A combo amp has the amplifier and one or two speakers in the same cabinet: one box, one cable, done. A head is just the amplifier; you connect it to a separate speaker cabinet with a speaker cable. A head on a 4x12 is the classic stack.
On November 3, 2026, Thomann had these in stock:
| Models | Median price | From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tube combos | 114 | $1,533 | $167 |
| Tube heads | 178 | $2,018 | $145 |
| 1x12 cabinets | 61 | $470 | $100 |
| 2x12 cabinets | 55 | $762 | $190 |
| 4x12 cabinets | 39 | $1,255 | $268 |
Heads look more expensive in the medians because so many boutique amps are sold only as heads. Compare the same amp both ways and the picture flips.
The same amp, both ways
| Amp | Head | Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Super Crush 100 | $542 | $828 |
| Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 | $639 | $784 |
| Quilter Aviator Mach 3 | $952 | $1,569 |
| PRS DGT 15 | $952 | $1,457 |
| Friedman Little Sister | $1,614 | $2,063 |
| Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 | $2,522 | $2,915 |
| Mesa Boogie Mark VII | $4,687 | $4,640 |
In 15 of the 19 amps Thomann sells both ways, the head is cheaper, typically by $100 to $600. Then you need a cabinet.
PRS DGT 15 Head, $777
A 15-watt all-tube head with two EL84s, reverb, tremolo and a boost, the small version of David Grissom's signature amp. #61 of 171 tube guitar heads.
PRS DGT 15 Cabinet 1x12, $355
The matching cabinet. Together, head and cab cost $1,310, less than the $1,457 combo. #22 of 51 1x12 guitar cabs.
That's the best case: a cheap matching cab. With Friedman's Little Sister, the head is $449 cheaper than the combo, but Friedman's own 1x12 cabinets cost $829 to $896, so the stack ends up dearer. An Orange PPC112 at $362 or a Marshall 1960AV 4x12 at $1,177 changes the sums again.
When a combo is better
Boss Katana Artist Gen 3, $778
100 watts into a 12-inch speaker, six amp types, five effect sections and a solo boost, in one box for $784. #16 of 98 modelling guitar combos.
A combo is easier to carry and set up, and the amp and speaker are matched at the factory. For practice, rehearsal and most club gigs, one 1x12 or 2x12 combo is plenty, and most modelling amps only come as combos: Thomann has 97 modelling combos against two modelling heads.
When a head and cab are better
- You want to change the speaker sound later, or use two cabinets.
- You play loud stages and want a 2x12 or 4x12 behind you.
- You carry the amp up stairs: a head and a 1x12 are two lighter trips instead of one heavy one.
- You record with a load box: a head goes straight to it, no speaker needed.
Where the numbers come from. Every guitar amp and cabinet Thomann had in stock on November 3, 2026, from its partner feed, without bundles and covers. Head and combo pairs are amps whose names differ only by "head" or "combo"; we compare the cheapest of each. Prices are Thomann's US-dollar prices.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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