The Best Small / Low Watt Tube Amps - Combo & Amp Heads
Author & Contributors
Raphael Pulgar
An audio engineer of nearly 20 years who specializes in rock and metal recordings, he also plays guitar and produces original music for his band and other content creators.
The Best Low Watt Combo Tube Amps:
Vox AC15C1 15W 1x12"
At publication time this was 1 of the 4 Equal Highest Rated Tube Guitar Combo Amps Up To 15 Watts.
The Vox AC15 is the quintessential Vox amp, and arguably the sound of the British Invasion. While it's bigger brother the AC30 was designed to compete with growing stage (and crowd) volumes, the small, but powerful voice of the AC15 gave rise to many electrified groups in the 60s.
Today, the amp retains the Class A flavor it is famous for while employing more consistent construction and materials. The Greenback speaker, which is used in this amplifier gives it a more modern tonality, suitable for today's generation of rockers.
Features:
- Power Rating: 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 3 x12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x EL84
- Speaker: 12” Celestion G12M Greenback
- Cabinet: Open
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Tremolo Depth, Tremolo Speed, Reverb Level, Top Boost Bass, Top Boost Treble, Top Boost Volume, Normal Volume
- Input(s): Normal, Top Boost
- Output(s): External Loudspeaker Jack, Extension Loudspeaker Jack
- Weight: 48.5 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues, Indie, Alternative
Pros
The majority of owners and reviewers note that the greenback speakers paired with the classic Vox circuitry make for a more versatile sound than other variants.
Cons
A few users reported rattling at higher volumes. Also because it's a classic design, many users wanted a bit more clean headroom. More modern 15w amps can achieve louder volumes compared to the AC15C1.
Overall
The Vox AC15C1 has everything you need for vintage 60s tone. With reverb and tremolo, many classic sounds can be achieved from The Beatles to The Shadows and beyond. Take note that the AC15 may not be loud enough for more modern forms of music but if you're after a good mix of all things British, the Vox AC15C1 with it's Celestion Greenback speaker has got you covered.
Vox AC4HW1 4W 1x12"
At publication time this was 1 of the 4 Equal Highest Rated Tube Guitar Combo Amps Up To 15 Watts.
The Vox AC4HW1 4W is a low-wattage, hand-wired tube amp. Amps that are hand-wired feature connections that are all wired in a chain with one another, as opposed to being wired to a circuit board. Because early amps were hand-wired, tonal purists feel that hand-wired connections give a more organic sound.
This is in part due to the component legs and wire being made of solid cores that have less resistance and therefore preserve more harmonic content in the circuit.
The Vox AC4HW1 ships with a 12” Celestion GM12 Greenback speaker which is uncommon for amplifiers in this power range.
Features:
- Power Rating: 4-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 2x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 1 x EL84
- Speaker: 12” Celestion Gm12 Greenback
- Cabinet: Closed
- Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass, Hot/Cool Switch, Master Volume
- Input(s): High, Low
- Output(s): Speaker Out
- Weight: 29.74 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues, Indie
Pros
The portability and tone make it a great amp for coffee shop gigs where the music doesn't have to be loud according to a few users. One reviewer noted it sounded great for recording with a ribbon mic since full saturation can be achieved by the amp at lower volumes.
Cons
Overdrive tone may be loud enough for some gigging guitarists but the clean headroom left a few reviewers wanting more. Another caveat is that the Greenback speaker may not be "vintage accurate" for some purists.
Overall
With boutique construction paired with a great sounding speaker, the AC4HW1 is a luxurious studio or bedroom amplifier that supplies you with great British tube amp tone at manageable levels. As with amplifiers at this wattage, live use may be limited unless miked up properly and fed to a monitor mix but what it lacks in stage volume, it makes up with juicy saturated tones.
Vox AC15C1X 15W 1x12"
At publication time this was 1 of the 4 Equal Highest Rated Tube Guitar Combo Amps Up To 15 Watts.
The Vox AC15C1X is essentially the same amp as the Vox AC15C1, but with one key difference: the speaker.
The C1X uses a Celestion Alnico Blue speaker, while the C1 uses a Celestion Greenback. Alnico Blue speakers have a more traditional Vox chime reminiscent of British bands like the Beatles.
