Are you looking for the best clean tube amps? You’re in the right place.
For many guitarists, there is no better sound than the sound produced by tube amplification.
Many guitarists search after tube amplification for a combination of science, nostalgia, and vacuum tube magic because nearly all the classic guitar sounds were produced first on a tube amplifier.
Today, tube amplifiers are often investment-level purchases and ones that you cannot take lightly. Tube amplifiers are fragile, require warm-up time, and often are a bit more varied across models. Two amps that are the same model may sound quite different due to each vacuum tube’s uniqueness.
Given the nature of tube amps, one can spend days searching for the perfect one. Today, this article will help you determine the best clean tube amplifier.
Top 6 Best Clean Tube Amps:
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb (Top Pick) | Check Price |
 | Fender Blues Junior IV | Check Price |
| Fender '65 Twin | Check Price |
 | VOX V9106 (Best on a Budget) | Check Price |
 | VOX AC15C1 | Check Price |
 | BUGERA V5 | Check Price |
Fender ’65 Twin Reverb Tube Amplifier
Suppose tube amplification is an iconic sound, perhaps the most iconic sound, the Fender Twin Reverb sound. In Utero by Nirvana and Abbey Road by The Beatles, both utilized the “Blackface” Fender Twin Reverb amplifiers. While this is not a Blackface, the lineage is clear.
The best way I have heard this amplifier described is “Sounds like an old amp, with a new speaker.” A lot of times, considering how often new musical gear comes out, I ask myself why. This is perhaps one of the guitar tones to beat, and it is a reissue of a 45-ish-year-old amp.
Featuring two 8-ohm 12″ Jensen speakers, your sound production is covered. This thing will have no problem being heard over a band of whatever size yours is. It features dual channels, one regular and the other with a vibrato effect.
The 6L6 Groove Tubes provide a fantastic clean tone at lower volumes but have no issue providing great overdrive when cranked. The versatility of this system is something really to note.
Pros
- Lineage
- Tone, both clean and overdrive, sound great.
- Looks, the classic Fender Twin black vinyl with silver grille cloth is understated and classy.
Cons
- Pricey
- Some complaints about tubes going bad
- No effect loop
If you are looking for an amplifier that sounds like Abbey Road, there is nowhere else that you need to look than here. But, read on for some more diverse offerings. If I had to make any complaint against this amplifier, it would be that it does not, by itself, provide a tone that would be at home in heavier music. So bear that in mind when you go to make your next amplifier purchase.
After all, it’s the best clean sound amp, in our opinion.
Marshall DSL Series DSL40C Tube Amplifier
If you seek a good deal on great Marshall tone, this amp should make the shortlist. Featuring two footswitch-able channels (and a footswitch!) and two modes per channel, you will get a lot of flexibility with this amplifier. This amp sounds like the 70s to my ears.
This 40-watt version will have no trouble cutting through your band at a gig or in the shed, and it will sound great doing it. There is a 5-way EQ for you to dial in your perfect sound even further.
The major complaint about this amplifier is that the Celestion speaker it carries stock is not great. It sounds like it is being played in a tiny room. Being a modern amplifier and a modern speaker, it is not too difficult to change this speaker. I played through a Vintage 30. This amp can sing. Additionally, the reverb circuit on some amps is a little suspect, so I would recommend testing before buying.
Pros
- More affordable tube amplification
- 70s sound
- Highly adjustable
- Quite portable
Cons
- The stock speaker is not great
- Some owners complain that their reverb circuit is suspect
VOX AC15C1 Tube Amplifier
Vox, today, is pretty much one of the gold-standard tube amplifier companies. Their amps offer pretty spectacular tones…at sometimes equally spectacular prices, so beware of the price of this fantastic tone. You are going to pay for this amplifier’s EL84 power tubes, custom 10″ VX speaker made for Vox by Celestion, and a minimal but highly effective set of adjustment features.
There are, today, a lot of players moving onto team Vox, and we should note that the company is producing amplifiers that look good and are well-built. The looks are slightly more unique than a Fender and Marshall, so if you like to stick out, this may be an amp to consider.
But, beyond looks, the tone of this amp is solid. It has a lot of top-end shimmers. For some people, it may have too much shimmer and not enough darkness. Additionally, the amplifier has been said to need a delay or reverb pedal in front of it to help make the room sound a little bigger. Those are the things to bear in mind.
Pros
- Tone is good
- Adjustment features are not overwhelming.
- Bright
Cons
- Vox made an 80 dollar amp that some people say sounds just as good as this one
- Not enough adjustment controls for some
- Small-ish soundstage
Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb (Editor’s Choice)
The Deluxe Reverb amp is made for country, rock, and blues players who need a moderate power amp. This deluxe amp is used in creating snappy and full guitar tones you have heard on popular recordings. The tremolo and reverb are amazing. This is a perfect platform with great clean sound and responds smoothly. It works great and there is no buzzing and no rattling. The build quality is excellent.
Most importantly, this amp sounds amazing and fuller with more mids and low end. This makes an ideal studio amp.
It is versatile when compared to other amps and considerably budget-friendly while easy and fun to operate.
This tube amp delivers classic tones that are loved by all. Once you use this amp, you will surely appreciate its performance and durability. This one is budget-friendly and when you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use amp this is going to work wonderfully.
