Review

Reviews: Three guitar practice amps

John Calcott investigates three guitar practice amps, each offering a different feature set at an entry-level price point

I recently started teaching guitar at a new school and found myself needing a practice amp to take along with me. I still remember my first amp, a Ross Fame 10 combo, which, like many amps in its class, had an anaemic clean tone and a horrific distortion option. There are still plenty of products out there that are no better than that little black box I started with so many years ago, and I hope this comparison saves your ears and wallets from unnecessary disappointment.

The Blackstar Debut 10E is a compact, solid-state 10-watt amp that focuses on simplicity. What stands out about this amp is its robust design; it doesn’t feel like a ‘landfill’ product destined for a three-year lifespan. I personally appreciate that this amp uses a mains power cord instead of a laptop-style power supply, which I’ve always found flimsy and a bit of a pain to use. It’s worth noting that some micro amps don’t even come with a power supply anymore, presumably to keep the retail price down.

Register now to continue reading

Register to the Music Teacher website today to read more of the latest news and developments from the world of music education.

You’ll receive:

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here