While most of us will own a Stratocaster at some stage in our music journey, I have found that pairing strats with the right amps is really important when trying to dial in those classic Stratocaster tones. Amps aren’t merely sound magnifiers; they’re a huge part of the character of your guitar, adding tonal characteristics, color, depth, and most importantly, dynamics to your guitar tone. A great strat amp helps your tone come alive while a mediocre one can flatten out the sound, making your bouncy single coil notes sterile and inexpressive. All of us have an idea of the tone we’re pursuing. Whether you’re a fan of classic “bells and chimes” strat tones or you’re chasing more of an overdriven bluesy/rock tone, this article will give you what you need. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explore some of the top amplifiers that I recommend for Strat players.
Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb
Overview
Kicking off with the Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb, this amp is a highly-regarded combo amp that has been in continuous production since 1964. Initially designed for beginners and guitar students, this combo amp quickly gained popularity among professional musicians and studios for its exceptional sound quality. It’s a simple amp design, yet it’s classic Fender, with a black-face panel and clean lines. It features two channels and controls for volume, treble, and bass on the EQ side, along with dials for reverb, speed, and intensity in the reverb section. The Princeton’s sound is rich and sweet, with the ability to handle breakup superbly. It is a standout among players of various genres.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional clean tones and brilliant breakup handling
- Simple and classic appearance
- Solidly built cabinet made from particleboard
- The ability to be easily modified and upgraded with 12″ speakers and circuitry upgrade kits
- Onboard reverb is organic and pleasing
Pricing
To own a brand new Princeton, you’ll be looking at approximately $1500, although this price can vary. This is a very reasonable price for such a dynamic, high-quality tube amp.
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Pros & Cons
In my studio experiences using the Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb, I have loved the warm and rich tone that it gives to my strats. It has enough transparency to let my guitars really sing but adds a color and responsiveness of its own that is hard to beat. The Princeton tends to be a preferred choice amongst blues, rock, and country musicians. The amp has two channels, normal and vibrato, which can be controlled separately. The normal channel has a bright switch adding sparkle to the tone (which I personally don’t use), while the vibrato channel has a built-in tremolo effect adding depth and movement to the sound.
The Princeton’s reverb control allows adjustment of the spring reverb effect to be applied to the signal. It is a lush and classic spring reverb and adds great depth and ambiance without sapping dynamic response. The amp, powered by two 6V6 power tubes and three 12AX7 preamp tubes, contributes to its warm and dynamic tone. I must say, tube-driven spring reverb and tremolo definitely gives this amp a real ‘vintage appeal’.
The Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb is compact and portable, making it perfect for small gigs, studio recordings, and home practice. It’s easy to transport, making it a convenient choice for musicians on the go. However, as with many vintage-style amplifiers, it can be a bit noisy, which may be a downside for some.
Bottom Line: the Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb offers a vintage touch, classic Fender tones, and feels like you’re playing a piece of music history at a very reasonable price. Despite being relatively simple, (it’s not packed with features), it focuses on the essentials and absolutely nails them, offering exceptional tone and performance. It gets my vote as the best, affordable option for Strat players, being a solid choice for playing blues, rock, jazz or country guitar.
Fender Blues Junior IV
Overview
For the record, I really love my trusty Blues Junior IV. It’s a compact, all-tube15-watt combo amp that delivers powerful and punchy tone. This portable pocket-rocket is well-suited for gigs, known for its simplicity, reliability, and its ability to handle a variety of musical styles. It features a redesigned control panel, a Celestion 12-inch A-type speaker for an authoritative bark, and a spacious spring reverb that enhances the overall tone. It is also highly praised as a great pedal platform amp.
Key Benefits
- Compact and lightweight, ideal for gigging
- Redesigned control panel that faces the user
- Celestion 12-inch A-type speaker for powerful tones
- Spacious spring reverb for added depth of tone
- Excellent pedal platform amp
- Suitable for various music genres
- Improved preamp circuit for increased headroom
Pricing
The Fender Blues Junior IV is available for purchase at authorized dealers and online retailers. It is known for its affordability, making it a popular choice among guitarists.
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Pros & Cons
A Fender Blues Junior is also ‘classic’ Fender tone. They are flexible amps, with sturdy construction and fantastic character, delivering a warm and responsive sound that is characteristic of its 15-watt tube amplifier and single 12-inch speaker. The inclusion of a simple control panel with knobs for volume, treble, bass, middle, reverb, and master volume allows for easy tone-shaping. A nice addition is the ‘Fat’ switch that boosts midrange frequencies as well as the gain, giving your Strat a richer, more saturated tone. This can thicken it up in a really nice way which is brilliant for single line playing.