Pros
- Loud amp
- Fantastic sound
- Warm and nice reverb
Cons
- None we could find
Fender Blues Junior IV
Fender amps can be usually found across the globe and used by several guitarists from different walks of life. This amp delivers an unmistakable tone and ideal platform to create a unique signature sound.
The Hot Rod series amps are made to meet the high-end demands. Preamp circuitry is modified and provides great tone definition along with clarity even when the amp is pushed into overdrive. Thus your tone remains articulate despite how hard you push.
Modified spring reverb provides a luscious ambient sound that you love and know but with better smoothness to dial sound at different volumes. This is one of the most loved and popular small amps across the globe. It adds modified circuitry spring reverb and enhanced aesthetics that players appreciate.
The construction quality is excellent. This amp is perfect for guitarists who want to hit the studio or stage with versatile features and warm tones. 1 button footswitch is included which is used to activate remotely the Fat switch, which boosts the midrange for tonal thickness when soloing.
Pros
- Beautiful tone
- Non-abrasive change over
- Incredible amp
Cons
- None we could find
BUGERA V5
This is a very well built amp that has a classic look. Controls are very easy to operate and simple, and you can also add a stompbox if needed. This straight tube amp is a purist’s dream.
There is a monitor light beside the attenuator switch which indicates that the tube requires replacement. A small amp has a big sound so do not get confused with its size. This little amp of five watts has more output than you think.
It works exceptionally well and the tone is quite dark. Packed with an EL84 power tube and 12AX7 preamp tube, this guitar combo amp serves up countless songs that are popular in the history of electric guitar.
Moreover, it has a built-in attenuator so you can get a sweet spot at the required volume. This is a pint-sized combo with high definition reverb and a Turbosound speaker. On top of this, the technology used assures that this guitar combo gives a consistent and reliable tone over the life of tubes.
Pros
- Excellent value tube amp
- Tiny tube amp
- Good sound
Cons
- None we could find
How to Find the Best Tube Amplifiers with Clean Sound
What Is Tube Amplification?
The best way to define tube amplifiers is to compare them to what most modern guitarists coming up are familiar with – solid-amps. Tube amplifiers rely on vacuum tubes to amplify, whereas solid-state amplifiers use digital components like transistors and diodes to amplify the sound.
The nature of vacuum technology results in tube amplifiers providing a specific tone even on the cleanest settings. Solid-state amplification can achieve a clinically precise clean tone, which most people do not find the most pleasing sound for a guitar.
Most people prefer the certain crackle and sparkling tone of a tube amp. While there are folks on either side of the debate, tube amps are often considered superior sound qualities due to the vacuum tube amplification technologies utilized.
Is Tube Amplification Right For Me?
Since this is a guide to purchasing the best “clean” guitar amp, I would be doing a disservice if I told you that the cleanest of cleans is not available in tube amplification. If you are looking for an analytically clean sound, perhaps building off-tube amplification may not be the way for you.
If you are still here after that, then we shall proceed…
Tube amplification, in my opinion, is indeed superior to solid-state amplification. Not only do I own a tube guitar amp, but my home record listening set-up relies on tubes to do the amplification. There is a tone that naturally comes from a vacuum tube that cannot be replicated.
But, vacuum tubes are scarce and therefore pricey. The right tone is not unique to tube amplification. There are undoubtedly great solid-state amplifiers and great reasons to use them.
Vacuum tubes are also fragile and will require maintenance that you may not be able to do yourself and may be very costly. Vacuum tubes are like old light bulbs and do have certain quirks about them that can make them difficult to repair or maintain by the layman or tube initiate. If you are strapped for cash, tube may not be the way for you.
Many people I know have never had to do anything other than turn their amplifier on and go for going on ten years now. So, your mileage may vary.
Pros and Cons of Tube Amplification
Pros
- Tubes have a “clean” tone that cannot be replicated even across the same model’s amps due to imperfections and variations in vacuum tubes.
- They are often less work to get to the right tone because a good tube amp will already have a pleasing tone (provided you listen to it before buying)
- Many classic records were recorded using tube technology.
Cons
- Tubes can be high maintenance.
- Tube amps can be expensive (money or time-wise) to repair.
- Cost is relatively higher than similarly powered solid-state amplification systems.
Conclusion: What’s the Best “Clean” Tube Amp?
So, what’s the best “clean” amp after all?
The amp to beat on this list is the Fender Twin, and I am not sure that that was unexpected. The Fender Twin is one of the best clean tube amplifiers that has ever been made. You cannot get the Marshall tone from the Twin, so the Marshall amplifier may be something to look at.
The only amp on this list that I am wary of recommending is the AC15C1. Vox made an about $80 amp that too many people say sounds just as good. I mean a budget option – VOX V9106.
Important note: it’s, actually, not a tube amp. However, this model is reported to be the best solid-state amp with a nice tube tone. If that is the case (test for yourself), maybe you should skip the $620 Vox and go for the $80?
If you like the Vox amplifier’s look, it certainly has the tone to back up the purchase.
My recommendation: get the Fender Twin if you have the money. It’s one of the best clean-sounding tube amps on the market.