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Marshall Origin Electric Guitar Amplifier Combo 1x12 50 Watts
$799.99Equal parts classic design, iconic tones, and forward-thinking innovations, Marshall has pulled out all the stops with their new Origin Series of heads and combo amplifiers! The Marshall Origin ORI50C is a 50-watt p...12 Payments of $66.67
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Marshall MG15GFX Electric Guitar Amplifier Effects Combo 1x8 15 Watts
$199.99A 15-watt powerhouse with an impressive feature set that will have you coming back to discover more and more great tones! The built-in effects include phaser, chorus, flanger, and delay as well as a great spring rev...6 Payments of $33.33
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Line 6 Catalyst CX 100 Electric Guitar Combo Amp 1x12" 100 Watts
$359.95 - $399.99Catalyst® CX 100 is a dual-channel 1x12 combo amplifier that performs like a traditional guitar amp—while providing the increased versatility of a modern amp. Occupying the middle position in the Catalyst CX family ...8 Payments of $50.00
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EVH 5150 Iconic Series Tube Guitar Combo Amplifier 40 Watt 1x12"
$689.95 - $799.99Evolving from the revered EVH 5150III amplifiers, the Iconic Series delivers the searing sound and growling gain that the late-Eddie Van Halen made famous throughout his groundbreaking career. The EVH 5150 Iconic Se...12 Payments of $66.67
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Orange Crush 12 Guitar Combo Amplifier
$119.00The smallest of the full-format Crush models the Crush 12 is designed for guitarists with a no-nonsense attitude to quality tone. Featuring a powerful 3 band EQ, dedicated overdrive control plus our new CabSim-loade...6 Payments of $19.83
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Fender Blues Junior IV 1x12 Tube Amp 15 Watts Black
$789.99Fender Blues Junior IV 15W 1x12 Tube Combo Amp The Fender Blues Junior IV proves you don't need a Marshall stack to shake the walls. This 15-watt, all-tube combo has long been a favorite for both bedroom players ...12 Payments of $65.83
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Vox AC15C2 Twin Custom Guitar Combo Amplifier
$1,099.99The Vox AC15C2 Twin Custom Guitar Combo Amplifier pumps out that classic all-tube, Vox tone through two 12-inch Celestion G12M Greenbacks! The addition of a second 12-inch speaker means this amp will move more air...12 Payments of $91.67
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Blackstar Debut 100R Combo Amplifier 2x12 Inch 100 Watts Cream
$499.99Designed by Blackstar’s world-renowned UK R&D team responsible for the award-winning St. James and HT Venue Series. The DEBUT 100R packs all the great tone and innovative features you would expect from a Blackst...8 Payments of $62.50
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Marshall Origin Electric Guitar Amplifier Combo 1x10 20 Watts
$699.99Equal parts classic design, iconic tones, and forward-thinking innovations, Marshall has pulled out all the stops with their new Origin Series of heads and combo amplifiers! The Marshall Origin ORI20C is a 20-watt p...12 Payments of $58.33
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Vox AC30S1 Custom Series Electric Guitar Combo 1x12 30 Watts
$999.99Vox proudly announces the AC30S1! Inspired by the classic sound of the Vox AC30 which galvanized a rock revolution that continues to resonate with guitarists today. The AC30S1 is a single channel amp that’s packed w...12 Payments of $83.33
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Peavey Vypyr X3 Modeling Guitar Amplifier Combo 1x12" 100 Watts
$499.99Huge capabilities, impeccable amp models and loads of smart features in a compact form! The Peavey Vypyr X3 has 36 on-board amp models, 12 effects, built in looper and so much more for guitarists to dial in their id...8 Payments of $62.50
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Blackstar Debut 100R Combo Amp 1x12 Inch 100 Watts
$449.99Designed by Blackstar’s world-renowned UK R&D team responsible for the award-winning St. James and HT Venue Series. The DEBUT 100R packs all the great tone and innovative features you would expect from a Blackst...8 Payments of $56.25
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Guitar Combo Amps
From a highly portable practice amp to a stage-ready 2 x 12 design, nothing beats the all-in-one convenience of a combo amp. The amplifier, preamp, and speaker(s) are all integrated into a single enclosure. Many of the latest combo amps even offer onboard effects.
Guitar Combo Amps: Everything You Need, All in One Box
A guitar combo amp packs the preamp, power amp, and speaker into a single enclosure. Plug in, turn it on, and you're ready to play. That all-in-one convenience is why combo amps have been the go-to choice for guitarists at every level for decades, from bedroom players learning their first chords to touring professionals who need a reliable, portable rig they can grab and go. At AMS, we carry guitar combo amps from Fender, Marshall, Vox, Orange, Blackstar, Boss, Line 6, Peavey, PRS, and more, covering every amp type, wattage, and price point you could need.
Whether you're after the glassy clean headroom of a Fender, the crunch of a Marshall, or the versatility of a digital modeler, guitar combo amps give you the full picture of your tone in one package that's easier to transport and set up than a head-and-cabinet stack.
What's Inside a Guitar Combo Amp?
Understanding what's under the hood helps you make a smarter buying decision. Here's what every combo amp includes, and what separates the different types:
- Preamp section: Shapes your initial tone, controls gain, and determines the character of your sound before it hits the power stage.
- Power amp section: Takes the preamp signal and amplifies it to speaker-driving levels; this is where tube amps get their natural compression and breakup.
