Best Tube Amp Under 500 USD: Pick For Best Results
Have you been looking for the best Tube AMP under 500 USD? Well, congratulations then, Your search has finally reached its destination.
You would be happy to know that the job is done for you and here you will get the Top 10 Bets tube amp under 500 dollar budget range. We have reviewed more them 100 tube amp to shortlist the best top 10 out of them and help make the better choice.
Many of the guitar amplifiers you can find for under $500 are ranked among some of the most popular on the market. They offer stage-worthy power, are packed with cool features, and are affordable enough for both enthusiasts and professionals on a budget.
We are about to dive into a chart highlighting what we believe are some of the best guitar amplifiers under $500 at the moment. In the article we have included combos and heads, as well as both tube and solid-state amps. Let’s get straight in and see which models made the cut.
Ahead, you’ll find our pick of the best lunchbox tube heads, digital modeling combos, desktop amps and mini amps, which will suit players of all styles and abilities.
Our List of 10 Best Tube Amp Under 500 Dollar
1) Fender Champion 100 – 100-Watt Electric Guitar Amplifier
the Fender Champion 100 is a value-packed amplifier that combines power with nifty features. To start off, it has a 100 Watt amplifier section that drives 2 x 12″ speakers, more than enough for most venues, while keeping the price tag reasonable.
The amp’s first channel is based on old Fender Blackface clean, while the second channel lets you choose from 16 different amp voices, from overdrive to high octane distortion. It also comes with 16 effects that expand your tone options even further. To better accommodate existing guitar rigs, Fender equipped the Champion 100 with effects loop connection.
Why We Recommend This:
- When ‘burying’ your drummer in volume is important, the 100 watts thrown out of 2 – 12” Fender special designed speakers will get your point across.
- Jam along with your favorite tracks by simply plugging your MP3 player into the Auxiliary input and you instantly become part of the band and /or practice privately with the 1/8th headphone output jack that also mutes the speaker output.
- Toggle between 100 Watts of clean or mean from the 2 channels with the kick of a footswitch during a stage or studio performance.
- Explore many very usable musical tones from the many amps classic to modern amp voicings and the various special effects such as digital reverb, chorus, delay, and vibration.
- Limited Warranty Included.1/8 inch aux input
2) BOSS Katana 100 Watt Guitar Amplifier (Black)
Boss is an effects legend, but thanks to the digital expertise of parent company Roland, the brand now also has an amp that promises organic, valve-like tones at an impressively low price. The K100 doesn’t invite direct comparison with specific amp brands and models. Instead, there are five generic voices: Acoustic, Clean, Crunch, Lead and Brown.
It can be pre-loaded with 15 different effects types into the amp, with 55 to currently choose from when you link the Katana to the Boss Tone Studio application. You can Start using the Tone Studio editor and the Katana’s edge becomes sharper still, with different effects chain presets and assignable control parameters.
- 100/50/0.5W 2-channel 1×12″ Guitar Combo Amplifier with 5 Amp Voicings
- Line/Headphone Output
- Built-in Effects
3) Monoprice 611705 5-Watt 1×8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier
The Monoprice 611705 is a tube combo amplifier with impressive specs at a very affordable price point.
While the amplifier section is generic, it is tasked to drive a branded 8″ Celestion Super 8 GBA-15 speaker, which is quite special considering its price. It also comes with a standard input (High) and an attenuated input (Low) which can be used for handling active pickup equipped instruments, or for taming guitars with hot pickups. The manufacturer specified that it handles frequencies between 80Hz and 10kHz, with low hum and noise.
Why We Recommend This:
- As the title indicates, this guitar amplifier features a 5-watt tube power amplifier and a Celestion brand speaker.
- It uses an 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 the tone is always debatable, the increased dynamic range and even-order harmonic distortion of tubes produce the better sound.
4) VOX AC10C1 Guitar Amplifier Head
The VOX AC10C1 is no exception, though it seems VOX added a little more dirt to the tone compared to classic models. It’s smaller than the infamous AC15 and AC30 amps, making it a highly portable amp. It comes with EL84 power tubes and 12AX7 preamp tubes, a custom 10” VX10 Celestion speaker, and a simple five-knob setup.
Overall, this amp has good reviews. The main reason it has any blowback is because of people who love their classic VOX amps, which are a little cleaner. But if you’ve never played through a VOX before, you wouldn’t know the difference.
- 10 Watt tube combo offering the classic VOX Top Boost tone
- EL84 power tubes; 12AX7 preamp tubes
- Custom 10″ VX10 speaker made by Celestion
- Simple but effective Gain, Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Master Volume controls
- Extension and External speaker outputs; By-passable Effect Loop, Distinctive VOX Styling.Output Power:10W RMS
5) Roland JC-22 Jazz Chorus
Its main selling point is its clean tone with a stereo chorus effect, which was and still is being used in many popular songs that cover various musical genres. Roland’s “Dimensional Space Chorus” effect works with the amp’s stereo speaker configuration to provide 3-D like sound, while the built-in reverb adds sonic ambiance.
The Roland Jazz Chorus line of amplifiers continues to be the go-to solid-state amplifiers for many professionals, thanks to its long list of big-name users which include Andy Summers, Robert Smith, Larry Coryell, Albert King, Kirk Hammet, Jeff Buckley and many more.
Why We Recommend This:
- 30W Stereo Guitar Combo Amp with 2 x 6.5″ Speakers
- Reverb and Dimensional Space Chorus Effect
- 2 Footswitch Jacks
Whether you are a fan of Roland JC tones or not, you’ll appreciate the simplicity, reliability and great clean tone of the Roland JC-22.
