When it comes to finding the best amp heads for your guitar rig, it’s important to do your research and choose wisely. Being a guitarist requires you to make sure you have a good set up that sounds great and fits your playing style. Having the right amp head can mean the difference between an average guitar sound and a great one. From tube to digital, from vintage to modern, there are a plethora of options to consider when choosing the best amp head for your needs. In this article, we will explore some of the best amp heads available on the market today.
Best Amp Heads
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Peavey Mini 6505
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Boss Katana KTN
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Orange Dark Terror 15/7
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Line 6 DT25
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Line 6 Spider V240 MkII
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Laney Ironheart IRT 120 H
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Orange AD30HTC
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Marshall JCM900
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Marshall JVM-410H
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Randall 667
|
7. 2
|
1. Peavey Mini 6505
I recently purchased a Peavey Mini 6505 and Im very impressed with its performance. The amp has a great tone, with powerful distortion and a wide range of tones. It has plenty of knobs and switches to help you shape your sound and create various types of effects. I find the preamps and boost feature to be especially useful. The build quality is also excellent, with a sturdy and well-constructed metal chassis. The price point is also very attractive, making it a great choice for those on a budget. Overall, Im highly satisfied with the Peavey Mini 6505 and would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent all around amp.
- 20 watts of power
- 3 channels
- 2 x 8″ Blue Marvel® speakers
- Three-band EQ
- Reverb, Crunch, and Lead settings
- 1/4″ headphone output
- CD/MP3 input
- Recording direct out
- Bi-directional footswitch connector
2. Boss Katana KTN
I recently purchased the Boss Katana KTN, and I am very pleased with it. This amp has a lot of features that make it great for any style of playing. It has a variety of tones to choose from, which is great for dialing in just the right sound. The built-in effects give you even more options to get the perfect sound. The amp is also incredibly loud, so you can be sure you will be heard. The amp is also surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to bring to rehearsals and gigs. Overall, the Boss Katana KTN is an excellent amp that is perfect for any guitar player. Highly recommended!
- 100W modeling combo amp with 12″ custom speaker
- 5 unique amp characters, including Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown (derived from the Waza amp) and Acoustic (for acoustic-electric guitars)
- Five effects sections with independent controls: three types of modulation, delay, and reverb
- Dual Tone setting for instant access to two different amp settings on the fly
- Built-in wireless connectivity for streaming audio from a mobile device
- Amp/Guitar Matching function for adjusting the tone to match your individual guitar
- Free BOSS Tone Studio editor/librarian for Mac/Windows and iOS/Android
- USB audio/MIDI interface for recording, editing and live performance control
- Stereo Expansion jack for connecting a second amp
3. Orange Dark Terror 15/7
I recently purchased the Orange Dark Terror 15/7 and I am so glad I did. It has a great sound and plenty of power for me to really get creative. The 15 watt setting is perfect for practice or small gigs, while the 7 watt setting gives me a nice, clean tone that is great for recording. The three-band EQ gives me plenty of control to get the exact sound I’m looking for. Plus, the Orange aesthetic looks great! I am very pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend the Orange Dark Terror 15/7 to any musician.
- 15 Watt all-tube guitar amplifier head
- 7″ Orange Voice of the World speaker
- All-analog signal path with no digital effects
- 3-band EQ with separate Bass, Middle and Treble controls
- Gain and Volume controls
- Solid state rectifier for increased headroom and improved dynamic response
- Effects loop with dedicated send and return controls
- Headphone output
- Bright and Dark switches to adjust the overall tone
- Compact and lightweight design
4. Line 6 DT25
I recently purchased a Line 6 DT25 and have been thoroughly impressed. It’s a very versatile amp, with a great range of tones. It has four channels, and the ability to switch between two different power settings, 25 watts and two watts. With the two watt setting, it’s great for recording or for practice, but still has enough power for live shows. The build quality is top-notch and the amp itself is very user-friendly. The tones are rich and full, yet still quite versatile. I would definitely recommend the Line 6 DT25 for anyone looking for a great sounding, reliable amp.
- Multi-Watt power amp with 25 watts in both 4×12 and 1×12 modes
- Four totally independent channels of classic Line 6 amp and preamp models
- Integrated bi-amped full-range speaker system with dual 10″ speakers and tweeter
- Four channel footswitch for channel selection and effects on/off (included)
- Four assignable effects loops
- Built-in XLR direct interface for recording or performing
- Stereo headphone jack for silent practice
- Auxiliary input for playing along with music from a phone or mp3 player
5. Line 6 Spider V240 MkII
The Line 6 Spider V240 MkII is an incredible amplifier for its price. It has a wide range of features and sounds that make it suitable for use in almost any genre. The sound is exceptionally clear and the tone options are really quite good. The onboard effects are also great and allow you to create some really inspiring sounds. The amp is also very easy to use and set up, making it great for beginners. Overall, the Line 6 Spider V240 MkII is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a great sound without breaking the bank.
