Playing electric guitar

Playing electric guitar with amplification is more fun! Whether with the classic solution via an amplifier model or with modern amp modelers, we will show you individual options for making music with your electric guitar.

Choose your individual solution to play the electric guitar now:

Dive into our guide with useful tips and a practical comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. Have fun!

Our recommendations for beginners

Based on our many years of experience, we have created a short ranking list of the six categories for you. Our criteria are aimed at beginners with a limited budget, the ability to practice quietly with headphones, suitability for a band, sound and versatility:

1st place: In 1st place is the Boss IR-2 Amp & Cabinet Pedal from the Amp Pedals catagory . Why? You can connect the pedal to your stereo system, play through your headphones and record with your PC. Whether at home or on the go, with its size and solid metal enclosure it is very robust. Crucially, the amp pedal sounds exceptionally good! What is missing? The pedal does not have effects such as delay, reverb and tuner. To play with your band, you need a PA or an additional amplifier model that makes the amp pedal loud.

2nd place: Complete systems come in second place in our ranking. They are the all-round, worry-free package and offer everything you need for practicing or playing electric guitar on stage: amplifier model and effect simulations, as well as useful helpers such as tuner and looper. They have the appropriate audio outputs to play your guitar loudly or quietly or to record via an audio interface. The complete systems can be combined and expanded with your existing equipment, such as electric guitar amplifier model. As a general rule, one can say that the more expensive the complete systems become, the higher the quality of their amplifier model and effect simulations are. (Be sure to pay attention to regular software updates from the manufacturers! Line6 and Neural DSP are recommended here.)

3rd place: Many of you already own a PC, tablet or smartphone. What could be better than installing a software plugin or app that simulates electric guitar amplifier model and effects. Playing the electric guitar with mobile devices comes in third place in our ranking. All you need is the appropriate software plus headphones or audio interface for your PC, tablet or smartphone! If you want to practice the electric guitar on your own or record your own songs as a singer-songwriter, this solution is the right choice for you. If you want to play with your band or integrate your existing equipment, we advise you to choose one of our other solutions.

4th place: If you visit one of our stores, you will see them everywhere at the workstations in our electric guitar departments: desktop amplifier model! Just plug in your electric guitar, tune it up and play a few big riffs - sometimes with a backing track via bluetooth. Perfect for desktop amplifier model! With a handful of amplifier model simulations, built-in effects, tuner and integrated speakers, these companions are always ready for use and within easy reach. This is important if you want to practice electric guitar spontaneously. No annoying assembly or gathering of equipment. This is annoying and just a waste time. You quickly lose the desire to play spontaneously again. The solution here: desktop amplifier model. Practice quietly on your own or record your next solo on your PC, check! A small downside: the sound of course doesn't come close to that of tube amplifiers, high-quality complete systems or amp pedals. Integrating existing equipment and playing in a band is also rather difficult here.

5th place: Amplifier model top or combo is available in three variations: tube, modeling or as a transistor. This has an impact on the sound behavior and how extensive the equipment is. An example: tube = best sound, no integrated effects, expensive. modeling = many sounds in the mid-range, integrated effects, mid-range price. Transistor = sounds ok but very inexpensive. amplifier model combos can be thought of as more powerful versions of desktop amps with more volume. Perfect for the band and small live gigs. If you would like to find out more about amplifier model, click on the relevant catagory!

Our Playing Electric Guitar with headphones catagory does not take part in this ranking because you cannot play the electric guitar with headphones alone. You also need an amplifier model. At the same time, playing with headphones is possible from several categories: complete systems, amp pedals, mobile devices, etc.

Tip: If you would like to find out more about one of our categories and how to play your electric guitar, just click on the respective link! Or visit our local stores and let our colleagues advise you on site or over the phone. We are glad to help you!

Expert opinion

Our options shown here can of course be combined and expanded with each other! Modern electric guitar equipment has USB connections with a PC connection to control and save your sounds! effect pedals can be connected in front of multi- effects, complete systems and amplifier model , thus enriching your sound spectrum. Many manufacturers have integrated headphone inputs for silent practicing and recording into their products and can be found, for example, on board multi-effects pedals but also on amplifiers.

Really great: ALL of our variants listed here are suitable for living rooms , rehearsal room and stages ! It just depends on how much you want to carry. Let's rock!