Here is a guide to the 9 best tube amps of 2022 and what each of them is good at. For guitarists who can appreciate a full-bodied tone, this guide will make your search easier as well as make your buying decision more informed.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Vox Bass Amplifier Head | Best Overall |  |
| Monoprice 611705 5-Watt 1×8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier | Budget Pick |  |
| Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Vox Bass Amplifier Head
Pros:
- It is compact enough to fit on your lap with both controls and sound source input facing you.
- Compact design for easy portability.
- It comes with additional feature of Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming.
- Company offers an additional one year warranty for any manufacturing defect.
- You can do studio tracking with this amplifier.
Cons:
- When at full speed setting it is a bit noisy.
- It is a bit difficult for you to go from flat setting to distortion.
- The amplifier is unable to handle a studio setting.
- It is unable to get to a high volume in a studio setting.
- It does not have any digital effects.
Vox's AC4C1-12 bass amplifier is an awesome amplifier for the bass guitarist. Being compact, it can be carried anywhere for jamming sessions. The Vox is able to fold down into a very compact form that makes it easy to carry. The amp comes with two channels where one is used for clean sound and the other is for distortion. It can be said that the amp is very versatile in terms of output. It can accommodate the bass guitar, keyboards, or the guitar along with the vocals.
2. Fender Pro Junior IV 15 Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier
Pros:
- Tweed covering allows for a vintage look
- Features an 8th inch speaker with a power of 15 watts
- Easy to use controls
- Suitable for various types of guitar sounds and playing styles
- 4-inch Fender Special Design speaker
- 7-inch Fender Special Design speaker
- Tweed covering for a vintage look
- Options for three channels: clean, overdrive, and distortion
- Custom made 12AX7A tube
- Features spring reverb
Cons:
- 120V
- You have to purchase the footswitch separately
- You can not use an extension cord
- Live playing may not allow the volume knob to be raised enough
- Compact design, which may affect cabs or cabinets
Tweed.
For your money you get a really simple but exceptionally neat and well put together amplifier. The sound is a very good basis for both clean sounds and overdrive, and there are some excellent tones available. All the in and outputs are easily accessible and straight-forward.
3. BUGERA V5 5-Watt Class Amplifier Combo
Pros:
- Musician-friendly features
- Great choice for beginning guitarists
- Great value for the price
- Come with footswitch, 2-button control for infinium, and presence
- Excellent amplifier sound
- Comes with a sturdy cabinet
Cons:
- No 1/4″ input
- No foot switch for the reverb
- Plastic corner protectors easily crack, but replacements for free are available.
Starting an amp collection is something every player dreams about and if you’re interested in getting a tube amp for this, then the Bugera V5 combo is going to be a great option for you.
The Bugera V5 is an excellent option for the starter guitarist who doesn’t need too loud a sound, but still wants to enjoy the warm tone produced by a tube amplifier. People need to remember that this is a 5 Watt amp, so it’s not going to be the same loud as the Fender Mustang. The value you get with this amp is outstanding and you can find absolutely no faults with the sound it provides. The amp has enough gain to fulfill the needs of most players. If you are on a budget and still want a great tube amp, this is the amp that is going to work for you.
4. BUGERA T50-INFINIUM 50-Watt Cage-Style 2-Channel Amplifier Head
Bugera amps have become one of the most talked-about tube amplifier brands around. The T50 was actually one of the first tube amp products that the company released, and it still remains one of the most popular models. The T50 Infinium is packed with enough features to make your sound stand out, including a full metal shell, clean and lead channels, and a high-quality tube section.
For those that are looking for a compact tube amp that they can take anywhere, we highly recommend the Crush 35 Micro. It has an extremely small footprint, but it still has 35 watts on tap that is perfect for smaller gigs. The amp is incredibly versatile and is capable of delivering natural sounding cleans as well as enough gain to satisfy any blues or rock player.
