Using a Guitar Headphone Amp is an easy way to get good quality sound from your guitar. Your average/inexpensive guitar can suddenly come alive if you use a good quality headphone amp.
Introduction
What is a Guitar headphone amp?
So you probably have seen a keyboard player using headphones to hear the music coming out of the keyboard. But what exactly is a Guitar headphone amp?
Well, its basically an amplifier that increases the output (level) from the guitar so that it can comfortably drive speakers/headphones. Guitar produces comparatively feeble sound so it has to be amplified for best results, in case you intend to use headphones with your guitar.
Most headphone amps also have built-in effects which you can apply depending on the genre you are playing.
There are different types of guitar amplifiers out there, but these are commonly used as amps for headphones while playing the guitar.
Micro amplifiers
These are small devices that plug directly into the guitar; these come with an output port to whch the the headphones has to be connected. Once connected, the amplified audio from your guitar goes directly to your headphones. Eg of such an amp: [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NAUHX1G” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Vox Amplug AC30[/easyazon_link]. These are also known as bug amps.
Mini amplifiers
These are portable guitar amps (larger in size compared to the micro amps), and have to be placed on the floor or a table. Both the guitar as well as the headphones have to be connected to this amplifier (via different cables). The sound of the guitar is amplified by the amplifier, which can then be fed to headphones or external speakers. These have more built-in presets, effects and options (compared to a micro amplifier) and are generally more powerful as well. Eg: [easyazon_link identifier=”B000RN53LQ” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Line 6 Pocket Pod[/easyazon_link].
Best Guitar Headphone amps
Here are some more popular headphone amps:
Line 6 Pocket POD
Great features and suited for mobile recording; it works great as a guitar headphone amplifier.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000RN53LQ” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”][/easyazon_link]
300 presets, 32 great amp models, 16 cabinet models, and 16 effects. Chromatic tuner, USB connectivity. Use it for practice with headphones, and audio player, or as a full-blown multi-FX processor with your amp.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000RN53LQ” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”][/easyazon_link]
Buy on zZounds | [easyazon_link identifier=”B000RN53LQ” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
More Amps
Vox AmPlug AC30 G2
Compact, easy to use (replica of the iconic Vox AC30 amplifier) and a popular guitar headphone amplifier.
Buy on zZounds | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NAUHX1G” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Boss GT-001
A powerful recording tool that can also be used as a guitar headphone amplifier.
Buy on zZounds | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00JLP1UEU” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Vox AP2CR amPlug Classic Rock
As the name suggests, with this amPlug, you get great sounding classic rock sounds going to your headphones.
Buy on zZounds | [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NAUE7QU” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Behringer V-AMP 3
Affordable, and in addition to being a headphone amp, it’s also multi-effects, amp simulator and recording tool.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B002BXLZ7Q” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Vox amPhone Bass
Closed-back headphones with built-in preamp and a bass amplifier.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B009703PZG” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
Korg Pandora Stomp
A stompbox with a great headphone amplifier for guitars.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B009S814U0″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
So which are the best headphones that goes well with a guitar amp? You can read more about guitar headphones here.
Vox AmPlug Headphone Guitar Amps:
Guide to the Vox AmPlug Headphone Guitar Amps. The Vox Amplug series is a favorite with several guitar players. It fits big and popular guitar amp tones into a compact amp, which you can hear by plugging in your earphones or headphones. Vox Amplug Generation 2 comes in various tone flavors which include metal, classic rock, AC30 and there’s even one for bass. .
[easyazon_link keywords=”Vox amps” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″]Vox guitar headphone amps
[/easyazon_link]
Almost every musician would like the flexibility to be able to practice at weird hours so that they get some privacy and don’t have to disturb those around. This headphone guitar amp is a good solution for such guitarists who want to practice late at night. You just have to plug this portable headphone amp directly into your guitar and you have instant playback, enabling you to practice any time of the day, anywhere.
Another cool feature is the availability of the AUX in jack, which lets you connect a CD/MP3 player so that you can jam along to your favorite song.
The amPlug is the simplest way to get serious sound, and to enjoy true analog amplifier sound in your headphones. It occupies virtually no space and is the ideal choice for any guitarist or bassist.
