Guitar Headphone Amp 

What is a guitar headphone amp and do I need one?

A guitar headphone amp is an excellent piece of kit for guitarists who do not have the luxury of a home studio or very tolerant flat mates. For anyone just starting out who has yet to reach a Jimi Hendrix standard, practice sessions can be tortuous for others to listen to. A guitar headphone amp solves this and amplifies for your ears only.

A guitar headphone amp can provide more than just amplification. Many models include a mini sound studio which can play an accompanying rhythm, sound effects and a drum machine to play along to. Even standard models usually offer a metronome at the very least. Operated on batteries, a guitar headphone amp allows you to tune your guitar and practice anywhere you like, and is a must have item for any serious guitarist.

Most models have a small compact design to fit into your pocket, and can offer wireless transmission of the signal to negate the need for a guitar cord. The quality of the sound, whilst not as good as a full amp or sound system, allows you to hone your skills in a practical manner.

A guitar headphone amp need not cost an arm and a leg. There are some excellent models on the market ranging between $25 and $150. Available under $30, generic brands will give you a simple amp and headphone setup with basic volume and tone control. The Vox amPlug Lead Guitar Headphone Amp is a good basic amp at only $50, although apart from a digital delay you will not have many other features.

The C-Tech pocket Rockit is a more complete setup with a wider range of functions. It includes am LED guitar tuner, reverb/delay, click track, and operates with clean and dirty tones. It is a great mid range option at $100 and is sold complete with headphones. At the higher end of the price scale, the Graham Slee Voyager guitar headphone amp is already a modern classic. The size of an I-pod, this amp is both powerful and portable. It boasts a long batter life, USB power, an AC adaptor and weighs in at only 180g.

Everyone needs to practice to become perfect, and for the ultimate in convenience a guitar headphone amp is a must have item to allow you to practice your rifts no matter where you are.