The 3 Best Guitar Amps for Metal (Acoustic, Electric):
| Guitar Amps for Metal | Reason to Buy |
|---|---|
| JOYO Zombie-II (Dual Rectifier) Guitar Amp | The Dual Rectifier is a favorite among metal guitarists worldwide. Its versatile tonal options and powerful presence make it a go-to choice for heavy, aggressive playing styles. |
| Peavey 6505 Plus Guitar Amp | The Peavey 6505 Plus is a beast of an amp, delivering punishing high-gain tones with exceptional clarity and tightness. With its aggressive character, this amp excels in producing thick, saturated distortion perfect for modern metal and hard rock genres. |
| EVH 5150 III Guitar Amp | Designed in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen himself, the EVH 5150 III packs a punch with its raw power and searing tones. It offers incredible versatility, allowing players to achieve a wide range of tones from classic rock to blistering metal, making it an excellent choice for any metal enthusiast. |
Hey, metalheads! Are you ready to unleash the power of heavy riffs and blistering solos? Well, you’re in for a treat because today we’re diving into the world of guitar amps specifically designed for the bone-crushing genre of metal.
Whether you’re a shredder, a chugger, or a riff maestro, having the right amp is crucial for capturing that aggressive tone and unleashing sonic fury.
Related: best guitar amps for jazz and best guitar amps for gigging.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the top contenders, dissecting their features, and uncovering the best guitar amps for metal. So crank up the distortion, strap on your guitar, and let’s embark on a journey to find the perfect amp that’ll make your metal dreams come true!
Go here if you’re looking for the best guitar amps overall.
New to this? Read How to Choose a Guitar Amp: Complete Beginner’s Guide first for the basics, then use the picks below.
Best Guitar Amps for Metal (Acoustic, Electric)
1. JOYO Dual Rectifier Guitar Amp for Metal
Specifications:
- Power: 20 Watts
- Channels: 2 channels (Clean and Overdrive)
- Controls: Volume, Gain, Tone, Presence
- Tubes: 2 x EL84
- Weight: 7.7 lbs
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Affordable and compact | Limited power for large venues |
| Dual Rectifier-inspired tone | Limited tone shaping options |
| Lightweight and portable | Limited channel options |
The JOYO Zombie-II Guitar Amp is an affordable and compact option inspired by the iconic Dual Rectifier sound. With 20 watts of power and two channels (Clean and Overdrive), it provides a versatile range of tones suitable for practice and smaller gigs. The amp’s lightweight and portable design make it easy to carry and transport.
One of the main reasons to consider the JOYO Zombie-II is its affordability and compact size. It offers a budget-friendly option for guitarists who want to achieve the sought-after Dual Rectifier tone without breaking the bank. The amp’s compact form factor makes it ideal for bedroom practice or small venues where lower wattage is sufficient.
The Zombie-II is designed to capture the essence of the Dual Rectifier sound, delivering a high-gain tone that’s perfect for rock and metal genres. The Overdrive channel provides the heavy distortion and crunch that metal guitarists seek, while the Clean channel offers a warm and balanced tone for cleaner passages. The simple control layout, including volume, gain, tone, and presence controls, allows for easy and intuitive adjustments.
Weighing only 7.7 pounds, the Zombie-II is lightweight and portable, making it convenient for musicians on the go. It can be easily transported to rehearsals, jam sessions, or smaller gigs without much effort.
However, it’s important to note that the JOYO Zombie-II has limited power at 20 watts, which may not be sufficient for larger venues or gigs where higher volumes are required. It is better suited for practice and smaller performance settings.
Additionally, the Zombie-II has limited tone shaping options compared to more high-end amps. While the basic controls allow you to shape your tone to a certain extent, it may not offer the same level of tonal versatility and customization as higher-priced amplifiers.
In summary, the JOYO Zombie-II is an affordable and compact guitar amp that offers a Dual Rectifier-inspired tone. Its lightweight and portable design make it a convenient option for practice and smaller gigs. However, its limited power, limited tone shaping options, and limited channel selection may be considerations for those who require more versatility or plan to play in larger venues. If you’re looking for an affordable and portable amp that captures the essence of the Dual Rectifier sound, the JOYO Zombie-II is worth considering.
2. Peavey 6505 Plus Guitar Amp for Metal
Specifications:
- Power: 60 Watts
- Channels: Lead and Rhythm
- Controls: Pre-Gain, Post-Gain, Low, Mid, High, Resonance, Presence, Reverb
- Tubes: 5 x 12AX7, 2 x 6L6GC
- Weight: 48.6 lbs
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Classic metal tone | No clean channel |
| Versatile tone shaping | No built-in effects |
| Robust build quality | May require additional pedals for clean tones |
The Peavey 6505 Plus is a popular choice among metal guitarists for its classic high-gain tone and versatility. With 60 watts of power and two channels (Lead and Rhythm), it delivers aggressive and powerful metal tones. The amp’s pre-gain and post-gain controls allow you to dial in the desired amount of distortion and saturation, while the three-band EQ (Low, Mid, High) provides precise tone shaping capabilities. The additional controls for resonance and presence further enhance the amp’s versatility and allow you to sculpt your ideal metal sound.
