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Are you looking to upgrade your guitar setup this year? Look no further! We've curated our list of the top 5 best guitar amp heads of 2024 to help you refine your tone. Whether you're a gigging professional or a bedroom rocker, these top picks are sure to enhance your sound and take it to new heights. Let's dive into what makes each one stand out and find the perfect amp head that'll rock your world!
Included in this guide:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Marshall DSL100HR 100-Watt Tube Head
| 4.9 | Check Price |
Runner-up  |
| 4.7 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | EVH 5150III 50S 6L6 50-Watt Tube Head - Black Stealth
| 4.4 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | ENGL Amplifiers Fireball 25 25W Tube Head
| 3.6 | Check Price |
Lowest Price  | PRS Mark Tremonti MT15 - 15/7-Watt Tube Head
| 4.5 | Check Price |
Related Article: Best Acoustic Guitar Amps: Top Picks For Every Budget
The DSL100HR tube head is our top pick, designed to deliver the iconic Marshall sound. With two foot-switchable channels, you can transition from clean to crunch tones and up to high-gain distortion effortlessly.
Moreover, the EQ section (only one for both channels) helps you adjust the tone to suit your playing style. It also features present and resonance controllers, which isn’t a typical Marshall addition.
On top of that, the two power modes (high and low) allow you to switch the volume to fit live performances or home practice. On its back panel, this guitar amp head also features speaker outputs, an effects loop, an emulated out, an Aux input, a MIDI jack, and a footswitch jack.
The Orange Super Crush 100w amp head is a fantastic option designed to deliver ample volume for gigs, rehearsals, and studio sessions.
This great amp head features a dedicated “Clean channel” with controls for volume, bass, and treble. As for the “Dirty channel,” it contains knobs for treble, middle, bass, gain, and volume. You can switch between those channels manually or using a footswitch (not included).
Primarily, having little pictographs instead of words to tell the function of each knob can be a bit confusing at first. However, they’re quick to learn and won’t take you much time to get used to.
Designed in collaboration with the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, the EVH 5150III 50S 6L6 50-watt tube head packs superb features. It offers a wide range of tones, suitable for various styles produced by its three switchable channels.
One of this amp head’s great features is its flexible EQ configurations. Channels one and two share a 3-band EQ, allowing for consistent tone shaping. On the other hand, channel three has its own independent 3-band EQ for additional customization options.
In addition to its tonal versatility, the EVH 5150III comes in an outstanding design made from touch birch plywood.
The Fireball 25 is part of ENGL’s Fireball series famous for versatile tone capabilities suitable for different genres. Despite having low wattage, it delivers ample power for rehearsals, recording sessions, and smaller venues.
Primarily, the dual-channel design allows for a seamless transition between clean and high-gain tones. While the two channels share an EQ section, the Lead channel still has its own volume controller. Plus, each channel has a separate gain controller.
Another standout button on the Fireball 25 is the mid boost switch. As the name suggests, this button boosts the mids, which can be fantastic when playing solos.
The PRS MT14 is a remarkable guitar amp head with an affordable price tag. It features a dual-channel design with two fully independent EQ controls containing a separate volume controller for the Clean channel.
On the back panel of the amp head, there’s an effects loop, a half/full power switch, and an external bias jack control.
Overall, with all the features it offers, this amp head is the perfect choice for guitarists seeking a professional-level performance in a conveniently priced package.
Related Article: Top 5 Best Bass Amps For Stage And Studio (2024)
A guitar amp head is the control center of a guitar amplifier system, containing the electronic circuitry for pre-amplification, amplification, tone control, and often effects. It needs to be connected to a speaker cabinet to produce sound.
Amp heads are ideal for musicians who need flexibility in volume and sound. They allow you to mix and match with different speaker cabinets to customize your tone and projection. This makes them a versatile choice for different venues and styles.
To connect an amp head to a speaker cabinet, use a speaker cable to link the amp head's output to the cabinet's input. Make sure the cable is properly rated for speaker use and that the impedance of the head and cabinet match to avoid damage.
No, an amp head requires a speaker cabinet to produce sound. However, some amp head models come with a built-in speaker, such as the Boss Katana Head MkII.
Tube amp heads may require occasional tube replacement and bias adjustments. As for solid-state amp heads, they require less care but might still need cleaning from time to time.
So, there you have it, our recommendations for the best guitar amp heads with the Marshall DSL100HR in the lead. Following it is the Orange Super Crush 100W head that delivers dynamic performance and powerful sound. As for our affordable pick, the PRS Mark Tremonti MT15 is the go-to choice.
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