Top 9 Best Amps for Blues [2024]

Blues is one of the famous music genres in world music. If you are a Blues enthusiast or a Blues guitar player then this article is going to help you choose your amp for Blues.

I got the idea to write this article from my guitarist friend’s question which is roaming in my mind when I’m writing this.

A few days back, he told me that he wanted to learn Blues music and as he knows that I’m a good learner of music technology, he asked me to suggest some good Blues Guitar Amps.

I researched some of the amps available in the market and created this list.

I’ve shared that list with my friend and now I want to share it with you along with a short review of all of them.

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Excited?

Okay, let’s find out some of the best Amps for Blues.

First off,

1. Laney CUB-SUPER12

When it comes to guitar and bass amps, Laney is a well-established name in this field. This company was started in 1967 and since then has had a huge popularity among guitarists due to its unbelievable tonal quality and build.

Cub-Super 12 is a combo of affordability with superb sound and style.

It has five valves, of 3 are 12AX7s and a pair of EL84s along with HH Electronics H12-65 loudspeaker which is the secret behind the sound quality of this blues guitar amp.

With a dedicated tone is perfect for the blues genre.

Let’s take a look at its features,

Features

• Class AB power section technology makes it a perfect tube amp for blues guitar.
• The maximum power output is 15 watt
• 12″ drivers
• 12AX7 preamp tubes
• EL84 output tubes
• An external speaker socket is given to connect external speakers.
• Reverb, 3-band EQ, bass, and boost knobs are given to shape your tone.

Pros

• Perfect for blues guitarists
• The digital reverb and delay add depth to its tone
• Great build quality
• External speaker socket is helpful in connecting external speakers
• Affordable

Cons

• It needs the whole chassis removed to replace a defaulted valve
• No headphone out
• No aux out

Overall, this is a great guitar amp for you if you want to shape your guitar’s tone to rock and blues genres. It’s an affordable and stylish amp for stage performances and also performs well in the recording studio.

It all depends on your taste if you want to add digital reverb along with the EQ and boost the sound then this is a great accessory for your guitar.

Also, it’s affordable and small in size and can be portable anywhere.

2. Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb

Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb is one of the most used amps by the legends in the past. This amp was used on hundreds of hit songs for decades.

If you are searching for a high-quality tube tone with a clean and overdriven sound then this one is built for you. The main attraction of this amp is its long-spring Fender reverb and tube vibrato which adds to your guitar’s tone a top-notch analog feel.

The tremolo knob allows you to adjust the amount and speed of tremolo in the sound and the spring reverb adds a wet, shimmering ambient sound.

Features

• This guitar amp comes with 12 watts driver and 10″ Jensen® C10R speaker
• Single channel and dual inputs are given to play two instruments together
• Effects such as long-spring Fender reverb and tube tremolo make it a first choice among fender guitar players
• If you are a Fender lover then you will be amazed by its classic Fender look

Pros

• Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb is a compact and easy-to-carry amp that you can use in concerts, recording and in your living room
• The long spring reverb is perfect for blues lovers
• Warm, analog and balanced tonal quality
• You can feel the tube harmonics in every sound level from the lowest to the loudest

Cons

• It’s not an affordable tube amp
• Limited wattage demands an extra amplification device

So, the Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb amp is a legendary tube amp for blues and rock guitarists. However, the price is way more than other tube amps.

Well, the long spring reverb and the tremolo (vibrato) are the perfect pair of effects for guitar and bass and add a clean analog feel that guitarists really want.

If you afford its pricing then it is not disappointing and gives you one of the best tube tonal quality for guitars.

3. Blackstar Studio 10 6L6

Blackstar is another well-known name in the world of guitar and bass amps. Recently they have released 3 new tube amps EL34, 6L6 & KT-88 of which we’ll discuss 6L6 as it’s one of the best amps for the blues genre.

Blackstar has a 6L6 output valve and an ECC83 in the preamp stage which provides an American bright clean sound and searing lead tone suitable for the blues genre.