According to CNN, the Valve Reactor is the tube amp that is going to give your sound some edge. It features three knobs that you can adjust to create your ideal amp tone. Of course, you can also use the amp with your pedalboard if you want to take it into a more modern direction.
5. Fender Bassbreaker 007 Combo
Pros:
- 3-band EQ and contour on the front panel
- Powerful hybrid amp design
- Versatility from 3-channel switching
- Unique and sleek design
- 15-watt tube guitar amplifier
While this Fender Bassbreaker 007 Tube Amplifier Combo Guitar offers 15W of power, it provides a lot more than that. This amplifier offers a wide range of tones, from bass to treble. It works extremely well for country, blues and classic rock.
The Speed Channel is for clearer attack on the pick attack and the Crunch Channel possesses a warmer, rounder sound. The Bass sounds good as well.
This amp boasts a clean blend and an onboard reverb. The Fender Bassbreaker tube amp has a three-band EQ and an onboard tube driven Bassbreaker contour. You can use the three-channel switching for versatility. The amp can go from Bassbreaker on the clean channel to stack on the crunch channel.
6. CALIFORNIA TONE RESEARCH SET5 Single End Tube Guitar Amplifier
Pros:
- Affordable
- No need to ever change tubes
- Good quality
- Can also be run in line out with external speaker
- Warm tone
- Great for low wattage practice at home
- Can be boosted with additional amps or used as a preamp
- Comes with an optional footswitch for switching channels
- Very durable
Cons:
- May be complicated for beginners
- No reverb or effects
- The tubes may have to be replaced after 6-8 years of use
The California Tone Research Set 5 tube guitar amplifier head is our top pick for tube amps due to its impressive features and affordable price point. It may not be as durable as the Fender tube amp, but this amp is very much worth your money.
This tube amp is quite small when you compare it to other tube amps. It is a Class A single end design, meaning that there is no feedback loop for your main output. This particular model comes with two 10″ output tubes. The tone is very warm and full, and you will not need other effects as the tones are natural and full on its own.
7. Monoprice 611705 5-Watt 1×8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier
Pros:
- Very cheap
- No muss or fuss operation
- Can play without tangling up wires
- Can be pumped up with a stand-alone amplifier
- No need to amplify your instrument
Cons:
- Minor buzzing sound
- Volume is hard to regulate
- Must plug your instrument's pickup directly into the input jack for amplification to work, otherwise, it is not amplified.
Bass Guitars and Keyboards.
A tube guitar amplifier is typically a lot better than a solid state amp in that it gives a fuller, richer sound with less hissing.
Tube amps are more expensive and have a lot more to them than solid state amps, but the pros outweigh the cons. With that being said you do not always need a tube amp, in fact, you need one specifically for the sound you are going for.
8. Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee
Pros:
- High-quality build – even the tolex covering is of great quality
- Also comes with a 5-year warranty
- Loud and powerful, this amp can handle almost any need or gig that you come across
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Smokes a lot when first turned on, and needs to be broken in
- You’ll probably be disappointed if you expect the silver covering to last a long time, but it’s abrasion-resistant at the least.
If you need an inexpensive, high-quality entry-level tube amp, this might be it. This is the kind of amp you’ll buy when looking for something with a small investment, that you can practice on at home or at the very least use to bang out riffs at small gigs.
As far as small tube amps go, this one’s pretty cheap. It’s also great for beginners and even intermediate players. It has a pretty smooth and classic sound, and can provide a lot of power if you turn it up and push with overdrive on.
9. Peavey ValveKing II Micro-head 20W/5W/1W Tube Head
Pros:
- Groove Tube Overdrive/Distortion
- Switchable XLR DI Out
- Includes upgraded Ultralight speaker
- Step-on Switch
- Footswitch included
Cons:
- If the Overdrive channel is engaged, the Micro Head becomes a 5-watt tube amplifier
- Footswitch only works when it’s placed in the footswitch jack
- Amp head is heavy at 15 pounds
As you can see in the picture, this head looks quite different from other Peavey tube amplifiers. Unfortunately, this attractive tube amp is quite overlooked. Touring pros Keith Urban and Gary Moore both love this amp.
