Having an acoustic guitar amplifier is sometimes necessary, because having one will dramatically ease your practice, and if you’ve recently joined a band, you know that amplifiers can also help you get the best possible sound out of your guitars.
In addition, guitar amplifiers are essential for the famous musicians as well, since their primary purpose is to reproduce a truly quality and natural sound of your instrument, and sometimes, if you play without having one, you may notice some distortion.
That’s why, in this article, I will be focused on providing you with the best 5 acoustic guitar amps that won’t affect your budget a lot, because as I’ve stated before, if you’re a beginner, you’re not obliged to spend thousands of dollars to taste the benefits of having one!
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
The Top 5 Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers Under $200
5. Peavey Ecoustic20
The Peavey Ecoustic20 is one of the most durable and reliable amps that you can find on the market, and those who have had an opportunity to play on their acoustic guitars while having this amp do really know what I’m talking about. Those who haven’t now is the right time to understand and have in-depth information regarding this piece of beauty.
First of all, this model has an exceptionally elegant, yet durable chassis that is specifically designed to last for years, and from the moment you take it out of its box, you will instantly notice its heavy-duty corners, its visually-pleasing, yet sturdy metal grille as well as the tough black covering. If you ask me, I don’t really think that there are many amps in this price range that have such a solid construction.
Features and controls-wise, the Ecoustic20 has a well-made control panel that packs two sections and each of them is dedicated to each channel ( it has two, by the way), and I really like this since you will never have difficulties using it regardless if you’re a beginner or not. The reason behind this is the simplicity of the amp itself and the fact that each knob has its own purpose with dedicated labels so it won’t take long until you master all of them.
Moving on, this unit also employs two 1/4″ inputs for your acoustic guitar/instruments, single headphone input for monitoring and an IEC mains connector whose purpose is to offer a consistent supply of power to the amp.
Now, what about the audio? Well, being a 20-Watt amplifier, the audio will surely surprise you, because it is loud enough to fill up a room, and balanced enough not to cause discomfort to your neighbors. Isn’t that lovely? Either way, the power is just ideal for beginners and keep in mind that you’re not obliged to have it for the end of your life, since as your skills grow, you may invest a bit more in the future. But for now, Ecoustic E20 is superb!
Overall, the Ecoustic E20 is indeed a highly useful practice tool that will undoubtedly help you reach your potential, since if you’ve been thinking to join in a band, this amp will serve you greatly as a gigging device, and when we add the fact that it is affordable, I really think that you should consider it as your next purchase!
4. Peavey Vypyr VIP 1
The Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 is an example of pure versatility, due to the fact that it is suitable to be used with acoustic and bass guitars without any problem, and if you’ve been looking for something similar, then trust me, you’ve found it!
Aesthetically speaking, this model boasts an attractive, and lightweight body that is good enough to be brought with you anywhere you go,k whether you need it to practice in your bedroom or for rehearsals!
If you take a look on the top, you will notice a silver plate that employs numerous features, of which the most notable is the built-in tuner auxiliary input, onboard looper, chromatic tuner, bi-directional USB input ( which is awesome since you can control the amp by using a PC/Mac, as well as a headphone input that you can use solely for monitoring.
Additionally, the manufacturer has also utilized a Sanpera foot controller that will drastically lease the way you switch between effects, the actual control over the effects and of course, the way you will store the presets.
By now, I really have to admit that the manufacturer has done a very good job of crafting this amp because it is full of features!
Speaking of the sound, the Vypyr VIP 1 is powered by 32-bit, floating-point SHARC processors which work in conjunction with a Transtube analog circuitry whose purpose is to provide the best possible audio results for you on one side, while on the other, the tones produced by your acoustic guitar will sound loud and clear, and who doesn’t like this? But that’s not all! This amp will let you use up to 4 effects simultaneously, and honestly, I’m very surprised that there’s such a versatile amp that won’t rip your wallet at all!
Before we end, there one more thing I would like you to know, and that’s regarding the use.
Those who have been using this amp claim that the VIP 1 does an excellent job in working with multiple instruments, and if you’re planning to form a band soon, this amp will help you a lot, since it is suitable with many acoustic instruments! Furthermore, even though this is a 20-Watt amp, still, its power does not look like that, and therefore, this means that it is more than suitable to be used by bands while gigging!
To conclude, I think that you should definitely consider the Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 as your next purchase because it is affordable and it is good enough to compete with most of the midrange priced ones!
3. Fender Mustang I V2
The Fender Mustang I V2 has been on the market for a quite long time, and throughout its existence, this amp has proven itself as very reliable, and this is one of the reasons that has led its popularity not to subside, but instead, to grow. Even in 2019, the Fender Mustang I V2 is still widely being purchased, so let’s see what’s so special about it.
