Best Solid State Guitar Amps in 2023 (All Price Ranges)

This post will introduce and review the 5 best solid-state guitar amps on the current market, based on pricing, popularity, and features. Solid-state guitar amps are a type of amplifier that produces audio through transistors rather than vacuum tubes or light bulbs. They are typically cheaper than tube-based or hybrid amplifiers, though they have a different sound that some people find desirable. 

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Best Solid State Amps


Many musicians prefer tube-based amplifiers for their warmer sound and distortion qualities; however, this also comes at a higher price point. For example, an all-tube Fender Blues Junior amplifier can range from $1,000 to $2,700 USD. A solid-state Fender Blues Junior amplifier is similar in price but has lower distortion and a warm tone.


1. Yamaha THR10II Portable Amplifier


This is the best solid-state guitar amp because of its extremely small size and relatively low price. It also includes many features commonly found on higher-priced amplifiers such as reverb and an overdrive channel. The one thing to keep in mind with this amp is that it cannot handle any more than 10 watts of power, which means you can’t play it too loudly on stage. But if you don’t plan on getting anyone else in the band to join you this isn’t a problem.

Yamaha THR10II Desktop Amp

Pros

  • Extremely small and portable amp.
  • Features reverb and overdrive channels.
  • Has a headphone output.
  • Features built-in speaker simulation that allows you to mimic other amplifiers’ sounds. 

Cons

  • Maybe too small for some users.
  • Thin sound quality.
  • Only 10 max watts of power. 

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2. Boss Katana MkII 100


This is a higher-priced option, but it has a full 100 watts of power. It also has an effects loop and can produce distortion/overdrive sounds if connected to the optional foot pedal. Though it does not have separate channels for clean and dirty sounds, it does have an effects loop that can be used to achieve this effect. The amplifier will power on automatically when it senses a signal. Will turn off automatically when there is no signal for 20 minutes, which helps save battery life. 

Boss Katana Head MkII 100-watt Guitar Amp Head

Pros

  • Has 100 watts of power. 
  • Comes with a built-in effects loop. 
  • Has a headphone output.
  • Has an optional foot pedal that can be used to achieve distortion or overdrive sounds. 

Cons

The sound quality is not as good as the first option. Have to purchase an optional foot pedal to get distortion/overdrive sounds. Does not have multiple channels for clean and dirty tones. 

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3. Fender Mustang GT 100


This is a higher-priced option, but it has 100 watts of power. It also gives you high, mid, and low EQ settings to create a more varied tone. With overdrive and reverb effects, this amplifier packs quite a punch for the money. I personally would not use this amp for recording, but if you are playing live or with a band, I would recommend it. Has high, mid, and low EQ settings to create a more varied tone. Has an effects loop to add extra distortion/overdrive sounds. Has an optional foot pedal that can be used to achieve distortion or overdrive sounds. 

Fender Mustang GTX 50 Digital Modeling Combo Amplifier Roll over image to zoom in Fender Mustang GTX 50 Digital Modeling Combo Amplifier

Pros: 

  • 100 watts of power. 
  • Has high, mid, and low EQ settings to create a more varied tone. 
  • Has an effects loop that can be used to achieve distortion or overdrive sounds if connected to the optional foot pedal.

Cons: 

  • More expensive than other amps. 
  • Cannot be used for recording. 
  • Does not have clean and dirty channels. 
  • Only 100 watts of power.

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4. Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus


This is the most expensive option on the list, but it is also the most versatile and highest-powered. With 120 watts of power and multiple channels, including clean, dirty, and solo channels, this amp can create a variety of different tones. The cool thing about this amp is it has built-in effects such as chorus, delay/reverb, Ultrabeat drum rhythms, tremolo/pan/vibrato effects, and rotary speaker effects. This amp will really help you achieve that big band or jazz sound you are looking for. It comes with a foot pedal to control the various effects built into the amp. 

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus 120-Watt Guitar Amplifier with Two 12-Inch Speakers

Pros: 

  • 120 watts of power. 
  • Can create a variety of different tones. 
  • Built-in effects such as chorus, delay/reverb, Ultrabeat drum rhythms, tremolo/pan/vibrato effects, and rotary speaker effects. 
  • Has an optional foot pedal to control the various effects built into the amp. 
  • Comes with a full warranty and lifetime technical support by Roland, who is one of the leading brands in musical equipment and digital music production products worldwide.

Cons: 

  • Expensive. 
  • No built-in CD player or recording option. 
  • No separate clean and dirty channels. 
  • Does not have a headphone jack, so can’t play on the road without an amp modeler plug-in device. 

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5. Roland Blues Cube Hot 30


This is the most affordable option on the list and one of my personal favorites as well. At just five pounds, it is portable enough for you to carry the amp around with you wherever you go, even if you are using public transportation or riding your bike to places where many musicians like to practice. It has multiple different sound settings such as metal crunch, metal stack and metal gate. It also has a full-function CD player and pre-delay effects. The amp will power on automatically when it senses a signal, and it will turn off automatically after 20 minutes if you don’t play any music or if there is no signal for 20 minutes. This helps save battery life. 

Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus 120-Watt Guitar Amplifier

Pros: 

  • Portable amp with extremely small size. 
  • Has different sound settings such as metal crunch, metal stack, and metal gate. 
  • Has a full-function CD player and pre-delay effects. Has auto power on/off features that help save battery life. 

