AMS Buyer's Guides
Here at AMS we understand that your search for the right musical gear may lead to a few questions. Our Buyer’s Guides are designed with the customer in mind, in the interest of helping you make the best decision when it comes to choosing your gear. Use these guides to educate yourself, and confidently make a well-informed selection on any instrument or accessory you may be interested in. AMS Buyer’s Guides cover a wide range of products, and we’re constantly expanding and updating to cover even more. Scroll or search to find the best Buyer’s Guide for you, and let us help you find the right equipment for your rig. With expertise in every product category we offer, AMS has you completely covered with all of the information you need, so you can get right to making music!
Find a Guide
Enter a search term (ex. guitar, amplifier, microphone):
Or select a general category below:
Electric Guitar
Bass Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Vocalist
DJ
Recording
Live Sound
Keyboard
Drum
Other
Electric Guitar
Guides covering all aspects of the electric guitar, including the instruments, amplifiers, pickups, effects pedals and boards, and wireless systems are all here.
Bass Guitar
Even though it is similar to the electric guitar in many respects, the electric bass presents its own unique challenges when it comes to finding a specific instrument or accessory. Use these guides to help clearly distinguish the differences and find what you need.
Acoustic Guitar
There are numerous options when it comes to the vast world of steel-string acoustic, acoustic-electric, and nylon-string classical guitars. Everything you need to know about these instruments, their care and maintenance products, as well as information about purchasing specifically designed amplifiers and pickups can be found here.
Vocalist
Make your voice shine through on stage or in the studio with our guides on how to purchase the right microphone setup for your performance.
DJ
You know you want to thrill a crowd with your collection of music, creating your own sets and remixing your favorite tracks. Now find your direction with information on purchasing turntables, CDJs, digital controllers, software, speakers, and accessories in these Buyer’s Guides.
Recording
Looking to set up a dedicated home recording studio or assemble a portable rig that is ready to capture audio absolutely anywhere? These Buyer’s Guides will focus on your specific needs as an audio engineer.
Live Sound
Whether you need to install a fixed setup in a venue or need audio delivery that is portable and effective, the proper live sound rig makes all of the difference. Be absolutely sure you have everything necessary with the help of these Buyer’s Guides.
Keyboard
There are hundreds of models of personal keyboards, digital stage pianos, synthesizers, and workstations on the market. These guides will address all of their unique qualities and help you make the decision to purchase one that is best for you.
Drum
Learn what constitutes an acoustic or electric drum set and how to distinguish between different levels of quality. These guides also point out how to grow your setup with additional hardware and ready yourself with the necessary accessories needed to play.
Other
Looking for information on something more obscure and can’t quite find what you’re looking for? All of our miscellaneous guides focusing on less conventional instruments and niche specialties are compiled here.
Universal Audio Buyer's Guide
This AMS Buyer's Guide highlights the Universal Audio Apollo line of Thunderbolt, Firewire, and USB 3.0 audio interfaces and plug-ins that are the choice of professional and project recording studios worldwide. Learn more
Keyboard Controller Buyer's Guide
With this handy Buyer's Guide, AMS shows you how the right keyboard controller, paired with your computer, can guide your digital audio workstation (DAW) and music software to help you compose, produce, and perform! Learn more
Guitar String Buyer's Guide
Guitar strings are made using different methods and materials at varying levels of thickness. No matter if you play electric, acoustic, or classical, this AMS Buyer's Guide will help you find the guitar strings for your exact needs. Learn more
Live Sound Buyer's Guide
This new AMS Buyer's Guide is the ultimate manual to running a proper live sound setup. Everything you'll need from microphones and PA speakers to powered amps, mixers, and all of the proper accessories are discussed here. Learn more
Power Amplifier Buyer's Guide
Getting a powered source of audio signal safely through a speaker system requires the right power amplifier. Our new AMS Buyer's Guide helps you easily understand the technical language and detailed aspects of power amplifiers. Learn more
Pioneer DJ Buyer's Guide
This buyer's guide will help you choose the correct Pioneer DJ gear for your needs. Whether you're into using your computer or not, this guide has you covered with controllers, stand-alone units, and DJ mixers. Learn more
Digital Mixer Buyer's Guide
This AMS Buyer's Guide discusses the digital mixer (sometimes referred to as a console, board, desk or combination thereof) and how it has become the brain of sound reinforcement systems and recording studios. Learn more
Studio Monitor Buyer's Guide
AMS helps bring out the fullest potential of your musical projects with the right monitors and subwoofers, all while showing you how to best use them for an accurate mix in your recording space. Learn more
