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Average Price: $520

Standard/Professional

$300

$701+

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Description

Looking for power packed into a pint-sized package? The ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier is your go-to companion for versatile sound without the bulk. This ultra-compact powerhouse delivers a whopping 200 watts through a custom-designed 6.5" speaker, ensuring that your sound travels far and wide. Whether you're jamming in a cozy studio or performing on a bustling stage, this amplifier maintains its clarity and punch, giving you the freedom to focus on your music rather than your gear.

The user-friendly 4-knob control interface offers effortless manipulation of ambience, gain, tone, and volume, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision and ease. Weighing in at under 10 pounds, the Lunchbox is engineered for musicians on the move, eliminating the strain of carrying cumbersome equipment. This amplifier is not just about portability; it's about delivering a professional-grade sound experience wherever you play.

The ZT Lunchbox is especially favored by guitarists who crave flexibility without sacrificing tonal quality. Its compact size belies its impressive performance, making it a staple in any musician's arsenal who values both space and sound. Whether you're practicing at home, recording in a studio, or performing live, this game-changing amp ensures you have the tools to make music your way.

Key Features:

  • 200 watts of power
  • Custom-designed 6.5" speaker
  • Compact and lightweight design, under 10 pounds
  • Intuitive 4-knob control: ambience, gain, tone, volume
  • Ideal for studio, home, and live performances

Product specs

Brand ZT Amplifiers
Model Lunchbox
Finish Silver
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Electronics Solid State
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 200
Power Tube Type None
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x6.5"

FAQs

What makes the ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier suitable for gigging musicians?

The ZT Lunchbox offers 200 watts of power in a compact design, making it ideal for gigging musicians who need portability without sacrificing volume. Its solid-state electronics ensure reliable performance, and the 1x6.5" speaker delivers a surprisingly powerful sound for its size.

Can the ZT Lunchbox handle high-gain tones for rock or metal genres?

The ZT Lunchbox is primarily designed for clean and slightly overdriven tones. While it can handle moderate gain, it may not be ideal for high-gain rock or metal genres without additional pedals to shape the sound.

Is the ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier suitable for home practice?

Yes, the ZT Lunchbox is great for home practice due to its compact size and manageable volume. Despite its high wattage, it offers a range of volume settings, making it versatile for both home use and larger venues.

Does the ZT Lunchbox work well with pedalboards?

The ZT Lunchbox is compatible with pedalboards and takes pedals well, allowing you to shape your tone using your preferred effects. Its single channel setup makes it flexible for integrating various pedals into your signal chain.

What type of power supply does the ZT Lunchbox require?

The ZT Lunchbox uses a standard AC power supply, making it easy to power up in most venues without the need for special adapters or converters.

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

ZT Amplifiers: LUNCHBOX

Video thumbnail for ZT Amplifiers: LUNCHBOX by Brett Kingman

ZT Amplifiers: LUNCHBOX

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for ZT Amplifiers: LUNCHBOX JUNIOR AMP by Brett Kingman

ZT Amplifiers: LUNCHBOX JUNIOR AMP

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Video Review - ZT Amplifiers Club by Premier Guitar

Video Review - ZT Amplifiers Club

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Review: The loudest little guitar amp in the world? (ZT Lunchbox) by Inside Audio

Review: The loudest little guitar amp in the world? (ZT Lunchbox)

Inside Audio

Inside Audio

Video thumbnail for ZT vs ZT, Lunchbox Amps Comparison! They are VERY different! by Petrus Nordh

ZT vs ZT, Lunchbox Amps Comparison! They are VERY different!

