Crank the Volume: The Best Guitar Amps

The look and design of the Randall RG1003H guitar amp head should give you a clue as to what type of sound it is capable of creating; this thing looks like it was sent here from an alternate future where the only way to survive is to rock peoples’ faces off. True to form, that’s exactly what this unit is built for, with three channels in place to drive a signal up to 100W. The solid-state technology in this unit can be further tempered by the on-board EQ, while the channels can be easily accessed during a performance using the included footswitch. Looking to make the RG1003H’s sound even more grand and room-filling? Try the onboard Spring Reverb to spread your sound even wider.

Mesa/Boogie based their Mark Five: 25 guitar amp head on the same model that drove their original Mark 5 three-channel amplifier, a collection of the company’s most-beloved amps in one single package. Now you can get all of that in a much smaller and easy-to-transport package, along with a variety of tone-controlling features that really allow players to cherry pick their sound. Two channels offer a wide range of tonal options. Channel 1 is able to switch between clean, fat, and crunch modes, while channel 2 offers specific Mesa/Boogie amp settings in the Mark II C+, Mark IV, and Xtreme modes.

An on-board 5-Band Graphic EQ wrangles it all together, implemented at the end of the signal chain so that you can carefully apply it as the last tone-shaping factor after you’ve made your channel decisions. The Mark Five also comes equipped with an all-tube spring reverb that can individually sent out to each channel, giving you the option to provide subtle sounds or a full-on wet effect. And the CABCLONE is a D.I. and Cabinet Simulator that gives you the ability to capture the sound directly from the Mark Five’s speaker output and route it out for a clear and accurate signal that’s great for recording or sending the signal to a console/converter. Switches for the speaker status, cabinet style, ground, and XLR balanced output give you the full range of options to get the tone you desire.

The Marshall name doesn’t necessarily invoke the concept of low wattage. After all, the company has built its brand on the enormous stacks that have become synonymous with arena-shaking rock gods. But the company has managed to transfer its industry-approved tone and control into a smaller package with the Haze MHZ15 amp head. This compact mini-tube unit offers razor-sharp control and killer tone without running the risk of notifying everyone on your block when you plug your axe in.

A normal channel offers clean and crunch-like tones, while the overdrive channel can run the gamut between classic rock drive to thick and mighty distortion. Each channel is also able to be boosted via a four button footswitch option. The Haze MHZ15 also includes an array of digital effects that bring this piece of gear squarely into modern times. Choose between vibrato, delay, and chorus, along with a spring reverb that is perfect for conjuring that vintage vibe. If you find a favored setting, you can save the previously used FX parameters and recall them when you return to that channel.

Fender certainly got it right when they created their Princeton Reverb amp back in the 1960s, and since then that tube-powered tone has become a standard for guitarists across the board. With their ’65 Princeton Reverb 15 watt amplifier, guitarists can capture that legendary sound in an easily transportable, low wattage unit. When played at lower volumes, this amp produces the trademark clean, fat sound that guitarists associate with Fender. When turned up more, you can introduce a degree of grit that really dirties things up to generate more snarl and attitude.

The ’65 Princeton Reverb amp also comes with built-in reverb and vibrato effects that can be used to further color your sound, all inside one piece of gear. Those effects can easily be triggered on and off using the included 2-button footswitch. Control your tone using the treble, bass, volume, reverb, speed, and intensity controls. And because you may find yourself taking this amplifier with you wherever you go, it’s great that this model also comes with a black textured vinyl covering, great not just for travel, but also to keep your amp clean and dust-free should it sit in a contained space for an extended period.