- 200+ amps, cabs, and effects
- Powerful 128-second looper
- 250+ presets to explore
- Real-time tactile control
- Built-in drum loops and metronome
- Full-range speakers and built-in USB audio interface
- Compatible with Line 6 FBV foot controllers
6. Laney Ironheart IRT 120 H
The Laney Ironheart IRT 120 H is an excellent amp head. It has all the features that you need in an amp head and more. Its 120-watt power makes it great for both live performance and studio recording. The controls on the amp head are very intuitive and easy to use, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a great amp head. The tones that the amp head produces are top-notch, with a wide range of sounds available. The Laney Ironheart IRT 120 H is definitely a great amp head for anyone looking for a great sounding amp head.
- 120 Watts all-tube power amp with switchable output
- 3 Channels (Clean, Rhythm and Lead) with individual 3-band EQ and gain controls
- Built-in compressor for extra punch and dynamics
- Two 12 custom-designed speakers for a full sound and powerful low end
- Modern and classic speaker voicing switch for a choice of classic or modern tones
- Separate reverb and effects loop controls
- Headphone output with speaker-emulated output
7. Orange AD30HTC
I recently got the Orange AD30HTC and I am very impressed with it. The sound quality is excellent and the power of this amp is great. The tone controls are easily adjustable and the sound is very warm. The features are amazing, with built-in effects and a headphone jack for silent practice. This amp is well worth the price, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great amp for their guitar.
- 30 watt all-tube guitar amplifier head
- 2 channels, each with independent 3-band EQ and pre/post gain
- Internal reverb
- Tube-driven effects loop
- Switchable between 4, 8, and 16 ohm speaker impedance
- High and low power settings
- Vintage Orange styling
8. Marshall JCM900
The Marshall JCM900 is a great amplifier for its price. It has a classic tone that is reminiscent of the classic Marshall amps from the past. It has a warm tone that can be used for any type of music. It is loud but also has a great dynamic range. The amp has four channels that can be used in different combinations for lots of different sounds. The quality of the construction is great and it is built to last. All in all, the Marshall JCM900 is a great amp for the price and is a great choice for anyone looking for a classic, Marshall sound.
- All-tube design
- 4 channels – Clean, Crunch, OD1 (Overdrive 1) and OD2 (Overdrive 2)
- Built-in digital reverb
- Four-band EQ
- Master volume control
- Presence control
- Immediate access to tone settings
- Footswitchable channels and effects
9. Marshall JVM-410H
The Marshall JVM-410H is an amazing piece of equipment. It is a 4-channel, 100-watt amplifier head with four independent channels, each with its own unique sound and features. The preamp section is extremely versatile, allowing for a great variety of tones, from classic rock to modern metal. The tones are crystal clear and punchy, and the power section gives it plenty of volume to cut through any mix. It also has several effects built-in, such as reverb, delay, chorus and flanger. Overall, this is a great amp head for any kind of guitarist, from beginners to pros, and it won’t break the bank. Highly recommended!
- 100 watt, all-valve, 4-channel head
- Four independent footswitchable channels: Clean, Crunch, OD1 and OD2
- Four footswitchable master volumes
- Digital Reverb with Dark/Bright switch and Level control
- Equipped with four EL34 valves
- Independent EQ per channel: Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence
- Contour switch on each channel
- Four effects loops: Series, Parallel, and two independent loops
- Switchable pentode/triode operation for power reduction down to 25 watts
10. Randall 667
I recently purchased the Randall 667, and I am extremely happy with my purchase. It is a great amp for all levels of guitarists, from beginners to pros. The tone is very warm and full-bodied. Its also very versatile, capable of getting good tones from a variety of styles. The built-in effects are great, and the built-in tuner is really handy. The price is also really good for what you get. I highly recommend the Randall 667 for anyone looking for a great amp for practice and small gigs.
- 3-band equalizer
- Overdrive circuit
- Presence control
- Shape control
- Rugged construction
- 3-way power selection
- Inputs for both active and passive instruments
- Outputs for both direct recording and amplifiers
- 6 individual outputs
- Built-in limiter circuit
