The Mustang series is Fender's answer to the ever growing need for affordable and versatile combo amps.

And the LT 50 is their best rated amp in the sub $300 price range, with 20 Amp models and built-in effects.

It houses a solid state 50W amp with built-in DSP that allows for up to 30 user preset slots, along with the 30 factory presets that it comes with.

The interface also features a full color display for more intuitive control.

This amp is paired with a single 12" speaker.

Specifications:

• Power: 50W
• Speaker: 1x12"
• Effects: Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Stompbox Emulation
• Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
• Weight: 19.8 lbs.

Pros:
For the price, many are surprised at how sleek and premium looking the Mustang LT 50 is. But its beauty is more than skin deep with many kudos pointing to its sound quality, especially when using clean to mid-gain amp models. Many also report that the amp feels solid while retaining a reasonably light profile.

Cons:
There are a few who aren't as impressed with some of the amp models. Those who prefer traditional tube amps may want to look at the tube amp section of this guide instead.

Overall:
With its big brand backing and consistently high ratings, the Fender Mustang LT 50 will not disappoint.

Known for their amp modeling apps, Positive Grid has expanded into the physical amp domain and thanks to the highly rated Spark, the brand is doing quite well.

The Positive Grid Spark is a 40-Watt combo amp with a desktop friendly profile, featuring built-in DSP for amp modeling and effects based on their popular BIAS line of apps.

While many are impressed with its tone engine, what really sets the Spark apart is its "Smart Jam" feature, where the amp analyzes your style and playing feel, and generates bass and drums to accompany you.

Other features include a built-in tuner, modulation effects with tap tempo control and USB audio interface functionality.

Specifications:

• Power: 40W Class D
• Speaker: 2x4"
• Effects: 30 Amp models, 40 Effects
• Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
• Outputs: 1 x 1/8" (Headphones)
• Weight: 11.46 lbs.

Pros:
Users are impressed with the tech this amp provides, especially when considering that it's affordably priced. It gets a lot of compliments for its tone, and even more so for its Smart Jam feature which some even describe as a game changer. Even Rob Laing of Guitar World is impressed, he concludes his review by saying: "The Spark has all the connectivity, amp modeling and onboard effects you'd expect from a state-of-the-art desktop amp, but it takes the format into the future with its Smart Jam and Auto Chords features. It's incredible".

Cons:
There are a few who aren't too happy with the knobs on the amp itself, especially the music volume knob which they feel is too small. Beginners may also find the many features to be a bit overwhelming, but this amp is a good and affordable way to better understand the functions and tones of different amp models and effects.

Overall:
With its high quality digital sound processing that impresses even the pros, combined with its smart jam feature, the Positive Grid Spark will make a great addition to your rig, regardless of skill or experience level.

Bugera is known for affordable tube amplifiers, and the Bugera V5 Infinium is currently rating well in the sub $300 price range.

This 5W all-tube amp houses a 12AX7 preamp tube and EL84 poweramp tube, with built-in power attenuation that lets you switch the power down to 1W or 0.1W.

This built-in attenuation allows you to crank the amp at lower volumes, which means allowing for great tube tones at more room friendly volume levels.

Also worth noting is Bugera's Infinium technology which extends the life of tubes by making sure that the tubes are operating at their ideal parameters.

Specifications:

• Power: 5W, 1W, 0.1W
• Speaker: 1x8"
• Effects: Reverb
• Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument)
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4" Internal Speaker, 1 x 1/4" Headphones
• Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Pros:
Low to mid-gain tones are where this amp shines, and as such, it works well with a wide range of musical styles. Many also complement its clean tone, which surpasses the expectations of many given its price. The ability to attenuate its output power down to 1/10th of a Watt is also an important plus, especially for those who are looking for a great sounding all tube practice amp.

Cons:
Lack of tone shaping options is a dealbreaker for some, while others recommend replacing the default tubes ASAP to make the most out of the amp.

Overall:
With its genuine all-tube design and built-in power attenuator, the Bugera V5 Infinium is a great entry way into the world of tube amps, and it is also a great bedroom / practice amp for those who want genuine tube tones at lower volume levels.

