Do you feel your tone is a gem on a rough? Considering you already have a guitar that plays great. As well more importantly, your level of mastery playing it has progress on a steady phase to confidently say is now way beyond just the average level. However, after all the progress achieved in playing. Still at the back of your mind, there is a missing element to the overall sound. You’re beginning to think and starting to believe it may have something to do with the guitar amplification you are using at the moment. Strongly suggesting this might be the proper time to once again invest on another go to guitar amplifier to deliver your tones.
Given you already have a nice sounding solid state or modeling amp that you regularly used for home playing, band rehearsal practice and gigs. The obvious choice now would be and bang for the bucks is to get yourself started playing with a valve driven guitar amplifier. So to help you find what tube amp to buy. We have organized a list of best head and combo tube amplifiers within the thousand dollar budget range that are versatile and very much capable of capturing classic, modern and heavy metal sounds when put on the right settings.
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Marshall DSL Series DSL40CR
- 40 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 4xECC83 preamp tubes and 2xEL4 tubes on power section
- High and low power modes for every venue
- 1×12” inches Celestion V-type speaker
- 2 channels: ultra gain and classic gain into separate modes
- Channel 1 clean/crunch and Channel 2 OD1/OD2
- 2 master volume
- EQ section bass-mid-treble-presence-resonance with tone shift to change the frequency on both channels
- Built-in digital reverb: classic and ultra to enhance and fully shape the sound
- Rear panel features an Fx loop, 5 speaker out, MIDI in and footswitch
Very responsive and loaded with the revered classic Marshall tones, the Marshall DSL Series DSL40CR is a must have guitar tube combo amplifier for every guitar player out there to center their sound. The amp has a versatile nature because it can be played in a lower 20 watts power to a full 40 watts with just a flick of the high/low output switch found at the front panel of the amp to be loud, and also for the amp to cover most venues. The amp gets this power using 4xECC83 preamp tubes and 2xEL4 tubes on its power section. Then all this power is being relayed to a 1×12” inch Celestion speaker to put out a crisp clean or overdriven sounds.
To blend-in sounds, the DSL40CR has two master volume, classic gain and ultra gain channel that is further subdivided into two separate modes operated with a press of a button which gives the amp a total of four different voicing to play rock, metal and other genre of music. The amp also includes an EQ section bass-mid-treble-presence-resonance with tone shift to change the frequency on both channels and a built-in digital reverb to enhance and fully shape the sound. Moving on to the rear panel the amp features an Fx loop, MIDI in, five speaker out and for the footswitch.
Peavey Classic 50 212
- 50 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 2×12” inches midnight 60 Celestion speaker
- Powered by 3x12AX7 and 4xEL84 valves for vintage and screaming tube driven metal sounds
- Stylish open back tweed covered cabinet
- Consisting of normal and bright instrument input
- Volume controls: normal gain for the the clean channel, pre and post gain controls for the lead channel
- 3-band EQ section bass-middle-treble
- Other controls are master volume, presence, normal/lead switch to change channels or by using a footswitch, on-board reverb effect, standby mode switch and On/Off power.
- Sockets at the back are Fx loop send/return, remote footswitch jacks and speaker outputs
If you’re looking for an amp with a smooth clean sound and can take effect pedals very well, this all tube amp from Peavey is the perfect answer to all that needs. The 50 watt Peavey Classic 50 offers a wide range of sound using its two channels that are being powered by 3x12AX7 and 4xEL84 valves to produce awesome vintage and screaming tube driven metal sounds. Moreover, underneath its stylish tweed covered cabinet are 2×12” inch midnight 60 Celestion speaker to really bring the best out of the amp in rock’n the house down.
Controls and guitar input for the amp are situated at the back portion of the top panel consist of a normal and bright instrument input, normal gain for the the clean channel, pre and post gain controls for the lead channel, 3-band EQ section bass-mid-treble, master volume, presence active tone control that boosts the extreme high frequencies by up to 6 dB, normal/lead switch to change channels or by using a footswitch, on-board reverb effect, standby mode switch and On/Off power. Sockets at the back of the amp are Fx loop send/return, remote footswitch jacks and speaker outputs.
