14 best tube preamps for guitars

Product description

Get superior guitar tone in a small package using this 5-Watt 1x8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier with Celestion Speaker from Monoprice! As the title indicates, this guitar amplifier features a 5-watt tube power amplifier and a Celestion brand speaker. It uses a ECC83/12AX7 preamplification tube and a 6V6GT power tube for the amplifier section, plus a Celestion Super 8 GBA-15 speaker. The amplifier handles frequencies between 80Hz and 10kHz, with hum and noise -75dB below the rated power and 0.5% total harmonic distortion. It includes a Low input and a High input, with the former attenuating the signal by approximately 50% and the latter being easier to overdrive. The cabinet is ported in the rear and features a leather handle, cloth speaker grill, and a cream-colored, textured, synthetic leather exterior with chrome corner guards.

• As the title indicates, this guitar amplifier features a 5-watt tube power amplifier and a Celestion brand speaker.
• It uses a ECC83/12AX7 preamplification tube and a 6V6GT power tube for the amplifier section, plus a Celestion Super 8 GBA-15 speaker.
• The amplifier handles frequencies between 80Hz and 10kHz, with hum and noise -75dB below the rated power and 0.5% total harmonic distortion.
• It includes a Low input and a High input, with the former attenuating the signal by approximately 50% and the latter being easier to overdrive.
• While tone is always debatable, the increased dynamic range and even-order harmonic distortion of tubes produces the better sound.

User questions & answers

Product features

Tube Amplifier

Tube Amplifier: An industry standard 12AX7 preamp tube drives a single 6V6GT tube for a well-rounded tone and smooth, rich distortion.

Simple Controls

Simple Controls: Simple and minimalist controls keep the circuit clean and the tone pure, making it perfect for pedals.

Celestion Super 8

Celestion Super 8 Speaker: Well-balanced mids and highs complement a surprisingly meaty bottom end - it's just about the biggest sounding eight-inch speaker we've ever heard.

Classic Styling

Classic Styling: Enjoy the tone and styling of the 40's and 50's with the classic cream-colored, textured, synthetic leather exterior with chrome corner guards.

Tubes are King

While tone is always debatable, the increased dynamic range and even-order harmonic distortion of tubes produces the better sound.

Versatile and Durable

The amp features separate volume and tone controls, a 1-watt/5-watt button, and an 8-inch Celestion speaker, all contained within a solid frame with classic, cream styling.

• METEOR from JOYO's BantamP series is a very compact and portable 20 Watt head. it gives you a modern high gain sound with a lot of dirt and bite. based on a more modern British approach to heavy sounds, it excels in a variety of genres.
• It was the punk and indie scene that introduced those sounds to the world, but today, due to an increase in gain, also the metal players enjoy this alternative British flavor. Amp Meteor can give you those sounds in a tiny package and deliver a hefty punch of gain and bottom end.
• The METEOR also has a CLEAN channel that can take pedals really well, which makes it flexible and a great little companion for many situations where your "big" head is just not sensible. Use a TS-type pedal (like the JOYO Green Legend or Vintage Overdrive) to push it into higher gain territory and hear it sing.
• The amp operates with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp and uses a solid state power amp. the FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phasers, Flangers and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.
• The icing on the cake is the Bluetooth connectivity is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs. Careful, the amp is small, but loud… its 20 Watts can be quite a handful. If you want to practice quietly, use the built in headphone out with speaker emulation.

User questions & answers

Product features

JOYO Bantamp Series Hybrid Tube Amplifier Heads

• The JOYO Bantamp Series are solid state hybrid guitar amp heads. It blends valve and solid state guitar amplifier technology, 2 channels, that come together in a tiny amp head that can produce an immense high wall of sound. Bantamp series are arguably the most feature rich & versatile mini amp heads available in similar products in the US.
• Once you start working with this amp, you will soon forget its size and how much you paid for it. It will feel as if you are playing through a much bigger head and your friends just won't believe where your sound is really coming from.
• Bluetooth Connectivity bringing about endless joy, the icing on the cake is the BLUETOOTH connectivity, easily connect with your BLUETOOTH enabled device and play music through the BantamP. This is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs, playing accompaniment, Looper and enjoy yourself.