The front panel has an XLR DI out with ground lift. It also has make-or-break output switches for the head and micro output. This amp is also relatively quiet, even at high volumes. You can plug the amp into a DI, using the XLR out.
Another great feature is the built-in Groove Tube overdrive circuit that gives you the crunchy, tubey sound that we all love. This high-quality overdrive is quite flexible and packs a tight punch. The amp also has damage, as well as boost.
10. Blackstar HT1R Series Guitar Combo Amplifier
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Excellent price and performance
- Excellent tone
- Takes pedals well
- Portable, which is perfect for those with small gigs
- 50 watts of power
- Well-balanced tone
Cons:
- Some report that the preamp tubes don’t last very long
- Technology is old-fashioned for many
- Unresponsive and not as performance-based as cheaper models
- Power-handling capacity is questionable
The Blackstar HT1R is a great piece of equipment for beginners or those with smaller gigs. The amplifier delivers both quality and affordability, all in one.
It comes with 12AX7 and A3 preamp tubes, which you can replace if they start to fail on you. The amp also comes with 2 channels: clean and overdrive. The overdrive isn’t too harsh, which makes it ideal for most applications.
The amp comes with pedals well, so you can use it for a variety of different applications. However, the technology in this amp isn’t as advanced as in some more expensive models. It’s best used for basic tonal shaping. And while full cleans are possible, they’re not the best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best tube amp?
Tube amps do tend to be more expensive (although it isn’t always the case), but they also seem to have unquantifiable advantages that add more value beyond just the sound. Perhaps it represents an era when from a time when you weren’t so dependent on electricity and the tools that make modern music possible. Perhaps it’s the self-repairing aspect, or the fact that you just have to own an amp that needs to be peeled back to expose the complex structure that beats at its heart.
Whatever the reason, tube amps represent an absolute passion for playing music.
Large tube amps are heavy and difficult to transport, and can be very expensive; so, it’s easy to see why many are frustrated with the extent of their options.
What is the best 15 watt tube amp?
A 15 watt tube amp will be fine to give your bedroom or living room a little bit of additional sound or to use as a practice amp for you or your small band. In fact, that is exactly the amount of power that most of the top rated amps on our list produce.
In this article, we will show you how we came up with the list of amps that you see below; how we ranked them; and what we believe to be the best 15 watt tube amp today.
You will find the following:
- What home features a 15 watt tube amp needs to have Understand what the role of amplifying actually is; and Why amplitude is only a small part in the equation of tone
- Different tube types and how they shape a sound
- Two-stage vs three-stage vs single-stage tube amplifying
- What are the qualities of quality tube amps
- What role do magnetic vs electric speakers have
What is the best tube amp under 1000?
Once a popular metal amplifier, the Marshall also has a very loud and clean sound. It is capable of producing a decent range of sounds if you use it properly. Buyers must be well aware of its power and distortion in order to get the best of it. Those with a bit of knowledge on how to work it can get a lot from it. It will, therefore, be best for those who know their way around a guitar.
It doesn't have versatile controls to allow you to increase the sonic impact like other models. However, it is rich in power, and more than enough for most users. If you plan to use it mainly in small venues, this amp is your best bet. It is more affordable than the rest of the amps out there. Marshall is a popular brand, and this is their signature model.
What are some good amps?
If you're getting your hands dirty in the world of guitar amps, then you need to know about Fender, Marshall, Vox, and Orange amps.
Conclusion
This guide explains everything you need to know about best tube amps: what they are, which brands are the best, etc.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Vox Bass Amplifier Head | Best Overall | |
| Monoprice 611705 5-Watt 1×8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier | Budget Pick | |
| Marshall 2525C Mini Silver Jubilee | Upgrade Pick | |