Vox AC30S1
- 30 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 1×12” Celestion VX12 speaker
- Combination of 2x12AX7 preamp tubes and 4xEL84 tubes on the power section for iconic chimey clean and rich overdrive tones
- Single channel guitar amplifier
- Controls consist of n On/Off power switch with a standby mode, master volume, studio quality digital reverb, treble, bass and a gain knob
- Other features present are Fx loop send/return jacks and a speaker out to connect the amp on a external speaker cabinet
Simple yet unique in its on way, the Vox AC30S1 is a straight forward single channel combo amplifier with tube components a player can heavily rely on to arrive on a desired sound. The amp always carry itself with an old school look of a 60s amp for commanding presence, and is well equipped with 1×12” inch Celestion VX12 speaker, and followed by a combination of 2x12AX7 preamp tubes and 4xEL84 tubes placed on its power section to generate the iconic chimey clean and an array of rich overdrive tones that never failed to amaze and inspire guitar players up to this day.
The Vox AC30S1 is a stripped down model of the AC30CC1 and AC30C2, but with all due respect to this amp. It can still deliver timeless tones without breaking the bank to be accessible for most working musicians and weekend jammers. To carve out tones, the controls for this amp is only consist of a On/Off power switch with a standby mode, master volume, studio quality digital reverb, treble, bass and a gain knob. Other features present are Fx loop send/return jacks that allows a convenient connection of external effects, and a speaker out to connect the amp on a external speaker cabinet.
Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue
- 40 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- Special designed 1×12” inch Eminence speaker
- 3x12AX7 preamp tubes and 2x6L6 tubes on power section
- Tweed covered housing with silver control panels
- 2 channel guitar amplifier for blues, country and rock etc
- Located on the top panel is the a normal input, -6dB padded input for active pick-ups, independent volume for the clean channel, a gain control for the drive channel, 3-Band EQ bass-mid-treble, master volume control for the drive channel, reverb effect and a presence control
- Also with the amp is a footswitch input, preamp output and power amp input to use as an effects loop or for other configurations
Unmistakable voicing heard throughout most professional recordings and worthy to grace the stage for a performance, the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue is the type of clean sounding, low gain, all tube guitar amplifier a player would want to have to play classic rock, country and especially blues. The 40 watts of power this two channel amp possesses is brought by 3x12AX7 preamp tubes, 2x6L6 tubes for its power section, and a special designed 1×12” inch Eminence speaker that can actually move lots of air. For a final distinctive touch, the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue sports a tweed covered housing with silver control panels to display the amp with pride.
Located on top of the amp are the controls and input jacks to blend-in sounds and to plug-in the guitar. It is composed of a normal input, -6dB padded input for active pick-ups, independent volume for the clean channel, a gain control for the drive channel, 3-Band EQ bass-mid-treble, master volume control for the drive channel, reverb effect, and a presence control. Players also gonna get a footswitch input, preamp output and power amp input to use as an effects loop or for other configurations.
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
- 40 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 3x12Ax7 tubes on preamp section and 2x6L6 power tubes
- 1×12″ inches Celestion A-type speaker for ideal sparkly clean, bluesy crunch and flavorful overdrives
- 3 channel guitar amp consisting of clean, drive and more drive
- Controls are On/Off power switch, standby switch, volume, drive, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, master volume, spring reverb, presence controls, bright and drive switch
- Input/output are the normal input jack, -6dB padded input jack for active pick-ups, footswitch input, preamp out and power amp-in
Another legendary amplifier coming from Fender that has been the center of many guitarists rigs and arguable one of the best amp ever made by the brand is none other than the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe version four. This valve driven amp features a modified preamp circuitry, smoother sounding spring reverb and updated aesthetics that old and new players will surely love. It is supercharged 40 watt amp due to the fact it has 3x12Ax7 tubes installed on its preamp section, 2x6L6 power tubes and 1×12″ Celestion A-type speaker to deliver the ideal sparkly clean sound, bluesy crunch and flavorful overdrives.
