The Best Practice Amps for Beginners and Versatile Guitarists 2022

By Monica | Guitar

Jun 19
practice amp

No successful guitar player made it to the top without enduring the never-ending process of practicing. Any mind-blowing performances can be defined by the time and effort you dedicated to training.

When in practice, it is not sufficient that you have a good guitar alone. Otherwise, you won't be able to enhance your versatility and correct all your mistakes.

For starters, it is highly recommended that they should get a practice amp. This gear will simply allow you to hear your music in volumes. And once you can listen to the sound you create fully, it will be easier for you to spot any flaws. It would also help you determine the quality of your instrument.

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What Is A Practice Amp

In the guitar industry, "practice amp" directly refers to the compact and portable amplifiers. They are perfectly suited for home and travel applications because of their efficiency in performance.

Despite the popular belief, practice amps are not solely reserved for beginners. Even professionals and performers are using them, mainly due to their favorable size and weight. If the stage is not that big, then a practice amp can suit well in your daily gigs.

All amps that don't have high wattage can be safely labeled as a practice amp. However, it is always the weight and bulkiness that separate these amps to standard guitar amps. Small amps, after all, will never utilize large wattage. Typically, these amps are using a single speaker that doesn't go bigger than 12 inches.

Fortunately, there are various practice amps today that have decent construction and quality even if they have small woofers. They are the ones that can satisfy your needs and work with your preferences. However, let me tell you that some amps out there that have speakers that are bigger than 12 inches are still considered as practice amps. It might be due to their wattage and lightweight design.

Purpose of Practice Amp

Just as I mentioned earlier, practice amps can also be used by professionals. As long as they meet the requirements, any practice amp can be used in recording and live performances.

However, there is always a presumptive notion that practice amps are perfect for beginners. Because they are usually cheaper and lighter than standard amps, novices will always find benefit from them. Take into account that starting players are still not familiar and used in wielding large instruments. That is the very reason small acoustic guitars are preferable as starting gears.

This goes to show that using practice amps from time to time is always an acceptable fact. Even if you can consider yourself as an expert now, there is still a need for you to utilize portable amps. You don't have to wake up your neighbors during the wee hours of the evening just because you want to try a new sound, right?

Any guitarists, regardless of the skill level, will find small amps useful. They are the most ergonomic choice for players who are always on the road. Furthermore, they can be used as a rehearsal gear in the back of the stage. Since their volume is not that loud, your crowd won't be able to hear them. They can also be used for demonstrations.

Practice Amp for Recording

Didn't you know that legendary guitarists like Keith Richards own a portable amp? In fact, what they have are not those super expensive units. They are typically satisfied of owning gears like the Marshall MS-2 Micro Amp or Fender Frontman 10G Electric Guitar Amplifier. These rigs are versatile. You can use them in different applications, such as recording!

Yes! You didn't read it wrong. Small amplifiers are also usable for recording purposes. You have to realize that if a small amp is properly arranged and configured (e.g. placed with high-end microphones), it can outdo the performance of a large guitar amp. You can always notice this effect to the small valve amps.

Once you crank the volume of a small valve amp, they can produce impressive and distinct tones. It is something that you need if you want your guitar to standout in the mix. The guy called Jimmy Page is a huge freak for Marshall Stacks whenever he is performing live on huge stages. However, it is not a secret anymore that he is using a valve amp when recording with his bandmates from Led Zeppelin. Are you familiar with the song "Whole Lotta Love?" That song is recorded with the use of valve amp.

Recommendations

Of course, the market today has been generous with options when it comes to practice amps. If you happened to have taken interest in these gears, you should head out and get one. There's no need to feel a little bit reserved, especially if you are serious in the art of playing the guitar.

If you are not sure with what to pick, just check out these recommendations that I have listed here.

This one is a great option for those who are looking for amps that create excellent overdrives. It can generate clean sounds and highly balanced frequencies, even when cranked at the maximum. Moreover, it has all the basic features for a practice amp such as volume, overdrive, and tone controls.


Let's take a look at this product...

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Danelectro Electric Guitar Mini Amplifier, Aqua (N10A)
  • Great clean and overdrive tones (Best with Polaroid 9V Batteries)
  • Leather handle
  • Belt clip
  • Headphone jack
  • Color: Aqua

If you are looking for variations, the latest 10-watt portable amp from Sawtooth is a good choice. This is your perfect choice if you want to deal with the rock genre. It can work well with over scales and complex chords easily. This amplifier features mid, treble, bass, and volume controls. There is also an overdrive switch in the box that allows you to dial between overdrive and clean sounds.


Let's take a look at this product...

Sawtooth 10-Watt Electric Guitar Amp with Instrument Cable & Pick Sampler
  • Power Requirements & Consumption: 120VAC, 60Hz
  • Total Output Power (RMS): 10W RMS @ 4Ω
  • Speaker: 6.5”; Controls: Volume, Gain, Drive
  • Master EQ: Treble, Middle, Bass; Jacks: Input- 6.35 MONO JACK; Headphones- 6.35 STEREO JACK
  • Includes: ChromaCast 10ft Instrument Cable & Pick Sampler

Conclusion

It is notable that the popularity of practice amps has been increasing in the recent years. Many players have realized that they can always play their instrument without the need of dealing large and bulky amplifiers. I am not saying that these full-sized amplifiers are out of date. But if you are not playing in huge stages, you can just opt for a small and portable amp.

Did you learn from this guide? If you have some questions, feel free to ask me. Also, don't forget to hit the "like and share" buttons so that you can get this useful article to your favorite social media platforms!

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About the Author

Hi everyone! Im Monica and I am an avid lover of guitars and everything in-between. My current profession is not really music-related. It is quite discouraging but I just don't want to drop my zeal--especially not to guitars! I created GuitarTrance.Com so that I can keep up with my hobby. Of course, I want to engage with the community as well! Hope we can all get along!