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Remember that your amp purchase isn't your only expense. Tube amps have to be retubed and possibly maintained every so often. If you need additional effectsare a tone junkie, such as [[Boosts|boost pedals]], [[Noise Gates|noise gates]], or [[Delay|delay]]/[[Reverb|reverb]], those can add up quicklyyou may want to consider a good modeler. So can cablesFor the price of 1-2 quality amps, pedalboards, gig bags, cases, etc. Write it all out, then set your budgetyou get several dozen to hundreds of models.
→Budget
== Budget ==
Quality guitar gear is very expensive, and it always feels like you never have enough, or the right gear. An amp is typically a major purchase and the centerpiece of your guitar tone. I'd always argue to spend more on your amp than anything other than possibly your guitar(s).
Remember that your amp purchase isn't your only expense. Tube amps have to be retubed and possibly maintained every so often. If you need additional effects, such as [[Boosts|boost pedals]], [[Noise Gates|noise gates]], or [[Delay|delay]]/[[Reverb|reverb]], those can add up quickly. So can cables, pedalboards, gig bags, cases, etc. Write it all out, then set your budget. If you are a professional and need absolute reliability with bigger gigs, you should also have a backup amp. If tone is crucial or budget isn't a big concern, you can fully duplicate your rig; but practicality often necessitates a watered down, "get-through-the-gig" backup rig. A major part of amp tone is what cabinet it is paired with. Cabs can range from fairly cheap to quite expensive. If it's a key part of your amp's tone, you may have to spend a bit of money here - the expensive amp but cheaper cab solution may not be a solution at all. Or you can consider looking smaller, such as getting a 2x12 vs. a 4x12. I use a modeler with a FRFR wedge monitor, and it was quite cheaper than a real guitar cab.
== Pre-Amp vs. Power Amp ==