Product description

The Orange Micro Dark hybrid electric guitar amplifier head puts great high-gain tones in a simple and very portable package. Based around Orange's popular Dark series of amplifiers, the Micro Dark offers the same searing gain and tonal versatility as its big brothers, but boasts the same tiny format as the Micro Terror. This mighty mite crams 20 watts into a head about the size of a small lunchbox. If you need a simple to use, portable amplifier, with huge tones, check out the Orange Micro Dark. The Dark series of amplifiers make no secret that they're engineered for high gain heavy metal. But even with the few knobs on the front panel, you'll be able to quickly dial in a large variety of tones from metal grind to spanky cleans. And if the huge range of tones available aren't enough, the Micro Dark will work with most guitar speaker cabinets, allowing you to fine tune your tone. There simply aren't many other amplifier heads this small that can keep up with the Micro Dark's 12AX7-driven tones, and 20-watts of power. At under three pounds, the Micro Dark amplifier head is a sinch to transport to any recording session, rehearsal, or gig. And it's diminutive size makes it an easy fit in any room, no matter how tight the space may be. The 3-knob control panel makes pulling great sounds out of your Orange Micro Dark easy. It features pots for volume, gain, and shape. The shape control is the same used on the other Dark series of amplifiers, going from scooped grind on one side of the dial to a more classic mid-focused tone on the other. Want even more tonal options? The Mico Dark boasts a buffered effects loop in the back for patching in your favorite time-based effects. And the single input and single speaker out streamlines your set up so you're getting great tone in no time.

• 20-watt hybrid amplifier head geared toward metal tones
• Hybrid tube preamp and solid state power amp push 20-watts of power
• Shape and gain controls go from country cleans to savage high-gain
• The amp is less than 3 lbs. and only 5.31" tall
• 20 watts is plenty for practice
• rehearsals
• and some gigs

User questions & answers

Product description

Tube MP/C Single Channel Microphone/Instrument Tube Preamp. The Tube MP/C (Preamplifier/Compressor) from ART is an ideal combination-recording tool, with a tube-based analog preamplifier and a VCA-less compressor with optical gain reduction, housed in a convenient desktop chassis. Used as a mic/line preamp or as a DI (direct) box, the Tube MP/C is designed to work seamlessly with any recording, sound-reinforcement, or electronic instrument setup. ART's Tube MP/C circuitry is a hybrid design utilizing advanced, solid-state and tube technology. The preamplifier's active balanced solid state input provides extremely low noise and excellent common mode rejection. The 1/4" high impedance input prevents loading of any connected device making the Tube MP/C perfect for DI or line level applications. The preamplifier's second stage 12AX7a tube runs on a regulated DC voltage providing an additional 20dB of gain. The compression circuit features a VCA-less design and utilizes optical electronics (Vactrol) coupled with a 12AX7a vacuum tube gain stage for superior musical performance.

• A quarter inch unbalanced inputs and outputs.
• Optical (VCA-less) compressor circuitry = transparent dynamics control.
• Tube-based mic/line preamplifier with up to 80 dB of gain.
• Hand-selected 12AX7a tube.
• XLR balanced inputs and outputs.

User questions & answers

Product description

This tube has a well balanced, colorful tone with strongly defined lows, mids and smooth highs. It allows for more clean head-room than higher gain 12AX7s. In overdrive, it is smooth and strong with well defined lows and mids. When pushed into overdrive it offers clean distortion with well balanced lows and mids. The JJ 12AX7 is well suited for all types of music and playing styles. It is also highly recommended for studio pre-amps and hi-fi gear

• This tube has a well balanced, colorful tone with strongly defined lows, mids and smooth highs
• It allows for more clean head-room than higher gain 12AX7s
• In overdrive, it is smooth and strong with well defined lows and mids
• When pushed into overdrive it offers clean distortion with well balanced lows and mids
• The JJ 12AX7 is well suited for all types of music and playing styles

User questions & answers

Product description

ART TubeMPSTV3 Variable Valve Voicing Tube Mic Preamp With Limiter

• Dimensions: 5.0"D x 5.5"W x 2.0"H
• Weight: 1.5 lbs
• Rugged all-steel construction
• Designed for years of continuous, reliable performance
• 1 year warranty

User questions & answers

Product description

CE DIST T5751JJ JJ PRE TUBE TRIODE DUAL HI-MU (008542)

• Dual Triode
• Hi-MU
• Glass Tube
• Pure Solid Tone

User questions & answers

Product description

This tube has a well balanced, colorful tone with strongly defined lows, mids and smooth highs. It allows for more clean head-room than higher gain 12AX7s. In overdrive, it is smooth and strong with well defined lows and Mids. When pushed into overdrive it offers clean distortion with well balanced lows and Mids. The jj 12AX7 is well suited for all types of music and playing styles. It is also highly recommended for studio pre-amps and Hi-Fi gear.

