Low watt tube amps have become a popular niche for players and manufacturers alike. It used to be that tube amps were reserved for the 50 – 100w range, for venues much larger than a bedroom. These tube amps were way too much power for the hobbyist to practice with at home. They were typically too damn big too.
These days, there are a host of low watt tube amps on the market, and many for less than $500. Some are decidedly vintage style, while others are classic or modern style. Whatever your personal taste, you should be able to find a low watt tube amp to your liking here.
Low Watt Tube Amps For Under $500
Blackstar amps
Blackstar brings 3 low watt tube amps to the party: the HT5R, HT1R and the HT1MC.
Blackstar HT5R 5-Watt 1×12 Combo Amp with Reverb
The Blackstar HT5R is a 5 Watt, all-tube amp (1 ECC83 (12AX7), and 1 12BH7 tubes) with a single 12-Inch speaker. It’s got 2 channels (clean, and overdrive), 3-Band EQ and reverb. It also has a series effects loop, stereo MP3/Line input, headphone out and comes with a footswitch for switching channels.
Another really cool thing the Blackstar HT-5Rbrings to the party is the ability to model 1×12 or 4×12 in a line out, which is awesome for recording.
The Blackstar HT5R delivers crunch and tube breakup tones that you’d expect from a 100w amp through the use of a 12BH7 dual triode valve in push-pull configuration. The result is a big sound, from a modest, 5-watt amp.
Bottom line: the Blackstar HT5R is a great low watt practice and home studio amp, with killer tube powered metal tone.
Here’s a great all-around demo
Blackstar HT1R 1×8 Series Combo Amp with Reverb
The Blackstar HT1R is the “mini-me” to the Blackstar HT-5R. Instead of a 12″ speaker, the Blackstar HT1R has a single 8″ speaker, and instead of 5w, the Blackstar HT1R is 1w, powered by a single ECC83 (12AX7), and single ECC82 (12AU7) power tubes.
The Blackstar HT1R can also be plugged into an external speaker cab, and can easily drive a 4×12 cabinet.
Here’s a Demo
Blackstar HT Metal Series HT1MC 1W 1×8 Combo w/Reverb
The Blackstar HT1MC is the low watt Metal brother to the HT1R. It’s also 1w, with a 1×8″ speaker configuration, features reverb, and speaker out emulation. It’s also a true tube amp powered by an ECC83 and ECC82 tube combo.
What sets the Blackstar HT1MC apart from other low watt tube amps however is it’s look. The Blackstar HT1MC is a “stripped-down, tube-driven metal monster” and it looks the part!
Powerful enough for great metal crunch tone, but won’t disturb the peace. The Blackstar HT1MC has excellent clarity even at high gain levels, but can also do rock and blues.
Check out the demo (More than just Metal!)
Low watt tube amps by Gretsch
Gretsch G5222 Electromatic Guitar Amp
The Gretsch G5222 is a great bit of low watt vintage tube tone in a tight package – it’s portable and packs a punch.
The Gretsch G5222 is an easy to record, gem of a 5-watt amp from days gone by. It’s the perfect size for small jam sessions, recording or practice.
Powered by a single 12AX7 in the preamp and a 6V6 tube in the power amp, the Gretsch G5222 gives you great, classic American rock, blues and jazz tones without breaking the bank, your back or the windows!
The Gretsch G5222 has a single 6″ speaker, 2 channels and a single volume control. Simplicity and style carry the day for this ’50s style amp.
If it had onboard reverb, it’d be perfect. But the Gretsch G5222 is still a pretty sweet box of vintage vibe, and an excellent low watt tube amp.
The Gretsch G5222 is nearly identical to the Fender Champion 600, that is no longer available. In fact, production of the G5222 ceased in 2010 and it will no longer be available after existing stock is sold.
You may want to get yours while you still can!
Demo
Low watt tube amps by Hughes & Kettner
Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 5w 1×8″ Combo
Warmth, clarity and power make the Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 5 Combo a great low watt tube amp for both practice and recording. The speaker-out for driving external cabs as large as 4×12 makes it a killer for gigs too.
