Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII

0 wishlisted

0 saved

Page last updated May 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

Average Price: $1,249

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

The Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII is a formidable force in the world of guitar amplifier heads. Tailor-made for guitarists who crave vintage-inspired tones combined with modern reliability, this amp head is a testament to clean design and powerful sound. Crafted in the USA, the Dwarvenaut 20 MKII features custom-wound transformers that deliver an impressive range of tonal options, from pristine cleans to gritty overdrive, ensuring your sound is always captivating.

With its all-tube design, the Dwarvenaut 20 MKII embraces the warm, dynamic response that only tubes can offer. It boasts a simple yet effective control layout, allowing musicians to easily dial in their desired sound. The amp head is powered by two EL84 tubes in the power section, providing a robust 20 watts of power that can easily fill a room. Whether you're in the studio or on the stage, this amp head adapts seamlessly to any environment.

Designed with the modern player in mind, the Dwarvenaut 20 MKII incorporates a versatile effects loop, enabling you to integrate your favorite pedals and effects without sacrificing tone integrity. This makes it a perfect companion for both traditionalists and those who love to experiment with their soundscapes.

Key Features:

20-watt all-tube amplifier head
Custom-wound transformers for enhanced tonal range
Two EL84 power tubes
Simple control layout for ease of use
Versatile effects loop for seamless pedal integration
Made in the USA for superior craftsmanship and quality

Product specs

Brand	Hovercraft
Model	Dwarvenaut 20 MKII
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Guitar Heads
Electronics	Tube
Impedance	16 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels	1 Channel
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	20
Power Tube Type	EL84
Reverb	None

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII?: The Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII is known for its rich, dynamic tube-driven tones, offering a warm and powerful sound with excellent clarity. Its EL84 power tubes contribute to a classic British-inspired crunch, making it suitable for rock and blues genres.
Is the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII suitable for gigging?: With its 20-watt output, the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII is ideal for small to medium-sized venues. It provides enough volume to cut through in a band setting, especially when mic'd for larger performances.
How does the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII handle effects pedals?: The Dwarvenaut 20 MKII is well-regarded for its ability to integrate with effects pedals. Its single-channel design offers a clean platform that pairs well with overdrives, distortions, and modulation effects.
What kind of speaker cabinets can the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII be paired with?: The Dwarvenaut 20 MKII can be paired with speaker cabinets that have 8 or 16 ohms impedance, providing flexibility in choosing the right cab for your tonal preference and venue size.
Does the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII include built-in reverb?: No, the Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII does not include built-in reverb. Users may want to employ an external reverb pedal if this effect is desired in their setup.

Videos

Add video

hovercraft amps PDX

hovercraft amps dwarvenaut 20 MkII

hovercraft amps PDX

hovercraft amps dwarvenaut 20 mkII red sparkle voicing and options demo runthrough

hovercraft amps PDX

dwarvenaut 20 mkII 'studio 54's panic room' hovercraft amps

hovercraft amps PDX

hovercraft amps dwarvenaut 20 MKII clean with a strat

hovercraft amps PDX

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hovercraft Dwarvenaut 20 MKII.

Features and functionality

0 0

The "HF drive" knob acts like a built-in fuzz pedal, enhancing signal brightness and creating a gritty clean tone.
Source
0 0

It's been noticed that the amp can sometimes feel like a "one trick doom pony," yet it is still lauded for its fun and engaging playability.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The amp's voicing options are noted for closely mimicking vintage Orange, Matamp, Sunn, Hiwatt, and Marshall tones.
Source
0 0

Dwarvenaut 20 is compared to modded JCA22s, with tonal similarities noted to classic amps like Matamp GT120, used by bands like Sleep and Ufomammut.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

It's reported that Hovercraft rewires the amp, upgrades transformers, and swaps the chassis to enhance performance beyond the original Jet City design.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Ideal for stoner/doom/sludge music, the amp delivers from bluesy break-up to intense fuzz, though it lacks traditional clean headroom.
Source
0 0

The amp is highlighted for its suitability in doom music, with users specifically pointing out its beefy, "orangey fuzziness" that enhances heavy, sludgy riffs.
Source
0 0

Despite repair concerns, the amp's sound quality justifies its use in studio settings by renowned artists like Kurt Ballou and as backline for bands such as Ufomammut.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners appreciate the ability to blend modern and vintage voicings using a knob, offering more tonal flexibility.
Source
0 0

Owners express frustration over the inadequate quality of online demos, noting they fail to capture the amp's full tonal potential, often sounding thin and lacking presence.
Source
0 0

Some buyers report inconsistent communication from Hovercraft for support and inquiries, affecting the overall satisfaction with customer service.
Source

Other

0 0

The builder's current hiatus from production has been a topic, with owners feeling fortunate to have acquired the amp before operations paused, adding a sense of exclusivity.
Source

Build quality

0 0

Some units have been reported to have components like capacitors poorly soldered, with parts such as resistors burning out over time.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Owners face challenges repairing due to a lack of schematics and extensive use of epoxy on circuit boards, complicating repairs by third parties.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Concerns about the brand's reputation and build quality lead some users to consider alternative amps like Traynor YBA-1 or Fender Bassman for similar tones at potentially lower costs.
Source