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV is the latest incarnation of the Hot Rod model by Fender that offer a total of three channels consisting of a clean, drive and more drive to muster a wider range of sounds. Controls and necessary inputs to use the amp are the normal input jack, -6dB padded input jack for active pick-ups, footswitch input, preamp out and power amp-in, On/Off power switch, standby switch, volume, drive, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, master volume, spring reverb, presence controls, bright and drive switch.
PRS Sonzera 50
- 50 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 1×12” inches Celestion V-Type speaker
- Powered by 4x12AX7 preamp tubes and 2xEL4 power tubes
- 2 channel amp to produce both vintage and modern tones
- Front panel controls are the global presence knob, volume, master, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, reverb, and bright switch for the clean channel, and on the lead channel are the drive, level, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble reverb, and has a bright switch
- Built with the amp are the FX loop send/return, footswitch jack, speaker out, bias jacks, power On/Off and standby mode switch at the back panel
The PRS Sonzera 50 is a 50 watt two channel all tube guitar combo amplifier that offers big amazing sounds to go out there and play. It has two independently controlled foot switchable channels designed to maximize the amp versatility on delivering sparkly clean and aggressive overdrives. The clean channel of the amp is reminiscent of American 60’s and 70’s amplifiers, while the lead channel can shift from a slight overdrive to a full heavy distortion with just a simply tweak on the amp volume and master controls making the sound perfect for playing rock. Both channels on the Sonzera are being powered by 4x12AX7 preamp tubes, 2xEL4 for power tubes and a 1×12” inch Celestion V-Type speaker housed on a poplar plywood cabinet wrapped in stealth cover with black and cream grille cloth.
The controls to shape and develop sounds is situated on the front panel for easy access consisting of a global presence knob to use on the two channels, volume, master, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, reverb, and bright switch for the clean channel, and on the lead channel are the drive, level, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble reverb, and has a bright switch as well. Other notable features built with the amp are the FX loop send/return, footswitch jack, 4-16 ohms speaker out, bias jacks, power On/Off and standby mode switch.
EVH 5150III 1×12 50W Combo
- 50 watt guitar tube combo amplifier
- 1×12” inches Celestion speaker
- 7x12AX7 preamp tubes and 2x6L6 power tubes
- 3 channel amplifier with clean, crunch and lead
- Channels 1 and 2 each have dual concentric gain and volume controls with shared 3-band EQ low-mid-high controls
- 3rd channel has its independent gain, volume and EQ low-mid-high
- Additional controls present are the presence, resonance and built-in reverb effect to further shape the sound and are shared by all three channels
- Rear panel On/Off switch, standby switch, selectable output impedance 4-16 ohms with a pair of parallel speaker outputs , MIDI input and preamp output, effects loop, headphone jack and footswitch
Flexing its muscle with over the top overdriven sounds and warmer type of clean, the EVH 5150III is the sort of three channel guitar combo tube amplifier shredders and drive hungry players will definitely appreciate. It is loaded with 7x12AX7 preamp tubes, 2x6L6 power tubes and 1×12” inch custom special designed EVH Celestion speaker housed on a birch wood cabinet with special internal baffling that brings in a much tighter tones and exponentially increase the bass response for an arena size kind of sound.
Channels one and two of the EVH 5150III each have dual concentric gain and volume controls with shared 3-band EQ low-mid-high controls. While the third channel on the other hand has its independent gain, volume and EQ low-mid-high. Additional controls present on the amp like presence, resonance and built-in reverb effect to further shape the sound and are shared by all three channels. Other useful features to mention that also comes with the amp are rear panel selectable output impedance 4-16 ohms with a pair of parallel speaker outputs, MIDI input and preamp output, effects loop, headphone jack for a quiet practice, and a four-button footswitch that controls all three channels as well the reverb for easy onstage switching.
