Are you looking for a tube amp that is lightweight and easy to take anywhere? We looked at some options and put together this list.
Quick Links To Our Lightweight Tube Guitar Amp Recommendations
- Marshall SV20C Studio Vintage 20
- Vox AC 30
- Blackstar Studio 10
- Fender ’57 Custom Champ
- Monoprice 611815
- Fender Pro Junior IV
Contents
Our Top Lightweight Tube Guitar Amp Reviews
Marshall SV20C Studio Vintage 20
The Marshall SV20C Studio Vintage 20 is unique in that it is a tube amp which is actually lighter than many of the solid-state amps on the market. When you want a vintage tone, then this is your best bet.
It has two channels and two inputs so that you can blend and combine tones for a more customized sound. Even at 35 pounds, this thing can still pack a punch with 20 watts of power.
The speaker is an 10 inch Celestion custom made for Marshall – it won’t overload even if the volume is at full blast. You can also expect the quality of sound to be consistent as there are no variations like in solid-state amps. Plus, tube amps can give you a clean and loud sound at the same time.
If you just want to practice and don’t have a need for a larger amp, this is perfect for you. It’s small enough to put in an apartment but has all the versatility and range that larger amps have.
Vox AC 30
If you are looking for a compact amp with incredible tone, then the Vox AC 30 is your best bet. It has a 12 inch Celestion speaker and puts out an amazing 30 watts.
This amp is known for classic rock tones and those great British Invasion sounds from the 60s. It can also be used as a home practice amp or in studios and performs well in both cases.
The AC 30 is known for being one of the best sounding amps of all time.
This amp is very versatile and can be used for a variety of genres of music. The best part about the Vox AC 30 is that it has a clean channel that doesn’t have the typical overdrive coloring. All you get is a lot of warmth with this amp that can make even the most complex guitars sound fantastic.
Blackstar Studio 10
The Blackstar Studio 10 is a small low watt tube amp, but can pump out an impressive 10 watts. It has one channel and the only controls are gain, volume, reverb and tone.
This is a good all-around amplifier for jazz, blues and country. The amp is light in weight and has a very clean tone. It is a great amp to travel with!
This amp has an effects loop and a line out which can also be used as a headphone jack. It also has an external speaker output for loud gigs, but if you want to play at home, it will work just fine with your headphones on.
The built in reverb is excellent, so you are never losing any of the natural tone that you have created.
This is a perfect amp for beginners or semi-pros who are not willing to spend on a larger amp but still want a great sounding one.
Fender ’57 Custom Champ
The Fender ’57 Custom Champ is a 5 watt tube amp, which is very loud for it’s size. It is a great amp for those who want a small tube amp capable of excellent tone.
The Fender ’57 Custom Champ is great for playing at home or practice, but not recommended for gigs because of how loud it is.
The classic tone of this amp is warm and punchy, while the reverb on it is amazing. It can be used for anything from a blues show to jazz to country. It is a very versatile amp. It features one 10″ speaker.
Users have said they love the sound and the size and portability of the Fender ’57 Custom Champ, as well as it’s great clean tone and that you can get a wide variety of tones on it.
Monoprice 611815
The Monoprice 611815 is a compact and adorable tube amp. It is 15 watts and has a 12″ Celestion speaker and built in spring reverb.
This little amp is the most inexpensive tube amp on this list but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sound, performance and reliability.
The preamp section uses ECC83 and 12AX7 tubes paired with two EL84 power tubes.
The clean channel is cool, thick and has enough headroom to handle most pedals without the need of an extra pedal to drive it into overdrive.
While it’s small size makes it ideal for studios or small rooms, it’s also just plain too cute for the stage.
The Monoprice 611815 is the most amazing little amp and has a rich, full sound.
Fender Pro Junior IV
The Fender Pro Junior IV is a small-bodied amp that can be easily transported anywhere you want. A budget-friendly option for students and smaller clubs, the Junior IV is modeled after the amp used by legendary guitarists such as Chet Atkins and Eric Clapton. Fender employed a number of vintage circuits to create this compact lightweight amplifier.
Even though it is small, even with just one 10″ Jensen speaker, this amp still produces plenty of volume to play your favorite guitar blues recordings. For beginners, the Pro Junior IV is an inexpensive way to become familiar with the sounds of a tube amp.
It has very simple controls with just a volume and tone control. The tone control is a fixed-bias design that adjusts the three bias voltages for preamp and power amp tubes. Each bias setting produces a different tone coloration, so it is a great way to adjust for different pickups.
Conclusion
Check out these great lightweight electric guitar and lightweight guitar amplifier options as well.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the absolute best lightweight tube amplifiers for a variety of needs. From home practice to minuscule studios to jamming with friends, there is an amp on this list that will suit every need you have.