The Best Guitar Amps 2023 is a list of the Top 5 new electric guitar amp models that you should be aware of. Each one offers something that makes it stand out amongst the hundreds of new releases so far this year. Be sure to read our Best Guitars 2023 and Best Effects Pedals 2023 as well.
Marshall Studio JTM ST20
Available as the Marshall Studio JTM ST20H Head * and as the Marshall Studio JTM ST20C Combo *, these two tube amps are well worth checking out.
They are rated at 20 watts with power reduction down to a comfortable 5 watts. Making them a good all-around tube amp for many guitarists.
British Tube Tone
Each one is powered by 2 x ECC83 preamp tubes, 1 x ECC83 (phase splitter), and 2 x 5881 power tubes.
With shared controls for treble, midrange, bass, and presence. Along with one channel with two voicings: High Treble (Loudness 1) and Normal (Loudness 2). Plus, four inputs (high/low sensitivity).
These amps have bags of classic British amp tones and should be perfect for many who want those blues/rock tones.
Outputs include a DI Out, a serial FX loop, and speaker outputs on 16 Ohm, 8 Ohm, and 4 Ohm. Marshall also makes cabinets with a matching 1×12 * and a 2×12 slant cabinet * available.
Laney Ironheart IRF-Dualtop
Next on the list is the new Laney Ironheart IRF-Dualtop model, which offers two channels and 60 watts of power. They also feature the Laney VARI WATT output that goes from 100% to <1% output.
These feature an onboard digital reverb that is based on the Secret Path algorithm and a switchable IR-loaded speaker-emulated XLR DI output.
This DI out has two switchable IRs for a 1 x 12 and 4 x 12 cab. Plus they have a cabinet-emulated headphone out and an Aux-in for use with backing tracks.
Making these solid-state amps good all-around amps for various scenarios.
Two Channels
The two channels each with its own set of controls. Channel 1 has its own independent gain and volume controls along with a triple-mode clipping switch that allows users to alter the nature of the gain. It offers Bright, Natural, and Dark modes. Plus, there is an A SIM mode that offers a more compressed sound.
Channel 2 also has its own independent gain and volume controls, but this time has a triple-mode EQ switch.
It also has a foot-switchable Boost, a 3-band passive EQ, and a built-in FX loop.
Orange OR30
The Orange OR30 is a loud amp and really excels at pushing plenty of air. This is a UK-built all-tube Class A amp head rated at 30 watts of power.
It uses a 5AR4 tube rectifier, 3 x 12AX7 preamp/phase inverter, a single 12AU7 in the fx loop, and 4 x EL84 power amp tubes.
Thankfully, the 30-watt output can be knocked down to a far more manageable 2-watt if required.
Tube Tone
This single-channel amp really is all about good tone and it has a minimal set of controls, which is a good thing. These consist of a foot-switchable second volume that will act as a volume boost when required.
Plus there is a three-way bright switch and a Presence control designed to work well at any volume.
This new model is available in either Orange * or Black * finishes.
Soldano SLO-30 Combo
These Soldano SLO-30 Combo models offer classic American boutique amp tones, and they are paired with a Celestion G12H-150 Redback speaker.
This tube monster is rated at 30 watts and uses five 12AX7 tubes in the preamp and two 5881/6L6 tubes in the power output.
Boutique
Two channels with independent Preamp and Master controls, means you have a lot to play with.
Along with instant switching from the Normal to Overdrive channels via the included footswitch.
They have a standard 3-band EQ plus a Presence control and the classic Soldano Depth control. This means that they will do that tight overdriven tone with no problem or loss of low-end, expect tight gain with these.
These are available in either black, purple, or snakeskin * finishes.
It also has an ultra-transparent tube-buffered effect loop and a variable slave output.
BOSS Katana-50 MK II EX
These affordable BOSS Katana-50 MK II EX * combos offer 50 watts of power and use modeling to achieve the amp tones.
With 5 amp types: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, Acoustic, and Adjustable.
Plus, 5 independent effects, 3 of which can be used simultaneously: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb.
Footswitch Control
With advanced features over the standard Katana-50 MkII * model, this model uses the GA-FC * and GA-FC EX * footswitch to select memories, turn effects on and off, and more.
Plus, they have a line output for sending mix-ready sounds to a PA in the house and the ability to connect a second Katana MkII amp with the Stereo Expand function.
And users can access the BOSS Tone Studio software to customise the sound with over 60 different BOSS effects, channel and global EQs, customisable routing.
It will also act as an audio interface for your DAW setup and has USB, and headphones/recording outputs with mic’d cabinet emulations.
Making this a great amp for any guitarist on a budget.
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