The Best Value Tube Guitar Amps: More Bang For Your Buck
Get the most value (and tube!) for your money!
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Ah, tube amps. The holy grail? The be-all and end-all of warmth and blues-y distortion? Maybe so. But these beasts can get pricey. We’ve selected the five best value tube guitar amps, so you’ll have a solid idea of where to start.
Our Selection Of Best Value Tube Guitar Amps
The Best Value Tube Guitar Amps: What To Consider
Why even bother with a tube amp these days? With modeling reaching levels of emulation where most can’t tell the difference, touring heavy rigs slowly drifting out of fashion and inflation increasing, pricey tube amps might not be the first choice for some. But that sound. That edge-of-breakup goodiness. That howling feedback.
Even with all of these factors in mind, there are still plenty of reasons to own a tube amp. And if you don’t or you’re looking to upgrade, it’s worth considering a few things when looking for the best value tube guitar amps.
From recent recreations of classics to hybrid designs that offer much more than pure tube amps, like capturing the sound of pedals, amps, and cabs, to a variety of financial, aesthetic, and, most importantly, sonic preferences, there are many factors to keep in mind. Plus, most tube amps are usually pretty heavy, which might become a factory if you tour a lot.
And then there are the purists who want the fewest controls and features and those who can’t imagine playing an amp that doesn’t offer multiple channels, MIDI controls, and other useful features. In this list, we’re going to look at five best value tube guitar amps in no particular order.
Fender 65 Twin Reverb
The Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb is a faithful reissue of the classic mid-’60s tube amp that’s been a staple in the backline of countless pros for decades. With 85 watts pushing a pair of 12″ Jensen C12K 8-ohm speakers, it’s got the muscle for the stage and the clarity for the studio. Sure, it’s heavy—but anyone who’s spent time with one knows that’s part of the deal. You want that big, dimensional tone, you carry the weight.
It’s a two-channel workhorse that’s been doing the job longer than most players have been alive. The Normal channel gives you Volume, Treble, Middle, and Bass. The Vibrato channel adds Reverb, along with Speed and Intensity controls for the vibrato circuit. There is also a Bright switch on each channel for that extra snap.
It also has the classic tilt-back legs – because sometimes you need to hear yourself without blowing out the front row. The ’65 Twin Reverb sounds massive, takes pedals like a champ, and gives you that almost three-dimensional clean tone that only a true Twin can deliver.
This reissue gives you that tone without the headaches that a vintage amp might come included with. It’s available at Thomann* for 2,099 euros.
Harley Benton TUBE15
This thing sounds. If it’s a tube amp (not a preamp pedal from the likes of Friedman or Tone King) you’re looking for, one that’s extremely affordable but still gives you actual tube distortion, then the TUBE15 (or its siblings TUBE 5 or TUBE30) might be the perfect entry. It does not get more affordable for an a tube amp, but make no mistake, the TUBE15 does not sound cheap.
Aside from more oomph, the TUBE15 also offers an FX loop on the back, compared to the smaller TUBE5 model. It’s equipped with three 12AX7s in the preamp and two EL84s in the power amp. You get controls for Gain, Volume, Tone, Bass, Middle, Treble, and Reverb – everything you need to dial in your sound.
And while it might not have the depth or vibe of a Fender or a Friedman, for this price, you get a sonic versatility that is hard to beat for a first tube amp. It’s available at Thomann* for 219,- Euros.
Orange Dual Terror Head
Don’t let its small size fool you. If you’ve never played one before, do yourself a favor and give the Orange Dual Terror Head a try. It’s got two channels, 30 watts, and all that aggressive punch you expect from Orange—but it’s so small!
It’s a no-nonsense, grab-and-go amp head that was built with the working player in mind. Light enough to carry with one hand, loud enough to cut through the mix, and just plain addictive to play. The Dual Terror has that raw, distinctive British voice-gritty, rich, and dripping with attitude.
This thing doesn’t whisper – it barks, growls, and roars when you lean into it. Cleans, edge-of-breakup, full-on crunch – you get it all. This amp has that rough-around-the-edges charm that makes you want to turn it up and let loose. The Dual Terror is available at Thomann* für 733 Euros.
Revv D20 Amp Head
In an older version of this list, we featured the G20, the Revv D20’s high-gainier sibling. But what if you’re more into the cleaner, meaner, Fender-type of sound? Less oomph, more twang? Then the D20 might be one of the best value tube guitar amps on the market.
