How much of a difference does an expensive amp make as opposed to cheaper one?

As stated before, when you are dealing with instruments of any kind, you can expect to get what you pay for. However, there is something to say for ‘trickle down technology’. Technology is advancing at such a fast rate that what was $1000 five years ago is now attainable to the ‘everyman’ guitar player. It is quite feasible to get a decent amp for around $300 if you look around for it.

You definitely do not want to pair up a cheap amp with a nice guitar. That would defeat the purpose of buying a nice guitar. Amps are digital/solid-state or tube; though to the average person the difference in sound will not be that big of a deal, it is a big deal to many experienced players. A tube amp will give a much richer, fuller sound than a solid-state amp. The new digital amps have what is called amplifier modeling. What this means is that live sample of other amps have been digitally programmed into the amp’s head unit. This allows you to get a wider selection in sound from one amp. Whereas many amps are limited in their output models, digital amps take the best from different amps, giving the player a wider range of amp sounds. These amps are not too expensive being that they are digital and not tube. However you can find amps that both model other amps and are tube based.

The main thing when it comes to amps is be sure to test it out. Take your guitar into a store and plug in. Make a decision based on how it sounds and the price. This is the balanced way to choose your amp.