Have you ever found yourself getting lost in the gigantic selection of amps in music stores? Or what about the endless scrolling online through website pages? There are so many different kinds! There are big amps, small amps, boxy amps, stackable amps... How do you know what you should be looking for in the first place!?
Don’t worry; amp hunting can be confusing for everyone — especially the first time. In this article, we’re going to turn up the volume and answer any questions you might have concerning the differences between combo amps and stack amps. So, fear not! Pretty soon you’ll have the confidence to choose whether you’re a head and cab kind of player or if a combo is more your style.
Stack amps: aka head and cab


Check out any rock concert from the 70s and 80s, you’ll be sure to find tons of stacks towering behind the guitarists. They might look cool, but is bigger always better...?
Stack amps consist of an amplifier head and speaker cabinet. The amp head is what produces your tone, and the speakers in the cabinet (the cool kids call it a "cab") project it to the masses. You might be wondering, moving this around must be a pain, considering the size of a stack. The good news is the head and cab can be disconnected from each other.
Not only does this make them more portable (carrying two lighter things rather than one big heavy one), but it also allows the ability to mix and match heads and cabinets for volume and tone flexibility. This makes stacks ideal for recording studios where you’ll want time to spend customizing guitar tones.
With a stack, you’re also not stuck with one brand. Say you had a Marshall cabinet and wanted to use a MESA Boogie amp head. That’s perfectly fine! You’ll get a different sound with every amp head and cabinet combination. With stacks, you have a much larger range of tones to choose from.
Before you start mixing and matching heads and cabinets, make sure you understand ohms and impedance. It’s complicated, but it’s important in the world of stack amps. Basically, some heads make too much power for speaker cabinets to handle, which can quite literally blow your speakers. Check the back of your amp head to see how many ohms it needs, then match it to the cabinets accordingly for optimal performance.
If you gig out, you’ll find that many venues already have a cabinet that just needs a head. In that case, all you need to do is bring your amp head, and you’re ready for the show!
Having your amp separate from the speakers also comes in handy when you want to upgrade your rig. You won’t have to upgrade everything, just parts of it. Guitarists can replace tubes, swap out speakers, or even modify circuits without affecting the entire system.
Stack amps come in two different configurations:
- Half stack: An amp head with one cabinet that holds up to four speakers.
- Full stack: An amp head with two cabinets that hold up to four speakers each.
The difference between a half stack and a full stack is the full stack will give you much more power to increase your volume (obviously).
You can find cabinets in all sorts of configurations, but you typically find them in 4x12 (four 12-inch speakers) or 2x12 (two 12-inch speakers). Naturally, 4x12s produce more volume and look cooler when they take up the entire room, while 2x12s are a bit more manageable to carry around and play in smaller spaces.
Whether you’re playing in larger venues, outdoor performances or even just basements, stacks give you a bigger volume advantage for when the time calls for it… And a whole lot of noise complaints for all of you that play it at home!
Understanding combo amps


Take a stack and stick the amp and speakers in the same box. That’s a combo amp! I always found combos sound tighter and way more defined in overall tone because the amplifier and speaker are in such close proximity to each other, as opposed to stack amps which are more pronounced and powerful, especially when it comes to bass response.
Combo amps typically contain one to four speakers: 1x12, 2x12, and 4x10. And just like with stack amps, generally more speakers mean more volume (and weight).
Combo amps work great for most genres and are a favorite for session and touring guitarists looking for a punchier tone and compact transporting. These smaller sizes allow the amps to be stored in small recording studios or stage areas where equipment is cramped.
But just because they’re compact doesn’t mean they’re easy to carry around. Some combo amps weigh in at around 70 pounds! But because everything lives together, you only have to make one trip from the car to the gig.
You’re also more or less stuck with the tone you get when you choose a combo amp. The speakers and head are matched at the factory, and you can’t mix and match to experiment with tones unless you actually remove and replace the speakers.
However, since the amp and speakers are paired at the factory by real engineers with real engineering degrees, you don’t have to worry about matching impedance. It’s already done for you!
Amps like Fender 65 Twin Reverb make great touring amps where they have the available space to project sound that can fulfill its potential. They’re VERY loud. Whereas an amp like a Vox AC15 would be perfect for club gigs and studio performances.
It’s important to note that these tonal characteristics are generalizations, and individual amp models within each category can vary significantly. Factors such as circuit design, speaker choice, wattage, and cabinet construction all play crucial roles in shaping an amp’s final sound.
Maintenance and longevity
Just like anything in the music gear world, it’s important to maintain your amp. The better you maintain it, the longer it’ll last!
Combo amp maintenance is considered slightly more challenging since everything is connected internally. However, because of this, it’s less likely that you'll experience issues.
One thing to note is if you do find that your combo amp needs servicing, you’ll have to find an amplification alternative in the meantime. You can’t just pop on a new amp head or swap some speakers. This is just one of the side effects of having an all-in-one unit.
With stack amps, since you have separate components, you can isolate each piece if you ever have an issue and decide if it’s with the head or cabinet, making repairs and maintenance a little easier.
However, stacks have more connections. And every connection means a greater possibility of having issues. You’ll need to regularly maintain them and take care of them, especially if you travel a lot. Although with stack amps, while one piece is being serviced, you can swap to a replacement piece without completely losing your tone-making gear.
Consistent maintenance, careful transporting, and proper storage are the keys to making your gear withstand the test of time and function normally.
Combo vs. stack amps: Which is better?
If you’re trying to decide between a combo amp and a stack, the main topic to consider is where you’re using it and what you’re using it for. Your specific needs and playing style bot are important aspects in deciding what’s right for you.
Reasons to use a stack amp:
- Excel in high volume applications
- Wider tone sculpting options
- Easier to upgrade
- Lighter pieces
Disadvantages:
- More difficult to transport (unless just bringing an amp head)
- More expensive
- Need to consider impedance
Okay now let’s hear it for the combo side…
Reasons to buy a combo amp:
- Relatively inexpensive compared to stack amps
- Simple to use
- Compact / easy transport
- Great for smaller gigs / on-stage monitoring
Disadvantages:
- Servicing could be expensive
- Volume power is limited (unless you go for 100 watts)
- Tone shaping options are limited
- Weight
The moral of the story is that everything depends on what you find practical and a necessity in your rig. If you’re not worried about needing to blow everyone’s heads off with the volume of a stack, maybe a combo will do you just right. And if you don’t like to be stuck with a single amp/speaker combination, a stack will give you the tonal versatility you’re looking for.
Side note: I’ve never turned a Fender Twin Reverb combo amp past three on the volume knob… yeah combos can be pretty loud, too!
Popular amp brands
Ready to find your dream amp? Here are some of our favorite brands that you should definitely take a look at for both stack and combo amps:
It’s always to explore not just explore the brands you’re familiar with but also brands that you might just be hearing for the first time. Modern amp technology will surprise you at how advanced we’ve become sound design. Some of the new manufacturers are doing amazing things!
Your amp, your sound
Whatever you choose as an amp, it’s part of your sound. People can suggest all the amps and reasons why you should buy the one they have, but at the end of the day it’s your choice. I always recommend trying out a handful of different amps by various brands to give you a good baseline and feel for how each one sounds. From there you can narrow it down based on personal preference.
If you have any questions about guitar amps, the difference between combo amps and stacks, and how to choose the best one for you, just reach out to the AMS Customer Service professionals at 800-458-4076. We have experts with plenty of experience, ready to help you in your search for the perfect amp.
Until next time, make some music and good luck on your search!

