November 2023
Guitar Amplifiers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of guitar amplifiers rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2023.
Summary
On 10 Nov 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 108 guitar amp endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
82 guitar amps were endorsed in total, only 18 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 10 Nov 2023, Positive Grid Spark takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed guitar amp with 3 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 3 recommended it as the '#1 guitar amp' this month.
Brand breakdown
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Fender: 17 guitar amps
(#1 is Fender Mustang LT25)
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Marshall: 9 guitar amps
(#1 is Marshall MG50CFX)
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Blackstar: 7 guitar amps
(#1 is Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII)
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Orange Amps: 6 guitar amps
(#1 is Orange Crush 20)
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Boss: 4 guitar amps
(#1 is Boss Katana 50 MkII)
Price breakdown
At a glance - November Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Guitar Amp |
Music Critic
|
Guitar World
|
Loud Beats
|
Consordini
|
Gearank
|
BestReviews
|
BestCovery
|
GuitarPlayer
|
Ledger Note
|
Music Radar
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $299 |
Positive Grid Spark
The Positive Grid Spark is a versatile and portable digital guitar amplifier with customizable sound options, Bluetooth connectivity, and a companion app, making it ideal for practice sessions and small performances.
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | $149 |
Orange Crush 20
The Orange Crush 20 guitar amplifier is highly praised for its exceptional sound quality, versatility, power, and durability, making it a reliable choice for guitarists in various use cases.
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-
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-
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3
|
-
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2
|
3
|
-
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-
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2
|
-
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|
3
|
- | $160 |
Fender Mustang LT25
The Fender Mustang LT25 is a versatile and affordable solid-state combo amplifier with built-in effects and amp modeling, making it ideal for home use, practice, and small gigs.
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-
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-
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-
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1
|
1
|
-
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-
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-
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-
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-
|
|
4
|
- | Check price |
Marshall MG50CFX
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-
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-
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1
|
-
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-
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-
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-
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-
|
1
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $598 |
Vox AC15
The Vox AC15 is a highly regarded tube amplifier known for its warm, rich sound and classic British rock tone, making it a versatile and powerful option for guitarists in various musical settings.
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-
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5
|
7
|
-
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-
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4
|
-
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-
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-
|
11
|
|
6
|
- | Check price |
Mesa Boogie Mark V
The Mesa Boogie Mark V is a highly versatile and powerful guitar amplifier that offers exceptional sound quality, versatility, and durability, making it a top choice for professional musicians and enthusiasts, especially in genres like metal.
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-
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13
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9
|
-
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-
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-
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2
|
-
|
-
|
19
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|
7
|
- | $199 |
Orange Micro Dark
The Orange Micro Dark is a hybrid amplifier that combines the warm tone of a tube amp with the reliability and affordability of a solid-state amp, making it a powerful and versatile option for aggressive rock and metal genres.
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1
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-
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-
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4
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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8
|
- | $452 |
Marshall AS50D
The Marshall AS50D is a highly recommended acoustic guitar amplifier that excels in sound quality, power, connectivity, portability, and durability, making it a versatile and reliable choice for acoustic musicians.
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3
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-
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-
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6
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-
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-
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6
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-
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-
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-
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|
9
|
- | $159 |
Orange Micro Terror
The Orange Micro Terror is a highly regarded hybrid amplifier that combines a tube preamp stage with a solid-state amp stage, delivering a clear and defined tone with a distinct Orange "growl and bite," making it a versatile and portable option for musicians.
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-
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-
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-
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3
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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|
10
|
- | $260 |
Boss Katana 50 MkII
The Boss Katana 50 MkII is a versatile and powerful amplifier that has received positive feedback from experts for its sound quality, range of features, and portability.
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3
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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4
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14
|
- | $300 |
Peavey Vypyr VIP 2
The Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 is a versatile and affordable guitar amplifier that offers a wide range of features and functions, making it a reliable choice for guitarists on a budget.
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7
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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3
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-
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15
|
- | $849 |
Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 20 Deluxe
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-
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7
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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6
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-
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-
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16
|
- | $600 |
Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII
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-
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9
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6
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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|
17
|
- | Check price |
Marshall DSL100H
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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12
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-
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5
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-
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18
|
- | $1050 |
Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb
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-
|
10
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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8
|
-
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-
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|
19
|
- | $2600 |
EVH 5150III 50W EL34
The EVH 5150III 50W EL34 guitar amplifier head is a highly versatile and praised amp, perfect for metal players and lead guitarists, with its high-gain sound, EL34 tubes, three channels, and 50 watts of power.
