For musicians on a budget, it can be difficult to find the best amp heads that fit within a reasonable price range. Fortunately, there are a number of great amp heads available on the market for less than $1000. From classic tube models to modern solid-state heads, there is a wide range of amps to choose from. This article outlines some of the best amp heads under $1000, as well as their features and benefits. With the right amp head, you can get the sound you want without breaking the bank.
Best Amp Heads Under 1000
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
TC Electronic Bass Amplifier Head (990010011)
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Orange Amplifiers DA15H Dark Terror 15 15W Tube Guitar Amp Head
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Randall RG Series RG1503H Guitar Amplifier Head
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Fender Bassbreaker 15 Head
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Peavey Mini Mega Bass Amp Head
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Blackstar HT Venue Series Stage 100 MKII 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier Head (M-DSL100HR-U)
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
PRS Paul Reed Smith MT15 Mark Tremonti Signature Guitar Amplifier Head, 15 Watts
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Orange Terror Bass 500-Watt Bass Head
|
7. 2
|
1. TC Electronic Bass Amplifier Head (990010011)
I recently acquired a TC Electronic Bass Amplifier Head (990010011) and I absolutely love it. It has a great sound that really brings out the best in my bass. The tone is really warm and rich, and I’m able to dial in a wide range of sounds. The range of features is really impressive as well – there are a variety of presets, as well as multiple EQ bands, compressor/limiter and even a built-in tuner. The design is sleek and modern, and the head is surprisingly lightweight. I’m very impressed with this bass amplifier head and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great quality sound.
- 250W of power
- 4-Band EQ
- Dual Parametric Mids
- XLR Output
- 3x Auxiliary Inputs
- TonePrint Technology
- Built-in tuner
- Lightweight and Portable
- Integrated Compression
- Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs
2. Orange Amplifiers DA15H Dark Terror 15 15W Tube Guitar Amp Head
I recently purchased the Orange Amplifiers DA15H Dark Terror 15 15W Tube Guitar Amp Head and I am absolutely in love with it! I have been playing guitar for a few years now and I was in the market for a new amp. I decided to take a chance on this one and I am so glad I did! The sound that comes out of this amp is incredible: warm and powerful with a great tone. The design is also great and I love the vintage look. The controls are easy to use and I can get a great sound out of it with just a few adjustments. Overall, I’m very impressed with the Orange Amplifiers DA15H Dark Terror 15 15W Tube Guitar Amp Head and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an awesome sounding amp with a great retro look.
- Power: 15 Watt all-tube head
- Channels: Single-channel
- Preamp: 2 x ECC83
- Poweramp: 2 x EL84
- Equalization: Bass and treble controls
- Effects: Foot-switchable gain boost
- Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
- Outputs: 1 x 1/4″ speaker output
- Footswitch: 1 x 1/4″ (included)
- Construction: Steel chassis
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 10.5 x 8.5″
- Weight: 18.7 lb.
3. Randall RG Series RG1503H Guitar Amplifier Head
I recently purchased the Randall RG Series RG1503H Guitar Amplifier Head and I’m really impressed with it. It has a great sound and is perfect for both heavy rock and light jazz. It has three channels, each with its own EQ, volume, and gain control, and a master volume for all channels. You can also switch between three different voicings for each channel. The clean channel is especially impressive, with a very warm and full sound. The overdrive channels have plenty of power and can be dialed in to any level of distortion you want. The built-in reverb is also excellent, adding just the right amount of ambiance to your sound. All in all, this is an excellent amplifier head for those who want to get a great sound for a reasonable price. Highly recommended!
- 150 watt all-tube amplifier head
- 3 channels: clean, rhythm, and lead
- 2 inputs for guitars
- 4-band active EQ with low and high frequency shelving
- 3-way power switch for 15 watts, 50 watts, or 150 watts
- Spring reverb
- Effects loop
- XLR line-out
- Headphone jack
4. Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head
I recently purchased the Orange Amplifiers OR Series OR15H 15W Compact Tube Guitar Amp Head and I must say, I am absolutely in love with it. The sound is absolutely amazing and very vibrant. It produces tones that are both warm and full-bodied. I’m able to achieve a wide range of sounds with it, from clean to crunchy. The construction is top-notch, and the controls are very easy to use. The price is reasonable and the amp comes with a footswitch for added convenience. I would definitely recommend this amp to anyone who is looking for a great sounding, reliable and affordable guitar amplifier.
- 15W all-tube amplifier head
- Dual-channel preamp design with separate Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls
- Power amp section features a single 6V6 tube, a solid-state rectifier, and a Class A output stage
- Tone Shift switch tailors the mid range frequency
- Rugged metal chassis with metal grille
- A 1/4″ line out for sending your signal to an external speaker or recording device
- Includes footswitch for remote channel switching
5. Fender Bassbreaker 15 Head
I recently purchased the Fender Bassbreaker 15 Head, and I’m really impressed with it. The amp has great tone, power, and versatility. It has two channels with a footswitchable boost, so you can switch between a clean or overdrive sound on the fly. The built-in equalizer lets you sculpt your sound, and the 15-watt power is enough to get a good volume out of it. I love that the amp is relatively light and portable, yet sounds full and dynamic. The Bassbreaker 15 Head is a great choice for bass players looking for an affordable, high-quality amp head.
