The Best Affordable Gigging Guitar Amps

When you’re looking for the best combo amp for gigging and something that won’t take up too much room at home, we’ve got you covered. We’re musicians ourselves so we understand that when you’re looking for the best combo amps possible, you want something that’ll sound good, won’t be too much of a burden to carry on and off stage and something you can use at home, too.

So, with that in mind we’ve rounded up a range of solid state and valve combo amplifiers that provide world class sound and don’t need two people to lift. We’ve also included a selection of amps that have attenuation switches which can reduce the output so you get cranked amp tones and response at lower volumes.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

This comes out on the top of our list thanks to the fact you have 5 selectable amp characters Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic built-in plus newly voiced variations for each (thanks to the MKII upgrade), so it suits a massive variety of different genres and playing styles. It actually responds like a valve amp; crank the drive and enjoy lush overdriven break up sounds! The BOSS Katana 50 MKII Guitar Amplifier is 50 watts, so it’s loud enough for gigs and the power control allows you to drop the output so you can enjoy cranked tones at lower volumes. Finally, you have access to over 60 BOSS effects which are customisable using the free BOSS Tone Studio Editor software and you can actually store 15 of those effects on the amp. It’s essentially a multi effects pedal wrapped up in a world class amplifier. If you want a solid-state combo amp that you can gig with, start here.

• Amp type: Solid state
• Wattage: 50 watts

The Orange Rocker 32 2x10" Valve Combo Amp packs a lot of power into a portable combo amplifier designed for those who love their stereo effects, and just beautiful amplifier tone in general. If you have stereo delay or modulation effects and you want a better sound than going straight in to amp, then listen up – your amp has arrived.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

The Rocker 32 is an all-valve stereo guitar amp featuring a stereo effects return with two separate valve output stages. This basically means your stereo effects on your pedal board can now breathe far better and enjoy the separation and sonic soundscapes they were designed to help you create.

Furthermore, the entre effects loop is an all-valve signal path, so there’s nothing digital affecting your tone. There’s two channels, “Natural” and “Dirty” so you have a choice of sounds, 2 x 10” speakers to blast out your tone, 30 watts of power at your disposal and the home friendly “half power” mode which allows you to drop the output power but retain that valve goodness.

• Amp type: Valve
• Wattage: 30 watts

Because we obviously have to have this amplifier in! The Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 III is easily one of the best combo amps for gigging ever crafted and the smaller size makes it ideal for around the home, too. This is relied upon by thousands of artists all over the world and an industry standard amplifier as you get 60 watts of power pumping through 2 x 12” speakers as well as 3 distinct channels of classic Fender tone.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

There’s a reason you’ll find this combo amp on pretty much every festival stage in the world; mainly the fact that you have 3 x 12AX7 PreAmp Valves and 2 x 6L6 Power Valves pushing your sound. The three channels you have - Normal, Drive and More Drive allow for a wide range of tonal options depending on your preference and all the controls you need to sculpt your sound. Try this amp out and see why it’s one of the most relied upon combo amps from small stages to the massive festivals of the world.

• Amp Type: Valve
• Wattage: 60 watts

Again, this is a no brainer and any list of best combo amps that doesn’t have the AC30 simply is not credible. Music would simply not be the same without the impact that the VOX AC30 has had. The likes of the Beatles used them for some of their most iconic recordings and world class bands like the Foo Fighters still use them to this day - and that's only two of the thousands of bands that use them!

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

The Vox AC30C2 Custom Combo Valve Amp is a great all-rounder amplifier used by everyone from country artists, to rock, to blues to heavy metal. The quintessential British tone within this amp sings loud and clear whether you're playing clean or driving the top boost section for more drive. It takes pedals well, has its own distinct sound which is instantly recognisable on record and on stage and is powerful enough for all stages with a master volume so you can bring it down if the venue is smaller. The 2x12" Celestion Greenback speakers push some serious air around so you really feel the amp when you crank it, the effects loop allows for stereo effects to be used and the extension speaker output jacks ensure you can add an extra set of speakers should you make it to the stadium rock -we believe in you. If you get hold of one of these, you won't look back.

• Amp type: Valve
• Wattage: 30 watts

If you want the sound of a VOX AC30 and but don’t want to have to break your back carrying a valve amp around or mainly want something for home and casual use, then the VOX AC4C1-12 Mini Combo Valve Amp is the ideal option.

This is a 4-watt class A valve amp which offers up the iconic VOX AC30 Top-Boost sound in a portable package. This is ideal for rehearsals, practising at home or even intimate shows - whatever you're using it for the main perk is that you don't have to worry about lugging a weighty big amp around.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

We absolutely love the VOX AC4C1-12 Mini just because of the sound on offer for its size and portability. This is especially ideal for home-practice, rehearsals and very intimate gigs as it holds all the character of the beloved AC30. The mini combo valve amp is one of the best combo amplifiers for home-use as the 4-watt of power gives you just the right output for rehearsals. This amp is also perfect for the studio simply down to the incredible tone you can get from it at low volumes.

