Table of Contents
Tube amps have an obvious appeal that keeps guitar fans interested. When you plug your guitar into one of the best tube amps and play a strong open E chord, it’s a satisfying feeling that speaks to our most basic instincts. The magic of tube amps comes from the way they work. It’s the unique tone that comes out, which has a complicated and natural quality, whether it’s velvety and deep or clean and shimmering. Aside from the sound, what makes tube amps stand out is how they feel.
As you dance your fingers over the strings, the amp responds by giving the notes more character when you press harder and more clarity when you play more softly. Tube amps are also best when they are simple. They usually have simple, easy-to-use designs with just a few knobs and tracks that make it easy to change the sound. And don’t forget that they work with pedals and blend in perfectly with your effects to make a soundscape. When choosing between a modeling amp’s complicated menus and a tube amp’s simplicity and realism, the tube amp always comes out on top. There’s just nothing like the real feeling of a tube amp.
Best Tube Amps Comparison Table
| Mesa/Boogie California Tweed 6V6 4:40 | Fender Blues Junior IV | Vox AC30HW2X | Supro Delta King 12 | Blackstar HT-1R MKII Combo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 40 watts | 15 watts | 30 watts | 15 watts | 1 watt |
| Tubes | 4x 6V6, 5x 12AX7, 1x 5U4 | 2x EL84, 3x 12AX7 | 4x EL84 | 2x 6L6, 3x 12AX7 | 1x ECC83, 1x ECC82 |
| Channels | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Speaker | Custom-voiced 12″ Celestion | 12″ Celestion | 2x 12″ Celestion | 12″ Supro BD12 | 8″ Blackstar Speaker |
| Reverb | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Effects Loop | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Footswitch | Included | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Weight | 38 lbs | 31 lbs | 75 lbs | 35.5 lbs | 15.4 lbs |
| Price | High | Mid | High | Mid | Low |
| Suitable For | Versatile tones and gigging | Classic blues tones | Rock and indie | Vintage blues tones | Bedroom practice |
Mesa/Boogie California Tweed 6V6 4:40
| Specification | Mesa/Boogie California Tweed 6V6 4:40 |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 40 Watts |
| Tubes | 4 x 6V6, 5 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 |
| Channels | 2 |
| Speaker | 12″ Celestion Custom 90 |
| Weight | 47 lbs (21.3 kg) |
But this Best Tube Amps is totally different. Randall Smith made it as a tribute to Leo Fender’s amp designs from the 1950s, which is why it’s called “Tweed.” The story goes that when Randall began making Mesa/Boogie amps in the 1960s, Leo’s tweed circuits had a big impact on him. He liked how natural the tones sounded and how easily they went from clean to distorted and back again. This was partly because they used 6V6 tubes.
The California Tweed 6V6 4:40 amp is both beautiful and easy to use because of how simple it is. The control panel is simple, with just seven chicken-head buttons for gain, master, EQ, presence, and reverb. There is also a Multi-Watt selector that lets you change the output from 40 watts to just two. There is a normal input and a clean input, which is padded down so it doesn’t drive the preamp as much for maximum space.
The Good
- Tone of real tweed with current adaptability
- Construction and workmanship of the highest quality
- Two separate channels let you choose from a wide range of tones.
- EQ and settings that let you change the sound in many ways
- Celestion speaker offers excellent sound quality
The Bad
- Compared to some other types, it’s pretty heavy.
- The price is higher than that of entry-level tube amps.
Fender Blues Junior IV
| Specification | Fender Blues Junior IV |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 15 Watts |
| Tubes | 2 x EL84, 3 x 12AX7 |
| Channels | 1 |
| Speaker | 1 x 12″ Jensen P12Q |
| Weight | 31 lbs (14.06 kg) |
This Best Tube Amps is a real little scoundrel in its own way. If you provoke it, it will spew searing fire and brimstone, but if you back off just a little bit, it will reward you with the most magnificent rich tones, worthy of boutique amps that cost many times as much as this one does. Since it has a Fender emblem on its headstock, you may anticipate that it will produce the bright, clear tones that are inextricably linked with Leo.
In point of fact, the most recent generation, the IV, has been modified to allow additional headroom, which is a trait that was largely absent in earlier editions. The redesigned preamp circuit also contributes to an overall sound that is creamier and more powerful than before. The lows no longer have their sluggish quality, and the highs no longer have their piercing quality. The new Stomping on the Fat switch now offers mids that are more tender and juicy than a thick slice of sirloin.
The Good
- Classic Fender sound, with cleans that are warm and overdrive that is smooth
- Small and light make it easy to carry.
- Easy to understand key layout
- Original Jensen speaker for music quality from the past
- Fit for practice at home and small gigs
The Bad
- Some people may not be able to do as much with a single-channel design.
