Your first amp: Boss Katana, Positive Grid Spark or Yamaha THR — which should you buy?
The beginner amp question is almost always settled by these three. It's not about which one is "better" — where you'll play decides it.
What each amp is like
Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 ($350)
The closest to a "real amp." At 50W it can be heard next to a drummer in a rehearsal room, and you use its built-in effects like pedals. You can shape the sound with the knobs alone, no app needed, which suits people who dislike gadgets and apps.
The downside: at home you'll never turn it past 2. There's also the smaller Katana Mini ($115–120).
Positive Grid Spark 40 ($224)
Built around an app. Pick tones on your phone, play backing tracks over Bluetooth, and download presets other people made. Plug it into a computer over USB and it works as an interface too.
It's the easiest for home practice, YouTube backing tracks and cover recordings, but it lacks the power for a band. The Spark Mini ($174) and Spark GO ($99) are smaller.
Yamaha THR10II ($370)
The original desktop amp. Pretty clean and crunch tones, and the stereo speakers sound good with backing tracks.
Headphones, Bluetooth and USB recording, and the battery version (THR10II Wireless) works without a cord. Not for band use. The THR5 ($210) is a smaller version.
Decide by use
| Where you'll play | First pick | Alternatives | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alone at home, headphones and backing tracks | Spark 40 / THR10II | Spark Mini, THR5, Katana Mini | Headphones, Bluetooth, app. 10–20W is plenty |
| Planning to play with a band | Katana 50 or bigger | Fender Mustang LT50, Vox VT40X | 30W or more — you need to be heard next to the drums |
| Recording, cover videos | Audio interface + amp sim | Spark (doubles as a USB interface) | The interface comes before the amp |
| Can't make noise | Vox amPlug 3 + headphones ($51–60) | Smartphone + iRig | Start without an amp, add one later |
The wattage myth
"100W, for later" is the most common beginner mistake. At home you'll only ever run a 100W amp at volume 1–2, and a tube amp won't even sound right at that level.
For band practice, you can usually use the rehearsal room's amp. Starting with a small home amp and buying a big one once you're in a band costs less.
Bass is different. The three amps above are for guitar. Bass needs a bass amp with speakers built for low end. First bass amp and strings
Laid out as $400, $900 and $1,600 sets.