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-
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5
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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15
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|
20
|
- | $1449 |
Victory V40 The Duchess
The Victory V40 The Duchess is a versatile and high-quality guitar amplifier that offers a range of tones, ample power, and various connectivity options, making it suitable for musicians of all genres and playing styles.
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11
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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12
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-
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-
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21
|
- | $1300 |
Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 Combo
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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13
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-
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13
|
We ranked Positive Grid Spark #1 in November 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Positive Grid Spark as #1.
Guitar World
The smartest amp on the market
|
Impressive practice features
Bluetooth compatible for streaming music
Awesome array of guitar tones
|
Not designed for gigging
|
GuitarPlayer
Is this the smartest amp on the planet?
|
Every sound you could ever want
Auto Chord/ Smart Jam features
Affordable
|
Not for those who dislike apps
|
Music Radar
The ultimate smart guitar amplifier
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Packed with features
Comprehensive range of tones
Smart Jam and Auto Chord features are invaluable for practice and learning
|
Waiting times on orders can vary
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We ranked Orange Crush 20 #2 in November 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Simple and neat design.
Convenient to use.
Affordable.
|
Low output power restricts it for home use only.
No option to connect to an external cabinet.
|
Gearank
Best Guitar Combo Amp Under $200
|
Simple operation
Great sounding overdriven tone
Good build quality
Distinct Orange aesthetics
|
Limited functionality
Clean tone is not as good as overdriven
No Reverb
|
BestReviews
Distortion option
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Geat distortion with this 20-watt amp and four stage preamp.
Has clean and dirty modes, a channel foot switch, and aux ports for backing tracks and practice headphones.
8-inch speaker produces rich, harmonic overtones.
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No onboard effects.
More gear may be needed to flesh out your tone.
|
Ledger Note
Best Budget Pick
|
Great value for money
Easy to use and offers great tones
Good for beginners
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Too simple for most players
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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend guitar amplifiers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of guitar amplifiers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for November 2023 ranking
Music Critic
Guitar World
Loud Beats
Consordini
Gearank
BestReviews
BestCovery
GuitarPlayer
Ledger Note
Music Radar
We ranked Fender Mustang LT25 #3 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Fender Mustang LT25 as #1.
Consordini
Best Versatile Amp
|
Exceptional versatility – there are dozens of preset sounds you can use to shape your tone anyway you see fit.
Great sound quality – even though it’s not particularly loud, the tone coming from this amp is pretty strong and robust.
Built like a brick wall – Fender’s Mustangs pack incredibly sturdy cabinets, and LT 25 is not an exception.
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Only 25 watts – the only problem with this amp is that it’s not suitable for medium sized and bigger venue gigs.
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Gearank
Best Guitar Combo Amps Under $200
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Versatile amp modeling and effects
Good sounding Fender clean tone
USB recording and software control
Sleek modern aesthetic
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Requires more tweaking to get good tone
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We ranked Marshall MG50CFX #4 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Marshall MG50CFX as #1.
Loud Beats
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Neat layout.
Affordable.
Sound quality is great.
|
The sound produced by clean channel is somewhat bland and weak.
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Ledger Note
Best of the best
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Broad and various range of effects
Allows to store your own sounds
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Does not have a direct out
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We ranked Vox AC15 #5 in November 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
The best guitar amp for a vintage vibe with class to spare
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Nails that iconic Vox tone
You’ll love the tremolo!
Excellent portability
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Not one for the high gain fans
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Loud Beats
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Balanced harmonics and natural sound.
Volume is usable.
Responsive.
Value for money.
|
Heavy to carry around.
Channels are not foot-switchable.
|
BestReviews
Vintage Design
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Tremolo and reverb effects are popular features.
Clean and crisp tone.
Reputable brand known for its classy cabinet designs.
Great for rock, pop, and blues genres.
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15 watts isn’t all that powerful.
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Music Radar
A classic British combo in 2x12 format
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Usable volume
Classic tones
Responds well to pedals
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May not be enough headroom for totally clean players
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We ranked Mesa Boogie Mark V #6 in November 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
The best guitar amp for versatile cleans, and devastating gains
|
Amazing and versatile tones
Feature-packed control set
Graphic EQ for extra tone sculpting
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Could be overkill for some players
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Loud Beats
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Excellent sound quality.
Wide range of tone and sound effects.
In-built speaker emulation.
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It is expensive.
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Music Radar
A feature-loaded low-wattage head with built-in speaker emulation
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One of the best small amps on the market
12 possible sounds
Built-in CabClone speaker emulation
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It can be difficult to navigate
Currently difficult to source in Europe
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We ranked Orange Micro Dark #7 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Orange Micro Dark as #1.