The built-in spring reverb tank gives you a lush and natural reverb effect, adding a depth of tone that is usually reserved for much bigger amps. The added versatility of an effects loop is a nice addition. Furthermore, the vintage-style “dog bone” handle and tweed covering give the amp that ‘classic tweed’ vibe.
While the Fender Blues Junior IV is lightweight and portable, which is ideal for gigging musicians or those needing a compact amp for practice or recording, it is also known for its ability to deliver a rich and dynamic tone at lower volume levels, making it suitable for home use as well. I LOVE this amp for its simplicity, ease of use and reliability. Plus it makes any one of my strats sound like its best self.
I have heard that some owners find the sound of the previous model, the Blues Junior III, to be a little harsh or boxy, preferring a modification to ‘improve’ its sound quality. This concern, however, does seem to have been addressed in the Blues Junior IV which has been commended for sounding great right out of the box.
Bottom line: The Blues Junior IV is a versatile, inspiring and dependable choice, suitable for anyone who wants portable, classic Fender sounds at a great price.
Vox AC15C1
Overview
The Vox AC15C1 is a 15-watt, 1×12-inch tube combo amp that offers the characteristic Vox chime and classic overdrive. This versatile amplifier features two channels: Normal and Top-Boost, each with its own volume control. The Top-Boost channel further includes controls for treble and bass. The amp is powered by 3 12AX7 preamp tubes and 2 EL84 power amp tubes, with the speaker being a 1×12″ 16 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback. This amp can be used with an external cabinet, with the internal speaker either muted or enabled.
Key Benefits
- Provides the classic Vox chime and overdrive
- Features two channels – Normal and Top-Boost
- Top-Boost channel has controls for treble and bass
- Comes with inputs for both Normal and Top Boost
- Includes controls for reverb level, tremolo depth and speed, and master volume and tone cut
- It’s powered by 3 12AX7 preamp tubes and 2 EL84 power amp tubes
- The speaker is a 1×12″ 16 ohm Celestion G12M Greenback
- Can be run with an external cabinet, with the internal speaker either muted or enabled
- The normal channel produces shimmering sparkle and sounds on the verge of break-up
- The tremolo sounds particularly good on this channel
- It’s pedal-friendly and handles overdrive and distortion pedals well
- The Top Boost channel offers a wide range of overdriven sounds suitable for various styles, from classic rock to blues to modern rock.
Pricing
The Vox AC15C1 offers excellent clean and overdriven tones at a good value. It’s known for its reliability, durability, and authentic British tone, making it a popular choice among guitarists in various genres.
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Pros & Cons
The Vox AC15C1 is known for its classic British tone and versatility. It features a single 12-inch Celestion G12M Greenback speaker, which produces a rich and dynamic sound. With two channels, Normal and Top Boost, the AC15C1 offers a range of tones from clean and warm to bright and aggressive. The amplifier also includes a built-in tremolo effect that adds a pulsating modulation to your guitar sound. With a 15-watt power output, the AC15C1 is suitable for both home practice and small gigs. It has a simple control layout with volume, treble, bass, and reverb knobs, as well as a switchable power level for different playing situations.
The Vox AC15C1 does have a drawback; it doesn’t come with footswitchable channels, and the footswitch is not included. This challenge can be overcome by using a stereo output pedal or an ABY pedal for added flexibility. Overall, the Vox AC15C1 is a reliable and versatile tube combo amp that delivers the classic Vox sound.
Marshall JTM45
Overview
The Marshall JTM45 is a revered guitar amplifier known for its exceptional quality and distinct sound. This amp was first introduced in 1962 and quickly became a favorite among notable guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and many more. Known for producing a warm, rich sound that is perfect for blues and rock genres, the JTM45 is a tube amplifier with a simple control layout and two channels.
This amp also showcases powerful 30W output, capable of handling various FX pedals. Furthermore, the JTM45 reissue, launched in 1991, while not an exact replica, captures the essence of the original design using modern parts and assembly techniques, delivering a sound that remains impressively close to the original.
Key Benefits
- Captures the essence of the original JTM45 sound
- Known for classic rock and blues tones
- Offers a powerful 30W output
- Can handle various FX pedals
- Features simple control layout with two channels
- Known for its reliability and durability
- Comes with a great warranty from Marshall
Pricing
While pricing can vary based on location and seller, the JTM45 reissue is recognized as a valuable investment, given the quality and sound it delivers. Despite its high price tag, it holds its value well and is a reliable choice for guitarists.
