tube amps

Get the facts on guitar amps with answers to ten FAQs from the experts at Premier Guitar.

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The Victorilux comes in the 3x10 configuration discussed by our columnist, plus 2x12 and 1x15 combos.

Our columnist is a Fender die-hard but finds thrills in an inspired modern alternative: the Victoria Victorilux.

I am extremely loyal to vintage Fender amps. I love their clean and transparent tones, and how their simplicity makes for amplifiers that are not only collectable but serviceable. I do play other guitars and amps besides Fenders, although I have to admit that I always measure them against the brand and often try dialing them to a sound as close as possible to Fender tone. But this month I want to share a story about a Fender-inspired amp that I love: the Victoria Victorilux.

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The Champ better watch its back.

Super versatile tone control. Throaty voice and impressive mass for a 5-watt, 8-inch-speaker amp. Happy with pedals. Drop-dead gorgeous.

Hefty price tag for a little amp.

$1,299

Magnatone Starlite
magnatoneusa.com

5
5
4.5
4

The fact that small amps excel—and can sound really big—in studio situations isn’t news as much as it’s audio engineering gospel. But while little amps like the Fender Champ, Gibson Skylark, and Danelectro DM10 have been pulling feats of trompe-l’oeil on records for decades, some small combos still sound bigger and badder than others. And I feel pretty good about making the case for Magnatone’s new 5-watt Starlite as one of the biggest sounding—and most flexible—little amps that’s ever joined this club of overachievers.

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