• 12AX7 vacuum tube,
• U.S. Product Code: 12AX7
• European product Code: ECC83
• For guitar and Hi-Fi amplifiers,
• Can be used in any preamp or microphone application

User questions & answers

• VIVO from JOYO's BantamP series is a very compact and portable 20 Watt head. It tries to bring you the sound of a British classic that has been molded to give you the modern high gain tones that so many bands now use. back in the days, the big 100 Watt heads were "dimed" (all knobs on 10) to push the amplifier really hard and make it distort as much as possible.
• Out of this came the first amps that were modified to have more gain right from the start. Often, the super saturated high gain sound of those days is referred to as"The Brown Sound"and this is the direction the VIVO excels in. screaming leads, chunky rhythm with a bit of a hole in the middle is where the VIVO strongest. If you wanna rock 'n'roll, VIVO is going to be your new best friend.
• The VIVO also has a CLEAN channel that can take pedals really well, which makes it flexible and a great little companion for many situations where your "big" head is just not sensible.
• The amp operates with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp and uses a solid state power amp. the FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phasers, Flangers and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.
• The icing on the cake is the Bluetooth connectivity is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs. Careful, the amp is small, but loud… its 20 Watts can be quite a handful. If you want to practice quietly, use the built in headphone out with speaker emulation.

Product features

Introduction

• The FX loop on a guitar amplifier enables you to put your modulated based effects (Phaser, Flanger, Tremolo and Chorus) after the VIVO delivers its drive magic. The FX loop keeps the modulated effects pure and will prevent them from becoming muddied from the amp gain.
• With 2 channels flick the VIVO amp to the CLEAN channel and use with your array of guitar pedals. A two channel amp makes a guitar head twice as versatile as alternatives and a makes great companion for musicians at practice or on the road. The VIVO will keep it clean and puts everything in place for the drive of your life.
• Headphone Out with Built in Cab Speaker Amp Simulation, the amp has a speaker out rated at 8Ω and can also be operated at 16Ω. Careful, the amp is small, but 20 Watts is loud and will deliver a handful, you get the same great tone as you would from a mega amp.
• Pair your Bluetooth device to the BlueJay and jam along to your favorite Blues and Jazz, connect your external device via Bluetooth and play your audio tracks cleanly through the amps Bluetooth receiver channel.

JOYO Bantamp Series Hybrid Tube Amplifier Heads

• The JOYO Bantamp Series are solid state hybrid guitar amp heads. It blends valve and solid state guitar amplifier technology, 2 channels, that come together in a tiny amp head that can produce an immense high wall of sound. Bantamp series are arguably the most feature rich & versatile mini amp heads available in similar products in the US.
• Once you start working with this amp, you will soon forget its size and how much you paid for it. It will feel as if you are playing through a much bigger head and your friends just won't believe where your sound is really coming from.
• Bluetooth Connectivity bringing about endless joy, the icing on the cake is the BLUETOOTH connectivity, easily connect with your BLUETOOTH enabled device and play music through the BantamP. This is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs, playing accompaniment, Looper and enjoy yourself.

• BLUEJAY from JOYO's BantamP series is a very compact and portable 20 Watt head. is an amp that got its name not from its feathered friend by the same name but rather from the fact that it can be a great companion for Blues and Jazz.
• Its warm clean tones are reminiscent of the classic amps that came out of California all those years ago. It can do more than clean though, it can also deliver rich overdrive tones that make you want to play those pentatonic licks all day long.
• The BLUEJAY also has a CLEAN channel that can take pedals really well, which makes it flexible and a great little companion for many situations where your "big" head is just not sensible.
• The amp operates with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp and uses a solid state power amp. the FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phasers, Flangers and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.
• The icing on the cake is the Bluetooth connectivity is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs. Careful, the amp is small, but loud… its 20 Watts can be quite a handful. If you want to practice quietly, use the built in headphone out with speaker emulation.