Why not just go with Fender, you ask? Well, this 20 Watt beast offers a lot modern features, a classic Twin amp just wouldn’t be seen with. For starters, at 4.2 kilograms, this thing is a lightweight! Perfect for small gigs around town, for easily carrying it form recording station into rehearsal space in the basement. The D20 also comes with two 12AX7s in its preamp and two 6V6 power amps tubes.
As for modern features, the D20 has a built-in reactive loader from Two Notes that loads six different virtual cabs. It also comes with an FX loop on the back, an XLR direct out for recording, and a switchable 20-watt to 4-watt power supply for when the neighbors are just a bit too sensitive. The D20 is available at Thomann* for 1,199 euros.
Marshall DSL20HR
No list of the best tube guitar tube amps would be complete without a Marshall. 20 watts of pure valve-driven attitude, delivering that unmistakable warm crunch, Marshall does better than just about anyone. This model is part of the Super Lead series, so you’re getting the DNA of a classic in a more manageable, stage- and studio-friendly package.
Under the hood, you’ve got three ECC83s in the preamp and a pair of EL34s driving the power section—classic ingredients packed into a compact head. The DSL20HR gives you two channels: Classic Gain and Ultra Gain. Around the back, you get a footswitch input for channel switching, an FX loop (send and return), and even an Emulated Line Out on a mini-jack.
Tone shaping’s solid, too—Bass, Mids, Treble, plus Presence and Resonance to fine-tune the feel and response. This little beast is available at Thomann* for 439 euros.
Conclusion
What about Friedman? How could you not include the Mesa Boogie reissues?! We hear you, loud and clearly. However, when it is about value, about getting the most for your money, these brands are a bit too much out of most people’s budget. They do deliver in terms of sound and longevity, but that might be something for another day and another list.
Still, which ones were you surprised to find on the list? Or surprised NOT to see here? Let us know in the comments.
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9 responses to “The Best Value Tube Guitar Amps: More Bang For Your Buck”
Amps I would add to the list are –
VHT Special 6 ($480 / £354) for a handwired (!!) low wattage Fender type of amp – it’s very popular amongst those in the know.
Blackstar St. James – it covers American and British tube sounds and the power scaling and output with modeled cab/mic make it ideal for the stage and studio. The 1×12 combos are $400 cheaper than a Deluxe Reverb, and they offer so much more in features.
It’s just so hard to consider a Fender amp these days if value is a consideration – their prices have jumped up so much in the last 3 years, more than any other manufacturer. The Deluxe Reverb went from $1099 in 2020 to $1699 (there’s a special sale for $1599 currently in the US). Meanwhile, Vox has held steady. If I were looking at the Deluxe Reverb, I’d consider the offerings from Mesa/Boogie for a little more now, whereas they were significantly more before. Personally, I’d just go for a Vox AC15 if I were looking at a Deluxe Reverb ($800 vs $1699) and the AC30C2 over the Twin Reverb ($1300 vs $1950). It won’t sound like a Fender, but I could stick an EQ pedal to get some of that mid-scooped sound. Even better, with the money I save, I could get a UAD Dream 65 and stick it in front of the Vox and still have money left over. Why not just get a Fender you say? Well, I’d now be able to get a great Vox sound, a good Fender sound from the Vox, and I have this pedal that gives me the option of showing to gigs, go direct, and not have to lug around a heavy tube amp.
I was thinking while going through the list that my beloved AC15C1 needs to be on here. I got it used from Long & McQuade for $599CAD and what a deal that was.
Or for a little more than the price of a Deluxe Reverb, I could get the AC15 and the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb.
I was originally going to mention the offerings from your compatriots at Traynor.
Some solid choices there, thanks for sharing.
being the heaviest on your list–around 65lbs–I thought it humorous that you remarked that it was “worth its weight in gold”. worth its weight in copper is more like it.
They are heavy and the last few I have owned have been in full flight cases as well, which makes them even heavier!
I still love my tube amps (Victoria amps are my favorite), but I have to admit I feel like a dinosaur every time I go to a local show lately; almost everyone I see locally is using digital gear now. Touring acts with a road crew are a different story. If value is a concern, I’d definitely recommend the HX Stomp over anything; total Swiss Army knife, especially with the new cab sim update that actually sounds great.
…not going to sell my Victoria, though. 😉
I love the Laney LA 30 BL…built with the LA 100 BL circuit. So Full power 30 watts, simple class “A” amplifier. Jumper both the bass & treble inputs for best plexi sound.
I still like my Fender 57 Custom amp……I have played all my life and realize solid state has it’s ups and downs….but tubes are the real deal….IMO.
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