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Pros & Cons
From a personal perspective, the JTM45 stands out for its iconic tone and robustness. It offers a warm and rich sound that’s perfect for blues and rock, a trait that is highly sought after and appreciated. The simplicity of its design, with two channels and basic control layout, means you can easily dial in your desired sound without getting lost in a multitude of options. Its 30W output provides enough power for both small venues and recording studios, and its reputation for reliability is a testament to its build quality.
However, the amp does come with its fair share of limitations. For instance, the JTM45’s vintage tone and limited features may not be suitable for all styles of music. It’s best suited for blues, rock, and classic rock genres. The amp might be too powerful for home use and might require the use of additional pedals for added crunch. Also, for purists, the fact that the reissue uses a printed circuit board instead of being hand-wired like the original might be a point of contention.
While others may replicate the JTM45 sound, few are able to capture that classic Marshall sound quite like the JTM45 reissue. Despite its shortcomings, the JTM45 remains a beloved amplifier in the music scene, embodying the nostalgia of the classic rock era and the organic, earthy distortion that allows the personality of the guitar and player to shine through.
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
Overview
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV is a popular guitar amplifier recognized for its classic Fender tone, versatility, and durability. With its 40-watt power output and a 12″ Celestion A-Type speaker, it delivers plenty of volume and clarity. The amplifier belongs to the Blues and Hot Rod range of amplifiers, which have been in continuous production for 25 years. The design of the Hot Rod Deluxe IV is inspired by the legendary narrow panel ‘tweed’ amplifiers of the 1950s. However, the cabinet’s construction material has been changed from MDF and plywood to solid pine, which reduces weight and improves resonance.
The Hot Rod Deluxe IV features an updated control panel with a slightly different textured finish, new graphics, and ivory chicken head knobs. Its robust steel tray chassis houses the electronics including 12AX7 preamp valves and a pair of 6L6s for output power. Alongside this, it offers footswitchable normal and drive channels, a three-band EQ, and a reworked traditional spring reverb circuit.
Key Benefits
- Warm and dynamic Fender tone with increased overdriven note definition.
- Versatility through three selectable channels: Normal, Drive, and More Drive.
- Lightweight pine cabinet for enhanced resonance and portability.
- Spring reverb offering added depth and ambiance.
- Robust construction suitable for gigging musicians.
- New Celestion ‘A-Type’ loudspeaker for a modern rock ‘n’ roll sound.
- Footswitch included for easy channel switching and reverb control.
Pricing
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV is a mid-priced tube amplifier. Despite its competitive price, it offers high-quality tones, solid construction, and a multitude of features. It’s an excellent value proposition for its performance.
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Pros & Cons
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV has many attributes that make it a favorite choice among musicians. Its three channels— Normal, Drive, and More Drive—offer a broad range of tones and gain levels, making it versatile enough for any musical style from blues and rock to country and jazz. The normal channel provides a clean and bright sound while the Drive channels add varying degrees of overdrive and distortion. The ‘More Drive’ switch is a standout feature, allowing for smooth and fluid sustain.
The robust construction of the amplifier and its lightweight pine cabinet make it perfect for gigging musicians. The Hot Rod Deluxe IV is praised for its durability and reliability, highlighting its ability to stand the test of time. Its design choices, such as the ‘lightly aged’ variation of the sparkle grille cloth and ivory pointer knobs, add a touch of classic Fender aesthetics.
However, the amplifier may not be suited to everyone’s taste. The new black control panel with ivory-colored knobs, although an aesthetic improvement, might pose visibility issues in low light conditions. Some might also find the drive channel and “more drive” option to have excessive gain.
But overall, the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV consistently delivers excellent performance. It’s all about classic Fender tones, versatility, and power, which makes it a reliable tool for any gig or recording session.
Bugera V5 Infinium
Overview
The Bugera V5 Infinium is a versatile tube-driven amplifier that has been praised for its solid sound, compact size, and affordability. Well suited for blues, blues rock, jazz, and vintage British sounds, this amp features a single 12AX7 in the preamp stage and an EL84 in the power section. With its 8″ Turbosound speaker, the tone is airy and organic, drawing attention with its good bass response and top-end sparkle. With a vintage vibe and a weight of just over 22 pounds, the amp is both stylish and portable.
Key Benefits
- Tube-driven amplifier ideal for blues, blues rock, jazz, and vintage British sounds
- Features a single 12AX7 in the preamp stage and an EL84 in the power section
- Comes with an 8″ Turbosound speaker that provides good bass response and top-end sparkle
- Compact and portable, weighing just over 22 pounds
- Offers a range of tones, from clean to crunch, that are responsive to changes in the attack
- Built-in reverb provides added depth to the tone
- Compatible with pedals and ideal for home use, recording, and small gigs
Pricing
The Bugera V5 Infinium is known for its affordability, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced guitarists looking for a low-cost, all-tube combo amp. Despite its lower price point, it is often compared favorably to other amps in the same price range such as the Monoprice 5 Watt Tube Amp and the Blackstar HT1R MKII.