At first glance, the Roland Cube Lite doesn’t even truly look like your standard guitar combo amp, and truthfully, it isn’t. In terms of look and design, this unit much more closely resembles something along the lines of a Bose radio speaker; however, looks can be deceiving. The Cube Lite offers three different tone settings (JC CLEAN, CRUNCH, and EXTREME COSM), stereo chorus, and reverb effects. An I-CUBE LINK allows players to connect the amp to their iPhone, iPad, and iPhone touch, making for a quick and easy way to jam along to your favorite tunes and even to record your signal into said devices. While many amplifiers look like, well, amplifiers, the Cube Lite is designed to stylishly fit into your living room setting, with its sleek look and unobtrusive size and shape. It can also be used to simply play back music from your digital library, which certainly carves this amp out as being distinctive from the rest of its digital modeling brethren.

The Marshall Acoustic Soloist AS50D combo amplifier is an ideal rig for acoustic guitarists looking to crank up their signal for gigs and rehearsals. The line out and XLR DI included in this unit also enable you to bring the AS50D into larger venues as well, giving this amp a versatility that is useful for guitarists of all types. Two channels are available in this unit, and the sounds from both can be further tweaked via onboard effects. Add reverb or chorus to widen your sound and expand your sonic palette. You can also add external pedals and effects processors via the amplifier’s effects loop. The AS50D also comes with an anti-feedback control to nip any unwanted sounds in the bud and ensure your signal is clear and tamed, even when things might go a bit awry.

The Marshall tone lives on in the MA50C guitar combo amp. The tubes are in full effect in this piece of gear, in this case utilizing a pair of ECC83 double triodes in the preamp, and EL34 pentodes in the power amp. Choose between Clean and Overdrive channels, but know that in either case you’ll be able to further shape your tone using separate EQ stages. The latter channel also features a boost feature, which is perfect for when you want your guitar signal to cut through for solos or particularly prominent parts. There's also a spring reverb available for use on both channels. You can switch between clean, overdrive, and the boosted overdrive using the included footswitch. A serial effects loop also enables you to bring your stompboxes and other pedals into the mix seamlessly and with instant results.

With their Express 5:50 Plus guitar combo amplifier, Mesa/Boogie clearly is offering a product to guitarists who want to be able to do it all with a single amplifier. Driven by its all-tube setup, this amplifier can be used in small and intimate clubs or stadium-sized venues. Two channels offer a total of four tone modes. Channel 1 is the home of the pristine-sounding CLEAN and the mid-gain snarl of CRUNCH, which makes it perfect for playing more percussive rhythmic parts. Channel 2 cranks it up a bit, with the singing howl of BLUES and the the overdriven growl of BURN. These tones can be further sculpted using the 5-band graphic EQ; not only can you get very specific in how you make these settings sound, but they can also be programmed via footswitch, and the sliders can be auto-assigned to each preset control. This is an incredibly dynamic piece of gear, but that’s not where the impressive nature of this amp stops as it’s also covered by Mesa/Boogie’s transferrable warranty. It covers five years on the electronics, three for the speakers, and six months for the tubes, so rest assured your investment is protected should any unexpected issues crop up.

The Lazy J Model 80’s name is something of a misnomer, as this high-end guitar combo amp is far from shiftless. Modeled after the impeccable sounds that came from Fender Tweed-era Twin amplifiers, this unit produces a pristine sound which can get exceptionally loud, offering up to 80 watts through its 2x12 cabinet. Powered by 3 12AX7s tubes along with 4 6L6s and a GZ34 rectifier, this amplifier has earned some notably high-profile fans, including Noel Gallagher, Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh, and Jeff Beck.

Part of what makes this amp so exceptional is the fine-tuned craft that has been put into its design by Lazy J owner Jesse Hoff. The Model 80 is wired “point to point,” which means every internal component and wire has been soldered. This is a manufacturing process which was implemented in the 60’s for the rigs of some of the greatest guitarists of all time, and has since been abandoned in favor of cheaper labor and less-intensive manufacturing procedures. This amp also has an optional modules for tremolo and reverb, and a push/pull switch that can be used to dial in additional gain. To top it all off, the cabinet itself is built from finger-joined pine and covered with a lacquered, hand-aged tweed to provide a vintage-looking experience that perfectly complements the classic sound the amp produces.

