Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Truth be told, to buy some of
the best amps on the market, you don’t have to spend more than a grand. However, if you are a professional musician, play on the biggest stages, or are simply chasing your dream tone, spending up to $2,000 can be a worthwhile move.
Yet, it’s not a decision you should rush into – it’s a lot of cash! That’s why we have put together this article.
In the chart below, we have highlighted a varied selection of high-end amps from a range of the best brands, offering a true taste of the premium amp market. These amps span both combos and heads, so you can choose the style that best suits you.
You may be looking for a sweet vintage sound or a searing-hot metal lead tone. Both of these – and everything in between – are catered for. Stick around after the chart for a look at what high-end amps can offer.
7 Best Guitar Amps Under $2,000
What to Expect from a $2,000 Amp?
Frankly, when you are dropping up to two grand on a single amplifier, you can demand near perfection.
What does perfection mean to you? Pure pristine cleans? Face-melting metal tone? Or incredible power that fills a stadium with sound? Whatever your definition of perfect, you should be able to find an amp that delivers in this price range.
The majority of amps in the premium market are tube amps, in both head and combo format. Heads are perfect for regularly gigging musicians seeking something that’s easy to transport, as well as something that will deliver a massive sound – providing you have a good external cab to plug into. Combos are excellent for gigs too and don’t need external speakers to be heard, although are considerably heavier.
Amps in this range will usually have a couple of selling points that set them apart from the
amps we see in the sub-$1,000 range. This may be the epic power on offer, with some capable of delivering up to 120-watts, or it may be special hand-wiring that increases the quality of the tone. The fact that these amps are built in countries like America or the UK guarantees a quality that mass-produced models find difficult to match.
As for controls, these vary from amp to amp. Don’t assume that, just because you are spending a sizable amount of cash, you’ll instantly be bestowed hundreds of dials to shape every last frequency. Just look at amps from Freidman or Orange, whose high-end units resemble practice amps in terms of controls! But for many guitarists, this simplicity works.
It’s the same when it comes to effects. Some high-end amps are oozing with different effects, such as reverb or tremolo – although many aren’t. If they don’t include effects, it’s likely that the amp has a good dedicate effects loops and take pedals very well, so adding your favorite modulation is a cinch.
Where is Mesa/Boogie?
We’ve listed the best high-end amps and we have failed to mention Mesa/Boogie in our chart? What’s wrong with us?!
First things first – we love Mesa/Boogie amps. For decades they have been the choice for rock and metal players around the world, from casual guitarists and pro musicians to some of the biggest artists of all time. The Triple Rectifier, the Mark V and the Lone Star all deserve their time in the spotlight.
However, this iconic brand is often difficult to find on many marketplaces. For this reason, we have left them off the most recent chart as we like to provide guitarists with easily-accessible amps. Stay tuned because as they become more available on more marketplaces, we’ll feature them in our charts in a future refresh.
Used or New?
It’s safe to say that, when shopping in
the budget amp market not many people will bother opt for a used amplifier. However, as you open your wallet to the tune of over a grand, the second-hand market becomes quite appealing.
Here, you can find amps of great quality that, when brand new, would have cost $2,000-plus. However, because they have already been loved, you can find hundreds of dollars have been shaved off the RRP. If this is the route you are going down, that’s great! Often these amps will be in great condition and you can grab a real bargain.
However, use caution. When spending this amount of money, be sure you can thoroughly test the model in question. Does it work? Is it missing tubes? Are the switches faulty? If you are buying from a private seller or a local guitar store, take your axe, plug it in and spend half an hour going to town on it.
If you are buying online, be sure to use a reputable seller – one that offers a clear returns policy if something goes wrong or you change your mind.
The Final Word
We hope this article and the chart above has given you a little food for thought when it comes to the world of premium amplifiers. Unless you are a rockstar or a millionaire, acquiring a high-end amp isn’t something you do more than once or twice in a guitar-playing career. It’s therefore important to make the right choice, before dropping the cash. Whether you are buying your dream amp or just browsing, we hope our selections have inspired you.