Cons: 

  • Not as versatile as the first three options due to a lack of clean and dirty channels. 
  • Not as durable as amps that cost more. 
  • No effects loop to connect an optional foot pedal or other effects. 
  • Needs a speaker box to function properly, which makes it not very portable if you are touring or want to practice with the amp on the go.

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6. Marshall Code 50


This amp will power on automatically when it senses a signal and will turn off automatically after 20 minutes if there is no signal. It has multiple channels that include clean, dirty, overdrive, and lead channels. It also has a headphone output. This amp will not work properly without the speaker box plugged into the wall where it has a jack plug into the speaker box. I would not use this amp for recording but if you are playing live or with a band, I would recommend it because of its versatility and quality tone. 

Marshall Code 50-50-watt 1x12" Digital Combo Amp

Pros: 

  • Comes with an effects loop that can be used to achieve distortion/overdrive sounds if connected to the optional foot pedal. 
  • Multiple channels include clean, dirty, overdrive, and lead channels. 
  • Has a headphone output. 
  • Has an optional foot pedal that can be used to achieve distortion/overdrive sounds. 
  • Includes a speaker box, which is not included with some amps. 

Cons: 

  • Only 100 watts of power. 
  • Cannot be used for recording. 

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7. Blackstar Silverline Stereo Deluxe


This is the most affordable option on the list, but it has only 100 watts of power, which is not as much power as the first five options. It has a built-in CD player and comes with four different preset mini-stomp pedals that give you four different effects. Has high, mid, and low EQ settings to create a more varied tone. Has built-in effects such as chorus, delay/reverb, Ultrabeat drum rhythms, and tremolo/pan/vibrato effects. This amp will really help you achieve that big band or jazz sound you are looking for while remaining relatively affordable. 

Blackstar Silverline Stereo Deluxe 2x12" 2 x 100-watt Combo Amp

Pros: 

  • 100 watts of power. 
  • Includes a speaker box, which is not included with some amps. 
  • Has different EQ settings to create a more varied tone. 
  • Has built-in effects such as chorus, delay/reverb, Ultrabeat drum rhythms, and tremolo/pan/vibrato effects. 
  • Comes with a full warranty and lifetime technical support by Blackstar, which is one of the leading brands in musical equipment and digital music production products worldwide.

Cons: 

  • Does not have any optional foot pedals or effects loop to make it more versatile. 
  • Only 100 watts of power.

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Helpful Hints And Tips For Choosing The Best Guitar Amp


One of the first things to do when you are choosing an amplifier is to find out if it is powered by a battery or power supply. Most amplifiers come with a built-in battery, but some amps that you purchase from bass stores and guitar shops have external power sources. That needs batteries (or even a power cord) for them to work. So you will have to make sure that the amplifier being chosen comes with a power cord and not just the battery it needs. Batteries will usually last up to two years, while a power source that plugs into the wall will usually last as long as you own your amp.

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Next, you should find out how powerful the amplifier is and whether or not it has clean and dirty channels to make it more versatile. You should also find out if the amp can be used for recording or only for live shows. If you are planning on performing live, then this may not be a very big deal for you because most amps that are capable of recording can also be used for live performances.


Guide to buying the Best Solid State Guitar Amps


1. Sound Quality: The sound quality of the amplifier is one of the most important factors in choosing an amp for playing for you. It is very important that you choose an amplifier that has the sound you are looking for because it will primarily determine how enjoyable your music will sound to your audience. 

2. Power: Another thing that needs to be considered when getting started with a guitar amp is whether or not the amplifier will have enough power to keep up with your playing style and if your playing style requires a large amount of power. It is also important to find out if there are any available effects such as reverb or delay effects, or if there are features like a built-in tuner or CD player included in the amp.

3. Controls and Settings: The controls on an amplifier will determine what sounds you can achieve on your setup. For example, if you have a clean channel on the amp and have a few pedals, then using the clean channel will allow you to get a different tone than if you only use the pedals. The other thing that needs to be considered is setting up your amplifier where you can be able to achieve the sound that you are looking for in your playing without having to switch channels. 

4. Speaker Size: The size of the speaker will determine how much power your amplifier put out as well as the tone that it will have. For example, a larger speaker will usually have more bass in it and less treble, while a smaller speaker would be used for more treble and less bass. When using an amp for recording purposes to achieve the sound you are looking for, you would need to find out what the limit is on how small or large the speaker can be because depending on how big it is, it could affect how your recording comes out.

5. Additional Features: You should find out if your amplifier has any additional features that would be beneficial to you. If there are effects built-in, then this will save you from having to plug in all of your pedals every time you play. If there is also a tuner or CD player, then you will not need to use headphones or an additional audio device in order for your audience to hear what you are playing. 

6. Durability and Reliability: In order for an amp to be the best guitar amp, it needs to be durable and reliable enough that it can be used on a daily basis without breaking down on you when performing live or recording.

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Final Verdict


Choosing the right guitar amp is as important as choosing the right guitar because an amp that is not good enough can make even a high-quality guitar sound bad. The decision on which amp to choose will depend on what you are looking for in an amplifier, but it is important to remember that power will have some influence on the final choice. An amp that is not powerful enough will not be able to keep up with most playing styles so it is important that the amp you choose has enough power for your needs.

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