Hi folks!
We've been busy researching Tube Amplifiers to help you figure out what you need to make
your best audio and video content and stay on budget.
Links to all the products in the review are in the description box below, where you'll
find current pricing for your region wherever possible.
The video has timestamps so that you can jump straight to the Tube Amplifier that interests
you the most.
Now before I move on, we'd love to hear what Tube Amplifier you're using right now and
what you think of it.
Let us know in the comments!
Okay, let's get into it!
Here are the top five best Tube Amplifiers.
The fifth product on our list is the Blackstar HT-1R MKII.
The Blackstar HT-1R MKII is an impressive little tube amplifier you can get on a budget.
It’s perfect for beginners and intermediate guitarists who want a compact yet reliable
tube amplifier for practice.
The upgraded look is the first thing you'll notice about this tube amp.
It boasts a sleek elephant-hide-textured tolex, giving it a nice natural feel.
The control panel is also a welcome improvement as it now features cream chicken-head knobs
that are tactile and easy to use.
You get a clear layout of the controls, with all sections labeled; a nice feature for beginners.
There's a Gain knob, which controls the input level of your instrument.
Next is the Volume knob, which controls the Blackstar amp's output.
The EQ knob shapes your tone, and the Reverb knob controls how much effect you apply to
your signal.
Tube amplifiers shine when you crank them up, but if you're practicing in your house,
you wouldn't want it to be too loud.
That's why the Blackstar HT-1R MKII is perfect as a beginner amp.
It has a 1-watt output, so you crank it up without getting obnoxiously loud.
Another excellent feature of this tube amp is its USB outs, which will allow you to record
your music digitally.
This Blackstar amp is built around the idea of push-pull amps, so you'll love that they
use real tubes, specifically the ECC83 and ECC82.
Here’s something you should know before buying the Blackstar HT-1R MKII:
It’s not the best fit for people who want a tube amp for gigs.
If you're looking for a fantastic tube amp for practice and studio recording, the Blackstar
HT-1R MKII is an excellent choice that won't break the bank.
The fourth product on our list is the Laney Cub-Super12.
The Laney Cub-Super 12 is a fantastic tube combo amp that combines a boutique tone with
a cool modern look.
It features a dark gray panel for the center with black linings on the side to complement
it.
The speaker grille looks great with its irregularly shaped cutout.
It has a top handle, so you can carry it easily while traveling or gigging.
The back panel of the Cub-Super 12 is exposed, allowing it to function as a cooling vent
so the amp won't overheat during long gigs.
As most of the components are surface-bound, Laney was able to keep this tube amp compact,
lightweight and durable.
The Cub-Super 12 has five valves.
There are three 12AX7s and a pair of EL84s to give you that nice '80s sound you're looking
for.
Versatile musicians will love that while this Laney tube amp only has one channel, it has
two inputs that allow you to access either the 15-watt or 1-watt setting.
The 15-watt setting will give you a ton of output to rock out on gigs.
The 1-watt setting will allow you to achieve that tube amp effect that you get when cranking
it up without disturbing the neighbors.
You can get a clean and warm tone when using the 1-watt setting.
It also retains a lot of low-end punch, thanks to the HH driver.
Onto the controls - you get a volume, reverb, treble, middle frequency, bass gain, and boost
knobs.
You can easily adjust the parameters to get that perfect tone.
Here's something you should know before buying the Laney Cub-Super 12:
Some users note that the amp's sonic range can feel a bit tight.
If you're looking for a tube amp that you can use for home practice or gigs, the Laney
Cub-Super 12 is a solid choice.
The third product on our list is the Orange Rocker 15.
The Orange Rocker 15 is the ultimate tube amplifier for guitarists who want an amp suitable
for home practice, studio recordings, and small to medium-sized gigs.
It retains that classic Orange amplifier look, with the orange Tolex and light orange speaker
grille.
There's a handle on top that you can use for easy transport.
The controls are thoughtfully arranged on the top panel, so you can easily adjust your
parameters while playing.
The Rocker 15 is durable and has a solid construction with internal parts, such as valve bases housed
in a PCB.