The Matchless Nighthawk Reverb 1x12 is a high-end guitar combo amp that seamlessly blends British and American overdriven sounds to create a stunning tone which can make nearly any guitar sound like a winner. The tube setup for the Nighthawk at first appears standard as you’ve got a 12AX7 that drives a pair of EL84s, working alongside a 5AR4 rectifier and two additional 12AX7s to power the optional all-valve reverb circuit.

What gives this amp its unique character is its EF86 valve, a small high-gain component prominently used in the normal channel of vintage Vox AC15 and AC30 amplifiers. This produces an exceptional amount of gain. Depending on the pickups in your guitar, this feature can really make this an ideal tool for those who seek a heavier rock sound.

Cleaner sounds may lose some headroom with this model, so if possible, it’s best to explore the sound with your exact guitar before purchasing this item. The Nighthawk’s six position rotary switch will allow players to incrementally decrease the bass and mid frequencies of their tone. However, operating in this capacity allows an easy and precise way to find the sounds that you want rather than loosely twisting knobs.

The fact that Hughes & Kettner’s TubeMeister 36 is classified as a guitar amp head is something of a technicality. Yes, it’s the size of a head but it offers versatility and performance options that truly make a strong argument it should be included amongst its bigger brothers for consideration. The head comes with three channels which can remarkably be accessed via a built-in MIDI system. That feature also grants players the ability to trigger the head’s switchable serial FX loop and onboard reverb effect. Additionally, the MIDI function can also switch through power output modes, allowing players to choose between 36 watts, 18 watts, 5 watts, 1 watt, and speaker off mode.

As if that weren’t enough, the TubeMeister also includes a  tube safety control, which monitors the head’s power tubes and adjusts the bias in an effort to provide the best possible sound from the unit. The other features in this amp head seem basic in comparison to the aforementioned capabilities, but they are still worth noting for their excellence including 3-band EQ, built-in Redbox DI to ensure your tone is great no matter where or what you’re working with, and an effects loop to bring in your pedalboard and processors.

The Marshall DSL 100H guitar amp head is made for those who want to summon the almighty rocking sounds of some of the biggest rock stars in recent musical history. Featuring two channels (classic and ultra gain) this is an ideal tool for playing sparkling clean tones or over-driven riffs and leads that make it an obvious choice for metal and rock genres. An all-valve configuration inside this head promises reliably awesome-sounding tone. A five-way EQ allows you to alter the frequency ranges of your axe, while a tone shift button scoops out the mids and gives you the sound necessary to shred metal riffs to your heart’s desire. The DSL 100H also comes with a digital reverb to further make your tone sound big and sweeping, while a rear panel Pentode/Triode switch gives you the option to decrease the head’s output from 100 watts to 50 watts, which can significantly influence this piece of gears performance and feel.

Fender’s ’65 Deluxe Reverb amp head practically oozes the vintage-sounding, immaculate tone that can only be associated with tube-powered amplifiers, so it should come as no surprise that this unit is comprised of nine (!) different tubes. Offering 22 watts of power, this is an ideal tool for those playing rock, blues, country, or any other genre requiring an almost human-like scream and distinct dynamic range.

The head features a normal channel as well as a vibrato channel, giving you some sonic options in terms of what you want your guitar to sound like. A tube-driven spring reverb and tremolo effect further provide choices in how your tone can be colored. Use the 2-button footswitch to effortlessly switch said effects on and off. The black textured vinyl covering and silver grille cloth epitomizes the classic Fender brand, so you’ll be getting the sound and look of a classic in one compact unit.

Fender’s Hot Rod Deluxe 112 guitar amp cabinet offers that stable Fender sound for guitarists who want to turn up their tone. Although this cab works perfectly with other amp heads in the Fender Hot Rod line, it is compatible with most other amps. And while the sight of a big cabinet is typically associated with blazing, loud rock music, this piece of gear has found a special place in the hearts of players across the board, from jazz to country to pop, as well. Its closed-back construction provides a tighter sound that offers true punch and more low-end while a single Celestion speaker pumps out the signal with ease.