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Pros & Cons
The Bugera V5 Infinium has a lot to offer in terms of pros. Firstly, it delivers a vintage tone with modern features, providing a warm, rich sound while also extending the lifespan of the tubes by up to 20 times, thanks to its Infinium technology. This also reduces the need for frequent tube replacements.
The amp also has a built-in power attenuator which allows to switch between 5 watts, 1 watt, and 0.1 watt output levels. This makes it suitable for a variety of settings, from home practice to studio recording. The built-in reverb adds depth and dimension to the sound, and the simple control layout with volume, tone, and gain controls make it easy to dial in the desired sound.
The V5 Infinium also has a vintage-inspired design with a leather handle and a classic control panel, giving it a timeless look. It also offers a headphone output for silent practice or recording, and an auxiliary input for connecting external devices.
While the benefits are numerous, the reverb function on the amp may not be as organic as a spring reverb. Despite this, the Bugera V5 Infinium remains a high-value choice for guitarists who appreciate great tone and versatility at an affordable price.
’68 Fender Deluxe Reverb
Overview
The ’68 Fender Deluxe Reverb is a revered amplifier in the music industry, known for its crystal clear, balanced, and articulate clean tones. Equipped with 22W of tube-driven power, it can hold its own against the average drummer in most contexts. Two channels, Custom and Vintage, offer access to the reverb and tremolo circuits that have garnered much praise. The Custom channel features a more intense bass sound with its Bassman tone stack, while the Vintage channel gives the traditional Deluxe Reverb tone. With its classic Silverface look, versatile performance, and excellent pedal compatibility, this amplifier has become a favorite among guitarists.
Key Benefits
- Crystal clear and balanced clean tones
- Powerful tube-driven sound with 22W power
- Two channels offering a variety of tonal options
- Renowned reverb and tremolo effects
- Ideal volume/headroom balance for achieving natural compression and overdrive at reasonable volumes
- Excellent pedal compatibility
- Classic Silverface aesthetics
Pricing
Pricing details for the ’68 Fender Deluxe Reverb are based on the retailer and location. However, the amplifier’s high-quality sound, features, and the legendary status it holds in the music industry make it a worthwhile investment for many musicians.
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Pros & Cons
With its classic Fender tone, the ’68 Deluxe Reverb shines in delivering superb clean tones, lush reverb, and excellent pedal compatibility. The amplifier’s volume and headroom balance is laudable, allowing for natural compression and overdrive at practical volumes. The responsive touch is a highlight, and the way it brings out the character and tone of the guitar is inspiring. The responsiveness extends to its performance with pedals, producing fantastic tones across a range of effects.
The amp’s ability to fill a stage and enhance the guitar’s presence in a band setting is an advantage. Yet, it’s not just about the loudness; the amplifier also impresses with a wide range of tones – from clean and glassy to crunchy and dirty. Its tone has a deep, round body and plenty of sparkle, testifying to its versatility.
However, it’s not without its issues. Some drawbacks include a slightly noisy tremolo circuit, and the lack of a mids control knob might disappoint some. There are minor issues with hiss and a pop when switching from standby mode, but these are not deal breakers.
Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb
Overview
The Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb is an iconic guitar amplifier that captures the classic look and sound of late-’60s Fender ‘silverface’ amps. It stands out with its striking silver and turquoise front panel, vertical black lines, and ‘drip edge’ aluminum grille cloth trim. It comes with a pair of Celestion G12V-70 speakers, departing from the speaker brands used in the original ‘silverface’ era. This amp is renowned for its massive sound, piano-like bass response, and three-dimensional high-end.
Key Benefits
- Replicates the classic Fender tone with its ‘Vintage’ and ‘Custom’ channels
- Features a modern PCB build with Schumacher transformers and other electronic tweaks
- Equipped with reverb and tremolo effects for added versatility
- Delivers massive sound with ample headroom and a piano-like bass response
- Suitable for various musical genres and handles pedals well
Pricing
While the list price of the Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb might be on the higher side, it can typically be found at a more affordable price from major retailers.
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Pros & Cons
The Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb is revered for its clean, clear, and rich sound, and is a favored choice among guitarists across various genres. Its built-in reverb and tremolo effects add to its versatility, allowing the creation of unique sounds. It also has a power output of 85 watts, making it apt for both small and large venues.
