording

  2. Marshall DSL20HR (€599) plus a cabinet (~€250) = €849 in total

    • THE authentic Marshall sound
    • Built-in reverb
    • 2 versatile channels
    • A long-term investment

  3. Fender Blues Junior (€500–600 used)

    • The legendary Fender clean
    • All-in-one combo
    • Perfect for blues/rock/jazz

Our advice: if you know you will be playing for a long time, a valve amp like the Laney IRT Studio is an excellent investment. Otherwise, stick with a Boss Katana and put the difference into a better guitar or some pedals.

Large budget: €800+

At this stage you are leaving the “beginner” bracket. Every professional amp is open to you (Marshall JCM800, Mesa Boogie, Fender Deluxe Reverb and so on).

Our advice: as a beginner, do not spend €1,000+ on an amp. Get a Katana 50 at €249 and put the rest into:

  • A better guitar
  • Guitar lessons
  • Effects pedals
  • A good cable and accessories

You will upgrade the amp in two or three years, when you really know what you are looking for.

The brands to know

The essential brands

Fender (USA)

  • Speciality: crystalline American cleans
  • Sounds: jazz, blues, country, rock
  • Range: €200 (Frontman) to €2,000+ (Deluxe Reverb, Twin)
  • Reputation: the absolute reference for clean tones

Marshall (UK)

  • Speciality: British rock crunch and saturation
  • Sounds: rock, hard rock, metal
  • Range: €150 (MG) to €3,000+ (JCM800, Plexi)
  • Reputation: the iconic rock sound for 60 years

Boss/Roland (Japan)

  • Speciality: quality modelling and solid state
  • Sounds: versatile, every style
  • Range: €100 (Katana Mini) to €600 (Katana Artist)
  • Reputation: Japanese reliability, value for money

Vox (UK)

  • Speciality: chimey British cleans
  • Sounds: 60s rock, indie, alternative
  • Range: €300 (AC10) to €2,000+ (AC30)
  • Reputation: the sound of the Beatles and U2

Orange (UK)

  • Speciality: modern rock and metal
  • Sounds: rock, stoner, metal
  • Range: €200 (Micro Dark) to €2,500+ (Rockerverb)
  • Reputation: iconic orange looks, massive sound

Solid brands for beginners

Blackstar (UK) — excellent value, rock/metal oriented Laney (UK) — good value, affordable valve amps Peavey (USA) — robust, affordable, versatile Positive Grid (USA) — modern modelling with a smartphone app

Brands to avoid when starting out

Beware of the “no-name” amps sold in guitar-plus-amp bundles at €150 for the pair. These amps sound bad and will discourage you. Always favour a recognised brand.

Mistakes to avoid

Mistake 1: buying too much power

A beginner buys a 100W Marshall because “it’s a real Marshall”. The result: impossible to push it without deafening the neighbours, and the amp sounds cold and hard at low volume.

Solution: 20–50W maximum to start. Favour attenuation.

Mistake 2: skimping on the amp for the guitar

€600 budget → €500 guitar plus €100 amp = mediocre sound.

Solution: balance guitar and amp. A €300 guitar plus a €300 amp will sound better.

Mistake 3: buying an amp unsuited to your situation

Buying a 50W valve amp with no attenuation for a flat.

Solution: be realistic about your situation. Flat = modelling, or valves with attenuation.

Mistake 4: focusing on the brand alone

“I want a Marshall because it’s a Marshall” — without considering that entry-level Marshalls (MG) are solid state and sound worse than a Boss Katana.

Solution: favour sound quality, not just the logo.

Mistake 5: buying without trying

Ordering an amp online without having tried it, then discovering it does not match your expectations.

Solution: try it in a shop if you can. Otherwise, buy from a retailer with easy returns.

Mistake 6: forgetting the accessories

Buying a valve head but forgetting you need a cabinet (another €200–400).

Solution: budget for the whole rig. Head plus cabinet, or an all-in-one combo to start.

FAQ

Can I play without an amp, using headphones?

No. Ordinary headphones will not work plugged straight into your guitar. The guitar’s signal is too weak and at a different impedance.

Solutions:

  1. An amp with a headphone output (Boss Katana and the like)
  2. A USB audio interface plus virtual amp software (free: Amplitube, BIAS FX)
  3. A mini desktop amp with a headphone output (Vox Amplug, ~€40)

What is the difference between 8 ohms and 16 ohms?

That is the impedance of the speaker. You have to match your amp’s impedance with your cabinet’s, otherwise you risk damaging the amp.

Rule: always check that the cabinet’s impedance matches the output of your amp (usually marked on the amp: “8 ohms” or “16 ohms”).

Combo or stack (head plus cabinet)?

To start: combo. It is all-in-one, simple and cheaper.

Stack = for experienced players who want to shape their sound by changing cabinets, or who need a lot of volume.

My amp buzzes or makes noise — is that normal?

Slight hiss: normal, especially on valve amps or with high gain.

Loud buzzing or crackling: not normal. Possible causes:

  • A faulty cable (test with another one)
  • A flat battery in the guitar (if it has active electronics)
  • A faulty valve (valve amps)
  • A dirty potentiometer (turning the knobs can help temporarily)

Should I buy a new or a used amp?

Used can be an excellent deal if you know what you are looking for. A Fender Blues Junior at €400 used is a better investment than a new €400 solid state.

But be careful:

  • Valve amps need maintenance (check the state of the valves)
  • Favour recognised brands when buying used
  • Test before buying
  • For a first purchase, new is safer (warranty, returns)

Is a 10W amp loud enough to rehearse with?

10W valve: yes, amply enough to rehearse with an acoustic drum kit.

10W solid state: borderline, it depends on the drummer. Prefer 20–30W.

Can I plug pedals into any amp?

Yes. All pedals go between the guitar and the amp (or in the effects loop if the amp has one).

Classic order: guitar → overdrive/distortion → modulation (chorus, phaser) → delay → reverb → amp

Boss Katana or an entry-level valve amp?

Boss Katana 50 (€249) if:

  • You are starting out
  • You play several styles
  • You have volume constraints
  • You want versatility

A valve amp (Laney IRT Studio, €449) if:

  • You know you will be playing for a long time
  • You put pure sound quality first
  • You mainly play rock/metal
  • You can make noise, or you have attenuation

Our view: Katana first. A valve amp in two or three years, when you know what you are looking for.

Conclusion: our ultimate recommendation for beginners

After years of testing and experience, here is our clear recommendation.

The perfect choice for 95% of beginners

Boss Katana 50 MkII (€249)

Why?

  • Unbeatable value for money
  • Versatility to explore every style
  • Excellent sound quality
  • 60+ built-in effects (pedals saved)
  • Headphone output for silent practice
  • USB interface for recording
  • Long-lived: you will be able to keep it for years
  • Easy to resell if you move on

It is the amp we would recommend to our own child taking up the guitar.

Alternative on a very tight budget

Boss Katana Mini (€100) — the compact version of the Katana, less powerful but excellent quality for the price.

Alternative if you know you will play rock/metal for a long time

Laney IRT Studio (€449) plus a 1x12“ cabinet (€200) = €649 in total

A bigger investment, but authentic valve sound and attenuation down to 0.1W to play in a flat.

Going further

Our detailed amp reviews:

Prices are indicative.