It has a built-in overdrive circuit which is the inspiration from HT-Drive pedal. Controls like Gain, Tone, Reverb, Master, and Drive Button allow you to shape the tone to the next level.

Features

• It has 6L6 power tubes which power up it to produce a distinctive tone and performance
• the 12-inch speaker is sufficient to deliver a balanced and rich output
• Best-in-class design and style
• The class A mode gives you a warm and responsive tone
• It is designed for different musical genres including blues and rock

Pros

• Great tonal quality suitable for different playing styles and genres
• Provides presence to your guitar’s sound
• The mid is superb
• A built-in reverb is given to add some presence to the tone
• You will also get a foot-switchable drive channel

Cons

• If you don’t love trebly and brite sound then it’s not suitable for you
• It has only one tone knob which limits the tonal options

As I have said above, if you don’t love the trebly and bright tone then this is not built for you. However, it is a great tube amp for the guitarist who wants to experiment with different tonal structures.

The price is not so affordable, well, we can say it’s a mid-range tube amp.

But, it is a great addition to the blues guitarist as it has some great tones that the blues genre requires.

4. Fender Blues Junior IV

Fender Blues Junior IV is specially built for Blues Genre. Its modified preamp circuitry, smooth-sounding spring reverb and improved aesthetics make it one of the best Blues guitar amp in the world.

The Celestion 12″ A-Type speaker powered with 15-watt amp is the perfect combination of clean sound and presence.

Whether it’s a stage or studio it will definitely be worth it for all types of applications.

It’s modified preamp circuitry and the state-of-the-art spring reverb is really a great combination of power and cleanliness in the sound.

Features

• Controls – Reverb, Master, Middle, Bass, Treble, Fat Switch and Volume
• Modified state-of-the-art spring reverb
• 15 watts maximum power output
• Celestion 12″ A-Type speaker which is the main ingredient in the mix
• A 1-button footswitch is given for FAT mid-boost

Pros

• Excellent build
• Ideal for working with pedals
• Fat channel allows you to add the right amount of grit
• Compact and easy to carry
• 3-band EQ is given to shape your tone

Cons

• Not so clean
• Not ideal for rock and similar genres
• Low sound compared to other amps

Overall, this amp is great for the blues genre but it’s not ideal for other genres which require more distortion. So, you have to choose this wisely. If you want it to work only with the blues genre then this is a great amp for you.

But if you play more genres then this is not for you.

5. Marshall Origin20C

Marshall is a well-known British amp manufacturer in the world. Even most of the famous guitarists and bassists had Marshall in thier assessors list.

Marshall’s Origin 20C is a 20W combo amp designed for players who love heavy distortion.

The Celestion V-type speaker gives it the power to produce the sound that you want as a blues guitarist.

A 2-way footswitch is given to allow you to control the gain boost and turn the FX loop on and off.

If you love rich, harmonic tones then this one is definitely built for you.

You will get controls like Gain, boost, tilt, bass, middle, treble, master, presence and powerstem which allows you to shape the sound according to your needs.

The powerstem control is amazing. It allows you to change high, medium, or low power modes according to the listening environment.

Features

• Three ECC83 preamp tubes and two EL34 power tubes give it the power that produces a rich, harmonic tone
• The box has 10-inch Celestion V-type speaker
• You will get controls like Gain, master, presence, 3-band EQ, and powerstem
• Tilt control allows you to adjust between a subtle Marshall tone to a bright trebly tone
• Footswitch function allows you to add gain and overdriven sound
• Powerstem allows you to adjust the output power as per your need

Pros

• Stylish and sleek design
• Value for money
• Powerstem feature lets you adjust the output power
• Rich, harmonic tone perfect for Blues
• Sounds clear at low output levels

Cons

• High price
• Not suitable for the metals genre

If you love the legend of Marshall then this amp is best for your Blues sessions However you can use this amp in other genres too due to its rich and harmonious tonal structure.