Bugera 333XL Hardcore
- 120 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- 4x12AX7 tubes on the preamp section and 4xEL34 tubes to harness power
- Revolutionary Infinium tube life multiplier technology that monitors and extends the lifespan of the valves up to 20 times
- Control panel first section is consist of On/Off power switch, standby mode switch, FX loop boost, master volume, global presence and reverb
- Center section to operate the crunch and lead channels having their own separate volume, EQ bass-mid-treble, gain control, XL lead/crunch boost buttons and a noise gate for the lead channel
- Clean channel with volume, and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble
- At the back of the amp are the FX loop send/return with level controls, LED valve monitoring, speaker out with impedance switch, and line out jack with level control
Hand built and hand wired but with a budget friendly price, the Bugera 333XL is a hardcore 120 watt all valve head guitar amplifier that packs a boutique type of clean and can produce ear piercing high gain sounds. The Bugera 333XL Hardcore is a modern class three channel amplifier with a clean, crunch and lead channel being fired up by 4x12AX7 tubes placed on its preamp section and has 4xEL34 tubes to harness power. Another nice thing about this amp is the revolutionary Infinium tube life multiplier technology that monitors and is said to extend the lifespan of the tubes up to 20 times which adds to the amp reliability, and as well to save some money.
The control panel of the amp is divided into three sections to adjust the overall sound of each channels. The first section is consist of On/Off power switch, standby mode switch, FX loop boost, master volume, global presence and reverb. Followed by the center panel controls to operate the crunch and lead channels having their own separate volume, EQ bass-mid-treble, gain control, XL lead/crunch boost buttons and a noise gate for the lead channel. Then last but not the least, the clean channel with volume, and 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble. At the back of the amp are the FX loop send/return with level controls, LED valve monitoring, speaker out with impedance switch, and line out jack with level control. 4 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Marshall Origin50H
- 50 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- Powered by 3xECC83 preamp tubes and 2xEL34 power tubes
- Single channel guitar tube head amplifier to deliver the classic Marshall tones
- For controls it has a master volume to get a classic overdrive, presence to boost the frequency, 3-Band EQ bass-mid-treble with a tilt control to blend two different preamp voices and a gain with a boost by pulling onto the knob or using the footswitch to engage for that extra level of crunch to play those lead tones
- Power output toggle control to go from 50W to 10W or 5W
- On the rear panel of the amp are the speaker outs, DI out, footswitch jack and FX loop send/return
With a contemporary sleek style for looks and can deliver a dynamic range of tones using its single channel, the Marshall Origin50H is a fitting amp for any studio environment and the same amp to use when about to hit the stage. Tube wise, the Origin 50 head amp is powered by 3xECC83 preamp tubes and 2xEL34 power tubes that can bring out the Jimi in a player. This 50 watt all valve head amp also offers a power reducing feature to cut the output power to half or even more lower, making it not just great for studio and stage performance, but for practicing at the comfort of home as well.
For controls, the Marshall Origin 50 has a master volume to get a classic overdrive, presence to boost the frequency, 3-Band EQ bass-mid-treble with a tilt control to blend two different preamp voices and a gain with a boost by pulling onto the knob or using the footswitch to engage for that extra level of crunch to play those lead tones. On the rear panel of the amp are the speaker outs, DI out, footswitch jack and FX loop send/return. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Randall Diablo Series RD100H
- 100 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- 4x12AX7 preamp tubes and 4x6L6 tubes on the power section
- 3 channel pure metal sounding guitar amplifier
- The clean and 2 drive channels has their own individual gain and volume controls that is easily engage via a push of a button in the front panel or via use of a footswitch
- All 3 channels share the same 3-band EQ section bass-mid-treble, presence and a master volume
- Found at the back are the footswitch jack, Fx loop send/return, speaker outs with impedance select and speaker emulator DI out with ground lift
The Randall RD100H is the flagship model of Randall’s Diablo Series with an earth shaking and spine tingling overdrives that shredders and head banging guitar players crave. This amp is not really for the faint of heart, because it is an all tube 100 watt three channel pure metal sounding guitar amplifier with 4x12AX7 preamp tubes and has 4x6L6 tubes on the power section to deliver sought after tighter metal tones. Its aggressive core sound is well complimented with brimming features to handle recording studio sessions, high octane band rehearsals and more importantly, it won’t shy away when brought on any stage.
