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Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head

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Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head

$1,049.00 to $1,550.00 Price Tier: High-end

2 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (2)

$1,195.00

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$1,195.00

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$1,049.00 Used

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$1,195.00 10 available New

$1,089.00 1 available Used

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5.0 (1)

$1,195.00

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$1,195.00

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5.0 (8)

$1,555.00 $1,550.00 $5.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $1,208

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head 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

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash your guitar's true potential with the Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head. This compact powerhouse delivers the iconic sounds of Blackface and tweed-era amplifiers, all wrapped in a beautifully minimalist design. With its built-in Ironman II power attenuator, you can enjoy the saturated tones of a cranked-up tube amp at any volume level, perfect for both late-night jams and live performances.

The Gremlin's dual-channel design offers a seamless transition between clean, bell-like highs on the Rhythm channel and the gritty, warm drive of the Lead channel. Simply plug into either input to explore a world of vintage tones or use an optional A/B/Y footswitch to switch or blend channels on the fly. Its intuitive controls—Volume, Tone, and Attenuation—make dialing in your perfect sound a breeze.

Fueled by two 12AX7 preamp tubes and a robust 5881 power tube, this amp head provides impressive headroom, making it a versatile match for any cabinet, from compact setups to larger 4 x 12 configurations. Whether you're a pedal aficionado or a purist seeking raw, unadulterated tube overdrive, the Gremlin is your gateway to authentic American rock tones.

Key Features:

5-watt tube head with dual Blackface and tweed-era tones
Ironman II power attenuator for cranked tones at low volumes
Rhythm and Lead inputs for varied headroom and gain
Compatible with A/B/Y footswitch for channel switching
Equipped with 2x 12AX7 preamp tubes and 1x 5881 power tube

Product specs

Type	Tube
Number of Channels	2
Output Power	5W with Built-in Attenuator
Preamp Tubes	2 x 12AX7
Power Tubes	1 x 5881
EQ	Tone control
Inputs	2 x 1/4" (rhythm/lead)
Outputs	1 x 1/4" (line out), 1 x 1/4" (8-16 ohms)
Effects Loop	No
Bias Type	Cathode Biased
Construction Material	Brown/Beige Tolex
Power Source	Standard IEC AC cable
Height	9.25"
Width	15"
Depth	8"
Weight	14 lbs.

FAQs

What type of tones can I expect from the Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head?: The Tone King Gremlin offers classic American tones with its two channels: the Rhythm channel delivers clean, high-headroom sounds reminiscent of '60s blackface amps, while the Lead channel provides a more driven, tweed-like voice.
Is the Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head suitable for home practice?: Yes, the Tone King Gremlin is ideal for home practice due to its 5-watt output and built-in Ironman II power attenuator, allowing you to achieve great tone at low volumes without disturbing others.
Does the Tone King Gremlin support channel switching?: The Tone King Gremlin has two inputs for Rhythm and Lead channels, and you can use an optional A/B/Y footswitch to switch or combine channels for versatile tonal options.
What is the primary construction material of the Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head?: The Tone King Gremlin is constructed with durable Brown/Beige Tolex, providing a classic look and robust protection for the amplifier.
How does the built-in attenuator of the Tone King Gremlin affect performance?: The onboard Ironman II power attenuator allows you to maintain the amp's tonal characteristics while reducing output volume, making it suitable for both live performances and quiet practice sessions.

Videos

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Eirik Stordrange

Can a 5 watt amp handle a drummer? Tone King Gremlin Head

Eirik Stordrange

We found the greatest sounding low wattage amp ever! - Tone King Gremlin

Walt Grace Vintage Guitars

Tone King Gremlin Head - AUTHENTIC VINTAGE TWEED TONE!

Johan Segeborn

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional clean tones that are highly praised by users
Built-in attenuator allows for great sound at lower volumes
Versatile with both clean and crunchy lead channels
Constructed robustly, described as "built like a tank"
Easy to use, suitable for both beginners and pros
Great compatibility with various guitar types and cabinets
Compact size, ideal for home use and small gigs
Offers a variety of tube options for sound customization

CONS

Can be excessively loud for small rooms
Sound may get boomy in certain room acoustics

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tone King Gremlin 5-Watt Guitar Amp Head.

User experience

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Owners note that the Tone King Gremlin lacks headroom, especially with humbucker pickups like SD59s and 58/15s, leading to early breakup.
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One owner transitioned from a single-ended 6L6 Blackstar combo to the Tone King Gremlin for an upgrade but found they needed to max out the tone knob.
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Mods and upgrades

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Swapping a 12AX7 preamp tube for a 12AT7 can significantly improve clean headroom, allowing for better use of guitar volume and clean boost pedals.
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Lower gain preamp tube swaps, like using a GE Nos 5751, are suggested for better fine volume tuning, especially when using attenuation.
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Features and functionality

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The amp's 12” speaker and cab size contribute to a full sound with ample bass, contradicting concerns about thinness.
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The attenuator is identified as a significant component of the Tone King Gremlin's cost, enhancing its sound quality despite some users finding it overpriced.
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The Carr Mercury's attenuator settings are mostly useful, though the 1/10th power mode is considered less practical due to low volume.
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Use cases and applications

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With a clean boost pedal, the amp transitions smoothly between clean and overdriven tones, helping to locate the sweet spot between attenuator settings.
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Some users find the fixed attenuator settings restrictive, desiring a volume level between the existing options for more precise control.
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The Carr Mercury is praised for its versatility, offering a rich sound that covers low volume clean reverb to "angry cranked" tones, making it suitable for both home and recording use.
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The Mesa Transatlantic, with its switchable wattage and multiple amp modes, offers versatility for users seeking Fender, Vox, Marshall, and Mesa tones in one unit.
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Comparisons

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A user favored the Winfield Typhoon for its lower cost and handwired build over the Tone King Gremlin when considering low-wattage amps.
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A user mentioned preferring the Carr Super Bee over the Tone King Gremlin, noting different price points and superior performance in a home setting.
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The Carr Skylark's attenuator is highlighted as superior, providing tweaked tone crunch at low volumes, outperforming a 5w Champ in this regard.
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The Ibanez TSA15H, though not made for years, is recommended for its Fender-like clean tones with a built-in tube screamer, found occasionally on eBay.
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