Pricing and availability
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Description
Experience the classic warmth and dynamic response of a tube amplifier with the Monoprice 15Watt, 1 x 12 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier. This versatile amp is perfect for both practice and performance, offering rich tones that suit a variety of musical styles. It features a Celestion Seventy 80 speaker, renowned for delivering clear and articulate sound with a powerful low-end punch. The amplifier's all-tube circuitry provides a natural compression and harmonic richness that digital models just can't replicate.
Designed with the gigging musician in mind, this combo amp is equipped with a built-in reverb effect, adding depth and atmosphere to your sound. The three-band EQ and separate volume and gain controls allow you to shape your tone to perfection, whether you're looking for clean, sparkling highs or crunchy, overdriven lows. The amp also includes a switchable power attenuator, letting you achieve those sweet tube tones at lower volumes, making it ideal for home use as well.
Key Features:
- 15-Watt all-tube guitar combo amplifier
- Celestion Seventy 80 speaker for clear, powerful sound
- Built-in spring reverb for added depth
- Three-band EQ with separate volume and gain controls
- Switchable power attenuator for lower volume tube tone
- Classic styling with modern reliability
Videos
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How bad could a $250 tube amp be? - Monoprice 15-Watt Guitar Combo Tube Amp - #AffordaAMP
Reviews
PROS
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Affordable with quality components, great starting tube amp
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Includes a 1W setting for low-volume practice
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Comes with a Celestion speaker, enhancing sound quality
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Circuitry based on high-end models, offering superior sound
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Versatile tone range, from bright and clean to smooth crunch
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Modifiable for personalized sound; supports tube and reverb upgrades
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EQ settings mirror classic amplifiers for familiar sound control
CONS
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Reverb quality is considered weak
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Power cable is permanently attached, limiting flexibility
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Tends to break up early, affecting clean playing at higher volumes
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Requires tube upgrades for optimal headroom and cleaner tones
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Monoprice 15Watt, 1 x 12 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier.
Comparisons
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Owners note this amp is better than a Blues Junior, as it resembles a 15W version of an 80s Marshall JCM, despite occasional reliability issues.
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The Orange Crush 35RT is noted to have better build quality compared to the Monoprice, although the Monoprice offers a distinct tube amp experience.
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The Celestion V-Type is described as having an "American" sound with a wide, even frequency response, while the Creamback offers a "British" voice with prominent lower mids.
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It's noted as a clone of the Laney Cub 12R, with a British tonal character that's heavy on mids, suitable for various musical styles.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the amp’s ability to sound like both a Marshall and a Fender, providing flexibility in achieving a wide range of tones.
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The internal speaker automatically disconnects when plugging in an external cabinet, a feature some users find limiting for creating a stack setup.
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After extended use, the stock Celestion 70/80 speakers improve significantly in sound quality, comparable to a more expensive speaker once broken in.
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Features and functionality
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The amp's pushed clean/overdrive channel is praised for its beautiful tone, making it a strong contender for those seeking a dynamic clean sound.
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The amp includes a button to switch to a 1W mode, allowing for play at lower volumes while still using gain effectively.
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The amp's headphone emulator, although not highly praised, is considered better than others in its price range.
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Mods and upgrades
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Some users experienced issues with stock power tubes, recommending a $30 investment in matched pair replacements for improved reliability.
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Multiple users recommend replacing the stock tubes with JJ EL84 and 12AX7 Tung Sol for a more vivid and rich sound, although the improvement is subtle.
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Some owners replace the stock speaker with alternatives like the Neo Creamback or Cannabis Rex for enhanced sound quality.
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Use cases and applications
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Running the Monoprice 15W through a 4x12 cabinet can achieve tones similar to Led Zeppelin's live performances, enhancing its versatility for classic rock sounds.
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This amp is highlighted as an excellent pedal platform and is particularly praised for its volume management, making it suitable for jam sessions or open stages.
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The preamp is based on a Marshall 2203/2204, making it suitable for achieving tones reminiscent of 80s metal and stoner rock.
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Setup and maintenance
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings
1229
Unbeatable for the Price
Cheap cab, but it works! 1W setting is a nice touch for me when I want to play late at home. Thanks to no copyright laws in china, they copy a lot of great components without marking up the price as much. This is a great starting tube amp. I don't play any gigs, so 15W is more than enough for me. Reverb is a little weak. Only thing I don't like is how the power cable is attached to the cab. Otherwise if this amp meets your requirements, then get it. It's great!
483
Good value for money
This amp is not only good for the money, it is actually quite good. Mine came with a Celestion A-Type, which is almost worth the price alone. Circuitry is identical to a Laney Cub 12, but with spring reverb. I upgraded this with a better reverb unit and better tubes, and it sounds more than decent. For my taste, it breaks up too early. I swapped the cheap 12AX7s in V1 and V3 with JJ 5751s, and put an RCA 12AY7 in V2. Gave me a bit more headroom, and more transparent cleans. The EQ unit is electronically identical to a classic Marshall, so it is flat with Treble and Bass on 0, Middle on 10.
1785
Best amp available for $250
I've heard that this amp is a clone of a Laney Cub, which runs about $200 more than the price of this one. I've never played a Laney, so I can't compare, but by its own rights, this amp is fantastic. I use it for a practice amp at home, but it could easily fill up a small venue. The tones go from very bright and clean to a smooth crunch.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Monoprice 15Watt, 1 x 12 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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