While hybrid amps provide more functionality, they still cannot replace the appeal of a genuine all-tube circuit amp. And the Monoprice 611815 gives you just that, a straightforward all-tube guitar combo amp that continues to rate highly in the sub $300 price range.

The preamp section houses three ECC83 tubes, while the power section has two EL84 tubes, a potent combination used on many classic amps.

But what's really interesting is the amp's 12" speaker, which is a Celestion Red Truvox 1215, quite the catch for something so affordable.

Other features include basic 3-band EQ and built-in spring reverb.

Specifications:

• Power: 15W
• Preamp Tube: 3 x ECC83 (12AX7)
• Poweramp Tube: 2 x EL84
• Speaker: 1 x 12"
• Effects: Reverb
• Input: 1 x 1/4"
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4" Speaker Out, Effects Loop
• Weight: 31.62 lbs.

Pros:
In terms of specs and value for money, there's simply no amp that can beat the Monoprice 611815 in this price range. But it's not just about good spec sheets, as seen in its high ratings, it's hard to deny that these specs translate well in real life use. Tone is its strength, more specifically its low to mid-gain tones, which together with its warmth and dynamics - work well with many musical styles. There are also many who appreciate the quality of its spring reverb.

Cons:
There are some who report getting better results by replacing the default tubes in the amp. They note that while switching out the tubes increases cost, the improvement in tone is well worth the extra investment.

Overall:
The Monoprice 611815 is easily the amp to get if you're looking for a good value all-tube amp in the sub $300 price range.

Vox is well known for their AC series of tube amps. The MV50 AC takes the iconic AC series tone and packs it inside a very compact lunchbox style amp head.

This amp head uses Korg Nutube techonology, which is a modern reproduction of tubes, with a smaller profile, longer life expectancy (30,000 hours), and using only 2% of electrical power compared to conventional tubes.

It is rated at 50-Watts with Class D type power section, and weighing in at a little over 21 ounces.

Specifications:

• Power: 50W @ 4 ohms, 25W @ 8 ohms, 12.5W @ 16 ohms
• Preamp: 6P1 NuTube
• Effects: None
• Input: 1 x 1/4"
• Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (Speaker Out), 1 x 1/4" (Headphones/Line)
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.

Pros:
Simple and effective nicely summarizes market sentiment toward the Vox MV50 AC. Guitarists love the sound it produces, impressing even those who own vintage AC-30 and AC-50 amps. Even Paul White of Sound on Sound was impressed stating that it "serves up chiming cleans imbued with that characteristic Voxy jangle, lovely touch-sensitive blues tones, and plenty of overdrive when the gain is turned up full". It also gets a lot of thumbs up for its value for money and portability.

Cons:
Minor qualms include limited controls and lack of reverb. You probably want to look elsewhere if you're into high-gain.

Overall:
This is a no-brainer portable amp head solution for fans of the AC-30 / AC-50 sound.

Check out this comparison video between AC-30 and the MV50 AC:

This mini amp-head is meant to be a compact amplifier for jazz guitarists, with tones that cater to what they need while keeping a small and portable profile.

It is designed to be a plug and play clean tone jazz amp with a simple interface that has level and 3-band EQ (bass, mid, high) knobs, along with a single reverb knob.

Other notable features include headphones out for quiet practice, an aux input, and it comes with an effects loop.

Specifications:

• Power: 50W @ 8ohms / 60W @ 4ohms
• Power Amp: MPT (Mark Proprietary Technology)"
• Effects: Reverb
• Input: 1 x 1/4" (Instrument), 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (Speakers), 1 x 1/8" (Headphones), 2 x 1/4" (FX Loop), 1 x 1/4" (Footswitch)
• Weight: 4.19 lbs.

Pros:
This amp is well loved for its great jazz friendly "singing" tone, so much so that some have used it as their main gigging amp. Speaking of gigging, it is also commended for being compact and portable. There are reports of it sounding great with various Jazz guitars from D'Angelico, Epiphone, Gibson and more. Some guitarists also use this amp for other genres that need clean sounds, like gospel, blues and soul.

Cons:
If you're not into the archtop jazz sound then this is not for you.

Overall:
If you specialize in Jazz, or you're looking for an affordable amp that can give you genuine jazz tones, then check out the DV Mark Micro 50 Jazz.