Fender's new Frontman 20G: a worthy candidate for a first guitar amp?

Fender
(Image credit: Fender)

If you're starting out on guitar and are looking to buy a small guitar amp, the choices are overwhelming, do you even need an amp with guitar software at the level it's developed to? Well there's a lot to be said for the simplicity and experience of plugging into an amp, especially one small, intuitive and offering Fender's know-how in the field.

The Frontman 20G solid state amp arrives in February and continues a lineage from Fender that's helped countless players on their way. The 20G offers 20-watts and an 8-inch 'Special Design Speaker' with a three-band EQ, clean and switchable drive channels with independent volume controls. 

Fender

(Image credit: Fender)

There's also a headphone jack and a 1/8-inch auxiliary for plugging in music to jam along to. No Bluetooth here, sorry. But surely everything you need to get started and focussing on enjoying playing. 

But if you're after effects and a headphone-only experience, Fender's Mustang Mini Micro takes some beating

.

Rob Laing
Reviews Editor, GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars

Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.