Well, Marshall amps are costly so if you afford the price, this one is one of the best options for your Blues sessions.

6. Fender 57 Custom Champ

Do you love small things?

Then this guitar amp is built for you. Fender 57 Custom Champ is a 5 watt amp but don’t judge it as a tiny peace.

It produces great sound as you need in your practice sessions. It is one of the most popular amplifiers of all time used by the musicians.

The original 5F1 circuit with Fender’s Pure Vintage yellow capacitors and Schumacher transformers gives it the power and tonal quality that you require in live sessions and recordings.

Features

• The single 12AY7 preamp tube, single 6V6 power amp tube, and single 5Y3GT rectifier tube are the features behind its clean and crispy sound.
• You will get a single 8″ 4-ohm Weber Special Design alnico speaker which produces a maximum 5-watt power output
• comes with a protective cover

Pros

• Enough sound for practice sessions
• Rich and crispy sound quality
• Best in class for recordings and live sessions

Cons

• Expansive compared to other same-range amps
• Lack of reverb and tonal controls

If you want a guitar amp that you can carry anywhere easily then you can go with Fender 57 Custom Champ.

This lightweight but powerful guitar amp is ideal for small room recordings, practice sessions, and gigs, however, you need external power to boost its sound in some cases.

7. Friedman PT-20

Friedman PT-20 is a 20-watt single-channel, tube guitar amp that sounds like a 100-watt amp as some say.

It is hand-wired and can produce sound for a variety of music styles, from blues to heavy metal. Controls like three-band EQ, master volume, and gain controls allow you to shape the tone as per your genre and need.

Comes with an effects loop for delay and reverb effects this amp is great for all types of genres.

PT-20 is a versatile guitar amp and loud enough for stage performances along with recordings and live sessions.

Features

• 20-watt All-Tube power output
• Single Channel speaker cabinet
• Hand-wired by the trained engineers of the USA
• 12AX7 Preamp Tubes and 2x EL84 Power Tubes
• Controls like Bass, Middle, Treble, Master, Gain.
• Effects Loop.

Pros

• Great low end perfect for bass
• Ultra clear high-end
• Produces tight and punchy bass suitable for Blues
• High power output

Cons

• very expansive
• Not suitable for small room sessions

So, if you want high power output then you can go with Friedman PT-20 guitar amp. This amp is suitable for all types of genres including Blues so you can use it in Blue smoothly.

The best thing is that you will get a tight punchy bass and smooth high end which is great for the Blues genre.

However, it is very expensive so if you afford it then this is a good amp for you otherwise you can go for affordable ones.

8. Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb

Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb is a massive power generator in the world of guitar amps. It has 100-watt power circuitry that gives it the headroom and dynamic range of the original vintage Deluxe tube amp.

It proves that Febder has successfully modeled the circuitry and 22-watt power output of the original Deluxe tube amp.

The single Jensen® N-12K neodymium speaker allows it to process toward the sonic state that a guitarist really wants in his performance.

However, it’s a digital counterpart of a vintage power amp, so you will not be disappointed by its tone quality, power output, and features.

Features

• A Jensen N-12K neodymium speaker is given to process the tone to the next level
• You will get two channels Normal and Vibrato, each with two inputs
• You will get a rear panel output selection switch to attenuate between 5 power outputs
• Balanced XLR line output IR reverb
• Lightweight cabinet

Pros

• The cabinet is built from pine cabinet which is excellent in build quality
• Lightweight
• Clean and bright tone and overdrive
• Maximum power output is 100-watt which gives it excellent headroom

Cons

• No effects loops are given

Well, this is an emulated version of the original Deluxe tube amp, though it produces almost real sound and tone of the original cabinet.

You will get a 100-watt huge power output which is great for gigs and live performances on the stage, however, it’s not built for home use.

If you love high power output amps then this one will not disappoint you.