Guitar World
A micro amp with a massive sound
|
Excellent tone options
Compact size for gigging
Speaker emulation out
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Not a full tube amp
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Gearank
Best Guitar Amp Head Under $200
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Loud for such a small amp
Simple controls
Great tone across the gain range. Surprisingly good cleans
Includes an effects loop
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Lack of EQ limits tone shaping
Single channel only
Headphone out tonality is harsh and only for last resort practicing
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We ranked Marshall AS50D #8 in November 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Music Critic
Great Value
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Standard Marshall quality
RCA inputs
Balanced sound
Good for small venues
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Consordini
Best Amp for Acoustic Gigs
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Exceptional sound quality – as soon as you plug into the AS50D you will recognize that it’s a Marshall.
Two channels – this amp can power up your guitar and your microphone at the same time.
Decently strong – the AS50D packs 50 watts of power.
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Not so well suited for heavier types of music – the whole idea of the Acoustic Singer is for it to be used at acoustic shows primarily.
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We ranked Orange Micro Terror #9 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Gearank
Best Guitar Amp Head Under $200
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Great sounding tube overdrive tone
Lively and responsive
Can go loud and still sound good
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Limited functionality
No reverb
Not for those who want great sounding
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BestReviews
Best bang for the buck
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Compact and very affordable.
Offers 20 watts of power.
Great for young players getting introduced to music or those who share walls with others and can't be loud while shredding.
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Entry-level amp with relatively modest volume, so most will outgrow it.
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We ranked Boss Katana 50 MkII #10 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
Could be all you ever need from a guitar amp
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Huge range of sounds
Great value
Lots of high-quality effects
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Needs the software for deep editing
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Music Radar
A fully-featured digital modelling combo amp
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New features improve it even further
Goes from super-clean to high-gain
Excellent onboard effects
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Not quite enough reasons to upgrade
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We ranked Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 #11 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Music Critic
|
Variable sizes
Exceptional modeling tones
Bass capabilities
Modern design
Lightweight
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Ledger Note
Best Bang for the Buck
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Affordable price
Lightweight design
Easy to use
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Feedback can be a problem at high gain or volume
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We ranked Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 20 Deluxe #12 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
Technical wizardry meets German engineering
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Phenomenal lead channel
Compact size great for gigging
Built-in boost
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No built-in effects
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GuitarPlayer
When tone meets technology
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Built-in Red Box AE DI
Lead boost switch
Solid build quality
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20 Watts may not be enough for some players
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We ranked Blackstar HT Club 40 MKII #13 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
Likeable everyman amp rebooted
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Versatile tonally
Great-sounding reverb
Superb build quality
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Some may prefer a simpler amp
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Loud Beats
|
Build quality is great.
Versatile and responsive.
Value for money.
|
Quite heavy.
|
We ranked Marshall DSL100H #14 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Ledger Note
Best Neutral Amp With the Classic Marshall Tube Sound
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Provides versatile tones
Has adjustable power that allows one to use it anywhere
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Reverb is a bit different
|
We ranked Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb #15 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
The original tone monster gets a modern makeover
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Loads of headroom
Incredibly lightweight
Realistic tube tone
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Not a proper tube amp
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GuitarPlayer
All the Fender tone, none of the weight
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The Fender tone you know and love, without the weight
Still looks like a Twin Reverb
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Some may consider it expensive for a solid-state amp
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We ranked EVH 5150III 50W EL34 #16 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Loud Beats
|
Sound quality is outstanding.
Tube amplifiers provide natural tones.
Flexible gain controls are effective.
|
This guitar amplifier is a little expensive.
|
Music Radar
The best valve head for hard rock and metal
|
A compact powerhouse with gain to burn
Exceptional harmonic and dynamic detail
MIDI switchable channels and effects loop
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Can be way too loud for domestic use
|
We ranked Victory V40 The Duchess #17 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
Guitar World
Sometimes, one channel is all you need
|
Clean tones to die for
Takes pedals exceptionally well
Super portable lunchbox head
|
Voicings are not footswitchable
|
GuitarPlayer
A small victory for your guitar tone
|
Surprisingly versatile for a one channel amp
Fantastic value for money
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Not for high-gain players
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We ranked Blackstar St. James 50 EL34 Combo #18 in November 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best guitar amplifiers” rankings.
GuitarPlayer
The lightest tube amp in the world
|
Lightweight for a tube amp
Great pedal platform
Great for practice, recording, and live playing
|
Looks not for everyone
|
Music Radar
The best of Blackstar
|
Versatile cleans to heavy rock
Lightweight
Great pedal platform
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Some may prefer the 6L6 model for gain
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