Trusted Shops: 4.84/5,00 (10085)
Olli's Starter Guide
Your first combo electric guitar amplifier
As a beginner, choosing the right electric guitar amplifier can be difficult. In our guide video Olli's Starter Guide we want to help you make the right buying decision and explain what matters in an electric guitar amplifier. Since price often plays an important role, we focus here on the different amplifier types in combo form.
Combos are electric guitar amplifiers and speaker cabinets in one compact and portable enclosure. They are all-in-one solutions and, depending on the model, offer many connection options and effects.
If you want to start playing electric guitar, besides your guitar you'll also need an amplifier (eng. amp, short for amplifier). There are two categories of amplifiers: amplifier heads and separately available amplifier cabinets (eng. Cab for Cabinet), and amplifier combos that combine both in one enclosure.
In terms of the type of amplification, you can distinguish between the three variants tube amp, digital modelling amp and transistor amp.
Tube amps
Tube amps are regarded as the non-plus-ultra. What makes a typical tube amp?
Advantages:
- classic amplifier type from rock ’n’ roll history
- distinctive analogue sound produced by the tubes
- 6L6 tubes for a clean, funky (Fender) sound
- EL34 tubes for rockier, distorted (Marshall) sounds
- simple tone controls, usually distortion (Gain), master volume, bass, mids and treble
- first choice for purists
Disadvantages:
- the nice, fat and saturated sounds only fully come into their own at high volumes
- only one tonal character
- usually more expensive and heavier than modelling and transistor amps
- no effects (if any, usually only reverb and/or tremolo)
- no way to save presets
Tip: If you want clean, acoustic and clear sounds with a tube amp, set the distortion (Gain) lower and control the overall loudness of your amp with the master volume.
If you're looking for a rock or metal sound, you'll probably be happier with a more heavily distorted tone.
Modelling amps
The so‑called modelling combos are considered more flexible. These amplifiers digitally simulate the sound of a tube amp:
Advantages:
- many amplifier types in one device
- extremely flexible thanks to many built‑in effects
- USB and headphone socket
- downloadable sounds
- preset slots for your favourite sounds
- AUX‑in for playing along with play‑alongs
Disadvantages:
- quantity over quality. Real tube sound only comes from tube amps.
- less robust than tube amps
- complex menu structures can be confusing
Tip: Modelling amps also exist as standalone effect units (without a cabinet) like the Line-6 Pod Go or the Boss GT-1.
You can trust us!
We've been serving you locally for over 40 years and have more than 20 years' experience in mail-order retail.
