Schlepping a heavy amp from home to practice to gig to home is not likely on any guitarist’s list of favorite things to do. So what to do? Technology today has allowed manufacturers to create amps that are light as a feather and small enough to actually fit on a pedalboard, like the 10 options highlighted here. Whether you’re just tired of schlepping, a fly gig warrior, or want a backup in case your big rig goes down, one of these little amps might belong on your ’board.
Stomp-Head 5
Designed with both fly rigs and everyday use in mind, this 40-/90-watt, 3-channel amp boasts a tube preamp, a Master Tube Design power section, noise gate, boost, and mode switch. The amp’s mix mode allows all three channels to run simultaneously.
Tone Block 200
This compact-yet-powerful solid-state amp delivers tube-like tone up to 200 watts and features gain, master, and contour controls, a proprietary direct out, and a universal power supply.
44 Magnum Power Amp
Able to fit in the palm of your hand, this box delivers 44 watts into 8 or 16 ohms, has a tone switch for toggling between neutral and a top-end boost, and can be driven to a natural, true-amplifier saturation.
Little Smasher
This 5-watt, full-fledged amp head has four, analog-modeled cascading gain stages with a range from chime-y clean to rock crunch. With its 4- to 16-ohm output impedance, this pedal-sized enclosure can drive up to a 4x12.
AMP1
This 100-watt amp features four channels (clean, vintage, classic, and modern), switchable and adjustable boost and reverb controls, three integrated footswitches, and a speaker simulation output for recording/headphones.
TGA-1-180D Mighty Minnie
Originally designed for Sonny Landreth, who needed a sized-for-pedalboard amp, the handbuilt TGA-1 can deliver 180 watts into 4 ohms and houses a full range of controls for gain, bass, midrange, treble, and master.
Mojo Diamond
This 5-watt, class-A/B amp was inspired by the sound of the Fender Tweed and manages to fit a 3-band EQ onboard its svelte enclosure. Other features include an effects loop, headphone out, and auxiliary in.
RG13
Features on this 3-channel, 1-watt floor amplifier include a switchable effects loop, volume-boost function, auxiliary in, headphone out, and a speaker-emulated XLR direct output with ground lift.
QuarterHorse Microamp
This 25-watt amp features a 2-channel design for delivering both clean and lead tones, and tape-delay and tremolo effects with full control. A micro-toggle selects the desired effects while the three integrated footswitches allow quick, one-touch channel selection.
Ethos Overdrive Amp
This compact, 30-watt (at 8 ohms) amp offers two independent channels with EQ and high-cut, tone-stack toggles for brite, modern/classic, and jazz/rock. Upgrades are available including a 3-band, post-overdrive EQ and/or an active effects-loop mod.
Shubb C8b Partial Capo for Drop-D Tuning - Brass
The C8 covers five of the six strings, leaving either the low E or high E string open, depending on how it's positioned.
- Standard setup: Placed on the 2nd fret while leaving the low E string open, it simulates Drop D-style sounds—except you're still in standard tuning (key of E). You get that big, droning bass feel without retuning.
- Reverse setup: Flipping the capo allows the high E string to ring, giving you shimmering drones and new melodic options across familiar chord shapes.
- A flexible tool that lets you simulate alternate tunings and create rich sonic textures—all while keeping your guitar in standard tuning.
Shubb C7b Partial Capo for DADGAD Tuning - Brass
The C7 covers three of the six strings—either D, G, and B or A, D, and G—depending on how it's flipped.
- Typical setup (D, G, B): Creates an open A chord shape at the 2nd fret without needing your fingers. This frees you up for new voicings and droning notes in the key of A.
- Reversed setup (A, D, G): Gets you close to a DADGAD-style tuning vibe, but still keeps you in standard tuning—great for modal, spacious textures often found in folk or cinematic guitar parts.
Use it alone or stack it with the C8 for wild, layered effects and truly out-of-the-box inspiration.
