Amps for guitar, bass and vocals: combos, heads and cabs, Tube, Solid-State & Digital

Amps are the heart of any electric or electro-acoustic rig: guitars, basses, keys, vocals, multi-effects. From tiny practice combos to full head-and-cab stacks, your amplifier defines volume, feel and character.

On Muviber you can find new and used amps for every context: compact practice combos, powerful heads and cabs, classic tube amps, reliable solid-state amps and versatile modeling amps. This page helps you understand what kind of amp you really need and how to move inside listings like:

• guitar amps
• bass amps
• acoustic guitar amps

What an amp is and how it works

An amp takes the weak signal from your instrument and makes it powerful enough to drive a speaker.

In short:

1. Input – you plug your instrument into the amp.
2. Preamp – shapes the tone (gain, EQ, clean/drive channels).
3. Power amp – boosts the overall level.
4. Speaker / cabinet – turns the signal into actual sound in the room.

The combination of these stages (plus the circuit type: tube, solid-state or digital) gives your amp its personality: vintage, hi-gain, ultra-clean, modern, etc.

Main types of amps

Combo amps

A combo amp is an all-in-one solution: head and speaker in the same cabinet. It’s the go-to choice for:

• rehearsals and jam sessions;
• players who need portability;
• those who prefer a simple, plug-and-play rig.

On Muviber you can filter listings for combo amps by power, brand and price.

Amp heads and cabs

The classic head and cabinet setup is ideal if you play live and need more sound pressure and flexibility.

• The head hosts preamp and power amp.
• The cab houses one or more speakers (1x12, 2x12, 4x12, etc.).

It’s a modular solution: you can swap heads or cabs depending on the gig. Check out amp heads and cabs when you want a more scalable rig.

Tube amps

Tube amps are a favourite among guitar and bass players:

• rich, dynamic tone that reacts to your touch;
• musical overdrive, perfect for rock, blues, hard rock and classic metal.

They do require more maintenance (tubes wear out) and really shine at medium to high volumes. You can often find great deals on tube amps on the used market.

Solid-state amps

Solid-state amps:

• are usually lighter and more affordable;
• need very little maintenance;
• sound good even at low volume.

They’re perfect for practice rooms, home use and as everyday workhorses. Start with solid-state amps if you want reliability first.

Modeling amps and digital solutions

Modeling amps emulate different amps, cabs and pedals in a single box:

• great if you play many styles and need flexibility;
• ideal for home recording and headphone practice;
• often include built-in effects (reverb, delay, modulation).

If this sounds like you, focus on modeling amps and read the listing details about connectivity and features.

Instrument-specific amps

• Electric guitar – amps with strong tonal character, clean/crunch/lead channels.
• Bass – more headroom and low-end handling, cabs tuned for bass frequencies.
• Acoustic guitar – full-range amps designed to keep the sound natural.

You can search directly among guitar amps, bass amps and acoustic guitar amps, depending on your main instrument.

How to choose the right amp

When you compare amps, start from a few practical questions:

1. Where will you use it?

   • Only at home / home studio
   • Rehearsal room with a band
   • Live gigs in clubs or festivals

2. What instrument will you plug in?

   • Electric guitar, bass, acoustic, keys, multi-FX

3. What style do you play?

   • Pop/funk (clean, dynamic tones)
   • Rock/indie (crunch and classic drive)
   • Metal (tight, saturated hi-gain)

4. How loud can you be? In an apartment, a 100W tube stack is usually overkill; a small combo or a modeling amp with headphones makes much more sense.

5. Do you want one “forever tone” or maximum flexibility?

   • Many styles, one rig → modeling amps.
   • One very specific tone → a good tube amp or a well-voiced solid-state.

Key specs to check in listings

• Power (watts)
• Number of channels (clean, crunch, lead…)
• Speaker size and configuration (1x10, 1x12, 2x12, 4x12…)
• I/O (FX loop, line out, USB, headphone out)
• Condition (new, used, mint, etc.)

If you’re upgrading from a basic starter amp, practice amps and used amps are the easiest way to get a noticeable improvement without overspending.

Price ranges: entry, mid, pro

Numbers vary by brand and market, but these ranges help set expectations.

Entry level

Designed for:

• beginners;
• home practice;
• tight budgets.

Small solid-state or modeling combos: perfect for learning, jamming with backing tracks and recording your first ideas.

Mid range

Here you’ll find:

• more powerful and feature-rich combos;
• medium-power heads;
• modeling amps with better connectivity (USB, DI, IRs, etc.).

Great for amateur bands, rehearsal rooms and regular club gigs.

Pro level

Amps built for:

• regular live players;
• recording sessions;
• players who want a “final” tone and robust gear.

Often tube heads paired with quality cabs or high-end digital systems integrated with FRFR speakers and rack setups.

Practical tips and exercises with your amp

1. Build a solid clean tone

1. Set all EQ knobs (bass, mid, treble) around noon.
2. Keep gain low and slowly raise volume to a comfortable level.
3. Play open chords and arpeggios: the sound should stay clear and articulate, not muddy.

2. Work on picking dynamics

• Keep the exact same amp settings.
• Play the same riff softly, then increasing your picking attack.
• A good amp will get more aggressive but still stay controlled and musical.

3. Dial in a basic crunch sound

• Start from your clean setting.
• Increase gain until you get a nice breakup when you dig in.
• Use the mid control: less mids → more modern, scooped tone; more mids → better presence in the band mix.

4. Checking a used amp

When you try a used amp you found on Muviber:

• listen for unwanted noises (hum, crackles, sudden volume drops);
• test all channels, knobs and switches;
• if it’s a tube amp, make sure tubes don’t produce exaggerated noise and warm up normally.

How to find amps on Muviber

To quickly land on the right amp inside Muviber:

1. Start from the general Amps category, or jump straight into guitar amps, bass amps or acoustic guitar amps.
2. Use filters for price, condition (new/used), power and brand.
3. If portability is key, focus on combo amps or practice amps.
4. If you need maximum versatility for band and studio, look at modeling amps.
5. To maximise value for money, keep an eye on used amps: often that’s where pro-level gear shows up at friendly prices.

Amps FAQ

Are tube amps better than solid-state amps?

It depends on your playing style and where you’ll use the amp. A tube amp offers a more dynamic, “alive” feel but needs volume and some maintenance. A solid-state amp is practical, more affordable and sounds good even at low levels, which is great for home and everyday use.

How many watts do I need to play at home or in a rehearsal room?

For home use, 5–20W is usually plenty, especially with solid-state or modeling amps. In a rehearsal room with drums and a full band, 30–50W solid-state or 20–30W tube power is a more realistic starting point, considering you can always mic the amp into the PA.

Can I use the same amp for guitar and bass?

Ideally no, especially the other way around: a guitar amp is not built to handle a bass guitar’s low frequencies, and you might damage the speaker. Some bass amps or full-range systems can handle guitar too, but it’s always safer and better sounding to use dedicated amps for each instrument.

What is the difference between a combo amp and a head plus cabinet?

A combo amp packs everything into one cabinet: easier to carry and perfect for practice rooms, home and smaller gigs. A head plus cabinet setup is more modular and often more powerful, letting you swap heads or cabs to adapt to different stages, at the cost of extra bulk and weight.