guitar amp | Guitar World

“I was able to dial in tones that came damn close to Lifeson’s late ’70s/early ’80s sounds”: Lerxst CHI head and 1x12 cab review

By Chris Gill published 23 April 24

A lower-powered version of Alex Lifeson’s superlative Omega tube amp, the CHI could facilitate your guitar’s passage to Bangkok

“Ideal first amps, loaded with features for hours of fun and inspiration”: Blackstar ID:Core V4 Stereo 10, Stereo 20 and Stereo 40 review

By Nick Guppy published 8 April 24

Blackstar has introduced a timely update to its award-winning programmable guitar amp range, but how do these combos stack up?

Marshall Studio JTM series – complete with head, cab and combo options

“We think Marshall represents the rock and roll attitude”: Amp sales accounted for just 5% of the Marshall Group’s revenues in 2023 – but it looks like new digital amps could be on the way

By Matt Parker published 4 March 24

A recent Billboard report shows the Marshall Group’s home audio wing brings home the lion’s share of the newly merged firm’s revenues

NAMM 2024: “Finally, an acoustic amp you can leave in your living room when company comes over”: Taylor debuts its own amp brand, Circa ’74 – complete with mid-century modern design, mahogany cabinets, and looks to kill

By Matt Parker published 23 January 24

The brand's debut solid-state combo hides a modern feature set behind its beautifully retro form

NAMM 2024: “Not just an upgrade but a complete reinvention”: Vox debuts the amPlug3 travel amp in 7 classic guitar and bass amp-channeling forms

By Phil Weller published 18 January 24

From boutique amps to modern high gains and a faithful Vox AC30 replica, Vox is looking to add more dynamism to solo practices without upsetting your neighbours

Gift great guitar tone this Christmas with a chunky $65 off the Positive Grid Spark amp - plus a free bag worth $60

By Daryl Robertson published 11 December 23

Land a hearty discount on one of the most popular practice amps ever this holiday season – and nab a free bag, too!

Laney Ironheart Foundry IRF-Leadtop review: It’s tiny and costs just $299, but this solid-state fire-breather can handle anything you can throw at it

By Nick Guppy published 4 October 23

Compact, crammed with gain and kitted out for home practice or the stage – meet the latest addition to Laney’s Foundry series

Marshall Studio JTM ST20H review – one of the most important amps in rock and blues gets a modern-day reboot

By Nick Guppy published 6 September 23

The classic JTM45 finally comes to the lower-watt Studio series – and it’s one of the finest Marshall amps in years

The history of the Fender ‘Tweed’ Bassman – the tube amp for bass players that became a guitar classic

By Rod Brakes published 19 July 23

How the 1950s Bassman combo designs laid the groundwork for countless guitar amps

Vox Amplug Set Brian May Limited Edition

Vox amPlug Brian May Special Edition Set review

By Stuart Williams published 12 June 23

Vox’s mini headphone guitar amp gets a royal ascent, courtesy of the Queen guitar legend

Mesa/Boogie Mark VII Head review

By Chris Gill published 6 June 23

The latest evolution of Mesa's flagship head might just be Randall Smith's finest hour, and one of the best amps on the market right now

Fender FSR British Racing Green Player HSS Strat

Fender debuts limited-edition British Racing Green finish – but you’ll need to be quick off the line to bag one

By Matt Parker published 16 May 23

The firm has launched a European-exclusive Fender Special Run batch – including a Player Series HSS Strat, Tele and P-Bass, alongside a Blues Junior IV amp

PRS Sonzera 20 Combo review

By Paul Riario published 12 May 23

Reworked, redesigned, reinvigorated, PRS's versatile combo returns – and it's a bona-fide 20-watt powerhouse of tone

Ashdown MF484 2.N review

By Nick Guppy published 5 May 23

Ashdown’s new 30-watt head features Two Notes’ integrated speaker emulation and reactive load, making it a powerful tool for live and studio

Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 2 review

By Nick Guppy published 12 April 23

This expanded version of Blackstar’s feature-packed format might just be the finest pedalboard amp yet

Fender Mustang LT40S review

By Rob Laing published 11 April 23

The Big F's desktop amp presents guitar players with an affordable and inspiring tool for practice. But how does it measure up in an increasingly crowded field?

NAMM 2023: Blackstar unveils its most powerful entry-level amp yet, the Debut 50R

By Matt Owen published 21 March 23

The $249 combo seeks to cover all practice and gigging needs

In praise of the 1984-85 Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, the high-gain boutique amp behind rock and metal’s holy grail tones

By Chris Gill published 2 March 23

It's the amp of James Hetfield's rhythm tone and Steve Lukather's leads, and as it ascends into the digital afterlife as a Neural DSP plugin, we revisit the legendary design to unpack its magic

Rhett Shull teams up with Port City Amps for the Grandville – a head and combo inspired by an early ‘50s Gibson amp

By Matt Owen published 17 February 23

Featuring an onboard tremolo effect and streamlined control layout, the Grandville is also said to be a “terrific pedal platform” that brings out the best in overdrive pedals

Boss Dual Cube LX review

By Amit Sharma published 15 February 23

The eternally popular practice amp returns in a desktop-friendly format – and with more features than ever before