Alternative Rock is a genre of rock music that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It was originally called “college rock” because it was primarily played on college radio stations.
It was less guitar-driven than other genres, and it had a more open sound. Alternative rock bands tended to focus on more experimental sounds than those typically associated with mainstream rock music like punk or classic heavy metal.
When it comes to alternative rock, guitar amps are not all created equal. Some amps have a very heavy, distorted tone that is perfect for playing alternative, hard rock, metal, and blues music.
And other amps are designed with a more clean and jangly sound in mind. In this buyer’s guide, we will explore the best guitar amp options for an alternative rock style of playing.
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Alternative Rock Guitar Amps Overview
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fender Blues Junior IV Guitar Amp
Tired of dealing with an amp that doesn’t sound good? The Fender Blues Junior IV is a 15-watt, 12″ speaker, tube amp designed for the player who needs a practice amplifier that provides great tone and reliability at home or on stage.
Because it has been modified to produce less overdrive than other amps it is more friendly when you’re using distortion effects pedals in front of it. An additional “Fat” switch adds punch to tone while the lighter grille cloth lets your guitar’s natural voice shine through.
- 15 Watts
- Celestion 12" A-Type speaker
- Preamp circuit modified for increased fullness
- Spring reverb modified for improved smoothness
- Includes 1-button footswitch for fat Mid boost
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Orange Amps Crush 20RT Guitar Amp
Orange Amp’s Crush 20RT guitar amp has everything you need to kick out some great jams! It has plenty of features like 2 foot-switchable channels, 3 Band EQ, volume, Gain, and Reverb.
The dirty channel has tons of gain and almost sounds tube-like. The clean channel is very clean with lots of sparkle too. You’ll also get a built-in tuner so you can keep your guitar sounding awesome anytime or anyplace.
Absolutely ideal for practice at home or rehearsals with a band, this amp delivers amazing power and control in all settings, and the built-in reverb sounds absolutely incredible!
Marshall Code 50 Guitar Amp
The Marshall CODE 50 guitar amp is awesome. This amp has 8 different pre-FX models and 3 bands of EQ with great sound even at low volumes, but it will also provide enough power for smaller venues too!
The Code series features Bluetooth iOS and Android integration which means you can use the app to set the sounds on this sweet amp. It’s a versatile little machine that gives you everything from glistening cleans to vintage crunches or modern high-gain options.
So if that’s what you’re looking for in an amplifier, this is it. You can control all the effects on the amp right from your smartphone or tablet!
Fender LT-25 Digital Modeling Amp
The Fender LT-25 is the perfect amp for acoustic guitarists and players on a budget. This modeling amp offers a great variety of tones that can suit nearly any need.
It has 30 presets and 30 blanks for you to make your own effects, with an LCD screen on the top of the amp, along with the rest of the controls.
This little amp’s super affordable price point makes it great for practice or performing gigs in small venues when you’ve mic’d it up.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or you’re on a budget and have the desire to experiment while on a budget, the Fender LT-25 is a versatile practice amp.
