Best Tube Guitar Heads Under $5,000 2026

Affordable tube guitar heads under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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 V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Morgan Amplification MVP66 Head Twilight - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner

Studio Recording Professional Gigs Jazz

Key Feature:

• Professional sound quality

✓ PROS

• Natural compression and warmth
• Authentic tube saturation

✗ CONS

• More expensive than solid-state
• Requires tube maintenance

Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3*Amp Head for...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 620758

$2,023

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head

by Mesa Boogie

Blues Jazz Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Authentic tube saturation

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage tone
• Authentic tube saturation

✗ CONS

• Heat generation during use
• Requires tube maintenance

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 HeadAll Tube Electric Guitar Amp Head3 Channels: CleanLo Gain & Hi GainMulti-Soak...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 426618

$4,289

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 Head

by Mesa Boogie

Professional Gigs Studio Recording Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• Heat generation during use
• Needs separate speaker cabinet

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 HeadFull Tube Amp Head for Electric Guitar3 Channels: CleanLo Gain & Hi GainPower:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 403466

$3,519

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mesa Boogie Mark Five:35 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 Head

by Mesa Boogie

Classic Rock Blues Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• Requires tube maintenance

Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 HeadAmp Head for Electric GuitarAll-tube2 Independent switchable channels - each with 3...

⭐ 4.7/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 445525

$2,529

Buy at Thomann View Details

Morgan Amplification AC20 Head Twilight - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Morgan Amplification AC20 Head Twilight

by Morgan Amplification

Jazz Vintage Tones Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• Heat generation during use
• Requires tube maintenance

Morgan Amplification AC20 Head TwilightTube Top for Electric GuitarOffers typical EL84 "chime" and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 508840

$2,089

Buy at Thomann View Details

Friedman 70th Anniv. T-7020 Head Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Friedman 70th Anniv. T-7020 Head Bundle

by Friedman

Jazz Classic Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage tone
• Authentic tube saturation

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Heat generation during use

Friedman 70th Anniv. T-7020 Head Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Friedman T-7020 Head*Tube Head Amplifier for Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 603080

$2,397

Buy at Thomann View Details

Friedman Dirty Shirley Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Friedman Dirty Shirley Head

by Friedman

Classic Rock Vintage Tones Studio Recording

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Authentic tube saturation

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other options
• Requires tube maintenance

Friedman Dirty Shirley HeadAmp Head for Electric GuitarChannels: 1Power: 40 WattPreamp tubes: 3 x 12AX7Power tubes: 2 x...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 621867

$3,519

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bad Cat Cub V EL84 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Bad Cat Cub V EL84 Head

by Bad Cat

Studio Recording Professional Gigs Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Natural compression and warmth

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Heat generation during use

Bad Cat Cub V EL84 HeadTube Head for Electric GuitarPoint-to-point hand-wired designWide sound spectrumImproved...

⭐ 4.8/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602855

$2,969

Buy at Thomann View Details

Victory Amplifiers VS100 Super Sheriff Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Victory Amplifiers VS100 Super Sheriff Head

by Victory Amplifiers

Vintage Tones Professional Gigs Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic vintage tone

✓ PROS

• Dynamic playing response
• Professional sound quality

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Needs separate speaker cabinet

Victory Amplifiers VS100 Super Sheriff HeadTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarPerfect for guitarists looking for vintage...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 572485

$2,309

Buy at Thomann View Details

Tone King Imperial MK II Head BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Tone King Imperial MK II Head BK

by Tone King

Professional Gigs Studio Recording Blues

Key Feature:

• Professional sound quality

✓ PROS

• Professional sound quality
• Dynamic playing response

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• Heavier than other options

Tone King Imperial MK II Head BKTube Amp Head for Electric Guitar2 ChannelsPower: 20 WIntegrated Ironman II Compensated...

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 465785

$2,749

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bad Cat Jet Black Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Bad Cat Jet Black Head

by Bad Cat

Jazz Blues Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Professional sound quality

✓ PROS

• Classic vintage tone
• Natural compression and warmth

✗ CONS

• Heavier than other options
• Requires tube maintenance

Bad Cat Jet Black HeadTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarDynamic and responsive - shape your sound with the touch and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 602615

$2,419

Buy at Thomann View Details

Diezel D-Moll EL34 Classic Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Diezel D-Moll EL34 Classic Head

by Diezel

Jazz Vintage Tones Professional Gigs

Key Feature:

• Dynamic playing response

✓ PROS

• Natural compression and warmth
• Classic vintage tone

✗ CONS

• Requires tube maintenance
• Heat generation during use

Diezel D-Moll EL34 Classic HeadAll-Tube Head For GuitarsPower: 100 W2 1/2 ChannelsPower tubes: 4 x EL34Preamp tubes: 6...

⭐ 5.0/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 551620

$2,123

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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TOP

Best Tube Guitar Heads Under $5,000 2026

Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle

Morgan Amplification MVP66 Head Twilight

Hughes&Kettner Triamp Mark 3 Bundle

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 Head

Mesa Boogie Mark Five:35 Head

Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 Head

Morgan Amplification AC20 Head Twilight

Friedman 70th Anniv. T-7020 Head Bundle

Friedman Dirty Shirley Head

Bad Cat Cub V EL84 Head

Victory Amplifiers VS100 Super Sheriff Head

Tone King Imperial MK II Head BK

Bad Cat Jet Black Head

Diezel D-Moll EL34 Classic Head

How to Choose the Best Tube Guitar Heads

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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