Features:
- Power Rating: 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 3 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x EL84
- Speaker: 12” Alnico Blues Speaker
- Cabinet: Open
- Controls: Gain, Treble, Bass, Volume, Hot/Cool switch
- Input(s): High, Low
- Output(s): External Out, Speaker Out
- Weight: 48.5 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues, Indie, Alternative, Ambient/Post-Rock
Pros
Reviewers note that it is worth spending a few extra dollars to get this version of the AC15 because of the speaker and how it more accurately replicates the vintage Vox chime that the amplifier is known for. Many who have tested both versions describe the Alnico Blue speaker sound as "sweeter" and more mellow than the AC15C1with the Greenbacks.
Cons
The amplifier itself does not present much in the way of cons but users note that because it leans more on the vintage side of things that it may not be able to do modern styles like metal or effects-heavy guitar playing.
Overall
If you want to get close to that 60s Vox Chime without spending more for their handwired and limited models, The AC15C1X is a great pick. It may not be able to handle all styles of music as well as its sibling but what it does for vintage Vox chime, it does very well.
Fender '57 Custom Champ 5W 1x8"
At publication time this was 1 of the 4 Equal Highest Rated Tube Guitar Combo Amps Up To 15 Watts.
Since 1948, the Fender Champ has been a practice and recording standard for many blues and country artists. It's been used on several iconic recordings such as Eric Clapton’s "Layla", Joe Walsh’s "Rocky Mountain Way", Aerosmith’s "Shame, Shame, Shame" and ZZ Top’s "La Grange". Many players of this generation like jazz guitarist Julian Lage have also found their voice in the Champ.
This amp is a custom shop reproduction of a vintage Fender Champ. The Weber speaker designed especially for this amp was made to be as accurate to the originals as possible.
The amp also comes with a tube rectifier (a rectifier converts electricity between AC and DC, and most rectifiers are currently solid state), which helps to give that compressed tone and “bloom” common with these designs.
Features:
- Power Rating: 5-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 1 x 12AY7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 1 x 6V6
- Speaker: 1x8” Weber Special Design with Alnico Magnet
- Cabinet: Open
- Controls: Volume
- Input(s): Normal, Bright
- Output(s): N/A
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues
Pros
Almost all reviews have people singing praises about this little amp. While small and one of the lowest in wattage in our list, the 57' Custom Champ gets its praises by reviewers from its straightforward tone that many have found to be easy to record.
Cons
The primary con listed by reviewers for the amp is its wattage. At 5 watts, it was never intended to be a stage amp though many acts have used it live by miking it up. If the club doesn't have the means to mic up cabs, it might not be able to keep up with a full band as noted by several forum users. The price for a low-watt amp discouraged one reviewer as well.
Overall
Big league tweed tone is usually reserved for those who can pay top dollar for a vintage model. The 57' Custom Champ makes the classic tone more accessible for the rest of us who just want to plug in and play. While it may not be enough for a loud band for live use, for practice, recording or playing a light jazz gig, the 57' Custom Champ punches well above its weight with purebred tone.
Budget Combo Tube Amp Option
Bugera V5 Infinium
Tube amps need not be expensive. The Bugera V5 Infinium packs a lot of vibe despite the price tag.
It features a switchable 5 watt, 1 watt and 0.1 watt setting as well as a great sounding reverb.
The single 1x8 Turbosound speaker can also get quite loud and vibey; great for small gigs, recording or practicing at home.
Features:
- Power Rating: 5W Class A (5W/1W/0.1W settings)
- Preamp Tube(s): 1 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 1 x EL84
- Speaker: 1 x 8" Turbosound speaker
- Cabinet: Open
- Controls: Gain, Tone Volume, Rverb
- Input(s): Normal
- Output(s): N/A
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues
Pros
Users who bought it for as a practice amp were greatly satisfied by the tone and quality of the V5 Infinium. The amp also takes being pushed by pedals really well. For the price of a practice amp, it's noted by some as a serious musician's tool. Some were even able to gig with it after miking it up.
Cons
Not versatile enough for louder, more distorted styles unless you use a pedal. The vintage saturation may be too "loose" sounding for some.
Overall
If you're looking for a great bang for buck tube amp that you can squeeze a lot of vibe out of, the Bugera V5 Infinium is a great budget pick to get you started on tube amps.
The Best Low Watt Tube Amp Heads
Fender Super-Champ X2 HD 15W
The Fender Super Champ X2 HD is a hybrid of tube, solid state, and digital technologies.
