Amp Reviews

Leo Fender’s favorite amp, recreated? Fender ’62 Super Amp review

By Martin Smith published 26 January 26

The original, ’62-era Super was said to be Leo Fender's favorite amp. Let’s see if this exacting recreation captures the original magic

“Making digital modeling a more viable option for those who miss the sound and feel of a real amp”: Line 6 Powercab CL 112 review

By Pete Emery published 20 January 26

Missing on-stage sound? Find FRFR cabs unnatural? Line 6's latest Powercab offers a traditional speaker, primed for digital modelers

“All the grin-inducing firepower of the full-flight 5150”: EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Head

By Martin Smith published 4 January 26

The bombastic benchmark of the ‘brown’ sound has been channelled through a single-ended EL34 power section and hybrid preamp, with significant volume and price savings

"I doubt Orange could have made this unit any simpler or more reliable": Orange Valve Tester MKII review

By Martin Smith published 22 December 25

Orange improves its foolproof valve tester with enhanced compatibility and upgraded quality

“One of the best-sounding headphone amps for guitar I’ve had my hands on”: Blackstar Beam Solo review

By Matt McCracken published 9 December 25

Blackstar enters a very busy market with their take on the ubiquitous headphone amp for guitar

“A tighter, louder and gutsier tone from an already stellar-sounding amp”: Bad Cat Mod Shop Black Cat 30 review

By Martin Smith published 6 December 25

Remixed and refreshed by the late, great amp-guru Mark Sampson, this Black Cat has two more tubes, 10 more watts and a whole new voice

“Can absolutely replace going the traditional route of a practice amp”: Positive Grid Spark Neo Core review

By Matt McCracken published 28 October 25

PG's follow-up to its first wireless amp-headphone solution for guitar gives players a massive price cut, but it doesn't get everything right

“The standard-bearer against which to judge all small combo amps”: Fender Blues Junior IV 30th Anniversary review

By Martin Smith published 27 October 25

Decked out in tooled western-style livery with a saddle bag’s worth of speaker and circuit upgrades, this anniversary edition stands strong in the lineage of the classic benchmark combo

"Adding a few tweaks to the winning formula… The perfect pedal platforms": Victory V40 The Duchess Mark II review

By Pete Emery published 7 October 25

Learning some tricks from the development of the super high-end MK Clean, Victory upgrades the Duchess range

“A new benchmark for heavy guitar sounds at a relatively accessible price point”: Blackstar DA100 Ruby review

By Martin Smith published 25 September 25

Blackstar created this fire-breathing signature head for guitar icon Doug Aldrich. But does it rock our world?