- 15 Watt all-tube head
- 3-band EQ
- Onboard Reverb
- 2 switchable gain channels
- Simple, straightforward design
- Compact and portable
6. Peavey Mini Mega Bass Amp Head
I recently purchased the Peavey Mini Mega Bass Amp Head and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. This is a powerful, lightweight amp that packs a punch. It is perfect for any size venue and sounds great even at low volumes. The features on this amp are very impressive, with three channels of EQ, a contour knob, and a built-in compressor. I found the sound quality to be excellent and the tone shaping capabilities to be extremely useful. The Mini Mega is a great companion for anyone looking for a great sounding, portable amp head. Highly recommended!
- 500 watts into 4 ohms
- Onboard active 4-band EQ with semi-parametric mid control
- Built-in optical compressor
- XLR direct output with ground lift
- Footswitchable pre/post EQ and compressor bypass
- Chromatic tuner with mute control
7. Blackstar HT Venue Series Stage 100 MKII 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black
I recently purchased the Blackstar HT Venue Series Stage 100 MKII 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black and I am extremely pleased with the results. The sound this amp produces is warm and clear, perfect for playing live shows or recording in the studio. The head is also extremely durable, meaning I can confidently take this amp with me on the road without worrying about it breaking down. The EQ section is also quite intuitive, making it easy to dial in the perfect tone. I highly recommend this amp to anyone looking for a reliable yet powerful tube amp head.
- 100W tube power amplifier
- Two channels featuring two distinct voices
- Two distinct voices (Clean and Overdrive)
- Four footswitchable voicing modes
- Four-band EQ with two character controls
- Two master volume controls
- Effects loop
- Built-in power reduction for recording or practice
- Dedicated headphone output
- XLR line out
8. Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier Head (M-DSL100HR-U)
I’ve owned the Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier Head (M-DSL100HR-U) for a few months now, and I’m incredibly pleased with its performance. The tone is great, and the power is impressive. It can handle both clean and distorted sounds with ease. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, allowing you to quickly dial-in your desired sound. It can handle a variety of playing styles and genres, so I’m sure you’ll find it useful no matter what type of music you play. It’s also built with quality materials, so it should stand the test of time. All in all, I’m very happy with my Marshall Amps Guitar Amplifier Head, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and powerful guitar amp.
format
- 100-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head
- Designed to deliver Marshall’s signature high gain sound
- 2 channels with independent 3-band EQs, presence and resonance controls
- Digital reverb and assignable FX loop
- Footswitch input to control channels, reverb and FX loop
- Built-in DI output for direct connection to a sound system
- Includes power cable and headphone input
- Made in the UK
9. PRS Paul Reed Smith MT15 Mark Tremonti Signature Guitar Amplifier Head, 15 Watts
I recently bought the PRS Paul Reed Smith MT15 Mark Tremonti Signature Guitar Amplifier Head, and I am absolutely in love with it.
The 15 Watts of power that it supplies is great for getting the sound that I want, and it’s easy to dial in great tones. It has 3 channels, clean, crunch and lead, and each channel has its own set of EQ and boost controls, so I can get exactly the sound I’m looking for.
The MT15 also has a built-in FX Loop and a headphone jack, so I can use it with my pedals and practice quietly.
It’s a rugged, dependable amp that’s built to last, and I can really feel the quality when I play it. The sound is punchy and clear, and it’s always ready to take on whatever I want to play.
If you’re looking for a great sounding, affordable amp, then the PRS Paul Reed Smith MT15 Mark Tremonti Signature Guitar Amplifier Head is definitely worth checking out. I highly recommend it.
- 15 Watts of power
- Designed with PRS Paul Reed Smith and Mark Tremonti
- High-quality tone with focused mids and tight lows
- Two channels for clean and overdrive tones
- Two independent tone stacks with dedicated 3-band EQs
- Push-pull Boost switch for extra gain
- Independent gain and master volume controls
- Phase switch and bright switch
- Built-in digital reverb
10. Orange Terror Bass 500-Watt Bass Head
If you’re looking for a powerful and rugged bass head, the Orange Terror Bass 500-Watt Bass Head is an excellent option. It features 500 watts of power, two channels with independent EQs, an effects loop, and a built-in tuner. It also has a 3-band EQ for shaping your tone. The Orange Terror Bass 500-Watt Bass Head is extremely durable and can handle any rig setup. The sound is always tight and punchy, and the headroom is great for any genre. The built-in tuner is a nice touch, and the effects loop is great for adding more versatility to your sound. Overall, this is an outstanding bass head with plenty of power and features for any serious bass player.
- 500-watt RMS power output
- Five band EQ featuring +/- 18db of cut and boost
- Variable gain control
- Compression control
- Balanced XLR direct out
- Balanced 1/4″ Preamp Out
- Headphone Output
- Aux Input with level control
- Limiter control
- Orange’s signature valve-emulated output stage
