GUIDE to the Best Amplifier for Beginners (Electric Guitar): Roland Cube, Line 6 Spider and Fender Mustang.
If you’ve already got your first electric guitar but don’t yet have an amplifier, you can use an emulator software programme for the time being.
This way, we can play our guitar in a thousand different ways through the computer’s speakers or via headphones. Headphones are particularly useful for beginners, as they allow you to practise as much as you like without disturbing the rest of the household.
It is precisely this feature the ability to use the guitar through headphones that you should bear in mind when buying your first amplifier.
Another really useful feature in an amplifier for beginners is that it has built-in effects. This allows them to get used to how each effect sounds and choose the ones they’re most interested in, before rushing out to buy loads of effects pedals.
While we’re on the subject, it’s also handy if the amplifier can tune the guitar. This is another feature that’s characteristic of a good amplifier for beginners.
Many of these units are very aptly designed as all-in-one solutions, allowing us to take our first steps in this exciting yet vast world of the electric guitar.
Guitar Amplifier for Beginners: Roland Cube-10GX
One of the most popular amplifiers for beginners is the Roland Cube-10GX, which costs around $225. This amplifier delivers 10W of power, features an 8-inch speaker, has a headphone output that automatically mutes the speaker, and can be used as a direct output for recording.
It features bass, middle and treble controls, built-in chorus and delay effects, two different types of reverb (plate/spring), and three channels with different amp presets offering varying levels of distortion (Clean/Crunch/Lead). These three channels emulate the sound of legendary amplifiers such as:
- Clean: Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120
- Crunch: Marshall JMP1987
- Lead: Mesa/Boogie Rectifier
However, these presets can be customised using the free CUBE KIT app for iOS and Android devices.
This app includes a range of amp models for playing different styles, or even for using the amp with an electro-acoustic guitar or electric bass.
The only thing missing to really top it off would be a built-in tuner, but fortunately there are some very affordable tuners available.
Guitar Amplifier for Beginners: Line6 Spider V20
Another very popular amplifier is the Line6 Spider V20, available at an even lower price of around $180. This unit boasts 20W of power, an 8-inch speaker, and the ability to reproduce both the amplifier’s own sounds and any sounds played via its USB connection.
This USB port is an audio interface that allows you to connect an MP3 player or make your own recordings using the Steinberg Cubase LE software licence included with the Line 6 Spider V20.
It also features a dedicated reverb effect that can be used in conjunction with three other effects, and comes with 16 built-in presets. However, there are over 200 amp, cabinet and effect simulations available, which can be selected via the Spider V Remote software or app.
As if that weren’t enough, it also features a headphone output and a tuner.
Fender Mustang LT25
The Fender Mustang LT25 has an output of 25 watts and features an 8-inch speaker. It also includes headphone output, tuner and USB port for recording and firmware updates.
It also features 50 built-in presets and 30 user-customisable presets, 20 amplifier types ranging from a crystal-clear clean sound to the wildest distortion, and 25 built-in effects, all for around $160.
Vox VT20X
The Vox VT20X ($300) is another amplifier of this type worth considering. The VT20X has an output of 20 watts, features an 8-inch speaker, and is equipped with a Valvetronix valve preamp.
What’s more, as you’d expect, it features amp simulations and a whole host of effects, which can be expanded using Vox’s “Tone Room” software, accessible via its mini-USB port.
With one of these amplifiers and one of the guitars featured on the “Best Electric Guitar for Beginners” page, you’ll enjoy a versatile and complete electric guitar setup at a very affordable price, and you’ll be off to a great start in enjoying all the instrument has to offer.