What Are the Best Electric Guitar Amplifiers Under $500?

15 minutes read

When it comes to finding the best electric guitar amplifiers under $500, there are several options to consider. Some popular choices include the Fender Champion 40, Boss Katana-50, Orange Crush 35RT, Marshall Code 50, and Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40. These amps generally offer good sound quality, features, and versatility for their price range. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the player. It's important to consider factors such as wattage, tone options, built-in effects, and overall durability when choosing an amplifier in this price range.

Best Electric Guitar Amplifiers of September 2024

1
Fender Mustang LT25 Guitar Amp, 25-Watt Combo Amp, with 2-Year Warranty, 30 Preset Effects with USB Audio Interface for Recording

Rating is 5 out of 5

Fender Mustang LT25 Guitar Amp, 25-Watt Combo Amp, with 2-Year Warranty, 30 Preset Effects with USB Audio Interface for Recording

  • The Fender Mustang LT25 Guitar Amplifier features 25 watts, 12.75Hx14.5Wx8.25D inches
  • This amp comes with an 8 inch Fender special design guitar speaker for the tried-and-true Fender quality sound
  • The simple user interface with 1.8 inch color display makes this amp an excellent choice for beginners
  • Bring out the eclectic in you with 30 preloaded presets covering a wide range of music
2
Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Combo Amplifier - Black Bundle with Instrument Cable and Picks

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Combo Amplifier - Black Bundle with Instrument Cable and Picks

  • 10 watts
  • 6" Fender Special Design speaker
  • Gain, volume, treble and bass controls; overdrive switch
  • 1/8" auxiliary input and headphone output jacks
  • Closed-back construction
3
Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Amp, 10 Watts, with 2-Year Warranty, 6 Inch Fender Special Design Speaker, 5.75Dx10.25Wx11H Inches

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Amp, 10 Watts, with 2-Year Warranty, 6 Inch Fender Special Design Speaker, 5.75Dx10.25Wx11H Inches

  • The Fender Frontman 10G Guitar Amplifier features 10 watts, 7.5Hx11.5Wx13.7D inches, 11.7 pounds
  • The 6 inch Fender Special Design speaker delivers quality tones and variety of sounds from blues to metal
  • Enjoy a breadth of controls, including gain, over-drive select switch, volume, treble, and bass
  • The closed-back design packs a heavier bass response
4
Rockville G-AMP 20 Watt Guitar Amplifier Dual Input Combo Amp Bluetooth/Delay

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

Rockville G-AMP 20 Watt Guitar Amplifier Dual Input Combo Amp Bluetooth/Delay

  • Rockville G-AMP 20 Watt Guitar Amplifier with Dual Guitar Inputs and Bluetooth and Delay Effect.
  • 6.5” speaker with 20 Watts RMS power. Controls: Master volume, treble, mid, bass. Delay effect .
  • 2 channel Clean/Overdrive. Dual ¼” guitar inputs so you can jam together with your friends.
5
Donner Mini Guitar Amp Small Electric Guitar Amplifier 5W Portable for Desktop Practice with a Retro British Tone DA-10

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

Donner Mini Guitar Amp Small Electric Guitar Amplifier 5W Portable for Desktop Practice with a Retro British Tone DA-10

  • 🎸POWERFUL SOUND & RELIABLE ENDURANCE:Enough volume for room and living room practice, with built-in rechargeable battery, 4 hours playtime on a single charge, package included USB charging cable.
  • 🎸UNPARALLELED DERAILS:1/8" Auxiliary Input Jack for Jam-Along with Media Player or CD, 1/8" Headphone Output Jack for Silent Practice, package included 3.5mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Cable.
  • 🎸STRONG&STURDY:The edge is surrounded by hard material, protecting the amplifier from damage and a pad of rubber makes it stand safe and stable.
6
Leo Jaymz 20W Electric Guitar Amplifier - Clean and Distortion Channel - 3 Band Equalization and CD Line Input - Recording Studio, Practice Room, Small Courtyard (6.5", Black)

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

Leo Jaymz 20W Electric Guitar Amplifier - Clean and Distortion Channel - 3 Band Equalization and CD Line Input - Recording Studio, Practice Room, Small Courtyard (6.5", Black)

  • 20W electric guitar amplifier with crunch and clean channel.
  • Very soft but solid fixing and comfortable handle, leather surface.
  • 3 Band Equalization and CD audio line and AUX 6.5mm input jack.
  • Input voltage: 110-130V, 50/60Hz
7
Fender Champion 100 - 100-Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier, with 2-Year Warranty

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

Fender Champion 100 - 100-Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier, with 2-Year Warranty

  • When ‘burying’ your drummer in volume is important, the 100 watts thrown out of 2 – 12” Fender special designed speakers will get your point across.
  • Toggle between 100 Watts of clean or mean from the 2 channels with the kick of a footswitch during a stage or studio performance.
8
Fender Champion 40 Guitar Amplifier, with 2-Year Warranty

Rating is 4.3 out of 5

Fender Champion 40 Guitar Amplifier, with 2-Year Warranty

  • All the tonal versatility you can handle in a small package with clean and overdriven tones, British and modern amp voicings and various effects including reverb, delay and more.
  • Straight forward controls such as "Voice" and "FX Select" allow you to dial in your sound with the ease of just turning a knob.
  • Store extra cables or other small accessories with the open back cabinet. Total impedance is 8 ohms
9
Ktaxon 40Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier, Portable Electric Guitar Amp with 8" Speaker, Headphone Jack & Aux Input Bass, Volume, Treble, and Gain Controls for Beginner, Advance Practice

