Should I invest in a better guitar or a better amp is a challenging question both newbie and seasoned guitarists ask as they pursue their musical dreams. It’s a significant issue that splits an assortment of guitarists, so you’re not alone if you’re having trouble deciding.
However, if confronted with a case where you have to pick one, always go with the amp, since a combination of an inexpensive guitar and a better amp trounces the other combo.
A gigging performer would need a costly amp to break through the mix and give consistent stellar performances.
Whatever your opinion is, I’d want to point out that becoming a brilliant guitarist does not necessitate expensive equipment. However, we all enjoy tweaking our setups; and having a nice kit is one of the peculiar pleasures of being a guitarist in today’s environment.
That said, sound, feel, and appearance all play a role in deciding if you should upgrade your amp or guitar. This post examines each of them to assist you in making an informed decision.
Reasons To Upgrade Your Guitar Or Amp
Below are the reasons that would compel you to get a better guitar or amplifier
1. Sound
If you prioritize sound over all else doesn’t imply you should buy a new guitar instead of a new amp, or vice versa. It is more dependent on the type of sound you want to play.
2. The Feel
When buying your maiden guitar, you’ll probably check out several different models at a store. It will assist you in determining which type of music you want and which feeling is ideal for you.
The final feel from different manufacturers differs and determines how easy it is to play and how well they sound.
If you value the feel of your instrument above all else, you should put it first. A working amp will make your guitar feel exciting to play and ultimately make you play better.
3. The Appearance
The guitar looks may appear trivial to some guitarists. However, some consider the appearance of their instrument essential in their guitar selection.
Since there are many different colors, models, and brands, buying a guitar may be as much about aesthetics as it is about sound.
When it comes to the appearance of your setup, the amp is also a factor to consider. Some amplifiers have remarkable aesthetics.
If you want a distinct look, it’s advisable to modify your guitar instead of your amp because guitars have a far broader range of designs than amplifiers.
Why Go For A Better Amp?
Having a high-quality amplifier will make practically any guitar sound fantastic. A better guitar will produce a better sound, but still, the results will astound you.
A Fender Twin Reverb amp makes a guitar like Squier Strat sound incredible, especially when combined with pedals. Therefore, if you can buy a better amplifier, you will not be disappointed.
If you want to, you may eventually improve your guitar as well.
Benefits Of A Better Amp
a) Improved Response
Your practice amp failing to respond well to your playing indicates that you are most likely not performing to your full potential.
A premium solid valve or solid-state amplifier will respond accurately to your playing, resulting in a significantly more enjoyable playing experience.
b) Tonal Versatility
A good amp features a drive channel, distortion, and other built-in effects that combine to generate loud sound. It gives you the freedom to experiment with tones on a larger scale.
Why Go For A Better Guitar?
Another alternative is to go with the high-end guitar and play through an amp you already have. The guitar could be Fender Stratocaster, Music Man, or any model that’s an upgrade to what you had.
Simply put, you’ll choose a guitar that appeals to you and complements your musical tastes.
The new guitar will have a better sound than your previous one, and the explanation for this is self-evident. The new guitar pickups will be outstanding.
However, the biggest issue is that the sound would be subpar. The new guitar will have better sound but won’t be spectacular due to the old amp.
Benefits Of Getting A Better Guitar
a) Better Tonewoods
Tonewoods gives your guitar a sonic tone and resonance. High-end guitars incorporate premium tonewoods which offer balanced sound, while budget guitars employ tonewoods with a lower sonic quality.
Replacing the tonewood of a guitar’s body or neck is often strenuous and costly, so buying another guitar could be a better alternative.
b) Comes With Everything Installed
Some guitarists feel buying a better guitar is better than replacing old hardware and electronics. A new guitar comes with everything you need pre-installed.
There’s no faffing around with setup, and you receive a better gleaming guitar that’s ready to give a plethora of tonal possibilities.
FAQs
1. Should The Amp Be More Expensive Than The Guitar?
If you have to pick between an expensive amp and an expensive guitar, always go with the former. A budget guitar with a premium amplifier sounds far superior to the other combo.
2. Why Do I Need An Amp For The Guitar?
Amplifiers not only increase your volume, but they also regulate your tone, smoothing out your guitar’s natural sound in a clean setting. They add overdrive and distortion effects on a crisp setup, thus explaining why electric guitarists find them useful.
3. How Much Does A Decent Guitar Amp Cost?
A decent modeling amp costs about $220. High-end modeling amps would cost at least $500 depending on the number of watts they use to operate.
4. What Makes A Good Amp?
A good amp has a lively sound with a crisp punch that jiggles your pants. The preamp or gain controls make you dial striking distortions at low volumes easily.
On the other hand, severe preamp distortions might sound sizzling and overly compressed at high volumes.
5. Why Are Guitar Amps So Big?
Guitar amplifiers are heavy because they house wooden cabinets, speaker magnets, metal chassis, power and output transformers.
Conclusion
If you have to choose between a better amp and a better guitar, pick the amp as recommended in the post. You’re probably used to the neck and the sensation from the guitar you already have.
The guitar will sound fantastic when paired with a better amplifier. It won’t be as good as a more costly guitar, but the tone will be noticeably better.