The amplifier is designed with high-quality components, making it durable and reliable. Its relatively lightweight and portable design is another plus, facilitating easy transportation to gigs or rehearsals.
The amp does have its drawbacks. Some have reported minor issues with the reverb and hum, though these can often be resolved with simple adjustments or maintenance. Moreover, it may be too loud for some players’ needs. Moreover, the ’68 Custom Twin Reverb is designed to break up earlier and may produce vintage amp thumping sounds when using the standby switch.
Despite these potential issues, the Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb remains a top choice for those seeking a guitar amplifier with a classic Fender tone, modern features and versatility.
What Amp Qualities Complement A Strat?
When you’re looking for an amplifier to pair with your Stratocaster, you’ll want to keep a few key qualities in mind. The amp’s clean channel is a primary aspect to consider. Known for its bright and articulate tone, the Stratocaster, or Strat, needs a clean channel that’ll reproduce its natural sound without adding any unwanted coloration.
You’ll also want to think about the amp’s ability to handle overdrive and distortion. Since the Strat is often used for genres like blues and rock, you’ll need a bit of grit and crunch. An amp with a solid overdrive or distortion channel can help you achieve that classic Strat tone.
The type of amp you choose can significantly impact the Strat’s tone. For example, tube amps are known for their warm and rich sound, which can really complement the Stratocaster’s tonal character. Solid-state amps, on the other hand, might give you a cleaner and more precise sound. The size and wattage of the amp can also affect the overall tone and volume. Smaller amps tend to produce a more compressed and focused sound, while larger amps can offer more headroom and projection.
Remember, the best amp for a Stratocaster really depends on your personal preference and the specific sound you’re aiming for. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different amps and settings to find the perfect match for your Strat’s tone.
That Famous ‘Strat Tone’
The Stratocaster’s tone is perhaps one of its most iconic elements, cherished for its versatility and richness. This signature sound isn’t just a result of one component, but a system-wide synergy of parts, each playing its crucial role in shaping the guitar’s overall tone. You’ve got elements like string choice and setup, vibrato system, truss rod and action adjustments, electronics and wiring, hardware, amplifier choice, and effects pedals.
The Strat’s distinct sound is partially due to its pickups and how they interact with the guitar’s hardware. The electronics, including the pickups and wiring, can significantly affect the tone. If you’re looking to change up the sound, upgrading the pickups or adjusting the tone capacitor value can alter the treble characteristics and overall sound of the guitar.
The hardware of a Stratocaster, such as the vibrato block, saddles, and springs, also has a profound impact on the tone. Upgrading to heavier metals like steel or brass can improve sustain and enhance the brightness of the guitar. The vibration system, or tremolo, can also impact tone. Blocking off the tremolo can thicken the midrange and soften the transients while floating the tremolo can open up the sound and enhance the springy reverb effect.
Your choice of amplifier can greatly complement the Stratocaster’s tone. Amps like the Marshall Super Bass, Dumble Steel String Singer, Vox AC30, and Fender Tweed Deluxe are popular choices among Strat players. You can adjust the amplifier’s settings to match the specific pickups and music style, and the room acoustics can further influence the sound quality.
Moreover, the controls on a Stratocaster can significantly shape the guitar’s tone. The pickup selector, tone controls, and volume control all play a part in achieving the desired sound. Knowing how to use these controls can help you achieve the perfect tone, with the pickup selector allowing you to activate the bridge, middle, and neck pickups in different combinations.
So, getting the best tone out of a Stratocaster involves a nuanced understanding of the interplay between its various components, each contributing to the guitar’s signature sound.
Amping Up Your Stratocaster
When you’re choosing an amp for your Fender Stratocaster, keep in mind that you’re looking to amplify and enhance your guitar’s natural tone. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Fender Blues Junior IV, Vox AC15C1, Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb, Marshall JTM45, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV, Bugera V5 Infinium, ’68 Fender Deluxe Reverb, or the Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb, the perfect amp for you will depend on how you play, your favourite genre, and even where you usually perform.
Are you a blues or rock enthusiast? Then you’ll want an amp that delivers warm, rich tones with a touch of grit. If you’re more eclectic in your style, an amp with versatile channels and customizable settings might be more up your alley. Or, if you’re a purist, you might lean towards an amp that echoes the sound of the classic rock era.
Don’t forget, your Stratocaster is known for its bright and articulate tone. The amp you choose should reflect and enhance this, faithfully reproducing the Strat’s natural sound without adding unwanted colour. And since the Strat is loved for its characteristic overdrive and distortion sounds, an amp that handles these aspects with ease will be your best friend on stage and in the studio.