Rating is 4.2 out of 5

Ktaxon 40Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier, Portable Electric Guitar Amp with 8" Speaker, Headphone Jack & Aux Input Bass, Volume, Treble, and Gain Controls for Beginner, Advance Practice

  • 【Powerful Sound】Experience rich and vibrant sound with the 40W black electric guitar amplifier featuring an 8" speaker. Perfect for practicing, jamming, or performing on stage. Dimensions: 14"L x 7.3"W x 13.4"H
  • 【Versatile Connectivity】The amplifier offers double channels, allowing you to connect and switch between different audio sources. It also includes a 1/8-inch headphone output and an auxiliary input (MP3) for enhanced versatility.
  • 【Customizable Tone Control】Fine-tune your sound with the control panel that includes Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, and Driver options. Adjust these settings to achieve the perfect tone for your playing style and musical preferences.


What is the importance of a good electric guitar amplifier?

A good electric guitar amplifier is crucial for a number of reasons:

  1. Sound quality: A high-quality amplifier can greatly enhance the tone and sound of an electric guitar. It can provide clarity, richness, and depth to the sound, allowing the player to fully express themselves through their instrument.
  2. Volume control: An amplifier allows the player to control the volume of their guitar, making it suitable for different settings such as practice sessions, small gigs, or large venues. It also allows the player to be heard over other instruments in a band setting.
  3. Tone shaping: Many amplifiers come with built-in controls such as EQ, reverb, and distortion that allow the player to shape and customize their sound to suit their preferences and playing style.
  4. Versatility: A good amplifier can be used for various genres of music and styles of playing. It should be able to produce clean tones as well as distorted tones, allowing the player to experiment and explore different sounds.
  5. Inspiration: A great amplifier can inspire creativity and encourage the player to practice and improve their skills. The right amp can make playing more enjoyable and rewarding, leading to overall better performance.


What is the longevity of electric guitar amplifiers under $500?

The longevity of electric guitar amplifiers under $500 can vary depending on a number of factors, such as build quality, usage frequency, and maintenance. Typically, lower-priced amplifiers may not be as durable as their higher-priced counterparts, but with proper care and maintenance, they can still last for several years. It's important to handle and transport the amplifier carefully, avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity, and regularly clean and service it to ensure it functions properly over time. Additionally, investing in a protective cover or case can help prolong the lifespan of the amplifier. Overall, with proper care and maintenance, an electric guitar amplifier under $500 can provide many years of reliable performance for amateur and intermediate musicians.


How to achieve a specific sound with your electric guitar amplifier?

  1. Start with the basics: Make sure your guitar is set up properly with fresh strings and in tune.
  2. Experiment with the controls on your amplifier: Play around with the EQ settings (bass, mid, treble) to adjust the overall tone of your guitar. Increase the bass for a fuller, low-end sound, boost the mid for a more prominent lead tone, or crank up the treble for a brighter, crisp sound.
  3. Adjust the gain: The gain control on your amplifier determines how distorted or overdriven your sound will be. Increase the gain for a heavier, more distorted sound, or lower it for a cleaner tone.
  4. Experiment with different effects: Many amplifiers come with built-in effects such as reverb, delay, chorus, and distortion. Play around with these effects to add depth and character to your sound.
  5. Consider using pedals: If your amplifier doesn't have the specific sound you're looking for, consider using external pedals to achieve the desired effect. There are countless pedals available that can help you achieve a wide range of tones, from classic rock to heavy metal.
  6. Play around with the volume: Adjusting the volume on your amplifier can also affect the tone and sound of your guitar. Experiment with different volume levels to find the right balance for the sound you're trying to achieve.
  7. Practice: The key to achieving a specific sound with your electric guitar amplifier is to practice and experiment until you find the perfect combination of settings that work for you. Don't be afraid to try new things and think outside the box to tailor your sound to your liking.


How to troubleshoot common issues with electric guitar amplifiers?

  1. Check the power source: Make sure the amplifier is plugged into a working power outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If the amplifier still does not turn on, try using a different power outlet or power cable.
  2. Check the guitar and cable: Make sure the guitar is properly plugged into the amplifier with a functioning cable. Try using a different guitar and cable to see if the issue lies with the equipment.
  3. Check the volume and settings: Make sure the volume on the amplifier is turned up and the settings are adjusted to your desired sound. If the sound is still not coming through, try adjusting the tone, gain, and other settings to see if that resolves the issue.
  4. Check the tubes: If your amplifier uses tubes, check to see if any of them are burnt out or need to be replaced. Tubes can affect the sound quality and volume of the amplifier.
  5. Check for loose connections: Inspect all the connections on the amplifier, including the input and output jacks, to make sure they are secure and not loose. Loose connections can cause sound issues or loss of signal.
  6. Check for signal interference: Make sure there are no other electronic devices or sources of interference near the amplifier that could be affecting the sound quality. Move any potential sources of interference away from the amplifier to see if that helps.
  7. Test the amplifier with another guitar: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, try connecting a different guitar to the amplifier to see if the problem lies with the guitar or the amplifier.
  8. Consult the owner's manual: If you are still experiencing issues with the amplifier, consult the owner's manual for troubleshooting tips specific to your model. If all else fails, consider contacting a professional technician for further assistance.
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