Guitar amps

All the latest guitar amplifier news, reviews and tips on MusicRadar

Collection of new Boss Katana amps — "The Gen 3 feels like you are viewing the older iteration in 4K – there's greater detail and nuance in the tone": Boss Katana 50 & 100 Gen 3 Boss is sharpening the blade of their cutting-edge practice amps – but is it worth upgrading?

Blackstar St James — Best guitar amps 2024: Our pick of combos, heads and pedalboard amps for all budgets and abilities Our expert pick of the best guitar amps for rock, metal, blues and more – including tube, solid-state and digital modelling amplifiers

Phil X (L) and Jon Bon Jovi perform during Bon Jovi's "This House is Not For Sale" tour at Toyota Center on March 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas — "There are three telltale characteristics that scream 'fake' to me": Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X on what he doesn't like about some digital modelling amps He also explains why less gain can bring out the best in players

Latest guitar amps news

YouTuber buys the cheapest Squier Strat he can find – proves age-old truth about tone, but also something else

By Rob Laing published 5 July 24

Where you invest your money in the signal chain matters

GTR

Thomann drops a fresh batch of 70th-anniversary savings - including hundreds off a Gibson Custom Les Paul Special and so much more

By Daryl Robertson published 1 July 24

With discounts applied to everything from guitars to amps, studio gear and keyboards there’s something for everyone in Thomann's birthday sale

GTR

Solid-state combos that sound as good as tube amps? Laney unveils 60W Lionheart Foundry series

By Jonathan Horsley published 28 June 24

Laney reignites an age-old debate with portable, gig-ready two-channel combos with all the “the power, dynamism and response” of the original Lionheart, and footswitchable boosts

GTR

An AER acoustic amp on a wooden floor with an acoustic guitar in the background

Best acoustic guitar amp 2024: Amplify your sound without losing your acoustic resonance

By Jonathan Horsley last updated 27 June 24

Whether you’re practicing, busking, or performing, amplify the finest qualities of your guitar with our selection of acoustic amps

Guitars

The ultimate Mark IIC+? John Petrucci teams up with Mesa/Boogie for JP-2C 1x12 combo

By Jonathan Horsley published 25 June 24

Petrucci and Mesa/Boogie present us with a customised Mark IIC+ that has all the gain you'd need, with CabClone tech, MIDI, effects loop, two 5-band graphic EQs, and heaps more features

GTR

“I’m excited to see everyone again back in Anaheim”: NAMM receives boost as Fender announces return

By Jonathan Horsley published 25 June 24

Fender CEO Andy Mooney announces surprise U-turn in a show of faith for the National Association of Music Merchants' mammoth gear expo

GTR

The Marshall JTM gets a special spec for Celestion speakers' 100th anniversary

By Rob Laing published 24 June 24

Say hello to the Celestion 100

Guitars

Polyphia’s Tim Henson and Scott LePage on why the Marshall JCM800 is a mainstay of their backline

By Jonathan Horsley published 21 June 24

No, progressive guitar’s boundary pushers are still using digital amp modellers, but as Henson says, “You just can’t beat the warmth of a tube amp”

GTR

James Walbourne of the Pretenders with a vintage Gibson Explorer amp

Watch the Pretenders’ James Walbourne demo a vintage Gibson Explorer – the amp, not the guitar

By Jonathan Horsley published 18 June 24

The GA-18T Explorer is one of the lesser-spotted amps from the golden era of the Gibson archive but on this evidence maybe it is due a comeback

GTR

Jim Root tell us about introducing amp modelling to his Slipknot rig for the first time

By Andrew Daly published 17 June 24

"I have noticed, ironically enough, that I like using it better direct than I do with a power amp through a speaker cabinet"

GTR

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Latest guitar amps tuition

Build your own DIY guitar amp from scratch

By Alex Lynham last updated 7 January 22

Hand-wiring a 5W tube head from scratch using a kit

Guitars

How to maximise tone and reduce noise on your guitar rig with gain staging

By Electronic Musician last updated 23 July 20

The first step in structuring the correct gain levels from guitar to amplifier

Tech

How to amplify your electro-acoustic guitar for live gigs

By Guitarist last updated 18 May 20

4 ways to make your acoustic heard on stage

Guitars

How to mic a guitar amp or cabinet

By Total Guitar last updated 21 February 20

It's not as simple as just plonking a dynamic mic in front of your amp's speaker

Guitars

Setting up a ribbon mic away from your amp can deliver a slightly different sound.

Recording a guitar: 4 different setups

By Computer Music Specials published 21 February 20

Find out how the professionals do it

Tech

How to record guitar amps: the best recording solutions available today

By Guitarist published 19 February 20

Cabinet simulation gear you need to check out

Guitars

The beginner's guide to creating a virtual guitar amp rig

By Computer Music published 19 February 20

Learn how to build your own guitar processing setup in software from scratch

Guitars

How to replace guitar amp speakers

By Simon Law published 12 February 20

An in-depth guide to the process

Amps

Learn how to get the best sound from your guitar amp using these studio mic techniques

By MusicRadar published 1 January 20

Skunk Anansie guitarist and ACM tutor Ace shares a masterclass in tone

Guitars

How to record an electric guitar amp

By Total Guitar published 22 October 18

Top tips on mic placement and technique

Guitars

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Latest guitar amps reviews

"Not only does this tiny device allow us to beam iconic Boss tones directly into our ears, but the Stage Feel feature delivers an immersive practice experience like no other": Boss Katana:Go review

By Daryl Robertson published 19 March 24

£119
€139
$119

The new Boss headphone amp looks to revolutionise the way you practice at home – but is it worth it?

GTR

“Packs a mighty punch for such a compact sub”: Kali Audio WS-6.2 studio sub review

By Simon Fellows published 18 March 24

£599
€599
$544

We get big bass tones from a sub that punches way above its size

PA Subwoofers

"This is an excellent, well-made and incredibly easy-to-use system": Bose S1 Pro+ PA system review

By Daniel Flitcroft published 12 March 24

£699
€679
$499

A slick, lightweight and powerful PA System with a hidden weapon

PA Systems

PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT review

By Jon Musgrave published 10 January 24

£169
€198
$185

A subwoofer can seriously enhance your monitoring. We fire up this latest offering from PreSonus

PA Subwoofers

PreSonus Eris 3.5BT review

By Jon Musgrave published 31 December 23

£119
€129
$119

PreSonus’ highly popular speaker line has been overhauled. We hook up the baby of the bunch

Cabs and Speakers

t.akustik Woofer Stand A100W review

By Jon Musgrave published 30 August 23

£51
$65

Loudspeaker isolation devices are pretty commonplace. Let's size up this sub-bass isolator from t.akustik

Amp and Speaker Stands

Marshall Studio JTM ST20H 20W head & ST212 cab review

By Daryl Robertson published 28 July 23

£1,075+
$1,400+

Marshall proves it still has it with a modern take on a true vintage icon

GTR

Boss Katana 50 MKII EX review

By Daryl Robertson published 11 July 23

£319

Boss has sharpened the blade of the Katana, expanding its feature set and versatility

GTR

Focal ST6 Sub12 review

By Simon Fellows published 23 March 23

£2149

We take a deep dive into this behemoth of bass from premium audio brand Focal

PA Subwoofers

Two Notes ReVolt Guitar Analog Amp Sim pedal review

By Rob Laing published 20 February 23

The French company showcases a power trio

Amplification

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