AudioFu

Best Tube Guitar Heads 2026

Top-rated tube guitar heads 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Classic Rock For Jazz For Vintage Tones For Professional Gigs For Studio Recording
BRANDS: Engl Marshall Hughes&Kettner Mesa Boogie Friedman Victory Amplifiers Evh Orange Harley Benton Soldano Bad Cat Bugera Diezel PRS Peavey Revv
Victory Amplifiers V140 Super Duchess - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Victory Amplifiers V140 Super Duchess

by Victory Amplifiers
Studio Recording Professional Gigs Blues
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other options
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Victory Amplifiers V140 Super DuchessTube Amplifier Head for Electric GuitarBased on the V40 Deluxebut with 100 W...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 572369
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Victory Amplifiers Sheriff 25 Lunch Box Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Victory Amplifiers Sheriff 25 Lunch Box Head

by Victory Amplifiers
Classic Rock Blues Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Heat generation during use

Victory Amplifiers Sheriff 25 Lunch Box HeadTube Amp Head for Electric Guitar2 Channels of classic British rock sound...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 572477
$1,385
Buy at Thomann View Details
Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle

by Victory Amplifiers
Studio Recording Jazz Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • Requires tube maintenance

Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 604384
$2,496
Buy at Thomann View Details
Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head Bundle

by Electro Harmonix
Blues Professional Gigs Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Requires tube maintenance

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head*Tube Amp Head for Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604381
$1,280
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Professional Gigs Studio Recording Jazz
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Dynamic playing response
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Heat generation during use

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622112
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Professional Gigs Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other options
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 559770
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 240V/UK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 240V/UK

by Hughes&Kettner
Classic Rock Jazz Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Heavier than other options

Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 240V/UKAmp Head for Electric GuitarUK model with 240 VPower: 40 watts4...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617127
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Studio Recording Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617030
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Blues Jazz Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617032
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UK

by Hughes&Kettner
Blues Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural compression and warmth
✓ PROS
  • • Dynamic playing response
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UKTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarUK model with 240 VAll-tubePower: 20...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617123
$611
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mesa Boogie Mark Five:35 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Mesa Boogie Mark Five:35 Head

by Mesa Boogie
Vintage Tones Professional Gigs Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Requires tube maintenance

Mesa Boogie Mark Five: 35 HeadAll-Tube Electric Guitar Amp HeadPower: 35 / 25 / 10 Wswitchable2 ChannelsPower tubes: 4x...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 375012
$2,969
Buy at Thomann View Details
Morgan Amplification MVP66 Head Twilight - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Morgan Amplification MVP66 Head Twilight

by Morgan Amplification
Classic Rock Vintage Tones Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Morgan Amplification MVP66 Head TwilightTube Amp Head for Electric Guitar1 ChannelBig KT66 tube sound with a defined...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 508395
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3

by Hughes&Kettner
Jazz Blues Professional Gigs
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3Amp Head for Electric GuitarAll-tubePower: Up to 150 WSix channels: 50s Californian...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 356794
$1,868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Professional Gigs Studio Recording Jazz
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Heat generation during use

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582827
$945
Buy at Thomann View Details
Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head

by Electro Harmonix
Professional Gigs Blues Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic vintage tone
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Heavier than other options

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 HeadTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarFaithful reissue of the original Sovtek MIG-50 from the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 538859
$784
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tube Guitar Heads

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced tube guitar heads typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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