User questions & answers

Product features

Introduction

• The FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phasers, Flangers and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.
• With 2 channels - Normal and Bright (Make the tone brighter).
• Headphone Out with Built in Cab Speaker Amp Simulation, the amp has a speaker out rated at 8Ω and can also be operated at 16Ω. Careful, the amp is small, but 20 Watts is loud and will deliver a handful, you get the same great tone as you would from a mega amp.
• Pair your Bluetooth device to the BlueJay and jam along to your favorite Blues and Jazz.

JOYO Bantamp Series Hybrid Tube Amplifier Heads

• The JOYO Bantamp Series are solid state hybrid guitar amp heads. It blends valve and solid state guitar amplifier technology, 2 channels, that come together in a tiny amp head that can produce an immense high wall of sound. Bantamp series are arguably the most feature rich & versatile mini amp heads available in similar products in the US.
• Once you start working with this amp, you will soon forget its size and how much you paid for it. It will feel as if you are playing through a much bigger head and your friends just won't believe where your sound is really coming from.
• Bluetooth Connectivity bringing about endless joy, the icing on the cake is the BLUETOOTH connectivity, easily connect with your BLUETOOTH enabled device and play music through the BantamP. This is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs, playing accompaniment, Looper and enjoy yourself.

Product description

TubeDepot supplies vacuum tubes for musical instrument amplifiers, Hi-Fi amplifiers, vintage vacuum tube recording gear and associated equipment. We provide tube sets for virtually any vintage or new production amp on the market.

User questions & answers

• ATOMIC from JOYO's BantamP series is a very compact and portable 20 Watt head. that gives you the British clean sound, the one that has hollow mids and a beautiful bell like character. this amp delivers a briliant bite and has shaped the history of rock music through the ages.
• The ATOMIC brings all of that history into your living room in a very compact way. you'll be amazed by the crystal clear and the cutting drive sounds. its drive channel has a great mid gain sound and is just perfect for pop/rock sounds and indie rhythms.
• The ATOMIC also has a CLEAN channel that can take pedals really well, which makes it flexible and a great little companion for many situations where your "big" head is just not sensible. Use a TS-type pedal (like the JOYO Green Legend or Vintage Overdrive) to push it into higher gain territory and hear it sing.
• The amp operates with a single 12AX7 tube in the preamp and uses a solid state power amp. the FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phasers, Flangers and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.
• The icing on the cake is the Bluetooth connectivity is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs. Careful, the amp is small, but loud… its 20 Watts can be quite a handful. If you want to practice quietly, use the built in headphone out with speaker emulation.

User questions & answers

Product features

Introduction

• With Two channels, the CLEAN channel can take pedals really well, which makes it flexible and a great little companion for many situations where your “big” head is just not sensible.
• The FX loop enables you to put your time based effects (or Phaser, Flanger, and Choruses) behind the drive section and keep the effects sharp and not prevent them from being too muddy.

JOYO Bantamp Series Hybrid Tube Amplifier Heads

• The JOYO Bantamp Series are solid state hybrid guitar amp heads. It blends valve and solid state guitar amplifier technology, 2 channels, that come together in a tiny amp head that can produce an immense high wall of sound. Bantamp series are arguably the most feature rich & versatile mini amp heads available in similar products in the US.
• Once you start working with this amp, you will soon forget its size and how much you paid for it. It will feel as if you are playing through a much bigger head and your friends just won't believe where your sound is really coming from.
• Bluetooth Connectivity bringing about endless joy, the icing on the cake is the BLUETOOTH connectivity, easily connect with your BLUETOOTH enabled device and play music through the BantamP. This is great to practice with PlayAlongs or to learn songs, playing accompaniment, Looper and enjoy yourself.

Product description

12AU7 / ECC82 Preamp Vacuum Tube

• 12AU7 / ECC82 Preamp Vacuum Tube

User questions & answers

Product description

9 pin miniature preamp tube (amplification factor = 60), less gain than a 12AX7, preferred by blues and jazz guitarists alike.

• 9 pin miniature preamp tube (amplification factor = 60),
• Less gain than a 12AX7
• Preferred by blues and jazz guitarists alike

User questions & answers