Wirecutter names Best Amp for Beginners

mistercharlie

And the winner is… Fender Champion 20.

The Wirecutter is fantastic, so this is probably a solid pick. I don't know much about it, tbh. Obviously it's not aimed at anyone who regularly posts on guitar forums. Just thought I'd pass it on. The article is super in-depth. 

darthed1981

They have used these on Andertons videos a few times and I always thought they sounded decent.

Proper old-school solid state?

mistercharlie

I think it’s a modeler. The Orange might be SS though. 

HAL9000

I tried out a Champion 40 a few weeks back as I was after a less heavy amp for jamming etc. Ended up buying a Katana 50 instead. The Fender's lack of a Mid tone control and the fixed combinations of effects meant it just didn't have the flexibility. Did that clean Fendery shimmery thing really well though.

mistercharlie

I wonder why the Katana wasn’t even on their list?

darthed1981

mistercharlie said:

I wonder why the Katana wasn’t even on their list?

They cut off price at $100, it says in the review that is what they chose their ceiling as.

Actually a really tough group to choose out of but I bet the Champion 20 is a bargain just because of all it can do for so little money.  I'd actually put the Blackstar Cores as my recommendation for that money, partly because the PC software is so good, but the testers didn't like them.

The Katana would hammer any group under £200 I suspect.

JezWynd

mistercharlie said:

I wonder why the Katana wasn’t even on their list?

Too expensive apparently. More than their baseline budget allowed.