At its core is a 12ax7 tube preamp and 6v6 power section which is utilized as channel 1.
Channel 2 brings in the digital models selectable by the "voice" rotary knob and features several different amp models from clean to metal.
Features:
- Power Rating: 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 1 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x 6v6
- Controls: Volume 1, Channel Select, Gain, Volume 2, Voice, Treble, Bass, F/X Adjust, F/X Select, Tap Temp
- Input(s): Normal
- Output(s): Two Speaker Outs
- Weight: 18.5 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues, Indie, Alternative, Metal with some settings.
Pros
Versatility is the top reason why reviewers rave about this amplifier. Another reason why users rated the amp high is its ability to function as a pedal platform for channel 1.
Cons
Some owners wanted the footswitch to come with the amp (it's sold separately). Some found it to still sound "digital" despite the tube circuitry.
Overall
The Fender Super Champ X2 HD has the widest palette of sounds in this category. If you're looking for the best of tube warmth paired with several great sounding amp models, look no further.
Egnater Tweaker 15W
For Bruce Egnater, the number one influence of an amplifier's tone is the tone stack. The Egnater Tweaker series was originally planned to be a modular amplifier with different swappable components.
Down the line, Bruce Egnater decided to use toggle switches to enable the user to choose between a British, American or AC (Marshall, Fender, and Vox respectively) tone stack.
In addition, A "vintage / modern" switch, a "normal / bright" switch and a "tight / deep" switch provide additional options for tonal customization.
Features:
- Power Rating: 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 3 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x 6V6
- Controls: Master Volume, Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Voicing Switch
- Input(s): Normal
- Output(s): Main Speaker Out, Extension Speaker Out (for a second cabinet)
- Weight: 19.6 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Blues, Indie, Alternative
Pros
Users love the amount of control they have over the tone as well as the customizability of the gain response. The overall versatility of the amp was the primary reason why a lot of the users purchased the amplifier.
Cons
Critical reviews note that the sounds claimed are just caricatures of the real thing since it only tweaks select parts of the circuit. Other reviewers didn't like the basic sound of the amplifier and tweaking could only get them so far with it. The lack of the ability to make the tweaks footswitchable was also a concern for some as is the single channel nature of the amplifier.
Overall
If you need to be able to go from American Clean to British crunch, the Egnater Tweaker makes for a great home or recording amplifier. While loud enough for the stage, The limited switching options mean you are essentially operating one, single channel amp at a time. The effects loop gives it versatility but unless you plan on riding your volume knob, it may not provide enough flexibility on the fly. Nonetheless, its range of sounds make it an amp to own for a small recording studio that needs different tones.
Orange DA15H Dark Terror 15W
The original Tiny Terror was a 15-watt, single channel amplifier that derived most of its overdriven tones from pushing the power amplifier. This resulted in thick, classic sounding overdrive which a lot of rock players loved.
Metal players on the other hand wanted more out of the Terror so Orange lead designer Ade Emsley designed the Dark Terror: A 15-watt amplifier that gets most of its distortion from a 4 stage preamp.
While the Original Tiny Terror was discontinued in 2016, the Dark Terror still feeds the desires of guitar players that seek high gain in a compact package.
Features:
- Power Rating: 7 to 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 3 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x XEL84
- Controls: Gain, Shape, Volume
- Input(s): Normal
- Output(s): 8ohm, 16ohm, 2x16ohm
- Misc:Tube Buffered Effects Loop
- Weight: 12.46 lbs
- Suitable for: Modern Rock, Alternative, Punk, Metal
Pros
Many people think that the Dark Terror was designed to do just high gain. Several users were surprised to find that the Dark Terror also excels in low and mid gain scenarios with a sparkling clean tone and breakup. The 15/7 watt attenuator switch is said to be very useful for achieving more saturated tones at lower volumes when needed. A tube-buffered effects loop in the back allows players to ride the volume knob to achieve clean tones without affecting the way the amp interacts with their effects.
Cons
The single channel of the Dark Terror proved to be a limitation for some people who wanted channel switching. Others say that even on the 7-watt mode that the Dark Terror is still very loud which may be a drawback for people who want to buy it for bedroom use.