The clean and two drive channels of the Randall Diablo Series RD100H has their own individual gain and volume controls that is easily engage via a push of a button in the front panel or via use of a footswitch. All three channels share the same 3-band EQ section bass-mid-treble, presence and a master volume for a total tonal and general volume control. Other features that comes with the amp is found at the back consisting of a footswitch jack, Fx loop send/return, speaker outs with impedance select and speaker emulator DI out with ground lift. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Marshall DSL Series DSL100HR
- 100 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- 4xECC83 preamp tubes and 4xEL34 power tubes
- 100W with power reduction option to 50W without losing a tiny bit of the legendary Marshall tones
- Controls are On/Off power switch, output switch, master volume 1, master volume 2, master select switch, digital reverb for the classic gain and ultra gain channel, resonance and presence controls, tone shift button, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, ultra gain channel with dedicated volume, gain and boost control and lastly the classic gain with a dedicated volume, gain and boost control
- At the back panel is the speaker out with multiple sockets, Fx loop send/return, MIDI-in and footswitch jack
Based on the massively popular Marshall JCM2000, the Marshall DSL100HR is also an all valve guitar head amplifier that offers the same well acclaimed classic clean tones and ultra brilliant high gain sounds that all Marshall amps are known for. It comes in with an affordable price and been given the familiar black and gold panel enclosure that stores the amp’s 4xECC83 preamp tubes and a quartet of EL34 power tubes. The DSL100H can be played in full 100 watt or 50 watts half the power to match the venue without losing a tiny bit of the legendary Marshall tones.
This amp has a single input for the guitar, On/Off power switch, digital reverb for the classic gain and ultra gain channel, resonance and presence controls for low end rumble, tone shift button, 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble, ultra gain channel with dedicated volume, gain and boost control, then lastly the classic gain with a dedicated volume, gain and boost control. Other features on the amp are found at the back consisting of a speaker out with multiple sockets, Fx loop send/return, MIDI-in and footswitch jack. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
Blackstar HT Venue Series Club 50 Mark II
- 50 watt guitar tube amplifier head
- 2xECC83 preamp tubes and has 2xEL34 power tubes
- 2 channel amplifier with 4 switchable voices
- Equipped with the ISF infinite shape feature control to channel in British type of crunch and American drives or have something in between
- Lead and clean channel has their own dedicated volume, gain and voicing switch to set in tones
- Other controls are the master volume, digital reverb effect with dark/light switching at the back panel, and ISF with the 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble
- At the back panel are the footswitch jack, FX loop send/return with level pad, reverb dark/light button switch, emulated output jack, DI out and speaker outs
Offering superb clean tones and overdriven sounds that ranges from classic crunch to super saturated lead, the HT Club 50 MKII by Blackstar is truly a remarkable all tube amp for the gigging musician. The HT Club 50 is offered with the same set of features as the HT Club 40 MKII combo, but in a head format and has 50 watts of power. It is two channel head amp with 2xECC83 preamp tubes and has 2xEL34 power tubes to produce jaw dropping and face melting tube tones. Also like any other amp from Backstar, the HT Club 50 is equipped with the infinite shape feature control to channel in British type of crunch and American drives or have something in between.
The footswitchable lead and clean channel on this amp has their own dedicated volume, gain and voicing switch to set in tones, then share the master volume, digital reverb effect with dark/light switching at the back panel, patented ISF control, and a 3-band EQ bass-mid-treble. Turning the amp all the way around you’ll find the footswitch jack, FX loop send/return with level pad, reverb dark/light button switch, emulated output jack and speaker outs. 8 to 16 ohm impedance and use only proper speaker cable.
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