Bluegrass Buyer's Guide
Bluegrass and Americana include a large family of instruments with a storied folk culture and history. This new AMS Buyer's Guide discusses what you will need to help find that sound. Learn more
Personal Keyboard Buyer's Guide
A portable and accessible personal keyboard is an absolute necessity for pianists and composers, this guide from AMS will help you pick the instrument that best suits your musical needs. Learn more
DJ Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right DJ gear from a seemingly endless selection can feel confusing and overwhelming. Let AMS put you at ease and answer all of your questions with our in depth DJ Buyer's Guide. Learn more
Bass Guitar Buyer's Guide
It takes top-shelf gear to bring that low end, and a bass player's one-stop shopping destination is AMS. If you've never purchased a bass before we will help you find it. Learn more
Digital Piano Buyer's Guide
This guide will help you to understand the features, functions, and common concepts of the digital piano, allowing you to find the perfect instrument to meet your specific needs. Learn more
Drum Buyer's Guide
Whether you're buying your first drum set or you're building a set that would make Neil Peart jealous, it's important to know which gear you'll need and this guide will help you find it. Learn more
Handheld Recorder Buyer's Guide
Learn how to capture the sounds of your life no matter where you are, from multi-channel field recorders to stereo point-and-shoot units and video recorders, this guide has you covered. Learn more
Electric Guitar Buyer's Guide
Whether you're buying your first guitar or your 10th guitar, it's important to know which instrument will suit your needs best and the AMS Buyer's Guide will help you find it. Learn more
Pickup Buyer's Guide
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the tone of your instrument is by changing the pickups. This guide explores various types of pickups, and their respective tones. Learn more
Workstation vs Arranger
Workstations and Arranger Keyboards represent the latest technologies and the best ideas each manufacturer has to offer. This buyer's guide will help you decide which option to choose. Learn more
Acoustic Amplifier Buyer's Guide
The acoustic guitar amp might look a lot like a traditional electric guitar amp but there are a few differences. This guide will cover the main options for amplifying your acoustic-electric guitar. Learn more
Cut the Cord - A Guide to Wireless Guitar Systems
A wireless guitar system allows you to explore the furthest reaches of the stage and make the whole venue your playground. This guide will help you cut the cord and enjoy your wireless freedom. Learn more
Acoustic Guitar Buyer's Guide
Acoustic guitars come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are constructed of several species of wood. The different iterations give each instrument its distinctive tone and feel, its personality! Learn more
Acoustic Guitar Care Guide
This guide will cover all the essentials of guitar maintenance, from proper humidity to what type of oil to use on your fretboard. Protect your guitar and make sure it is around for years to come. Learn more
Turntable Buyer's Guide
Can’t decide which turntable is best for you? This guide breaks down the differences and lets you know what to look for when shopping for a turntable, no matter what you'll be using it for! Learn more
Pedal Flow 101
With so many options available, setting up a pedalboard can be a very details process. This guide will lead you through suggestions and rules of thumb to follow to get the most out of your signal chain. Learn more
Pedalboard Buyer's Guide
This buyer's guide will walk you through some common pitfalls experienced when assembling a pedalboard and how to avoid them, as well as setting up a signal chain and more! Learn more
Nylon Guitar Buyer's Guide
Learn the ins and outs of nylon string guitars and the differences between classical and flamenco. You'll also learn how the construction of these guitars sets them apart. Learn more
History of Vox
Learn about the history behind one of the world's greatest guitar amplifiers and how the VOX AC15 and AC30 amplifiers have become icons of classic and modern music. Learn more
Home Recording Buyer's Guide
Learn about the gear that goes into making the ultimate home studio! From interfaces to studio monitors and plugins, let us help you make the right choices for your home studio. Learn more
Singer-Songwriter Buyer's Guide
Learn about the tools of the trade for singer-songwriters and how this gear can inspire you to write music! From guitars and amps to PA systems and accessories, this guide has you covered. Learn more
A Synth Buyer's Guide
Synthesizers (synths) have been a huge part of music for over fifty years! Explore the building blocks of using pure analog and analog emulation hardware along with software synths in this new AMS Buyer's Guide. Learn more
The Heavy Metal Periodic Table
The world of metal features many subgenres that all have a style of their own. Learn about commonly used gear for many of these subgenres in this heavy metal periodic table. Learn more
Pedal Power - A Guitar Pedal Buyer's Guide
A player's choice of pedals reveals a lot about their style. While some prefer a pure tone, others indulge in soundscapes ranging from trippy psychedelic to bone crushing distortion. Learn more