Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
So, you’re set up with your first electric guitar. Now it’s time to pick out your first amplifier! Guitar amps come in all shapes and sizes, with many options to choose from. Are you going to be jamming at home or taking the show on the road? In this guitar amp buying guide, School of Rock breaks down the basics of amps so you can find the perfect amp for your needs.
Choosing your first guitar amp is essential for shaping your sound and improving your playing
experience. schoolofrock.com/resources/guitar/guitar-amp-buying-guide-for-beginners
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about combo
amps vs. head and cab setups, amp wattage, speaker configurations, and built-in effects. Learn
the difference between tube amps, solid-state amps, hybrid amps, and modeling amps, plus key
features like EQ controls, reverb, distortion, and multiple channels.
We’ll also cover guitar amp recommendations for practice, recording, and live gigs so you can
find the perfect amp for your playing style. Whether you’re rocking out at home, recording in a
studio, or getting gig-ready, this guide will help you make an informed decision. Watch now and
find the best beginner guitar amp for you!
00:00 Intro
00:35 Guitar Amp Basics
01:11 Choosing Between a Guitar Combo Amp or a Guitar Amp Head and Cab
01:52 Pro Tip: Try Your Guitar Amp Before You Buy It
02:21 Bass Amp vs. Guitar Amp? What Are the Differences?
02:36 How to Choose the Best First Guitar Amp
02:48 Guitar Amp Sizes
03:05 The Best Beginner Amp to Get You Started
03:21 Speakers and Guitar Amp Wattage Explained
03:32 Choosing Guitar Amp Wattage
03:53 Choosing Speaker Configuration
04:54 Guitar Amp Wattage for Gigs vs. At Home Practice
05:16 Best Guitar Amp for Studio Recording
05:39 Best Guitar Amps for Gigging
06:29 Choosing a Guitar Amp with Effects
08:38 Consider Only High Quality Guitar Amps
09:18 Consider Purchasing a Versatile Guitar Amp
09:49 Types of Guitar Amps
10:11 Choosing Between a Tube Guitar Amp vs. Solid State
10:41 Choosing Between a Tube Guitar Amp vs. Solid State for Beginners
10:56 What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Guitar Amps?
11:16 How to Choose the Best Hybrid Guitar Amp
11:35 Guitar Modeling Amp
12:12 How to Choose the Best Modeling Guitar Amp
12:32 Other Types of Guitar Amps
12:45 Acoustic Guitar Amps
13:06 Guitar Amp Simulators
13:24 Guitar Amp Recommendations from School of Rock
14:00 Learn to Play Guitar with School of Rock
Learn more about our guitar lessons: schoolofrock.com/music-lessons/guitar-lessons
Read the written version of this guide: schoolofrock.com/resources/guitar/guitar-amp-buying-guide-for-beginners
Follow us:
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA
Twitter: twitter.com/SchoolOfRockUSA
Instagram: instagram.com/schoolofrock
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/school-of-rock
Visit our website: schoolofrock.com
So, you’re set up with your first electric guitar. Now it’s time to pick out your first amplifier! Guitar amps come in all shapes and sizes, with many options to choose from. Are you going to be jamming at home or taking the show on the road? In this guitar amp buying guide, School of Rock breaks down the basics of amps so you can find the perfect amp for your needs.
Choosing your first guitar amp is essential for shaping your sound and improving your playing
experience. schoolofrock.com/resources/guitar/guitar-amp-buying-guide-for-beginners
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about combo
amps vs. head and cab setups, amp wattage, speaker configurations, and built-in effects. Learn
the difference between tube amps, solid-state amps, hybrid amps, and modeling amps, plus key
features like EQ controls, reverb, distortion, and multiple channels.
We’ll also cover guitar amp recommendations for practice, recording, and live gigs so you can
find the perfect amp for your playing style. Whether you’re rocking out at home, recording in a
studio, or getting gig-ready, this guide will help you make an informed decision. Watch now and
find the best beginner guitar amp for you!
00:00 Intro
00:35 Guitar Amp Basics
01:11 Choosing Between a Guitar Combo Amp or a Guitar Amp Head and Cab
01:52 Pro Tip: Try Your Guitar Amp Before You Buy It
02:21 Bass Amp vs. Guitar Amp? What Are the Differences?
02:36 How to Choose the Best First Guitar Amp
02:48 Guitar Amp Sizes
03:05 The Best Beginner Amp to Get You Started
03:21 Speakers and Guitar Amp Wattage Explained
03:32 Choosing Guitar Amp Wattage
03:53 Choosing Speaker Configuration
04:54 Guitar Amp Wattage for Gigs vs. At Home Practice
05:16 Best Guitar Amp for Studio Recording
05:39 Best Guitar Amps for Gigging
06:29 Choosing a Guitar Amp with Effects
08:38 Consider Only High Quality Guitar Amps
09:18 Consider Purchasing a Versatile Guitar Amp
09:49 Types of Guitar Amps
10:11 Choosing Between a Tube Guitar Amp vs. Solid State
10:41 Choosing Between a Tube Guitar Amp vs. Solid State for Beginners
10:56 What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Guitar Amps?
11:16 How to Choose the Best Hybrid Guitar Amp
11:35 Guitar Modeling Amp
12:12 How to Choose the Best Modeling Guitar Amp
12:32 Other Types of Guitar Amps
12:45 Acoustic Guitar Amps
13:06 Guitar Amp Simulators
13:24 Guitar Amp Recommendations from School of Rock
14:00 Learn to Play Guitar with School of Rock
Learn more about our guitar lessons: schoolofrock.com/music-lessons/guitar-lessons
Read the written version of this guide: schoolofrock.com/resources/guitar/guitar-amp-buying-guide-for-beginners
Follow us:
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA
Twitter: twitter.com/SchoolOfRockUSA
Instagram: instagram.com/schoolofrock
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/school-of-rock
Visit our website: schoolofrock.com