The Tubemeister 5 Combo is simple to use too, with only 3 band EQ, Gain, Master and Drive controls it’s built to perform and not confuse.
The Tubemeister 5 Combo also has a built-in Red Box DI Out, which is great for recording. The Red Box converts the Tubemeister 5 Combo speaker out signal into a balanced, frequency-compensated signal that you can feed directly into a mixer. Choose between its native 1×8 or 4×12-inch cabinet emulation.
The Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 5 Combo is powered by a single 12BH7 power tube and 12AX7 preamp tube.
Demo
Low watt tube amps by Vox
Vox AC4C1 1×10″ 4 Watt Tube Combo
The Vox AC4C1 is a 4w tube amp, powered by two 12AX7 tubes in the preamp, and a single EL84 in the power amp section. It sports a 10″ Celestion Speaker, and has Gain, Treble, Bass, and Volume controls.
Like most other low watt tube amps on this list, the Vox AC4C1 has external Speaker-Output terminals for driving an external speaker cab, though it lacks some of the more modern recording features of the Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 5 Combo.
What the Vox AC4C1 does have plenty of is pure, tube driven Vox tone and style. The 10″ speaker gives the Vox AC4C1 a wide, dynamic range and the EL84 gives it classic British crunch. It also has the Top Boost tone, made popular in the VOX AC30.
The Vox AC4C1 is available in 3 styles:
limited edition purple tolex and Tygon grille cloth
rich blue vinyl with the distinctive “domino style” Tygon grille cloth
classic cream
Check out this Demo here:
Vox AC4TV8 1×8″ 4 Watt Tube Combo
The style for the Vox AC4TV8 dates back to 1961, so it has retro/vintage bragging rights to be sure. But beyond that, the Vox AC4TV has a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp section, and a single EL84 in the power section, and a VX8 8″ speaker.
What sets the Vox AC4TV8 apart from the Vox AC4C1 is that the Vox AC4TV8 has Watt attenuation, so you can adjust the output to: 4 Watt; 1 Watt; and quarter Watt. This is awesome for times when you want serious tube-driven breakup at low levels, so as not to disturb the neighbors (or family). It’s also slightly smaller than the Vox AC4C1
VOX AC4TVmini 4W Tube Guitar Combo Amp
As the name suggests, the AC4TVmini is the smallest version of the AC4TV series. Like it’s larger brother, it ‘s powered by a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp section, and a single EL84 in the power section. But the 8″ speaker is swapped out for a smaller still 6.5″ custom Vox speaker.
You’re basically trading some volume and dynamic range for greater portability.
Demo
Low watt tube amps by Marshall
Marshall DSL5C 1×10 5w combo
A lot of people don’t get the Marshall DSL5C, especially Marshall fans. They just don’t see the point in low watt tube amps, and frankly look down on anyone who doesn’t play a 100w amp. Well, the Marshall DSL5C just isn’t for them. It’s perfect for fans of the Marshall tube tone who just want a rock solid tube amp for practicing or playing the occasional small gig.
The Marshall DSL5C is a versatile amp that truly delivers on Marshall tone – everything from Plexi-style cleans to JCM800 snarl to modern day high gain. It is powered by 3 ECC83 tubes in the pre amp, and a single 12BH7/ECC99 in the power amp section. It features 2 channels: Classic and “ultra gain”.
What makes the Marshall DSL5C even better is the power switch. Like the Vox AC4TV, the Marshall DSL5C can run at full wattage (5w) or lower wattage (1w), which means you get all that sweet crunch and tube saturated distortion at volumes low enough to not piss off the neighbors.
The Marshall DSL5C also features a series FX loop, and headphone out, audio in (for mp3 players) and an extension speaker for driving an external speaker cab.
The Marshall DSL5C comes with a footswitch and houses a Celestion Ten 30 10″ speaker. Controls include: volume, gain, presence, bass, middle, treble, deep switch (increases low end frequency), and toneshift (which acts like a mid scoop).
