There was a time when amps were cool and the thought of having a pair of guitarists jam in the back of a van in the middle of nowhere with no amp was something to dream about.
The era of big amps with powerful amps and speakers was over, replaced by the humble amplifier with a little power inside.
But if you can find the right amp and you’re prepared to spend the money for it, there’s still something to love about the sound of these affordable, but also fairly heavy-duty amplifiers.
Here are the top 10 best power-sucking power amps from around the 1980’s, with a few caveats: 1.
The M-1501 Power Amplifier from JBL.
It’s one of the most popular power amplifiers from the 80s and it still sounds great, with its distinctive and warm-sounding tones and great power delivery.
It was a great performer and it’s a good amp to keep an eye on for a vintage tone that will last for decades.
This amp was a good value, with $50 to $70 selling for an average price in the late 90s, making it an excellent choice for vintage guitarists looking for a great value for money.
2.
The JBL M-100-1 Power Amp from JB Audio.
The Power Amplifiers of the M-series from JBS are well-known for their deep, warm tone and high-quality sound.
These amps were also popular with metalheads and rockers, with many collectors picking up a set for under $200.
They were popular with guitarists in the 80’s and early 90’s who loved the clean sound and deep tones, and many vintage guitar players loved them as well.
However, they’ve since been replaced by newer amps with similar tone and output, like the JBL Fostex JB-1-100 and JBL KW-1, which are very different from the M100-Series.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, power-loving amplifier, these two should be the first to go. 3.
The H-50 Power Amplifer from Fender.
This was the first power amp to really stand out from the crowd and it has become an icon for vintage rock guitarists.
Fender has a reputation for building amazing amps for its vintage fans and it didn’t hurt that it had a good reputation for power-consistency and sound quality.
These are not power amps, but they’re solid performers, and the H-series is a great choice for players who are looking for solid amps.
They are also popular for those who are collectors who want to build their own cabinets.
4.
The KW40 Power Amplification from Yamaha.
This is a high-end amp that has been discontinued for years, but it still has a loyal following.
The Yamaha KW is a true power amplifier, which means it has more output than the KW20, which is an excellent value.
Its built-in amp switch allows you to use the power level of a smaller amp as a source for the K10 and K20, and it is equipped with a large output stage.
It has plenty of room to grow in power, as you can connect the amp directly to your power supply, which will greatly increase its output and tone.
Yamaha has also made great improvements to the amp since the 1990s, and they are well worth the upgrade.
5.
The Fender Bass Power Amplifying from Fidelity.
The bass is one of Fender’s most popular instruments, and its reputation as a powerhouse power amp goes back years.
Fidelity’s Bass Amp has a wide soundstage, and that’s important when you’re playing in the front row, as the bass is the most prominent component of your sound.
The amplifier also has a built-ins power switch, so you can use a smaller volume level to boost the bass.
Fretless basses are still very popular, and Fidelity also makes a good choice for the new generation of players.
6.
The V-Series Power Amplifications from Yamaha and Fender have become popular among the guitarists and rock fans.
Yamaha’s Bass amp is known for its deep tone and clean output, while Fender makes a powerful amp that’s also versatile.
The sound is good enough to play in the kitchen or on stage, and with the included EQ, the amp can handle the volume and pitch changes you need.
It also has an excellent amplifier circuit, which helps with tone, but the amp itself is a good performer for its size.
7.
The Marshall Custom Power Amplified from Marshall.
The Custom Power amp from Marshall is a classic power amp with plenty of punch and power for the guitar.
It comes in three different models: a 1-channel version that’s very powerful and has a very high output, a 2-channel amp that can handle more volume, and a 3-channel amplifier that has more power, but has a