Overall
It's not surprising why this dark one has so many devoted worshipers. Sometimes all you need is one channel and that's what the Orange Dark Terror advocates. With a roaring overdriven tone enough for the sludgiest of metal bands (and the volume to keep up with the drummer), this lunchbox amplifier is not to be taken lightly. The Dark Terror pairs best with players that know how to rein in their guitars' controls to achieve different tones.
Orange OR15H 15W
At publication time this was the Highest Rated Tube Guitar Amp Head Up To 15 Watts.
The OR series from Orange goes back to the first amplifiers that Cliff Cooper had made with Mat Mathias of Matamp. These were branded as Orange Matamps and were used extensively on the road by Fleetwood Mac during the late 60s.
Later on, Orange developed the OR100 and OR200 which were 100w and 200w respectively. It wasn't until 1971 when the "Pics and Text" Oranges, known for not having text labels on the controls, gave the brand it's iconic midrange crunch.
This pedigree continues today with the 15w Orange OR15H. Housed in Orange's signature "Picture Frame" sleeve for durability. Additional features include a switchable 15/7 watt attenuator for stage or studio as well as a valve buffered effects loop for your pedals.
Features:
- Power Rating: 7 to 15-Watts
- Preamp Tube(s): 3 x 12AX7
- Poweramp Tube(s): 2 x EL84
- Controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Gain
- Input(s): Normal
- Output(s): 16ohm Speaker Out, 8ohm Speaker Out, 2x16ohm Speaker Out
- Weight: 17.77 lbs
- Suitable for: Classic Rock, Old-School Metal, Alternative
Pros
A user review noted that having a single channel amp like the OR15H can "...encourage your creativity, push you to play and write, inspire you...". Others state the use of the volume and tone knobs on the guitar helped them find new tonalities. They don't see the single channel as a limitation. The amp itself is said to be a great pedal platform as well. With a surprising amount of headroom at 15w, gigging reviewers say that it is indeed loud enough for live use for small venues and as for larger venues, it's already common practice to mic up cabs.
Cons
It was tough finding bad reviews outside of the usual b-stock/lemon though quality control is still excellent. One user review mentioned that the initial sound was harsh but a tube swap remedied it. Having a single channel was seen as a downside as one user wished it came with a channel switching sister model. For this, I'd personally recommend the Orange Rocker 15 Terror.
Overall
There are so many things that the OR15H shouldn't be able to do when you look at the spec sheet. At 15 watts, it shouldn't be loud. With only one channel, it shouldn't be versatile. The OR15H may look like a basic amp but sometimes that's all that you need. It is one of those pieces of equipment that you need to play around with to find your personal sound. If you love classic rock and want to live the "volume knob riding" life as they did back in the day, then the OR15H is the amp for you. Look elsewhere if you want all the bells and whistles that come with more modern amplifiers.
Things to Consider When Buying a Small Tube Guitar Amp
If you’re not sure where to start on your hunt for a small tube amp, or you just want to brush up on your background knowledge before putting any money down, check out the sections below.
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Wattage and Volume
The most important thing to know when looking at small, low wattage tube amps is that a linear increase in wattage doesn’t translate to a comparable increase in volume. In plain speak, a 110-watt tube amp isn’t going to be 10% louder than a 100-watt tube amp.
As a general rule, volume doubles for every 1000% increase in wattage. A 100-watt amp (assuming speaker size and construction is similar) will usually be twice as loud as a 10-watt amp at peak volume. As wattage increases, you get more volume before your amp starts to distort. Likewise, doubling the wattage only increases peak output by around 3db so a 100-watt amp is only 3db louder than a 50-watt.
For home use, the ideal situation would be an amp with less than 10-watts (depending on how much tube-based distortion you want) and a master volume control. That way you still have some headroom (headroom is the amount of volume you get before your amp starts to distort) but you can still get valve distortion without wall-shaking volume.
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Combo Amps vs. Amp Heads
Amps come in two design configurations: combos and heads. Amplifier heads are essentially just the “guts” of your amp, so they don't make sound on their own. A combo amp includes a speaker in addition to the “guts”.
Amplifier heads allow you to have a lot of flexibility in your tone. You can use different speakers and cabinets to dramatically alter your tone. The downside is that buying a head and cabinet separately generally costs more than just buying a combo amp.
Combo amps are a more cost-effective but less flexible option. Should you wish to, you can also change the speakers to get a different tone (but you will be stuck with the cabinet, which houses the speaker and electronics).
