Not every gig requires a pair of 4x12 cabs and a 100-watt head. (Sadly.) We’ve rounded up a handful of lunchbox-sized heads that can deliver crystal-clean tones, dirty crunch, and ripping lead tones—all in a very portable package.
6 Lunchbox Amps that Pack a Punch | Tools for the Task
PRS MT15
The MT15 is a commanding two-channel amp with balanced aggression and articulation, designed with PRS Signature Artist Mark Tremonti.
prsguitars.com
Hughes and Kettner GrandMeister Deluxe 40
The GrandMeister Deluxe 40 combines all-tube tones and smart control features in a supremely playable package. Every knob and switch setting can be easily saved, stored, and recalled.
hughes-and-kettner.com
Orange Rocker 15 Terror
Capable of 15, 7, 1, or 0.5 watts of output, the Rocker 15 Terror is a two-channel, bedroom-friendly, all-tube amp that you can legitimately gig with!
orangeamps.com
Peavey Invective.MH Mini Head
Designed with Periphery's Misha Mansoor and packed with all-tube metal mayhem, the Invective.MH delivers the ultimate metal tone with legendary gain, pristine clean, and the advanced functionality modern players demand.
peavey.comMesa/Boogie Mark Five: 25 Head
The Mark Five: 25 delivers 2 channels, 6 modes, and a collection of the renowned Mark Series preamp circuits served up with a brash attitude packaged in compact format.
mesaboogie.com
Revv G20
Inside this high-gain powerhouse sits embedded Two-Notes technology, Revv’s classic purple channel, three different aggression levels, and tons more.
revvamplification.com
The Schaffer Replica: Storm
The Schaffer Replica Storm is an all-analog combination of Optical Limiter+Harmonic Clipping Circuit+EQ Expansion+Boost+Line Buffer derived from a 70s wireless unit AC/DC and others used as an effect. Over 50 pros use this unique device to achieve percussive attack, copious harmonics and singing sustain.
My Bloody Valentine has a short discography made up of just a few albums and EPs that span decades. Meticulous as he seems to be, Shields creates texture out of his layers of tracks and loops and fuzz throughout, creating a music that needs to be felt as much as it needs to be heard.
We go to the ultimate source as Billy Corgan leaves us a message about how it felt to hear those sounds in the pre-internet days, when rather than pull up a YouTube clip, your imagination would have to guide you toward a tone.
But not everyone is an MBV fan, so this conversation is part superfan hype and part debate. We can all agree Kevin Shields is a guitarists you should know, but we can’t all agree what to do with that information.