- Speaker(s): Built into the cabinet; speaker size and type (Celestion, Eminence, and custom-voiced designs are common) have a major impact on your overall tone.
- Controls: Volume, gain, EQ (bass, mid, treble), and channel switching at minimum; many models add reverb, effects loops, and master volume.
- Channels: Most gigging combos have at least a clean and a drive channel; higher-end models offer additional footswitchable voicings.
- Effects loop: Routes your effects (particularly time-based ones like delay and reverb) between the preamp and power amp stages, keeping your signal chain clean.
- Speaker out/extension cab jack: Many combo amps include an output to add an external cabinet when you need more volume or coverage.
Types of Guitar Combo Amps
The combo amp category breaks down into three distinct amp technologies, each with its own sound, feel, and use case. Here's how to tell them apart and what each is best suited for.
Tube Combo Amps
Tube amps use vacuum tubes in both the preamp and power sections to generate and amplify your signal, producing the warm, dynamic, touch-sensitive sound that has defined electric guitar tone for over 70 years. Push them harder and they break up naturally; that's the overdrive and compression that makes tube amps so satisfying to play. The Fender Blues Junior, the Marshall DSL40CR, and the Vox AC15 and AC30 series are among the best guitar combo amps for players who want authentic tube tone, whether they're playing clean jazz or cranked classic rock. For home use, lower-wattage tube combos (15–20 watts) let you get into power tube breakup at more manageable volume levels.
Solid-State Combo Amps
Solid-state amps use transistor-based circuitry instead of vacuum tubes. They're reliable, lightweight, consistent, and generally more affordable, which makes them a popular choice for practice, rehearsal, and players who need a dependable workhorse without the maintenance of tubes. Marshall's MG series and Peavey's solid-state combos are built tough and sound good at any volume, with no tubes to replace or bias.
Hybrid Combo Amps
Take the warmth of a tube preamp and the reliability and efficiency of a solid-state power amp, put them together and what do you get? A hybrid combo amp! Hybrid combo amps are sometimes considered the “best of both worlds,” giving you all the tube-like warmth and touch without all the cost and maintenance.
Modeling Combo Amps
Modeling amps use digital signal processing to simulate the sound of classic tube amps, cabinets, and effects in a single unit. The Boss Katana, Line 6 Spider, and Fender Mustang are strong examples; they give you dozens of amp voices and built-in effects, making them incredibly versatile for players who cover multiple styles or want a practice amp that doubles as a recording interface. Many modeling combo amps also connect via USB for direct recording or integrate with software editors for deep tone-shaping.
Boutique and High-End Combo Amps
For players who want something beyond the mass-market offerings, AMS also carries boutique and high-end combo amps from Mesa/Boogie, Bad Cat, and others. These amps are built with premium components, hand-wired circuits, and painstaking attention to detail, and they sound like it.
PRS DGT 15 Combo Amp
This video introduces the PRS DGT 15 Combo Amp, which brings the acclaimed tone of the DGT 15 head into a portable, 15-watt combo format designed in collaboration with David Grissom.
How To Choose the Right Guitar Combo Amp
The best guitar combo amps aren't necessarily the most expensive ones; they're the ones that match how and where you play. Here's what to focus on:
- Wattage: A 15-watt tube combo or a 50–100 watt solid-state or modeling amp covers most gigging situations; smaller wattages are better suited for practice and recording.
- Amp type: Tube amps for warmth and feel; solid-state for reliability and value; modeling amps for versatility and features.
- Speaker configuration: 1x12 is the most common gigging format; 2x12 moves more air and fills larger rooms; 1x8 or 1x10 suits practice and home use.
- Channels: One channel is simple and pure; two or more channels give you footswitchable clean and drive tones without tap-dancing on pedals.
- Built-in effects: Onboard reverb is nearly universal; modeling amps add delay, chorus, and more; tube purists often prefer a dry amp they run through external pedals.
- Portability: If you're gigging regularly, weight matters; modern amp design has produced powerful combos that are significantly lighter than vintage equivalents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Combo Amps
How many watts do I need in a guitar combo amp?
Fewer than you might think for tube amps, and more than you might think for solid-state. A 15-watt tube combo can be surprisingly loud and covers most club gigs. A 50–100 watt solid-state or modeling combo gives you headroom and clean volume for larger venues. For home practice, 5–20 watts is plenty, especially in a modeling amp where you can dial back the master volume without losing tone.
Can I use a guitar combo amp for recording?
Absolutely. Tube combos can be miked at low volume or run into a load box. Many modern modeling and solid-state combos, such as the Boss Katana and the Line 6 Spider series, include USB outputs or built-in power reduction features that make them easy to record with directly. Some even include cab-simulated outputs designed for recording or running direct to a PA.
Do tube combo amps require more maintenance than solid-state?
Yes, tubes have a lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced, and some amps require biasing when new power tubes are installed. That said, a well-maintained tube amp can last decades, and many players find the maintenance worthwhile for the tone. Solid-state and modeling amps require essentially no regular maintenance.
AMS Has the Guitar Combo Amp You've Been Looking For
American Musical Supply carries guitar combo amps for every style, every stage, and every budget, from first practice amps to boutique stage rigs. Every amp ships VERY fast and free, comes backed by our Gold Lock Extended Warranty at no extra cost, and is available on 0% interest payment plans.
Have questions about which combo amp is right for your setup? Call our gear experts at 800-458-4076. We'll help you find your sound.
