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Instrument Amplifiers

Our range of instrument amplifiers covers practice and small gig amps for electric guitar, bass, acoustic instruments and keyboards. Matching the amplifier to the instrument matters more than raw wattage, since a bass through a guitar amp will sound thin and can damage the speaker. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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How much power do you actually need?

For bedroom practice, 10W to 20W is more than enough and will still be too loud to use fully. For rehearsing with a drummer, a guitarist wants around 30W upwards, and a bassist needs considerably more, typically 100W or more, because low frequencies require far more power to be heard at the same apparent volume. For gigs where the amplifier is put through the PA, a small amp is often plenty since the PA does the work of filling the room.

Match the amplifier to the instrument

A guitar amplifier is deliberately coloured, shaping the midrange and often adding valve-style distortion, which is part of the electric guitar sound. A bass amplifier is built for low frequencies with a larger speaker and much more headroom. An acoustic amplifier aims to be transparent and includes a microphone channel, so a singer-songwriter can run voice and guitar through one box. A keyboard amplifier is full range and stereo, because a piano or synth covers the whole spectrum. Playing bass through a guitar amplifier risks damaging the speaker.

Combo, or head and cabinet?

A combo puts amplifier and speaker in one box, which is simpler, cheaper and lighter for practice and small gigs. A separate head and cabinet lets you carry a small head to a venue with a house cabinet, and lets each part be replaced or upgraded independently, which is why it persists at the louder end. For most players below professional touring, a combo is the sensible answer.

Built-in effects and modelling

Many practice amplifiers now include amp modelling, effects and preset sounds, which is a considerable amount of value in one box and removes the need for a pedalboard while learning. Look for a headphone output, which is what makes late night practice possible, and an auxiliary or Bluetooth input so you can play along with a track. A USB output for recording is common and genuinely useful.

Speaker size and tone

Speaker diameter shapes the sound as much as the electronics. An 8 inch speaker is tight and focused for practice, a 10 or 12 inch gives more depth and projection, and bass cabinets go larger still or use multiple drivers. A bigger speaker in a small room does not make the amplifier better, so size it to where it will actually be played rather than to the specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many watts do I need for practice?
10W to 20W is ample for bedroom practice and will still be too loud to use at full volume. For rehearsing with a drummer, guitarists want 30W upwards and bassists considerably more, typically 100W or more.

Can I use a guitar amp for bass?
It is not advisable. Bass frequencies demand far more power and a speaker designed for them, so a guitar amp will sound thin and the speaker can be damaged. Use a bass amplifier for bass.

Why do bass amps need more power?
Low frequencies require substantially more energy to reach the same apparent loudness, so a bass amp needs more power and a larger speaker with more headroom to compete with a drum kit.

What is an acoustic amplifier for?
It aims to reproduce an acoustic instrument transparently rather than colour it like a guitar amp, and usually includes a microphone channel so a singer-songwriter can run voice and guitar through one box.

Combo or separate head and cabinet?
A combo is simpler, cheaper and lighter, and suits practice and small gigs. A head and cabinet lets you carry just the head to venues with a house cabinet and upgrade each part separately, which suits louder players.

Can I practise quietly with an amplifier?
Yes, if it has a headphone output, which most practice amplifiers now include alongside an auxiliary or Bluetooth input for playing along with tracks. Keep headphone levels moderate over long sessions.

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