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Voicing
Voicing refers to what tone an amp is based on. An “American voicing” almost always means that the amp sounds like a Fender, and a “British voicing” means that the amp is based on a Marshall or Vox.
Voicing comes from the tubes utilized, with 6L6 type tubes sounding more “American”, the EL34 and the EL84 adopting a British tonality. For the sake of simplicity (and to avoid this article turning into a 6000+ word essay on tubes and their history), we’re not going to delve much deeper into different tubes and their tone.
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Speaker Size
As speaker size increases, so too does an amp’s representation of low and low-mid frequencies. Amps with larger speakers sound fuller and warmer, and amps with smaller speakers have a stronger high-mid and high-end representation. Smaller speakers also have a more focused and direct tone.
The most common size, a 12” speaker is the most common between the two.
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Open vs. Closed Back Cabinets
Cabinets (where the speaker is located) come in two configurations: closed and open. An open-backed cabinet has a more "airy" tone because the sound disperses in a wider area with a less focused low end. A closed back cabinet sounds more focused with a tighter low-frequency spectrum. Cabinet construction varies by manufacturer and model and warrants long discussions but to make things simple, Size, material density, and speaker positioning affect the tone in more subtle ways than the distinction between open and closed-back cabinets.
Best Low Watt Tube Amp Selection Methodology
The first edition was published December 2017 and the latest edition was published on July 23, 2020.
First, we looked at small tube amps, 15 Watts RMS and under, that are top rated and popular, including both combo amps and amp heads but limited to those that can be readily bought from major US-based retailers. We ended up short-listing 50 different tube amps and gathering over 8,600 relevant reviews, ratings and forum discussions. All these data were fed into the Gearank Algorithm to produce rating scores out of 100, which we then used to filter out the highest rated of each amp type - combo and head. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Raphael Pulgar
An audio engineer of nearly 20 years who specializes in rock and metal recordings, he also plays guitar and produces original music for his band and other content creators.
Aside from endlessly window shopping and watching hours of gear reviews for leisure, he enjoys playing competitive FPS games, MMORPGs and caring for his 5 cats. He is primarily influenced by guitarists like Kurt Ballou and Paul Gilbert. His favorite pieces of gear are his Ibanez RG550RFR, Orange Brent Hinds Terror amplifier and EQD Acapulco Gold fuzz.
Contributors
Mason Hoberg: Supplemental writing.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Compiled using photographs of the Vox AC4HW1, Egnater Tweaker and Fender '57 Custom Champ.
All videos above have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
The Best Guitar Amp from the Top 10 Guitar Amp Brands
Comments
Should add the Marshal DSL1 1
Submitted by Barters (not verified) on
Should add the Marshal DSL1 1 watt amp. Such a great sounding little amp when run through a 1x12 cabinet. You can even play with a band if you’re not intending on playing metal etc and the drummer isn’t going too nuts. Built in reverb and two channels.
They are nice little amps
Submitted by Jason Horton on
They are nice little amps indeed, although they only have 1 channel.
In fact the combo version with reverb is currently the Highest Rated Guitar Combo Tube Amp between $300 and $500.
The head version missed out on being recommended in this guide, but it's still worth considering if you want that Marshall sound - see our analysis of it here.
Princeton Reverb should be on
Submitted by Buck De Turk (not verified) on
Princeton Reverb should be on this list.
We did consider both the '65
Submitted by Jason Horton on
We did consider both the '65 and '68 Fender Princeton Reverbs, and though there are a lot of guitarists that like them, they didn't have high enough ratings for us to recommend them in this guide.
You can see our Fender Princeton Reverb ratings here.
You should have reviewed The
Submitted by Anthony Nuzzi (not verified) on
You should have reviewed The Paul Reed Smith - Mark Tremonti MT15 Tube Amp Head
Thank you very much for your
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Thank you very much for your advice Anthony.
As it happens, we did analyze that amp but forgot to push the rating info out to the Music Gear Database, so it looked like we might have missed it.
When we published this category's July 2019 update, the PRS Mark Tremonti Signature MT 15 had a Gearank rating of 89 based on 70+ ratings and reviews, which was below the cutoff for inclusion in the Best Low Watt Tube Amp Heads section above.
Thanks to your prompting, I've published the ratings for the 3 amps on our short-list that we initially forgot to make public:
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