To begin with, the design. This amp is known as the smallest amp in the Mustang series, after of course the “Mustang Mini”, hence, its space-saving construction is ideal for you, especially if you’re a beginner because you can easily store it and this unit will never occupy a lot of space!
Moreover, the Mustang I V2 packs knob-driven controls, so you won’t find any screens or menus, and honestly, I really like this. For each purpose, there’s a specific knob, such as dedicated knob for volume, treble, bass, gain, along with a master volume. What got my attention regarding them is that once you use one of them, that specific knob will light up thanks to the inclusion of the LED lightings, so you will always know which one is being used in a specific moment.
In terms of the features, this model comes equipped with 24 presets, 2-band EQ sections, a plethora of onboard effects starting from chores to tremolo, and let’s not forget the integrated chromatic tuner which will drastically improve your user experience since you won’t deal with any problems in terms of using external devices!
If you’ve been curious regarding the connectivities, the Mustang I V2 is primarily USB, however, you can also find a headphone jack, an aux input, etc, and when we combine these things plus the Fender Fuse software, I think that you can’t ask for more from an amp that costs less than $200!
When it comes to the sound, this unit is nothing less, than pleasing! Considering all of its effects that do not make the audio feel digital, without a doubt, I can say that the Mustang I V2 stands off from most of the amps that stretch in this price range! Also, let the “20-Watts” do not fool you, because once you start playing on your acoustic guitar, you will be surprised of how loud this amp actually is, and I’m sure that you will love the audio released from it!
In conclusion, the Mustang I V2 would be a very good option for you, especially if you want to taste the benefits of having an affordable yet super-powerful and easy to use acoustic guitar amp that can drastically enhance your user experience!
2. Fender Acoustasonic 40
The Fender Acoustasonic 40 is a powerful 40-Watt acoustic guitar amplifier that has been heavily praised by the musicians on the market, and you’ve likely encountered this name numerous times as you were searching for the best acoustic guitar amps under $200. Well, now you will find out why’s the whole hype going around this amp!
Speaking of the design, the Acoustasonic 40 sports an attractive, black and brownish construction that is supported by 4 feet that do really improve the stability of this amp, so that even if you set the audio levels to the maximum, the vibrations will unlikely move it from its place!
On the front, you will instantly notice plenty of inputs along with two channels, so, what does this mean is that you can easily connect two mics, guitars, and let’s not forget the presence of the auxiliary input of which you can take advantage in order to play with external devices, as well as the headphone output of which you can benefit a lot, especially if you are in quiet surroundings where you’d likely practice!
Moving on, inside this amp, there are two 6.5″ speakers with high-frequency Whizzer cones that are responsible to ensure up to 40-Watts of power, and although the wattage may not be the most appropriate for large gigs, still, as a starting point, the Acoustasonic 40 will undoubtedly help you to be and sound better!
Performance-wise, the Acoustasonic 40 is superb when viewed from any aspect, whether it is tonal, controls or in terms of adjustments. The manufacturer did a top-notch job here! Namely, the audio is indeed deep, and you can find plenty of videos where musicians are playing on their acoustic guitars in conjunction with this amp. Once you see, I’m sure that you will find this amp very impressive!
To summarize, I’d strongly recommend you consider the Fender Acoustasonic 40, especially if you want a 40-Watt acoustic guitar amp that does not look nor perform cheap, but entirely the opposite!
1. Yamaha THR5A Mini
The Yamaha THR5A Mini can surely be seen as one of the best if not the best acoustic guitar amplifier that you can find on the market, and at the same time, this is just another good proof that says a lot about Yamaha! The manufacturer created a very powerful and versatile amp that employs studio-grade effects so that it can get the best out of your electric/acoustic guitars! Guess what? This unit does not exceed $200 as well!
To begin with, let’s briefly explain its design. The THR5 Mini has a handsome-looking, gold-and-black finished, compact body that employs multiple controls including a built-in tuner that has a small display, Mic-Type select knob that let’s you have an access of up to 5 built-in voices, a Blend knob that sits next to Tone, Master, Effect, Delay/Reverb select knob, and Volume. Amazing, right? Plenty of options for such an affordable amp!
However, we won’t end here, since Yamaha has utilized two 3.15″ speakers whose combined power is 10-Watts, and although this may sound not that much, still, in practice you will be able to witness something unique!
Since I’ve mentioned the sound, I’d like to inform you that thanks to the integrated speakers, and the processing unit, this amp is not only suitable for acoustic guitars, but it is also great for classical guitars. If you’re still curious about how loud the audio is, I can say that it is loud enough to fill a smaller venue! Honestly, I expected nothing less from Yamaha!