One of the main reasons to consider the Peavey 6505 Plus is its classic metal tone. The amp is known for its aggressive and tight distortion, making it a favorite among heavy metal and extreme metal guitarists. It delivers high-gain tones with plenty of bite and clarity, ideal for chugging rhythms and searing leads. The amp’s robust build quality ensures reliable performance and durability for even the most demanding players.
The 6505 Plus offers versatile tone shaping options, allowing you to tailor your sound to suit different playing styles and genres. The dual channels provide the flexibility to switch between lead and rhythm tones, catering to both blistering solos and crushing rhythm sections. The amp’s powerful tube configuration, consisting of five 12AX7 preamp tubes and two 6L6GC power tubes, contributes to its dynamic and responsive nature.
However, it’s important to note that the Peavey 6505 Plus does not include a dedicated clean channel. While it can produce cleaner tones with lower gain settings on the rhythm channel, it may not deliver pristine cleans compared to amps with dedicated clean channels. If clean tones are a crucial aspect of your playing, you may need to rely on external pedals or a separate clean amplifier.
Additionally, the 6505 Plus does not come with built-in effects, so you may need to incorporate external pedals or processors to achieve the desired modulation, delay, or reverb effects.
In summary, the Peavey 6505 Plus is a popular choice for metal guitarists seeking classic high-gain tones and versatility. Its aggressive distortion, versatile tone shaping options, and robust build quality make it a reliable workhorse for heavy genres. However, the lack of a dedicated clean channel and built-in effects may be considerations for those who require a broader tonal range or convenience. If you prioritize raw metal power and aggression in your tone, the Peavey 6505 Plus is a solid option to explore.
3. EVH 5150 III Guitar Amp for Metal
Specifications:
- Power: 50 Watts
- Channels: 3 channels (Clean, Crunch, and Lead)
- Controls: Gain, Low, Mid, High, Volume, Presence, Resonance
- Tubes: 7 x ECC83, 2 x 6L6
- Weight: 55 lbs
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Iconic Eddie Van Halen tone | Relatively heavy and bulky |
| Three versatile channels | No built-in effects |
| Excellent build quality | May require additional pedals for desired effects |
The EVH 5150 III is a guitar amp designed in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen, known for its iconic high-gain tone and versatility. With 50 watts of power and three channels (Clean, Crunch, and Lead), it offers a wide range of tones suitable for metal and rock genres. The amp is revered for its ability to deliver the legendary Van Halen tone that defined an era of rock music.
One of the main reasons to consider the EVH 5150 III is its association with Eddie Van Halen and the distinct tone it offers. The amp is designed to reproduce the signature sound that Eddie Van Halen achieved throughout his career. It delivers tight and aggressive high gain tones with plenty of harmonics and sustain, perfect for metal and hard rock. The three channels provide versatility, allowing you to switch between clean, crunch, and high-gain lead tones with ease.
The EVH 5150 III offers comprehensive tone controls, including gain, low, mid, high, volume, presence, and resonance. These controls allow you to shape your tone precisely to your liking, whether you prefer scooped mids for heavy rhythm playing or a mid-focused lead tone that cuts through the mix. The amp’s powerful tube configuration, featuring seven ECC83 preamp tubes and two 6L6 power tubes, contributes to its dynamic and responsive sound.
The build quality of the EVH 5150 III is top-notch, ensuring reliable performance and durability. It is built to withstand the rigors of the road and intensive use in professional settings. However, it’s important to note that the amp weighs 55 pounds, making it relatively heavy and less portable compared to some other options on the market.
While the EVH 5150 III focuses on delivering high-gain tones, it does not come with built-in effects. You may need to incorporate external pedals or processors to add modulation, delay, or reverb effects to your sound. This allows for more flexibility and customization but may require additional investment in pedals and cables.
In summary, the EVH 5150 III is a highly regarded amp for metal and rock guitarists seeking iconic high-gain tones and versatility. Its association with Eddie Van Halen, three channels, extensive tone controls, and excellent build quality make it a top choice for those looking to capture the classic Van Halen sound or achieve versatile metal tones. However, the amp’s weight and lack of built-in effects may be considerations for those who prioritize portability and convenience. If you’re after the iconic Eddie Van Halen tone and want a powerful and versatile amp for metal, the EVH 5150 III is a strong contender.
4. Marshall JCM800 Guitar Amp for Metal
Specifications: