When it comes to finding the best small amps for guitar, there are several excellent options available that offer great sound quality, portability, and versatility. Here are some of the top small amps that are highly regarded by guitarists.
1. Fender Blues Junior IV Micro Amp
The Fender Blues Junior IV is a highly regarded small tube amplifier that has gained popularity among guitarists for its classic Fender tone and versatile performance. It is part of the renowned Blues Junior series, which has been a staple in the music industry for years.
With its 15-watt power output, the Blues Junior IV strikes a balance between being suitable for both practice sessions and small gigs. It features a single 12-inch speaker, providing a rich and full-bodied sound that is characteristic of Fender amplifiers. The amp’s size and weight make it fairly portable, allowing for easy transportation to rehearsals or gigs.
The Blues Junior IV is designed to deliver that iconic Fender clean sound that has become synonymous with the brand. Its warm and responsive tone is highly regarded by blues, rock, and country guitarists. The amp’s single-channel design keeps things simple, with controls for Volume, Tone, and Master allowing for easy adjustment of your sound.
One notable feature of the Blues Junior IV is its 3-band EQ. This allows you to fine-tune the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, giving you greater control over shaping your tone to your liking. Whether you prefer a crisp and bright sound or a warmer and smoother tone, the EQ controls help you achieve your desired sound.
The Fender Blues Junior IV does not come with built-in effects, focusing on delivering pure and authentic amplifier tone. This allows you to experiment with various external pedals to shape your sound and add your desired effects.
Durability is another highlight of the Blues Junior IV. Fender is known for its robust build quality, and this amp is no exception. It is built to withstand the rigors of touring and regular use, ensuring it can handle the demands of the road.
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2. Vox AC10C1 Small Amp
The Vox AC10C1 is a compact and portable tube amplifier that has gained recognition for its ability to deliver iconic British tone in a smaller package. It is part of Vox’s AC series, which is renowned for its classic chime and jangly character.
With 10 watts of power, the AC10C1 strikes a balance between being suitable for practice sessions, studio recordings, and small gigs. It features a 10-inch Celestion speaker, which contributes to the amp’s unique sonic characteristics. The smaller size and weight of the AC10C1 make it easy to transport and set up wherever you need to play.
The AC10C1 captures the essence of the renowned Vox AC30, known for its sparkling cleans and dynamic overdriven tones. It delivers that distinctive British sound characterized by its bell-like clarity and rich harmonic complexity. The amp’s single-channel design is simple yet effective, allowing you to dial in a variety of tones by manipulating the amp’s controls.
The AC10C1 features a straightforward control layout, including Volume, Bass, Treble, and Reverb controls. These allow you to shape your tone to your preference, whether you’re aiming for crystal-clear cleans or pushing the amp into gritty overdrive territory. The onboard reverb adds a sense of depth and ambiance to your sound, enhancing the overall experience.
One notable feature of the AC10C1 is its ability to respond well to different playing dynamics. It is touch-sensitive and responds to changes in picking attack and guitar volume, allowing for expressive playing. This dynamic responsiveness is a key characteristic of Vox amplifiers and contributes to the amp’s versatility.
The build quality of the AC10C1 is sturdy and reliable, as expected from Vox. It is designed to withstand the demands of regular use and is built to last, ensuring it can handle the rigors of live performances and touring.
3. Marshall DSL5CR
The Marshall DSL5CR is a compact and versatile tube amplifier that packs the iconic Marshall tone into a smaller package. It is part of Marshall’s DSL series, which stands for “Dual Super Lead,” known for its powerful sound and flexible features.
With 5 watts of power, the DSL5CR is suitable for home practice, recording, and small gigs. It features a 10-inch Celestion Ten-30 speaker, which delivers a punchy and articulate sound. Despite its lower wattage, the DSL5CR retains the unmistakable Marshall roar and offers plenty of volume for most playing situations.
The DSL5CR features two footswitchable channels: Classic Gain and Ultra Gain. The Classic Gain channel provides classic Marshall cleans and vintage crunch tones, while the Ultra Gain channel offers high-gain distortion for heavier styles of music. This dual-channel setup gives you a wide range of tonal options, from pristine cleans to searing leads.
One standout feature of the DSL5CR is its built-in digital reverb, which adds a sense of depth and ambience to your sound. The reverb control allows you to dial in the desired amount of reverb effect, enhancing your playing experience. Additionally, the amp includes a dedicated Tone Shift button that scoops the mids for a more modern and aggressive sound.
The DSL5CR offers a versatile EQ section, with controls for Bass, Middle, Treble, and a shared Presence control. These controls allow you to shape your tone and find the perfect balance for your playing style and guitar.
The amp also features a Softube-emulated output, which allows you to directly connect the DSL5CR to a recording interface or mixing console for direct recording. This feature is particularly useful for home recording and studio work, providing a convenient way to capture the amp’s authentic tone without the need for microphones.
In terms of build quality, the DSL5CR is sturdy and well-crafted, reflecting Marshall’s reputation for durability and reliability. It is built to withstand regular use and is designed to last, ensuring it can handle the demands of both practice sessions and live performances.
4. Orange Micro Terror
The Orange Micro Terror is an ultra-compact hybrid amp head that delivers surprising power and tone.
It features a 20-watt solid-state power amp combined with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp stage.
Despite its small size, the Micro Terror offers a full-bodied and versatile sound that can be paired with a variety of speaker cabinets.
5. Yamaha THR10II
The Yamaha THR10II is a versatile desktop amplifier that is perfect for practice, recording, and home use. It features a modeling technology that emulates various amp sounds, including clean, crunch, lead, and high-gain tones.
The THR10II also offers built-in effects, a USB interface for recording, and Bluetooth connectivity.
6. Blackstar HT-5R MkII
The Blackstar HT-5R MkII is a compact tube combo amp that delivers impressive tones. It offers 5 watts of power, a 12-inch speaker, and a range of controls for shaping your sound.
The HT-5R MkII features Blackstar’s ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) technology, which allows you to adjust the amp’s EQ response from British to American voicings.
7. Boss Katana Mini
The Boss Katana Mini is a compact and battery-powered amp that packs a surprising amount of tone and versatility. Despite its small size, it offers a range of amp models and built-in effects, allowing you to explore different sounds.
It features three selectable amp types (Brown, Crunch, and Clean) and has a dedicated EQ section for further tone shaping. The Katana Mini is perfect for practice or jamming on the go.
8. Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head
The Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro Head is a high-gain powerhouse in a compact package. This all-tube micro amp head offers 20 watts of power and delivers the iconic tone of the renowned Peavey 6505 series.
It features a single channel with a 3-band EQ and a Crunch switch for added versatility. Despite its small size, the 6505 Piranha packs a punch and is suitable for both practice and recording.
These small amps offer a range of features and tones to suit different playing styles and preferences.
Comparing the Small Amps
Here’s a table comparing the features of the 8 small guitar amps mentioned earlier, along with a grade (on a scale from 1 to 5) for each feature:
| Amp Model | Power | Speaker Size | Channels | EQ Controls | Built-in Effects | Portability | Overall Sound | Versatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fender Blues Junior IV | 15 watts | 12-inch | 1 | 3-band | No | Moderate | 4 | 3 |
| Vox AC10C1 | 10 watts | 10-inch | 1 | 3-band | No | Moderate | 4 | 3 |
| Marshall DSL5CR | 5 watts | 10-inch | 2 | 3-band | Yes | Compact | 4 | 4 |
| Orange Micro Terror | 20 watts | Depends on cab | 1 | Tone control | No | Ultra-compact | 4 | 3 |
| Yamaha THR10II | 20 watts | 3.15-inch x 2 | Multiple | Tone control | Yes | Portable | 4 | 5 |
| Blackstar HT-5R MkII | 5 watts | 12-inch | 2 | 3-band | Reverb | Compact | 4 | 4 |
| Boss Katana Mini | Battery | 4-inch | 1 | 3-band | Delay | Portable | 3 | 4 |
| Peavey 6505 Piranha Micro | 20 watts | Depends on cab | 1 | 3-band | No | Compact | 4 | 4 |