Finally, the THR5 Mini has a USB connection that provides 2 channels of playback and recording to and from your computer, can run on the supplied AC adapter, or if you think that you require more, then you can easily put 8 AA batteries, and leave the rest to the amp. If you opt to use the second option, then according to the manufacturer, you can get up to 6 hours of continuous use!
That’s why, the Yamaha THR5A Mini is a must-have product, and I’d suggest you to check it out and assure yourself of its endless potential!
Things You Should Look For
Prior to making an actual purchase, I have prepared some aspects on which you should pay a lot of attention, because by following them, you can easily choose the “right” acoustic guitar amp for you, and chances that you will regret your decision will be set to the minimum if not to 0!
Channels
Channels are a very important aspect of the guitar amps, and I’m sure that you’ve seen one/two-channel amplifiers. If you’ve recently started to play on an acoustic guitar, I would like to inform you that one-channel amp lets you plug in multiple guitars/guitars/vocal microphone.
Hence, if you have an opportunity to get an amp that has independent EQs, controls etc, you will have multiple advantages.
Lastly, I’d advise you to pay a lot of attention to the advertised product, because what does often happens is that some two-channel amps rated at 200-Watts may actually have 100-Watts in practice.
Onboard effects
Having an acoustic guitar amp that has a few or a higher quantity of built-in effects is surely a great advantage, mainly because of the fact that you won’t only have to strive in order to deliver the sound you are looking for, but instead, you can actually achieve this!
Inputs
What makes acoustic guitar amps different from the electric ones, is that they are available in a variety of different inputs, and the most common type of inputs are XLR connectors for microphones and 1/4″ connectors for instruments, however, do not be surprised if you find one that has 3.5mm/stereo inputs as well.
Wattage
For your information, amps come in different wattages. In general, 1-30-Watts is considered small, 30-60-Watts belongs to the midsized group, whereas 60-Watts+ is considered large. Therefore, you shouldn’t just jump and purchase the largest one because they are more expensive and you won’t need it at all unless you’re a professional.
Sound
Sound is a crucial aspect, and that’s why, I’d recommend you to search for videos where people usually record how a certain amp performs in practice. Some ads are good enough to let you forget about this, so you will just quickly go and purchase it. Therefore, what you have to look at acoustic guitar amp regarding the audio is how warm the sound actually is.
Playing style
Sometimes, it is advisable that you look for an acoustic guitar amp that can completely blend with your style. For instance, some people prefer a finger-style, others the pick-picker style. In both styles, you would have to know how much power you will need. For instance, well-designed acoustic amps usually have an input sensitivity control so that you can tailor the audio according to your preferences, which means that you won’t deal with distortion!
Types
There are two common types of acoustic guitar amplifiers, such as solid-state and tube.
The solid-state amps are very reliable because of their ability to amplify a natural representation of the signal, and this is one of the reasons that makes them be popular.
On the contrary, tube amps are known for producing warm output, however, they will require your attention in terms of maintenance mainly because of the fact that the tubes have to be replaced after some time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes an electric guitar amp different from an acoustic guitar amp?
A: The main difference is that if you choose an electric guitar amp for your acoustic guitar, the electric amp will kind of color the sound. To be even more precise, using an acoustic amp will get the most of your acoustic guitar due to the fact that it will output a full-range amplification of the guitar itself.
Q: How many watts would I need when looking for an acoustic guitar amp?
A: Generally, most acoustic guitar amps range between 20-Watts and above, however, if you plan on gigging, you would require roughly 60-Watts. In case you would only use it for practicing, then 20-30-Watts would be appropriate for you.
Q: Is it necessary to own an acoustic guitar amp?
A: Well, you’re not obliged to own one, but having one won’t hurt, right? The main idea behind having an acoustic guitar amp is that the guitarist will benefit a lot by having an opportunity to listen to full-frequency reproduction and a distortion-free sound!
Q: Are acoustic guitar amps that cost less than $200 worth it?
A: Of course they are, because until you would really require to have an expensive one, they will help you have a clue how do they affect your guitar’s performance, and as your skill grows, you will already know for what you will be searching for in the future.
Q: What’s the best acoustic guitar amp that costs less than $200?
A: Although I’m not able to offer you the most precise answer to this question due to the fact that there are plenty of them available on the market, the closest answer to your question would be those listed in this article!
Conclusion
If you reached this far, you may already know that in this part I’m obliged to give my final words regarding this article. Well, I hope that you’ve recognized the quality of each amp listed in this article, and you may already have chosen your next amp, if yes, do not hesitate to contact me and share your experience with me, because all of these amps can serve as an excellent starting point for beginners who would like to invest in an amp that will serve them completely fine without spending a lot of money!