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  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Amps

10 of the best new guitar amps at NAMM 2015

News
By Matt Parker ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 27 January 2015

Our pick of the heads and combos

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Blackstar ID:Core BEAM amp

Blackstar ID:Core BEAM amp

NAMM 2015: This year was a bit of a quiet one on the guitar amp front, but there are still some highly desirable new noiseboxes on the way over the next 12 months.

We're most excited about Blackstar's ID:Core BEAM and the new Peavey MH models, but at the higher end of the scale the revived Magnatone brand is also doing great things with its 10-watt Lyric combo.

Blackstar ID:Core BEAM

In terms of practicality, the BEAM is hard to beat. It's a guitar, bass and acoustic amp that looks at home on your living room shelf and can also function as a high quality wireless MP3 dock.

There are six electric voices, two bass voices and two acoustic voices packed into the 20-watt box, with 12 programmable patches and even a USB connection for integration with a DAW setup.

Read the full Blackstar BEAM amp press release

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Peavey 6505 MH Mini Head

Peavey 6505 MH Mini Head

As Tom Jones once sang, it's not unusual to find mini amps at NAMM these days. Nonetheless we're impressed by Peavey's new MH range, which reduces the footprint of the firm's classic amps.

The 6505 MH has the same gain structure and voicing of the full-size edition and also offers an effects loop, XLR output and a USB out.

Read the full Peavey 6505 MH press release

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Peavey Classic 20 MH Mini Head

Peavey Classic 20 MH Mini Head

Another addition to Peavey's MH range, the Classic 20 MH's premise is the same as the 6505+ MH - a classic amp, condensed.

There are 2x EL84 power tubes and 3x 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tubes, with a headphone output and the same attractive tweed covering of its big brother.

Read the full Peavey Classic 20 MH press release

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Peavey Vypyr Pro 100

Peavey Vypyr Pro 100

We highly rated Peavey's Vypyr VIP 3 back in 2013 and the latest addition to the series, the Vypyr Pro 100 looks very competitive indeed.

There are over 100 different amp, effect and instrument models, multiple power options, onboard tap tempo, tuner and looper and an aux input. And we're barely scratching the surface of the specs list...

Read the full Peavey Vypyr Pro 100 press release

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Diamond 327SD

Diamond 327SD

Diamond and Soldano have made the unusual move of teaming up and collaboratively designing this two-channel, 100-watt hot-rod head.

It's a mad melding of both firm's aesthetics and sonics and it's great to see two firms working together so well.

Read more about the Diamond 327SD

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Mad Professor Old School 51 RT

Mad Professor Old School 51 RT

Yes, we know the retro-revival is getting a little too common nowadays, but we're willing to save a space on the shelf for the Old School 51 RT from Finnish brand Mad Professor.

It's a 51-watt, single channel amp with built-in reverb and tremolo and a low/high gain input switch and, well, it's just rather attractive, isn't it?

Read the full Mad Professor Old School 51 RT press release

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Ashdown Woodsman Series

Ashdown Woodsman Series

Expanding its range of acoustic amps, Ashdown unveiled three new models at this year's show, all under the banner of the Woodsman series.

All of the amps have a guitar and a mic channel, EQ controls, built-in reverb and aux-in jacks for connecting an MP3 player. We also love their brown paisley coverings.

Read the full Ashdown Woodsman press release

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Randall Thrasher 50

Randall Thrasher 50

The Thrasher 50 apes its 120-watt big brother, but with a more manageable 50-watt power rating and is housed in a lighter, smaller cabinet.

Otherwise, this all-tube head should offer similarly aggressive tones to it's heavy sibling and it features the same rugged construction and thoughtful design features, like the dual channel tube boost and Class A loop.

Read the full Randall Thrasher 50 press release

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Marshall 2555X

Marshall 2555X

A reissue of the 2555 Silver Jubilee amp that was originally launched in 1987 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the legendary UK firm.

This is the amp favoured by Slash in his heyday and this new version is being built in the UK. Expect a series effects loop, DI output, 3 x ECC83 (12AX7) preamp valves and a 4 x EL34 power valve, plus a choice of 100- or 50-watt output.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Magnatone Lyric

Magnatone Lyric

The Twilighter Stereo and Super 59 from the revived Magnatone are stunning amps, but insanely loud - and with prices to match.

The Lyric is a 10-watt combo with 6L6 valves pumping a 10" Jensen speaker. The ultra basic control system consists of just volume and tone knobs and we'd hope that with the lower wattage and simple electronics it's more affordable.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Matt Parker
Matt Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

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