The body is excellent and sure to last through wear and tear.
Next up are the Orange Rocker 15's features.
First off, it boasts two channels: Natural and Dirty.
The Natural setting is interesting.
You'll notice it doesn't have EQ and is controlled only through the volume knob.
This gives you a very neutral tone until you crank it up, and that tube effect kicks in.
The Dirty setting is much more familiar and features a three-band EQ consisting of treble,
mid and bass, as well as controls for gain and the master volume.
Next to the Natural and Dirty Switch is the Half and Full switch, which allows you to
choose from either 7 and 15 watts when you're in headroom mode or 1 and 0.5 watts in bedroom
mode.
This makes the Orange Rocker 15 a versatile Tube Amp that you can use for home practice
or gigging.
Here's something you should know before buying the Orange Rocker 15:
The controls are labeled with symbols instead of their name functions, which may be a bit
confusing at first.
If you're looking for a stunning tube amp that sounds great and gives you plenty of
control over your sound, the Orange Rocker 15 is an excellent choice.
The second product on our list is the Marshall SV20C.
The Marshall SV20C is a vintage-style tube combo amplifier built to give you that classic
1959 sound in a neat 20-watt package.
The SV20C is a low-watt version of the iconic Marshall 1959 Super Lead that was prominent
in the rock and roll scene.
First, this is a solid compact tube amp weighing 35 pounds or 16 kilograms.
The body looks sleek with its black with gold accented design and the Marshall logo embellished
on the front.
Sound-wise, you'll love that this tube amp is able to produce Plexi tones thanks to the
onboard pair of EL24 tubes, the same ones used in the Big Plexis.
The sound is less distorted and focuses on the mid range, so you'll get excellent quality.
You'll also notice that the Marshall SV20C has richer lows and warmer treble response.
Next up, we have the controls.
They’re located on top of the amp for easy access while playing.
There are four inputs in total.
Two are quarter-inch high and low treble inputs, while the others are standard high and low
quarter-inch inputs.
It also features an effects loop, making integrating your pedals convenient.
There's also a DI output for easy recording or routing to a PA speaker.
Here's something you should know before buying the Marshall SV20C:
It’s a bit on the expensive side for beginners.
If you're in the market for a tube amp that delivers classic sound, the Marshall SV20C
is the way to go.
The first product on our list is the Fender '64 Princeton Reverb.
The Fender '64 Princeton Reverb is a reissue of the beloved vintage small amp.
Thanks to musicians like Tommy Tedesco, it was one of the world's most recorded amps.
This amp is a single-channel 12-watt all-tube amplifier with tremolo and reverb.
It features two 6V6 power tubes, and its preamp is driven by one 12AT7 and three 12AX7 tubes,
giving you extra gain.
Its design stays true to the original while making some modern improvements here and there.
For one thing, the speaker on the '64 Princeton Reverb is a 10-inch Jensen alnico P10R.
This is in place of the original ceramic magnet speakers that sounded harsher.
Of course, the amp includes Fender's Vintage Blue tone capacitors and Groove Tubes.
The vinyl covering matches the color of its predecessor and even possesses a texture heavy
quality.
Let's dive into this tube amp's sound.
It has one of the best clean tones available and sounds great when paired with the lush
reverb effect.
The sound is also warm and rich, making it ideal for pedal rigging and recording.
You'll also love the tremolo as it has a natural texture and fantastic decay.
Here's something you should know before buying the Fender '64 Princeton Reverb:
It’s not cheap, but we think it’s worth the price and then some!
If you're looking for the best tube amplifier sound-wise, the Fender '64 Princeton Reverb
is a choice you won't regret.
And there we have it folks - the five Tube Amplifiers that got us excited this year.
If this video helped you in any way, let us know by giving it a Like and, if you’re
new here, hitting the Subscribe button.
If you would like to see some more reviews from our team here at Gear Music Tech, check
out this one on Electric Guitars for Beginners on the left, or this one on Stage Pianos on
the right.
We look forward to seeing you back here on Gear Music Tech soon.
Bye for now.