Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Top 5 Guitar Amps for Beginners


Most beginner guitarists who are just starting out go for an acoustic guitar, but often it doesn’t hurt to go straight for the electric if that’s what you’re passionate about learning! The difference is that it requires a slightly higher investment on your part, but if you’re committed to seeing it through and making an effort to learn fast, it can be well worth it.

Thankfully, you can pick up fairly cheap guitar amps around Melbourne if you’re looking in the right places. If you have just bought yourself an axe, it’s probably worth buying something on the small side that is inexpensive. Chances are it’ll take a little while to get to the point where you can appreciate the sound that a top quality amp produces. Here are a few we’d recommend with average prices.

Orange Micro Crush ($79-$90)


Orange Micro Crush
www.dv247.com
One of the cheapest reliable battery-powered amps out there, the Orange Micro Crush is an award-winning amplifier suitable for players of all skill levels. It ticks all the boxes for things you want in a first amplifier, including practicability, affordability and performance.

While it’s only 5 inches tall, the Micro Crush produces a pretty solid sound and even has an overdrive feature. It can be transported very easily and also comes with a chromatic tuner, which is handy while you’re learning to tune by yourself. 

Fender Mustang Mini ($179-$200)


In the same class as the Micro Crush, the Mustang Mini is also a lightweight, portable and battery powered amplifier that packs in enough features and sound options to make the perfect practice amp. While it’s a slightly more expensive option, this amp comes with a bunch of additional features and of course, Fender’s world-renowned tone technology.

Weighing on just over 3kgs, the Mustang Mini can be battery powered or plugged into the wall, has USB and digital recording output ports, a built-in tuner and more effects and sound options to keep you amused for years to come. If you find a sound you like, you can also save it and use later with the push of a button. What more could you want as a beginner guitarist?

Roland CUBE-80GX ($600-700)




If you’re looking to learn and potentially do some home recording in the future, but don’t want to fork out the big bucks just yet, the Cube-80GX is probably a good move. Producing a reliable sound and tone, this model has an impressive 80 watts of power behind it and is often relied on for stage performances. So there’s no lack of power here.
Additionally, this model also has iOS compatibility, meaning you can plug it straight into your iPhone or Mac and record straight onto an app.



Line-6 Spider IV 75 ($600-$800)


This model has as many effects and preset tones as you could ever want and is generally seen as one of the more versatile amps on the market. While it’s particularly popular with heavy rock artists, it can be used to produce just about anything you want out of it and has easy, adjustable FX options, great for beginners. It’s as easy as turning a dial and you’re browsing through a bunch of different sounds.

You might describe it as the most comprehensive and fully loaded amp on this list. Add that to the fact that the previous Spider 3 line was the best-selling amp in Australia, and you’ve got more than a bunch of good reasons to make this you're first.


Marshall DSL15C ($799-$900)




Marshall amplifiers have more or less become the standard to which other amps are held to and the most widely used by professionals. The DSL range has been critically acclaimed for decades and used by some of the biggest names in music. So it’s certainly a good place to start!

If you’re willing to fork out a little more, you can pick up the excellent all-around DSL15C, an amp that performs well across the board with an amazing tonal range. As far as value for money goes, this is the pick of the bunch and is a good option no matter what sound you want to create. Plus, it’s likely that this will still get the job done 5 or even 10 years down the track when you’re a much more accomplished guitarist - it can even get the job done as a stage amp if necessary.

So there you have it - our top pick guitar amplifiers for beginners! If you need help figuring out which one is for you, drop Guitar Paradise a line, we’d be glad to help you out.