Whether your looking for your first guitar amp or upgrading to a better or bigger rig follow the suggestions below and you will avoid buyers remorse! These suggestions are equally suited to the purchase of a new amp from a store or a used amp.
By all means play through the amp. I would discourage buying a guitar amp without seeing it, playing it and putting it through its paces. So what does that mean?
Bring your guitar
Bring your own guitar to test the amp with. Sounds like common-sense but do not forget this important point. When you get it home and plug in your guitar you do not want to be scratching your head saying "gee it didn't sound like that at the store".
Try the amp at the volume you play at
If you are seriously shopping, and not just messing around trying stuff out, then most stores do not have a problem with you cranking the amp up. You need to try the amp at the volume you will play it at. Amps sound different at different volumes. The speakers factor into the sound. If its a tube amp it will take on an entirely different character when played loud then when its played at low volumes. Some stores will even accomodate you by placing you and the amp in a special room where you will not harass the other shoppers when you crank the amp.
Test the switches and controls
At a moderate volume carefully turn each pot through its range of motion. If you hear popping or scratching then the pot is either bad or needs to be cleaned. If the pot sticks then it needs to be replaced. Also make sure you test each input with your guitar and make sure you get signal.
Ask other players their opinion. If you don't know any other players, then read reviews written on Harmony-Central. Do read more than one review so your opinion isn't skewed by someone's bad experience or ineptitude.
Most stores should be able to discount the amp 20% off list price. So if the list price is $1000, they will probably sell it to you for $800. Some discount chains offer up to 30% off list price (list price is also known as retail price or simply 'retail'). Typically its difficult for dealers to offer more than 30% discount with most major amp manufacturers. Some manufacturers do not allow for much dealer mark up, so you may not get the 20-30% off depending on the brand of amp your buying. Do your homework and look around online and see what the amp costs (don't forget to include shipping!). Visit other stores and check out their ads.
Bring cash. If you are trying to negotiate a price with a credit card you will not get as good a deal. The merchant has to pay fees when they take a credit card, as well as incur risk.
Don't be a jerk. Its a business transaction and conducted in a polite, civil, business-like fashion you will be rewarded.
This is purely a matter of opinion, but this author has played guitar for over 20 years and in his experience the best amps for the money are made by Fender. We are talking about good tone and reliability. Many boutique shops make great amps as well. Custom Audio Electronics is another excellent manufacturer for high-quality tube guitar amps. VHT makes some decent amps too. There is no secret: you get what you pay for!
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