The best portable guitar amps

[marcello252]

Peavey Classic 30 is slightly larger and heavier but another highly gigged amp in small bars and clubs.

I played for years with that boy but I had to change the speaker, I hated the original, I put a Jensen C12K and it was much much better

 

[Securb]

Thanks, all I got my column posted. I plan on doing part II on powered speaker setups.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2023/76619/po...ready-guitar-amps-you-can-carry-with-one-hand

 

[Mincer]

Great list and article. I own 2 of them on there!

 

[ehdwuld]

Great list

I am super curious about the Blackstar
I know th Fender and Peavey sound great

Weird the C30 is the heaviest and smallest of the bunch

 

[Securb]

I am super curious about the Blackstar

It looks good on paper, and all of the clips I have heard are fantastic. I would love to get my hands on one in the wild.

 

[ErikH]

On the used market, the VOX AV30. Sadly discontinued but at 30 watts and a 10" speaker, it comes in at just over 23 lbs. The offset handle with the light weight makes it easy to carry and with 2 channels and 11 "voicings" per, plus the 2 digital effects (mod, reverb, delay), it has everything for a rehearsal, jam session or gig. I still use this amp and it can be plenty loud to get over a loud acoustic drum set. Mic it up if you need more in the FOH. And since used is all that is available, they won't break the bank either. I bought mine brand new in the box not long after they were available.

 

[maug2122]

As for myself a 2x12 and Crate Power Block, great pedalboard platform .

 

[Aceman]

My Valvestate VS100R fits the bill perfectly

Lightweight, and 100watts on tap if needed.

 

[jeremy]

did a 90 minute set with an esquire straight into that 5f2 yesterday, quite nice actually but needed a good amount in the monitor

 

[El Dunco]

As for myself a 2x12 and Crate Power Block, great pedalboard platform .

So true. Whether it’s pedals, preamps or rack or pedals. Nobody online (according to searching online exhaustively) that Digitech’s RP1000 (and by extension their GSP rack version with more power and features) has one of the best Mesa Mk IV sims I’ve ever heard! It is literally over a decade ahead of its time.


I used to use external preamps in the amp loop to use it for its switching/routing features and fantastic effects but since discovering the Mk IV preamp, I can save on freight, transport and stage real eastate!

Similar to you maug, it’s absolute best with something to act as a fairly flat, fairly clean tube power section (like your valvulator,) good enough for an expensive amp sound in the studio but even without any tubes in the signal and straight into that powerful, loud and clean Class D power and good speakers, it doesn’t lose too much “magic” and becomes useable and is absolutely fine, audible and /awesome/ live from everything minus the cabinet being able to fit in a guitar case!

i gotta hear your setup dude. I’m obsessed! I must know how it sounds! I’ll show you mine. I’ll even A/B with a 12AX7 at proper, non-starved voltage before the Powerblock, then without! I’m sick with a major soft-tissue injury right now, I’m in so much pain.

Just do it for me as a “get well soon” and early Christmas gift. I’m obsessed and in pain! I’m need to know maug!! It looks so cool!

 

[donaldr]

Any modeler into Fender FR12 would be a nice portable rig (not just amp).

 

[Ascension]

Nothing I have ever owned has come close to my little Mesa Subway Rocket. 20 watt 1/10 combo that for over 20 years has been a go to grab and go rig for me. Amazing tones small and lightweight great low volume tones and enough for a small club unmiced with the internal 10 plus enough with a bigger cab can get over a drummer easily and fill a good-sized room. It's just jaw dropping, when miced in the house!
Few clips
Unmiced with acoustic players in a small group, only verb and delay in the loop.
https://youtu.be/wmn5MsaWWW4?si=dZzX2MRsGc3BSuyb
Un miced clean country
https://youtu.be/MmQ5lOI1Fs8?si=OsFTdjhJVNwdZVIj
Miced with an SM 57 at super low stage volume, nothing but a little verb and delay in the loop.
https://youtu.be/CuRn3A3PpNg?si=gqcaTOL1Br8QwTdT
Miced at another event.
https://youtu.be/h2qBzG7qrLs?si=_OHwsnV3CRRvX67U