Do I have to use the same brand of guitar amp head and cab?

No, not at all! Just mix and match for your perfect set up. All connections are via quarter inch jack so there are no compatibility problems from brand to brand.

What is the most popular valve guitar head?

This actually changes frequently but one of the most consistently popular amps is the 'lunchbox' sized Orange Dark Terror. Its monster-sized gain and beefy low end are most surprising given its compact size.

What does the Kemper modelling amp head do when it 'profiles' an amp?

Well, that involves a lengthy response to answer properly but in short, the Kemper is able to 'scan' all of the physical properties of any given amp and reproduce them virtually. It isn't just a matter of sampling a sound, but rather involves recreating all of the characteristics and subtleties of the physical performance of each amp it profiles. You can then save collections of these and have basically the world's greatest amp collection all stored in one handy device, ready to use. These results are unbelievable...you really need to experience one to believe it! We think ALL guitarists could benefit greatly from looking into this game-changing technology.

I really want a classic, all tube head for playing blues and rock. I don't want anything too heavy, sound-wise, just great vintage lead and rhythm tones. What should I be looking at?

This is one of the most hotly contested areas for amplifier manufacturers. That vintage, classic rock tone with more than a hint of 'plexi' and 'British Invasion' combined with the 'Texas' sound...we all want it! It is worth trying out a lot of amps with your favourite guitar but we have a few superb suggestions to start you off. Each of these has its own take on classic tube tone and all deserve your undivided attention: Suhr Badger 35, Mesa/Boogie Fillmore FL-50, Friedman Mini Dirty Shirley, Bogner Shiva EL34.

I play metal and want a valve head for gigging and recording. What should I be looking at?

We stock some of the best, most iconic metal/high-gain amp heads in existence! Each has its own unique sound and tonal properties but we would definitely invite you to try the following: EVH 5150 III 50w EL34 model, Orange Brent Hinds or Jim Root Terror heads, and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head. There are of course many other options but these three offer three distinct tonalities of 'heavy' as well as three different price points and therefore they are good way-markers in your search.

What is the deal with impedance and ohmage etc? I've heard you can blow up amps if you get it wrong!

The physics behind impedance and ohmage goes a little beyond the scope of this Q+A but the way to keep it simple is this: keep the numbers the same. For example, if your amp head has a switchable impedance of 4, 8 or 16 ohms and your cabinet says 16 ohms on the back, just select 16 ohms on your amp and connect with full confidence! This is really the only way you'll get the amp to sound as it was intended to by the designers and that's kind of the whole point, isn't it? If the numbers are impossible to match (say the amp is only 16 ohms and the cab is only 4 ohms which is rather unlikely but warrants sharing regardless), we would recommend not connecting the two. Perhaps find a more suitable component, be it amp head or speaker cab. If in doubt, consult your manual, contact the manufacturer or ask us!

Guitar Amp Heads | guitarguitar

Engl Marty Friedman INFERNO Signature E766 Valve Amp Head

£1,599.00

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Suhr PT-100 Signature Edition

£3,299.00

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Vox AC15CH Valve Amp Head

£599.00 £649.00

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Laney Ironheart SLS 300W Valve Amp Head

£579.00 £699.00

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PRS DGT 15 David Grissom Valve Amp Head

£649.00 £799.00

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£499.00

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Tone King Gremlin Valve Amp Head Black

£1,099.00

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EVH 5150III 50W Valve Amp Head EL34

£1,239.00 £1,449.00

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Awaiting Stock

£1,149.00 £1,349.00

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Friedman Vintage Series Plex Valve Amp Head

£2,399.00 £2,799.00

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Bad Cat Ocelot 20W Valve Amp Head

£1,219.00 £1,299.00

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Ex-Demo

Bogner JB45 KT66 Valve Amp Head (Ex-Demo) #044050

£2,499.00 £2,999.00

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Bad Cat Cub V EL84 15W Valve Amp Head

£2,399.00

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£3,799.00

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Mesa Boogie Mark Five 35 Valve Amp Head

£2,649.00

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Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 Valve Amp Head

£2,999.00 £3,099.00

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EVH 5150III 100S Black Valve Amp Head

£1,979.00 £2,099.00

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65 Amp The Whiskey Valve Amp Head (Pre-Owned) #WHISKH-06140147

£1,199.00

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Engl Marty Friedman INFERNO Signature E766 Valve Amp Head

Suhr PT-100 Signature Edition

Vox AC15CH Valve Amp Head

Laney Ironheart SLS 300W Valve Amp Head

PRS DGT 15 David Grissom Valve Amp Head

Engl Steve Morse Signature E656 Valve Amp Head

BOSS Katana Head Gen 3

BOSS Katana Artist Gen 3 Amp Head

Victory Amps V4 The Duchess Valve Amp Head - No Two Notes Version (Pre-Owned)

Tone King Gremlin Valve Amp Head Black

EVH 5150III 50W Valve Amp Head EL34

Engl E658 Steve Morse Signature 20 Valve Amp Head

Friedman Jake E Lee Signature Dual Tube Preamp Pedal

Victory Amps The Duchess V40MKII Lunchbox Valve Amp Head

Victory Amps Kraken VX Kraken MKII Lunchbox Valve Amp Head (Ex-Demo) #00396-0525

Laney Ironheart Foundry Series IRF Leadtop 60W Solid State Amp Head

Cort CMV15 Valve Amp Head

Marshall DSL20HR 20 Watt Valve Amp Head (Nearly New) #V011DF8DCH02-23

Orange Rocker 15 Terror Valve Amp Head (Nearly New) #07031-0624

Bad Cat Jet Black Valve Amp Head

Engl E670FE Founders Edition 6L6 100W Valve Amp Head

Engl E670FE Founders Edition EL34 100W Valve Amp Head

Engl Savage 120 Mark II E610II 120 Watt Valve Amp Head

Engl Artist Edition Blackout 100 Watt Valve Amp Head

Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature E650 Valve Amp Head

Friedman Vintage Series Plex Valve Amp Head

Bad Cat Ocelot 20W Valve Amp Head

Bogner JB45 KT66 Valve Amp Head (Ex-Demo) #044050

Bad Cat Cub V EL84 15W Valve Amp Head

Bogner Snorkler 50 Valve Amp Head

Laney Black Country Customs Ironheart 60 Valve Amp Head

Victory Amps V30 Countess MKII Valve Amp Head (Pre-Owned) #00457-00119

Synergy Amps SYN-20IR All Tube Head (Ex-Demo) #10402509182

Red Seven Amplification Kali MK II Valve Amp Head (Ex-Demo) #21004

Mesa Boogie Fillmore 100 Medium Valve Amp Head

Mesa Boogie Mark VII Head (Nearly New) #M7-001326

Mesa Boogie Mark Five 35 Valve Amp Head

Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-50 Valve Amp Head

EVH 5150III 100S Black Valve Amp Head

65 Amp The Whiskey Valve Amp Head (Pre-Owned) #WHISKH-06140147

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