With amPlug G2, the analog circuit has been drastically improved, and each model now provides three modes. Guitar types provide multi-effect functionality, and a rhythm function has been added to the bass type. A foldable plug mechanism allows the amp to be rotated 180 degrees for improved convenience and ease of use.
Here are the popular Vox AmPlug Headphone Guitar Amps:
VOX amPlug AC30 G2 Guitar Headphone Amp
The VOX amPlug AC30 G2 headphone amp easily attaches to a guitar. Comes with a Headphone Out & AUX In, and works on batteries as well. Provides the AC30 top boost sound.
VOX AP2CR amPlug Classic Rock G2 Guitar Headphone Amp
The amPlug Classic Rock G2 provide multi-effect functionality. Comes with a Headphone Out & AUX In, and works on batteries as well. Delivers the classic crunch of a UK-made 100W amp.
VOX AP2BS amPlug Bass G2 Guitar Headphone Amp
The amPlug Bass G2 provide multi-effect functionality, and a rhythm function has been added to the bass type. Comes with a Headphone Out & AUX In, and works on batteries as well. Designed specifically for low frequencies, offering a wide-range response.
VOX AP2MT amPlug Metal G2 Guitar Headphone
The amPlug Bass G2 provide multi-effect functionality. Gives you the extreme high-gain sound of a US-made amp. Comes with a Headphone Out & AUX In, and works on batteries as well.
Depending on whether you enjoy playing acoustic, electric, bass, metal, or rock, you can choose one that gives you different sound styles that suits your playing style. At home, in the studio and on the go, Vox AmPlug Headphone Guitar Amp delivers superb guitar sounds anytime, anyplace.
Various types of Vox AmPlug Headphone Guitar Amps…
- Vox amPlug AC30 Guitar Headphone Amp
- Vox AmPlug Bass Guitar Headphone Amp
- Vox amPlug Classic Rock Guitar Headphone Amp
- Vox amPlug Metal Guitar Headphone Amp
- VOX APAG AmPlug Acoustic Guitar Headphone Amplifier
- VOX APTW AmPlug Twin Guitar Headphone Amplifier
- Vox AmPlug Lead Guitar Headphone Amp
- VOX APNT Amplug Night Train Headphone Amplifier
- Vox amPlug Headphone Amplifier APJS (Joe Satriani)
- VOX Amplug Bk Limited Edition K-on
Headphone Amp: Guide
A good-quality portable guitar headphone amp provides clean tone (and comes with nice effects too, including distortion). So just use one, sit on your couch, and practice as you watch TV, without annoying your wife or parents (or even your pets). These sound great with both single coil and humbuckers. However, don’t expect great sound processing capabilities from these though.
Popular Forms
These are the more popular types of guitar headphone amps:
- Bug-Type: Simple, portable, and the more popular option. Just plug in your guitar, plug a pair of headphones into the amp (you can make some tone adjustments as well) and you’re ready to play/practice.
- Headphones: You get headphones with built-in amplifier. Just plug the headphones in to your guitar (you can tweak some parameters) and just start practicing.
- Box and Stompbox: These boxes come with features that include multiple effects, amp simulation, recording, etc; these require a separate cable going to the guitar. You also get compact multi-effect pedals with a guitar headphone amp built in.
Here’s a video that shows how to use a Guitar Headphone Mini Amp and its various Features.
Most good-quality Guitar headphone amps work equally work with different types of guitars, be it electric guitars, bass guitars (and even acoustic-electric guitars).
These do not come with built-in speakers; you need to use headphones or you can even connect portable speakers.
When it comes to buying, you can buy a guitar headphone that comes with built-in amplifier or just buy am amplifier for the headphone that you may be having currently.
The headphone guitar amp really lets you enjoy your guitar sound. Just use a good quality headphone and you can start enjoying your guitar. You can then practice at weird hours without annoying anybody around. You can Jam late at night without waking up the neighbors.
Headphone Amps are portable guitar amps that let you hear your guitar sound through headphones. Checkout these guitar headphone amps that are great for late night playing or on the go practice sessions.
Guitar headphones like the Vox amPhones Active AC30 come with a built in headphone amp; this is a compact model that everything all-in-one. Some people prefer to buy a separate headphone amplifier, like the NUX Guitar Plug Headphone Amp to which they can attach with their own headphones (gives you flexibility and can also save cost).
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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