Best Guitar Amp under 500 – Solid-State and Tube Amps

Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Cheap Guitar Amp Under $500

• What Amp Can You Afford? The guitar world is composed of guitarists from different economic levels. This is the reason why amps come in different price tiers. If you think the best guitar amps under the 500 category are a stretch, you should consider something more affordable. You may want to look at the best guitar amp under 200. If, on the other hand, you can afford something better, you should consider the best guitar amps under 1000. You can find our recommendations within our article – The Best Guitar Amps up to $1000.
• What is a Combo Amp? A combo amp is simply one where the amplifier section and the speaker cabinet are combined into a single unit instead of having separate amp heads and speaker cabinets. This combined configuration is popular because it makes amplifiers easier to carry around and reduces the number of equipment that you have to manage. This simplified configuration also makes combo amps ideal for students and beginners.
• What is an Amp Head? Amp heads are amplifiers that don’t come with speakers, as such they are smaller than their combo counterparts. But to make them work, you are still required to plug them into a separate compatible speaker cabinet. Amp heads are preferred by some because they can use the speaker cabinet that they prefer, others also prefer the distributed weight of separate amp head and speaker cab vs combo amps when lugging around. Interestingly, some manufacturers like Boss have been installing small speakers into their amp heads, giving users a convenient low-volume option that essentially transforms the amp head into a mini combo amp.
• What is an Pedal Amp? Pedal amplifiers are essentially amp heads that come in a floor / pedalboard friendly form factor. They are expected to do the same task: amplify your sound and drive a speaker cabinet. The main advantage that they have is that they are smaller and easier to incorporate into existing pedalboard rigs. The downside of having a small form factor is that they may lack the features and connectivity options that amp heads offer.
• Tube vs Solid-State? It’s interesting how tube technology, which is now over a century old, still persists in this modern era – mainly thanks to guitarists who love the sound of tube amps. The sound, feel, and response of tube amps are generally regarded to be better than solid-state, but since they utilize fragile tubes, they are typically more expensive and require more handling care and maintenance. On the other hand, solid-state amps are generally regarded as more reliable. And since they use readily available components, solid-state amplifiers are often more affordable. Thanks to improvements in digital sound processing, these amps are also getting ever closer to nailing the feel and sound of their tube counterparts. This is the reason why many consider solid state amps to be the best cheap amp option. Those who are looking for something practical that can get the job done will appreciate solid-state amps, while those with picky ears may want no less than the best valve amp under 500.
• Power Rating? Power rating describes the loudness of an amplifier, so generally speaking, the higher the power rating, the louder amp. Those who are looking for a stage amp will want something loud. But it’s not always about being loud because most situations call for lower volumes, especially when practicing at home, hence the availability of low-wattage tube amps. This is also the reason why some amps come with built-in attenuators, which allow users to drive the amp hard at lower volumes. Note that tube amps tend to be louder than similarly rated solid-state amps. S don’t be surprised to see high solid state combo output ratings sounding quieter than tube amps with lower ratings.
• Speaker Size? Speaker size also affects overall loudness, but even more so, it affects the sound clarity. Smaller speakers tend to emphasize the mids, which complements most guitar styles. On the flip side, there are guitarists who prefer the added bass emphasis of bigger speakers for a fuller sound.
• Amp Modeling? Made possible by improvements in Digital Sound Processing (DSP), more and more manufacturers and guitarists are embracing the convenience and versatility of a digital modeling amp. You can read more about the best modeling amp, where we share our top picks. Some go so far as to allow complex customization of virtual amp components. While amp modeling technology has been improving, don’t expect it to sound 100% like a vintage Fender tube amp. But amp models can get the job done. While having more tone palettes is good, having too much of a good thing can be bad for some. If you’re into sonic versatility and personalization, then you’ll want one with more features. Those who prefer plug-and-play convenience will appreciate amps with fewer options and controls.
• Built-in Effects? Reverb is the most common effect added to amplifiers because it adds space and texture to the sound. Some electric guitar amps come with other effects, but they are usually limited in terms of function and controls. Some frown on the quality of these extra effects, but others appreciate the practicality and convenience that they offer.
• Connectivity? If you are planning to use your amp on stage or for recording, extra connectivity features will help greatly. Those with speaker emulated outputs allow for direct connection to PA systems and recording consoles. The ability to play quietly via headphones is also a nice plus, especially if you’re looking for a good practice amp. Some of the recently released amps feature USB connectivity for direct recording and software control. This means that the amp can double as an audio interface. Modern digital amps even come with Bluetooth technology, which allows for convenient wireless audio streaming straight to the amp. Having two or more inputs is another nice feature to have, so you can plug in multiple electric guitars. Having an ABY Pedal is also good for multi-amp switching and stereo setups.