- Compared to amps with more features, this one has fewer effects built in.
Vox AC30HW2X
| Specification | Vox AC30HW2X |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 30 Watts |
| Tubes | 4 x EL84, 3 x 12AX7 |
| Channels | 2 |
| Speaker | 2 x 12″ Celestion Alnico Blue |
| Weight | 70 lbs (31.75 kg) |
The Vox AC30HW2x is another Best Tube Amps for fans of the “golden age” of tube tone. It has a lot of the “chime from across the pond” sound that made the brand famous in the 1960s. This amp is pretty much a simple British tone machine that can do everything from clean chime to searing crunch.
This hand-wired, fawn-colored beauty has three ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes, four EL84 power tubes, and a GZ34 rectifier tube. All of these tubes are matched Ruby Tubes, which provide excellent tone and a wider dynamic range. The bright switch on the clean channel makes your rhythm playing stand out, and the hot/cool switch on the top boost channel gives your leads more sound variety.
The Good
- Iconic British sound, full of chime and harmony
- Hand-wired building for high-quality construction
- Two separate lines with many ways to control them
- Celestion Alnico Blue speakers have a classic sound.
- Great space and responsiveness
The Bad
- Compared to some other choices, this one is heavier and bigger.
- Price range is higher than for entry-level tube amps
Supro Delta King 12
| Specification | Supro Delta King 12 |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 15 Watts |
| Tubes | 2 x 6V6, 3 x 12AX7 |
| Channels | 1 |
| Speaker | 1 x 12″ Supro DK12 |
| Weight | 33 lbs (14.97 kg) |
Those individuals who are looking for that classic tube amp sound and styling without having to fork out the kind of money that is required by a genuine vintage piece will find the Supro Delta King 12 to be an excellent option. This compact shredder comes equipped with a number of capabilities that were likely absent from amplifiers of the 1950s.
It features a vintage-style, 6L6-equipped, Class A power amp and was modeled by the original Supro amps that were produced in the 1950s. The Supro Delta King generates tones that sound just as good today as they did 70 years ago; these tones are ideal for anything along the rock, blues, and country musical spectrum.
The Good
- Warm tube distortion gives the sound a vintage feel.
- Easy to move because it is light and foldable.
- The controls are easy to use, and the attention is on tone and volume.
- Supro DK12 speaker makes sound that is full and lively
- It works well with blues, rock, and traditional rock.
The Bad
- Few ways to change the sound and few settings on board
- Might not have enough room for louder bands or bigger places.
Blackstar HT-1R MKII Combo
| Specification | Blackstar HT-1R MKII Combo |
|---|---|
| Power Output | 1 Watt |
| Tubes | 1 x ECC83, 1 x ECC82 |
| Channels | 2 |
| Speaker | 1 x 8″ Blackstar Speaker |
| Weight | 15.43 lbs (7 kg) |
The HT-1R MKII adds a nice digital reverb, and the addition of “voice” switches on both channels lets you switch between UK and US tones in a stylish way. This makes the HT-1R more versatile, which is good news for us guitarists. With the HT-1R MKII being a small 1 watt, 1×8″ combo that costs just a bit more than $300, you might expect to have to give up some features. This could be the best home practice amp for people on a budget who want tubes.
The only thing we don’t like about this amp is that the 8″ speaker doesn’t always give us the low-end sound we want. To be honest, though, it’s a small, all-tube practice amp that costs about the same as a good overdrive pedal, so there’s really nothing to gripe about. It even has a USB port so you can record at home in silence, just like the head version.
The Good
- Design that is small and easy to carry
- Low wattage settings with real tube sound
- Two channels with an ISF switch let you make different sounds.
- It has artificial reverb built in to add atmosphere.
- Perfect for home practice, recording, and settings with low volume
The Bad
- The limited amount of power may not be good for bigger venues or bands.
- Compared to bigger amps, speakers that aren’t as big may not sound as full.
FAQs
Tube amps do require some upkeep. The tubes themselves have a limited lifetime and may need to be replaced from time to time, based on how often they are used and how worn they get. Also, tube amps may need to have the bias adjusted and the tube ports cleaned from time to time. Maintenance should be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and any repairs or tube replacements should be done by a trained expert.
Yes, tube amps can be used at home and in small settings. But you should think about the amp’s wattage and power level to make sure it’s right for your needs. Lower wattage tube amps are good for practicing at home, making recordings, and playing in smaller venues. Higher wattage amps are better for bigger stages and performances.
Yes, there are options to tube amps, like solid-state amps, modeling amps, and digital amp simulators. These options try to use different technologies to make the sounds that tube amps make. Solid-state amps are less expensive and more stable. Modeling amps and digital amp simulators use digital processing to make the sound of different amps, like tube amps. Each choice has its own pros and cons, and the one you choose will rely on your personal preferences and needs.