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Small Amps, BIG Sound: Spark Mini, VF-1, Jupiter 45 & Starlite Reverb

Small Amps, BIG Sound: Spark Mini, VF-1, Jupiter 45 & Starlite Reverbplay icon
Tom Butwin
By Tom ButwinAug 29, 2025
Tom Butwin
Tom Butwin is a freelance contributor to Premier Guitar and also a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and YouTube personality. He studied at Oakland University, and he's released three original records, as well as two musical theater cover albums. (Yes, musical theater. You read that correctly.) You can connect with him at https://www.TomButwin.com.
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From portable digital powerhouses to vintage-flavored tube tone machines, Premier Guitar contributor Tom Butwin puts four very different low-powered amps through their paces.

If you’re a tinkerer searching for new tonal colors, a traveler who needs great sound in a compact package, or a tone chaser looking for the perfect studio companion, one of these amps has you covered. From quiet practice sessions to mic’d-up gigs, sometimes less really is more.

big soundjupiter 45lowpowered ampsportable digital powerhousessmall ampsspark ministarlite reverbvf1vintageflavored tube tone

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