10 Reviews: Best Guitar Amp for Grunge (Apr 2024)

The iRig Micro Amp is a portable amplifier that enables you to do more. It includes three custom-voiced analog channels: clean, driving, and lead, and it is louder than anticipated at 15W RMS. The true magic of the iRig Micro Amp is a high-quality connection to your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. The AmpliTube CS program for Mac/PC features 10 amp and 26 stompbox models, as well as 9 amp and 10 stomp models from AmpliTube 4. Because of its connection, you may also utilize all of your favorite programs and software. Songwriting, learning new songs, rehearsing favorite chords, and even recording your own music are all options. All of this is contained in a portable, ultra-compact container. You’ll never run out of fresh ideas with the iRig Micro Amp.

IK Multimedia iRig products were the most sought out products in every category—churches needing to stream, businesses, schools. You name the category, they had a solution for it.

by Ed Spence

This is a reproduction of one of the most iconic Fender valve amps of all time, the original Twin Reverb. It generated a large tube tone that was clear, deep, and powerful, with world-class Fender reverb and vibrato effects. Since then, the Twin Reverb has been the go-to amp for vintage Fender sound for innumerable guitarists. The ’68 Custom Twin Reverb Amp pays homage to Fender’s late-’60s “silver-face” amps’ renowned design, sound, and performance. Both channels include reverb and tremolo, and the “custom” channel features a redesigned Bassman tone stack that provides current guitarists more tonal versatility with pedals. The amp also has a faster gain onset and less negative feedback for improved touch sensitivity. The twin 12″ Celestion G12V-70 speakers in the ’68 Custom Twin Reverb provide a more unique rock ‘n’ roll taste.

The Vox AC10C1 guitar amplifier combination delivers classic Top Boost tone in a small, all-tube package. This 10-watt all-tube combination delivers vintage Vox tones through a unique Celestion 10″ speaker. Volume, treble, bass, reverb, and gain settings let you tune in anything from clean to crunch with distinct Vox characters. Volume and gain settings let you tune in anything from a clean, chimey, vintage Vox sound to severe overdrive — and everything in between. The Vox AC10C1 is a powerful and touch-responsive British tube combination.

The Vox AC10C1 is simply wonderful! Powerfully loud, crisp and clear, easy-to-use, intuitive controls, sturdily built—I will have and enjoy this product for many years to come. [...]

by Mike

Mesa/Mark Boogie’s Five: 25 tube combination has two totally independent channels, each with six style settings, and a patented Dyna-Watt 2 x EL84 output section. For the ultimate in mobility and responsiveness, go no further than this amp from the Mark Series. Put more midrange grit and fury into your cleans and leads with the EL84 power tubes cranked up all the way. Celestion Custom G10 Creamback speakers provide the richness and unmistakable growl of classic British guitar tone. Adding in the built-in Cabclone speaker-emulated direct output, the Mark Five: 25 tube amplifier from Mesa/Boogie is an excellent live and recording amp.

The tiny little Mesa Boogie Mark Five 25 Combo is really quite an awesome little tube amp. Without going into too many details as deeper The tiny little Mesa Boogie Mark Five 25 Combo is really quite an awesome little tube amp. [...]

by Bill Harris

Despite just having one input connection, this Marshall amplifier2 has four channels. You may use it in a broad variety of situations because of its familiar tone. It’s a treat to see the clear channel, which is bright and cheery. This amp may not be as good as Fender’s, but it’s all about personal preference. The clear channel is undeniably excellent. As its name implies, the gain is set to maximum in Ultra-gain. High-performance enthusiasts will be pleased to have the option. You’ll be able to compress up to four channels at once using the crunch button. Crunch and reverb are two of the most often used effects in music production. The reverb of the Marshall amp isn’t very impressive, but it’s still fairly pleasant. Even at 40 watts, this amp is more than capable of making its presence known.

