by Steve Smithion

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: August 13, 2008

So you've saved up your hard-earned money and you're champing at the bit to purchase that bigger and better amplifier. But where do you start? Today we're spoilt for choice, which is great, but it makes the buying process a little more difficult. This article aims to help you make the right choice and leave you satisfied with your purchase.

The Process:

The first step is to decide between solid state (transistor) and valve. Most guitarists will tell you valve is best, end of. To a degree I couldn't agree more; no solid state can match the superior, warm tone of valves, however valve is not always best. Valve amplifiers are generally more expensive, require more care, and to get that almighty tone you have to crank up the volume - the neighbours might not appreciate that! The solid state, although not tonally as sophisticated, has a consistent tone regardless of the volume and with new technologies such as FDD (frequency dependant damping) solid states can now replicate the tone of valves reasonable well. The deciding factor here should be the application; if you're just going to be practicing in the bedroom then solid state is the way to go, whereas a valve is best suited for live performances.

As far as wattage goes, 100 watts is suffice in a stack/half stack arrangement (i.e. head and cabinet) and 50 watts in a combo (amplifier and speaker enclosed together) although obviously if you require more volume you can opt for a higher watt output.

When it comes to choosing your new amp, never buy without playing the amp itself - for this reason I don't advise buying online (it's not worth the risk). If possible play a similar guitar to that of which you own through the amp so you get an accurate indication of how it will sound with your gear. Also, if you are buying a stack or half stack try a few varying cabinets - you've got a wide range of options in terms of speakers which will have their own individual characteristics (they can suit individual genres as well).

It's best to go into a large store with lots of choice and having a precise criteria in which the amp must fit. In reality it's impossible to try every possible amp you might like, so you just have to make the most of what's there. When you're in the store, ask whoever's serving you what they recommend and why, and tell them exactly what you're looking for (e.g. a valve head with a smooth bluesy sound, or a high gain transistor combo for metal) and give a budget which you can't exceed. Don't feel rushed to make a decision. Remember, choosing your amp is down to your personal preferences and you shouldn't be influenced by what is popular or is the most expensive for that matter.

Once you've made your decision and parted with the cash, all that's left to do is plug in, turn up and enjoy.

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