6) VHT AV-SP1-6 Special 6 Combo Amplifier
Like the Traynors of the ’70s, the VHT Special contains an easily removable chassis making it supremely mod-friendly. For players looking for a little something extra out of the box, there’s also an ultra version, which adds an extra gain stage, tube-driven effects loop and tonal depth control along with some other goodies.
It is Founded and formerly helmed by amp guru Steve Fryette, the contemporary incarnation of VHT continues to produce no-nonsense tube circuits such as the affordable Special series. Any gear forum denizen will no doubt have heard about these amps given the cult-like following they’ve earned over the past few years—and it’s well-deserved.
Why We Recommend This:
- 6 Watts
- One 12AX7 Preamp Tube
- Footswitchable Boost Mode
- 4, 8, and 16 Ohm Speaker Jacks
- Mod-Friendly Eyelet-type Board
- Power: 6 Watts
- One 12AX7 Preamp Tube
7) Ibanez TSA15 1 x 12 15-Watt All-Tube Combo Guitar Amplifier
The latest model TSA15 is simply great – it’s basically a Tube Screamer in a box. And, if you’re a fan of the Tube Screamer, you’ll probably like this little amp too. Fortunately, you can turn the built-in Tube Screamer on and off at will, in case you need a clean tone. The clean tone is decent enough, but honestly, I think it sounds better with the Screamer on.
For the most part, I’m not a fan of Celestion speakers, which is what this amp is equipped with, but honestly, it does sound good with the Screamer on. Check out the Ibanez if you’re looking or a simple amp.
If you’re a live performer, you’ll be glad to know this amp could fill a midsize and even larger venue with your guitar sound.
- Super-versatile all-tube 1 x 12″ combo guitar amplifier with classic Tube Screamer tone circuit onboard
- 15-watt tube guitar amplifier that gives you more than enough output for midsize and larger venues
- By passable Tube Screamer tone circuit includes Overdrive, Tone, and Volume controls
- Switchable 6dB boost lets you kick the preamp section into high gear
- Optional IFS2G footswitch (not included) lets you toggle the Tube Screamer and 6dB boost on the fly
8) Orange Amps Electric Guitar Power Amplifier, Orange (CR60C)
The Crush Pro range from Orange is, as you’d imagine, a step up from the regular Crush line. Make no mistakes, this 60-watt amp was built for serious players!
While packing plenty of power, it’s still very portable and easy to transport to gigs or rehearsals. The clarity of tone across the ranges is stunning and the 12″ Voice of the World speaker will take anything you can throw at it.
Orange understands that guitarists are individuals and the addition of the buffered effects loop is a godsend. Take every effect pedal you have, cram them right in the middle of your chain and you still won’t lose quality.
- 2 channel
- Digital reverb
- Clean channel controls: Volume, Bass and Treble
- Dirty channel controls: Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and Gain
- Global controls: Volume and Reverb
9) Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 – 100 Watt Amplifier
Peavey’s Vypyr series have been the source of versatile modeling amps for years. The one we’re looking at here is the sweet spot. Packing some 100 Watts of modeling power, it’s definitely loud enough for stage use as well as practice.
The amp comes with over 400 presets that include amps, cabs, effects and even instruments. That is the type of versatility you don’t get to see too often. It’s not without a fault, but the sheer amount of value you get for your money is overwhelming.
If you are looking for a decent combo that can be used both on stage and in your bedroom, Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 is among the top choices you have at the moment.
- Peavey VYPYR VIP3 100W GUITAR, BASS, or ACOUSTIC AMP with USB All in one Guitar, Bass and acoustic guitar amp
- Great amp for recording, practice, or live use
- Almost any amplifier, instrument, sound or effect w/ 400 presets
- LCD Display, built-n looper (w/ purchase of Sanpera)
- 10 instrument models including Acoustic guitar simulators, 12 String guitar model, Sitar model, 7 String model, Baritone Model, Resonator model, Electric Violin, Bass guitar models
- 2-Year Warranty
10) Marshall Acoustic Soloist AS50D 50 Watt Acoustic Guitar
Marshall typically has a reputation for being seen on the stages of heavy metal bands and hard rock acts. They are able to come up with a good product for a different demographic as well. The Acoustic Soloist is designed with a softer style of music in mind that will deliver a really warm and inviting sound. Beautifully designed in a retro fashion, this amp looks like it would fit into any That 70’s Show episode.
It comes equipped with two channels for either clean or overdrive settings. the 50-watts of power comes through 2 8″ speakers and you have the option to add chorus and reverb effects to your tone. If you’re looking for a really reliable amp for around the house with a little extra juice, the Acoustic Soloist will do just fine. It also has a combination of input for both XLR and 1/4 inch jacks.
Why We Recommend This:
- 50 Watts
- 2×8 2 channel combo
- Digital chorus & reverb
Best Tube Amp Under 500 USD – Conclusion
After doing all the research we have identified Fender Champion 100 as the best tube Amp Under 500 USD to buy due to the high build quality &performance for the price. The Fender Champion 100 packs just the right amount of features and high craftsmanship while remaining within a $500 budget.
We hope that you have found this article to be helpful and learned some valuable knowledge to help you decide on the right tube amp under $500.
Some of you may have read this guide and still find yourself confused or unsure of which tube Amp is best for your needs. Leave a comment below to get in touch and we will offer advice or a more detailed recommendation.