9. Vox AC15C2

If you love the authentic British tone then Vox AC15C2 amp is built for you. Its 15-watt EL84 driver and Celestion Greenback speakers provide the power to generate the tone with which you will fall in love.

You will get Master Volume control, Master Tone Cut, Normal Volume, Top Boost Volume, Top Boost Bass, Top Boost Treble and other essential features that any guitarist wants in his amp.

The spring reverb and classic VOX tremolo get the same vintage effect used by several artists over the years.

Features

• Tube amp
• Two channels
• 15 watts maximum power output
• 2 speakers each of 12″ are given
• 3 Pramp tubes and 1 power tube
• Spring reverb and tremolo effects are given

Pros

• Clean and overdriven tone with that you will fall in love
• Medium power output suitable for gig
• Natural compression of the tube amp
• Clear harmonics

Cons

• No foot-switchable channels

Vox is one of the well-known British guitar amp brands made of optical tubes that produce sweat distortion in high volume.

If you love that tone then you can give a try to this amp.

In Blues, this British tone is very popular so you should definitely try this amp in your gigs.

Blues Amps Buying Guide for Blues

However, we have reviewed the top 9 best amps for blues, you may want to choose one on your own research.

If yes then this is the blue amps buying guide that you can follow to choose the best ones.

Let me start with modeling comparison.

Tube Vs Solid-State Modeling Amps

There are two types of amps.

Tube and Solid State modeling amps.

Tube amps are made of glass vacuum tubes that distort with a pleasant tone at high volumes and that’s the real beauty of a tube amp.

On the other hand, Solid State Modeling amps are made of transistors. There is a distinct tonal difference between these two types of amps.

Tube amps produce a more pleasant tone compared to Solid State Amps. Before the invention of transistors, tube amps were common among guitarists, however, the invention of transistors changed the game.

Well, I always loved tube amps due ot their pleasant distortion that I miss in Solid State Modeling amps.

Keep in mind that, tube amps are always higher in price than transistor-based amps. So, if you want to get a more authentic tone then you have to spend more money.

How Much Power Do You Need?

This is one of the main and common questions when it comes to choosing an amp. How much power you need depends on the venue where you commonly perform or practice.

If it’s a small room then you don’t need a 100 watts amp. But if you have to perform outdoors or gig with others in a big room or concert then you definitely need more power.

So, choose the output power of your amp according to your uses.

Power also affects the price of the amp. More power means you’ve to pay more price.

Types of Guitar Amps

When it comes ot the taste and tonal structure of the amp, there are several types of amps available in the market.

However we’ll discuss two main types,

American & British Guitar Amps

American and British guitar amps are just divided according to the tonal structure of the amp.

British amps generally include EL34 or EL84 power valves. These amps distort more softly at high volume. Some common British amp brands are Marshall, Vox, and Orange.

In American amps, 6L6s or 6V6 valves are used. These valves sound clean and the sound is crystal clear and they have a good amount of headroom.

As they have a good amount of headroom, they don’t distort even in high volume. So, you will actually miss the pleasant crackle in the sound.

Some common American amp brands are Fender and Boogie Amps.

Combos Vs Stack Amps

The main difference between Combo and Stack amps is in the Combo amp, the speaker and the amp are fitted in the same cabinet, but in the stack amp, the amplifier is fitted separately above the head of the cabinet.

Combo amps are great for small rooms and gigs but Stack amps are best fitted in the live concerts and big events as they produce more power than Combo amps.

These are some of the points to consider when choosing a blues guitar amp.

Conclusion

Now that you have the list of 9 best Amps for Blues and also you’ve learned the blues amp buying guide, I think you are no longer confused about the choice of your amp.

If you ask me to choose one among them on the list then I would choose Marshall Origin20C for British tone and Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb for American tone.

Now it’s time to wrap up this guide and list of blue guitar amps. If I missed something let me know in the comments so that I would add to this guide.

Have a great Blues playing.

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