Groove Tubes was founded in 1979 by Aspen Pittman in San Fernando, California. The company built its reputation on rigorously testing, matching, and grading vacuum tubes for guitar amplifiers and studio gear, addressing the inconsistent performance players found in otherwise identical amps. Groove Tubes popularized the practice of color-coded power tube grading for bias matching, and its replacement tubes — including the GT-6L6, GT-EL34, GT-EL84, GT-6V6, and GT-12AX7 — became staples for techs and amp builders.

Beyond tubes, the company expanded into tube-driven guitar amplifiers produced between 1989 and 2008, as well as tube microphones and studio electronics. The microphone line, including models such as the GT44 and the MD-series, earned a following in project studios for offering tube character at accessible prices. Pittman also authored The Tube Amp Book, a widely referenced reference work on amplifier design and tube behavior.

In 2008, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation acquired Groove Tubes and refocused the brand on tube production, discontinuing the amplifier and microphone lines. Groove Tubes-branded power and preamp tubes continue to ship as stock equipment in many Fender amplifiers and are sold through Fender's parts catalog.

Groove Tubes has 26 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Condenser Microphones, Guitar Amplifier Tubes, and Preamps. Their gear is featured by 14 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Hip Hop, and Blues. Notable users include Steve Rothery, Slash, and Zakk Wylde.