Amp Gifts for Guitarists 2024
By Shawn Leonhardt for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer
If you are looking for some great gifts for the guitarist in your life you can rarely go wrong with an amp. The amplifier is one of the key elements of the guitar tone so here are some quick tips for those who may not have a music background.
• Old school amps were made with vacuum tubes and are known for being the most expensive and best tones. If you know a seasoned player then they are great ideas for high budget gifts. However beginners should stick with easier and cheaper amps.
• Solid state technology took over tubes and is a lot easier to deal with. Many modern amps will mix solid state with some small tube additions for the best sound at a modest budget.
• Modeling amps use digital technology to replicate all the past sounds of tube amps and vintage pedals. Most people cannot tell the difference between a modeling amp and vintage, with the former being a lot cheaper.
• Don’t be too cheap in budget and make sure to buy some proper cables so that way the sound signal is not affected.
• Try not to mix up amp heads and cabinets with combo amps, if you only get an amp head you will need to get a speaker cabinet for it. However if it is for a beginner that may be overkill.
The louder and bigger the tone the more likely it is a heavy amp with tubes and high cost. Meanwhile lighter and quieter amps will mostly be low wattage or only solid state technology. Below are some specific amp models that make great holiday gifts.
Guitar Tricks Gift Certificate
Unfortunately none of these gifts will do much good if the guitarist you know struggles to play. We want to get someone a guitar and amp so they excel at music but that can’t happen without the right guidance. A 3, 6, or 12 month Guitar Tricks gift certificate for over 11,000 lessons is perfect regardless of the age, experience, or the genre of music they like! Proper lessons are the best gift you can buy a guitarist!
Boss Katana
These are very popular amps that come in 50 watt and 100 watt models and cover a lot of different tones. They are durable, affordable, and they have mostly great reviews. If you know someone that needs a guitar amp, but you don’t have other details, the Boss is probably the perfect fit.
If you have a huge budget then go for a proper Marshall stack of amp heads with the cabinet! Otherwise this simple 40 watt combo amp still has the Marshall power but at a much lower price. It is a great choice for taking beginner guitar lessons with your first electric guitar. It even has 6 small tubes for that vintage push of vacuum amplification.
Orange Crush or Super Crush
Orange is a respected brand in the hard rock and heavy metal community, they have models ranging from low to very high budgets. The lower cost models like the Crush are simple 12 watt combo amps that are suitable for those just starting guitar lessons. As you go up in budget they will include some tubes and have much heavier tones. Guitarists love Orange and rarely can you go wrong with a gift from that company!
Pignose 5 Watt
These are small battery powered portable amps for those doing small jams or practicing without too much noise. They may only be 5 watts but there is still an incredible amount of power in the little beasts. If you know a guitarist that likes to busk or play on the move these are perfect to attach to your body. Even guitar players that already have an amp wouldn’t mind these little additions!
Fishman Loudbox
Often when we focus on amplifiers they are being used with electric guitars, so what about acoustics with pickups? If you have an acoustic electric guitar it is best to get an amp specifically for them. The Fishman is a 60 watt amp that is dedicated to the clear tones of an acoustic. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, and while it may be small it can pack quite a punch!
Fender Mustang Micro
There are some small amplifiers only meant to connect to headphones for those players that don’t have the ability to play loud. If you know a guitarist that is stuck in a dorm or apartment these little mini headphone amp styles are perfect for maximum tone all right in their ear! These smaller amps are also perfect for those who need to practice on the go or while traveling.
If the guitarist you know already has a combo amp but needs something more, this EVH amp head is not crazy expensive. There are many other amp heads that can run into the $1k’s! This is perfect for a heavy metal shredder that has a space where they can be loud with the grittiest tones. Just don’t forget that any amp head will also need a speaker cabinet.
Positive Grid Spark
Positive Grid is one of the bigger names in the amp modeling world, they create apps with a variety of past guitar tones. This guitar combo amp is perfect for players who want something portable and with a huge variety of digitally reproduced sounds.
IK Multimedia also makes amp modeling software and TONEX is like having hundreds of amps right in a little box. It can be plugged directly into a mixer just like an amp and it allows you to share captured tones with other users. The TONEX is like having a digital model of every amp so far on this list!
Make sure to check the reviews and listen to any videos that may have the amp you want to buy. If you are just learning how to play guitar, don’t be cheap but also don’t spend a ton, they need some practice before they hit the big rigs! Either way make sure they have the lessons and support needed to help them become a great musician.