• Amp Type: Valve
• Wattage: 4 watts (Ideal for studio and practice)

The list of iconic Marshall amplifiers is impressive to say the least, the likes of the 1962 Bluesbreaker – the first combo amp made by Marshall, the Silver Jubilee and the JCM 800 spring to mind straight away. However, getting hold of these classic amps is not only going to be expensive, but you’re going to break your back dragging the massive heads and cabinets around with you. This is where the Marshall CODE100 - 100 Watt Guitar Amp Combo comes in handy. It’s essentially the Marshall aficionado’s best friend.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

This is essentially like taking an entire studio’s worth of classic Marshall amplifiers with you everywhere you go. It’s a modelling amp, which uses the new Marshall Softube technology, or MST for short, which means each amplifier sound within the CODE100 responds exactly the way the original amplifiers do retaining any quirks and sweet tone spots that the original amps have. We love it because you have 14 MST preamps, 4 MST power amps and 8 MST speaker cabinets as well as the ability to control your tone via Bluetooth from your iOS or Android device using the Gateway App.

• Amp type: Modelling Amp (solid state)
• Wattage: 100 watts

If you want a smaller combo amp for rehearsal and around the home that you can comfortably gig small venues with, then the Blackstar HT-20R MkII Combo Valve Guitar Amplifier is a great option full of great amplifier voices driven by ECC83 and EL84 valves.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

We think this is one of the best combo amps for gigging and around the home as you have 20 watts to play with as well as the option to drop that down to 2 watts – ideal for around the home when you want the cranked valve amp sound at lower volumes. You have 2 different amplifier voices that give you the best of British and American amp sounds as well as 2 channels (clean and overdrive) essentially bumping that up to 4 different amp sounds in total. The emulated line out means you can record direct to your DAW and essentially emulate a 2x12 or 4x12 cab, making it a great song writing and studio partner too.

• Amp type: Valve
• Wattage: 20 watts

If you need a hardworking, highly portable amplifier that can keep up with the demands of a touring band but won’t break the bank or your back trying to carry it, then you need to take a look at the Marshall MG50GFX Guitar Combo Amplifier. With plenty of sounds built-in, lush effects and tools for recording/jamming at home you’ll find this extremely useful.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

The Marshall MG50GFX has 50 watts of power built in so it’s loud enough to compete with a drum kit and other guitarists on stage but not so loud that you’re going to blow the cat out of the room when you crank it up at home. It’s one of the best combo amps for people who love their Marshall amps as you have 4 channels at your disposal - Clean/Crunch, OD-1/OD-2, each of which have very distinct tones that can be activated on the front panel or by a foot controller (sold separately). There’s lovely built in reverb, delay and other assorted FX so there’s no need to buy any extra pedals and the headphone output allows for silent practice at home. There’s also a MP3/Line-In input so you can jam along to music or just use it as a speaker in between sets.

• Amp type: Solid state
• Wattage: 50 watts

The Roland Cube Street Battery Guitar Amplifier is an absolute necessity if you're a busker looking for the best busking amp money can buy. However, it's also great for performers who need a battery-powered combo amp for gigging - especially wedding duos and vocalists. At just over £200 they're also incredibly affordable.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

This is one of the best combo amps for those who need something portable as you have two high-performance 6.5 neodymium speakers which provide a big, stereo sound thanks to the dual 2.5W power. That may sound small, but it'll certainly push out a big sound. The fact you can enjoy 15-hours of continuous use thanks to 6 x AA batteries means you can gig anywhere, any time.

You also have dedicated microphone and line inputs with separate effects channels. You also have 8 COSM amps, 6 digital effects, and chromatic tuner built-in, so you don't even need a pedalboard!

• Amp type: Solid State
• Wattage: 2.5 W + 2.5 W

The Fender Champion 100 Guitar Amplifier Combo is yet another industry standard amplifier and one of the best combo amps for gigging, home use, studio, the list goes on. If you’re looking for a budget friendly solid-state combo amplifier that you probably wont ever have to upgrade, then the Champion 100 needs to be on your “must try” list.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

It’s got 100 watts of power ready to be unleashed through the 2x12” speakers, 2 channels, one of which gives you the classic Fender clean tone based on the Twin Reverb and the other has a selectable amp voicing which allows you to cycle through a range of different voices to get your ideal sound. There’s also Reverb, Delay, Echo, Chorus, Tremolo and many more effects built-in allowing you to gig without the need for a pedal board. Best of all, it’s just over £200 making it a perfect option for players of all levels.

• Amp type: Solid state
• Wattage: 100 watts

Last but by no means least we have the Line 6 Spider V 60 Modeling Guitar Amp. This is not your general run-of-the-mill modelling amp but an impressive piece of kit with 200 amps, cabs and effects models built in. To make it easy, the team at Line 6 have also included 100 presets—including instantly recognisable iconic rigs, artist-built tones and Line 6 originals that offer up a world of different tonal options for all styles.

Why is this one of the best combo amps?

If the 200 updated amps, cabs and effects models haven’t given you reason enough to believe this is one of the best and most useful combo amps, then maybe the fact it’s got a built-in tuner, metronome and drummer loops built-in should sway your vote. Seriously, this is like a full studio in an amplifier. The amp is wireless ready and compatible with the G10T Line 6 Relay transmitters, there’s 60 watts of power pumping out through a 10” full-range speaker and you can record directly to your DAW thanks to USB connectivity.

• Amp type: Modelling amp / solid state
• Wattage: 60 watts

Check out a full range of combo amps over at PMT online today or call in to your local PMT store today to try them out for yourself.