From guitar and bass to keyboards and voices, all artists need some form of amplification. For this purpose, you can choose an amplifier head combined with an amplifier cabinet into a complete set, or you can choose an amplifier with both built-in (amplifier combo) for your device.

Amp - Amplifier

Amplifier - Head - Head

Cab - Cabinet - Cabinet - Speaker

What is Amplifier Combo?

Amplifier combo is an audio amplifier all in one chassis, including amplifier and speakers. These two components are integrated and cannot be separated for individual use or upgrade. Most big name brands offer amplifier combos for guitars, basses and other musical instruments.

Combo amplifiers appeared in the 1930s and 40s but it took a while for the industry to accept them. Today, they are found on every continent and have become an indispensable part of artists' performance.

As technology advances, we see new and effective innovations such as digital amplifier models becoming popular with guitar and bass players.

In this article, we'll look at combo amplifiers along with some basic comparisons to other types and some recommendations for beginner to intermediate artists.

The most popular types of Guitar Amplifiers:

Artists, especially guitarists, tend to use the word 'amp' or 'amplification' loosely, which can cause confusion and ambiguity for beginners. In the music world, everything that “can” be called an amp. It could be a combo, a stack, or something else entirely.

Amplifier combo:

Basic combo amplifier: Includes speakers and amplifier in the same box. The combo amplifier market offers enormous diversity in color, shape, size, power and price range. From a tiny 2W to a powerful 300W, you can find options that offer a wide range of power, tone and control.

Amplifier combo with Amplifier Modeling: Amplifier modeling combines the latest technology with traditional amplifier combos to give you more flexibility in creating tones. They come in a variety of “digital” amplifiers and cabinets (using amp modeling technology) that allow you to access multiple tones from one device.

Let's take the example of the Marshall Code 25 combo amplifier. It is a 25W solid-state amp with 10-inch speakers. The Code 25 features 4 power amps, 14 preamplifiers, and 8 cabinets that can be mixed and matched to achieve a variety of tones, from classic to modern. Amp also has 100 presets, USB + Bluetooth connectivity and 24 fx options.

Amplifier (head) + cabinet (cabinet):

• Half Stack: Half stack includes head + speaker cabinet. It gets its name because the head is stacked on top of the cabinet. In a half-stack, the cabinet can have up to four speakers. They are heavy and tall, often 75” tall.

• Full Stack: This is the ultimate dream of many rock and metal guitarists because it's loud and great for distortion. A full stack is like a half-stack with an additional speaker cabinet. Angus Young of AC/DC is known to perform live concerts using a Marshall stack (with a wall of speakers).

Is Amplifier Combo good?

There are many advantages to owning an amplifier combo no matter what instrument you play.

Amplifier combo is affordable, portable and available in many different avatars. They are a good choice for rehearsals, jamming, practice, and performances at small to medium sized venues.

Many combo amplifiers are 'voiced' in a way that gives them a unique sonic character - thus making them more famous and popular than other amplifiers.

They are generally easier to move around than a stack (head + cabinet) because you only have to carry one device instead of two. Contrary to popular belief, some professional musicians use amplifier combos for live performances and studio recordings.

However, individual needs and choices vary. Audio is often highly subjective, making it difficult to say what's most effective without knowing the context. Artists must weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding which works best.

The Difference Between Amplifier Combo and Head + Cabinet:

The head itself can only raise the signal from your guitar, bass or any other source to line level. It does not contain any means to make that signal audible. This is where cabinets come into play.

The Head/Cab (or stack) are two separate devices that can be purchased separately.

Since they are not integrated, you can upgrade one or both as needed. The head amplifies the guitar's audio signal, and the cabinet has multiple speakers (or a single speaker) to play the sound.

You will notice that the heads and cabinets are connected together by signal cables. This means that the manufacturer has created the head unit and speaker cabinet to complement each other. However, this does not mean that you must use 1 head + 1 cabinet in pairs. You can combine 1 head with multiple cabinets or 1 amplifier combo + 1 or more cabinets.

It's perfectly fine to mix and match from different product lines or even other brands. However, if you choose to pair them with their 'matched' pair, they will provide a 'tried and tested' sound, which may make your decision easy.

Is Amplifier Combo Better Than Head + Cabinet?

Each type has pros/cons and decisions vary even among professional artists and studio owners. Based on your preferences, you can consider options based on genre, style, and tone.

In terms of sound, the head/cab would be considered capable of providing better volume. However, there is no clear answer as to which is better. The two options are very different in price, space, weight and tone. Each type has advantages and disadvantages in certain situations.

A combo amplifier can cost you several million. It provides enough volume for personal practice and indoor or small stage performances. Affordable, light weight and convenient. For this reason, most students and beginners prefer amplifier combos.

However, half-stack or full stack are far superior when it comes to volume or appearance. Head Marshall 100W with 4 12 inch speaker cabinet will be suitable for outdoor and stage performances.

Head & cab are more flexible because they are not fixed to each other. This allows professional musicians to own multiple heads and cabinets, which they can combine as desired based on genre and musical context.

Furthermore, professional artists have the resources to purchase and transport their equipment. This may be one of the factors that makes them lean towards head + cabinet options that are more powerful and have better audio capabilities, despite certain inconveniences.

You will find all kinds of permutations and combos in each of the aforementioned options. You can get a tube combo amplifier like the Blackstar HT20R MKII (20W) or a solid-state combo amp like the Fender Champion 20W. Similarly, you can choose from a variety of tube or solid-state heads and combine them with an equally diverse portfolio of cabinets.

FAQ about Guitar Combo Amp:

What is amplifier tube combo?

Combo tube amplifiers use vacuum tubes (called valves) instead of electronic transistors used in solid-state amplifiers. Since the two types use different means to create amplification, there are distinct differences in sound.

What is a boutique combo amplifier?

Refers to certain brands that meticulously craft their amps with special attention to components and tone.

They gain a fan following due to their distinctive looks, color tones or attention to detail. However, boutique amps are often very expensive. They are preferred by audio enthusiasts, connoisseurs and professional artists who know what they are looking for.

What is the best amplifier combo for beginners?

• Orange Crush 20RT Power Amp

• Blackstar Fly 3 Mini Amplifier

• Marshall Guitar Combo Amp (M-MG10G-U)

• Fender Champion 20W Combo Amp

• Fender Mustang LT25 25W Combo Amp

What is the best cheap amp head:

• Orange Micro Terror 20W Amp Head

• Fender Super Champ X2 15W Amp Head

• Orange Micro Dark 20W Tube Hybrid Amp Head

• Hotone Mojo Diamond 5W Guitar Amp Head

• BUGERA T5 5-Watt Amp Head with Infinium Tube

Conclude:

For every beginner, choosing the 'best' amplifier will always leave you struggling with all the options on the market.

From tiny amps to huge amps, combo amps are an easy-to-use, versatile option that's suitable for guitarists of all levels.

Amplification is a vast topic, but we hope this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the subject. This article just covers the basics in the context of combo amps.