This is the perfect size combo for practicing at home or for small shows. Sounds amazing at all volume levels and it's very versatile.

by Steven herzog

You can get a BOSS amp for less than the cost of a tube amp, pedals, and connections. The BOSS Katana MKII-212 has 12” speakers, like the Fender Twin Reverb. With 100 Watts of solid-state power, the Katana MKII-212 can easily handle any loud band. It’s cheap, and it’s produced by BOSS, so it has plenty of excellent FX built-in. With the footboard, you can avoid buying FX pedals. The first knob is “Amp Type,” which lets you choose the amp you desire. It has five positions and a variation knob. For a loud/quiet grunge effect, alternate Clean and other varieties. Set up your presets with a heavy dirty channel and a clean channel with Mod FX like chorus or tremolo. Then we can change the Cabinet Resonance button on the far right to “Vintage” and obtain a Twin Reverb plus three or four pedals for a fraction of the cost. 

[...] I think it's safe to say you'll get the sound you're looking for, from a bluesy jazz to a soft clean to grunge to metal, and more. [...]

by Bill

You should check out the 6505 if you play guitar in an extreme metal band. The cost may be costly for those of us who prefer to play at home or are on a tight budget. This is an exceptionally potent setup, too, with 120 Peavey watts of power. A great amp for most people, however, it may be too much amp for certain guitarists. Gigging musicians can bring this beast to a show and use it as a sound. If you’re a metal guitarist looking for a loud, great-sounding combo, this is an excellent choice. Despite sacrificing a few speakers and some bodyweight, the 112 combination appears to retain all of the ferocious 6505 tones. However, because of the larger cabinet, you won’t get the same stereo imaging as you would with four 12-inch speakers.

[...] There's quite a bit of gain on tap here, enough for classic rock of any variety, even 80's/90's hard rock, grunge, alternative. This would be a complete, excellent amp with only the rhythm channel. But there's more.... [...]

by Slashaholic Anonymous

For those in metal bands looking for an affordable setup that won’t break the bank, this is an excellent option to consider. Numbers of rock and metal musicians, like the late Darrell Abbott of Pantera and Damage Plan, have turned to Randall for his iconic tone, and many of them have rediscovered Randall in the last decade or so as a consequence. Randall not only produces some of the best solid-state amplifiers available, but they also produce some incredible tube amplifiers, such as the monster 667 and the Thrasher Series.

Let me start off by saying that this thing sounds great for what it costs. If you have the money for a tube amp and that's what you want, get a tube amp. [...]

by Bryan Phillips

Let’s take a moment to recall that this is a 3-watt amp with a 3-inch speaker before we get into the review. Expecting the same level of sonic quality as a 50-watt 1×12 combination will leave you disappointed. This is a little amplifier, and that’s exactly what it sounds like, too. It does, however, sound fantastic for such a little amp. With the switch turned on, the overdrive sounds thick and rich, but you can also dial down the gain and turn off the OD for a more transparent sound. Although the EQ adjustment is restricted, you may still generate a wide variety of tones. We’d even think the Fly would be a good first amp for someone just starting out on guitar and trying to save a few dollars. The sound quality and functionality of certain 10-watt entry-level amps are unquestionably inferior to those of more expensive models. We feel that the amp’s design is to credit for its great sound quality. This small box, as previously said, is substantial and well-built. Like the big-boy amps, a well-built cabinet has a significant impact on tone.

This unit is best in its class by a mile. I bought it for travel reasons it is small but will get good volume out of it. The clean channel is excellent for its size. You can dial in a nice crunch distortion as well. Not high gain enough for metal but you can get some good punk tones or rock/ grunge rock tones. [...]

by Matthew Hans Wood

In search of gut-punching tones? The Orange Crush 20 guitar combo amplifier will fulfill your thirst for highly-responsive overdrive and mind-blowing levels of precise saturation at an extremely affordable price. The Crush 20RT guitar amplifier, which has two foot-switchable channels, delivers massive, wide-ranging tones that will transport you back to the days of no-nonsense, old-school guitar amplifiers. The Crush 20RT also has an integrated tuner and reverb as well as Orange’s revolutionary CabSim circuit, which authentically emulates a 4×12″ cabinet’s muscle over the headphone/line output. The Orange Crush 20RT is a fantastic guitar combination amplifier that you should check out!

I am a first time guitar player. I want quality -- always. Could not be happier with this Orange amp. All the reviews are dead on. Buy it... you will love it as well. Does not crack!

by Kurt