Demo
Low watt tube amps by Fender
While most big name manufacturers have offerings in the low watt tube amps market, Fender has by far been the most active participant. Fender has embraced the boutique amp movement with their Pawn Shop series of amps – modern amps with a retro look. Boutique style, at a price you can actually afford.
Vaporizer
Up first, is the Fender Vaporizer.
I’ll be honest with you, I really like this amp despite the name (It sounds like something made by VICKs to ease cold congestion!). It’s design is a retro-futuristic one that harkens back to the days of the Space Race and Sputnik.
The Fender Vaporizer is a 12w, 2×10″ speaker combo with spring reverb, volume and tone controls. The Vaporizer is powered by two 12AX7 tubes in the preamp section and two 6BQ5/EL84 tubes in the power section. The Vaporizer doesn’t just look the vintage part, it also has a wide range of reverb, from simple slap-back echo to watery surf and everything in between.
What makes the Vaporizer even more unique is the patented “Vaporizer Mode”, which bypasses all volume and tone controls, and send the input signal from your guitar straight through to the power amp for “maximum overload” – everything on 10!.
You can say what you want about the style, but this low watt tube amp packs a punch and is unlike almost any other amp on the market today.
The Vaporizer comes in 3 colors:
Rocket Red
Surf Green
Slate Blue.
Demo:
Ramparte
The next low watt tube amp from Fender is the Ramparte. The visual style of the Ramparte is more subdued than the Vaporizer, but it still has a pleasing retro flair.
Unlike other the other low watt tube amps from Fender, the Ramparte is available in only one style – textured, two-tone chocolate and copper. With a style borrowed from the mid 1960′s, the Ramparte harkens back to the days of the stereo console. It’s look is made complete with a very cool Byzantine double-headed eagle logo badge.
The Ramparte is a two channel (“cool” and “hot”), 9w tube amp with a single 12″ speaker. It’s driven by two 12AX7 tubes in the preamp and a single 6L6 in the power amp. The “cool” channel is well suited to warm, clean tone with a bit of grit and breakup, while the “hot” channel provides some wild overdrive. The Ramparte is a great for jazz, blues and classic rock.
Demo:
Fender Excelsior Pro 13-Watt 1×15-Inch Guitar Combo Amplifier
The Fender Excelsior is an all tube, 12w 1×15″ combo amp with unique styling and unique inputs – guitar, mic, and accordion. Yes, accordion. Apparently, that’s a thing for some people…
Anyway, the Excelsior is powered by dual 12ZX7 tubes in the preamp and dual 6V6 tubes in the power output section and houses a 15″ Eminence® Legend speaker.
The Excelsior also has onboard tremolo and a bright/dark tone switch for treble or bass emphasis.
Like all amps on this list, the Excelsior can also drive an external speaker cabinet, if the 15″ Legend isn’t enough for you.
The Fender Excelsior comes in four styles:
Surf Green
Sonic Blue
Antique Blush
Original Brown
Demo:
Fender Super Champ X2 15w 1×10
And finally, we come to the Fender Super Champ X2 15w 1×10″ combo. At first glance, the Fender Super Champ X2 appears to be a more traditional amp with its black vinyl covering and silver grille cloth front. Although it doesn’t look as boutique as the Ramparte and Excelsior or as spacy as the Vaporizer, it’s not as traditional as it looks either.
The Super Champ X2 is a 15w, low watt tube amp with a Fender Special 10 inch speaker, but it also blends the digital amp modeling (“voicings”) and effects found on Fender’s popular Mustang series of amplifiers.
The Super Champ X2 is a modern modeling amp in a traditional package that gives you the warmth of an all tube amp with the flexibility of more modern solid state amps.
The Super Champ X2 is powered by a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp and a pair of 6V6 tubes in the power section.
Demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxV9-_PKYDI
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Original content, Top 12 Low Watt Tube Amps For Under $500., from Middle 8 Reviews .