Petrus Nordh

Petrus Nordh

Video thumbnail for The ZT Lunchbox - how I overcame it's quirks by The Hardwired Music Maker

The ZT Lunchbox - how I overcame it's quirks

The Hardwired Music Maker

The Hardwired Music Maker

Video thumbnail for ZT Lunchbox by Sam Pedneau

ZT Lunchbox

Sam Pedneau

Sam Pedneau

Reviews

PROS

  • Compact and easily portable

  • Surprisingly powerful output for its size

  • Versatile sound, compatible with various pedals

  • Simple controls, user-friendly

  • Suitable for live gigs and practice

  • Decent headphone out for quiet practice

  • Maintains clarity with added cabinet

CONS

  • Sound quality can degrade at high distortion levels

  • May struggle to stand out in loud mix settings

  • Some users find the sound lacks warmth and naturalness

  • Price point questioned due to sound performance issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier.

Features and functionality

  • The amp's "ambience" control acts like a cabinet simulation, offering a range from dry, closed-back sounds to airy, scooped tones.

    Source
  • The amp is praised for its portability, weighing only 10 lbs, yet delivering sufficient sound for live performances.

    Source
  • The original ZT Lunchbox includes an accessory input that amplifies clean, ideal for vocals or accompaniment, a feature not present in newer models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • With an extension cabinet, the amp is reported to handle stage use well and can be miked for outdoor gigs.

    Source
  • The amp supports a battery-powered ART ProMix pre-amp for versatile inputs, such as powered or unpowered mics, enhancing its use for small gigs and karaoke.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note the amp lacks "sparkle" and recommend an "always-on" pedal to brighten its tone.

    Source
  • The newer model with Reverb is indicated as Class D, offering better efficiency and improved specs over the older Class AB version.

    Source
  • Owners report that even without the extension cabinet, the amp's 120 watts are sufficient for cafe gigs, demonstrating its power and portability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It's noted that while loud, the amp's tonal quality might not match the "sparkle" of tube amps, suggesting its role more as a pedal platform.

    Source

Critic Reviews

ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox Review

justguitaramps.com

The ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier delivers on its promise of portability, volume, and tube-like responsiveness, making it a must-have for jazz and country players. Its compact size belies its power, pushing a loud, clear sound that's perfect for use with effects pedals. While it lacks built-in overdrive or distortion, its clean tone is impressive and adaptable, ensuring it can hold its own on stage. With a budget-friendly price and lightweight design, it’s an excellent choice for musicians on the go.

positive
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 14 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
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1 star
sandra_lee

Not quite

I had wanted a portable rig and had tried the ZT lunchbox. I had high hopes it could do as promised and keep up with a loud drummer and another guitar but I found myself lost in the mix and was disappointed. Sound wise it was fine, unless you pushed it hard with a lot of distortion. I even got the ext cab for it to help and it didn't really work for what I wanted. My band was simply too loud. Could be my fault for expecting something so small to provide a miracle.

jimmarchi1

solid state, ugh... you need like quadruple the watts and hella efficient speakers to cut the mix like a tube amp.... I actually quite like the Roland JC120, but you need all 120 watts to hang with an AC30

jimmarchi1

and the JC120 is still huge and heavy, might as well have an AC30 or a Pro Reverb.

mattywhens

Solid Practice Amp

I've used this as my practice amp for years, and it sounds amazing. The headphone out is a huge plus for late night sessions. I've also gigged with it in a pinch, and it still sounded great, especially since you can hook it up to a cabinet.

bommel

you have to try it !!

it sounds full and ultra loud. I played live gigs with it even without a extension cab ... it is sooo powerful and takes pedals well

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Klinghoffer uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Pearl Jam

...
Verified via YouTube

In the official behind-the-scenes video "Red Hot Chili Peppers - View From The Road - Cologne," Josh Klinghoffer is seen using a ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier.

See how Nels Cline uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Nels Cline

Guitarist

Wilco

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Nels Cline and Julian Lage are using ZT Lunchbox amps.

See how Julian Lage uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Julian Lage

Guitarist

The Nels Cline 4

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Julian Lage and Nels Cline are using ZT Lunchbox amps.

See how Bradford Cox uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Bradford Cox

Singer, Guitarist

Deerhunter

...
Verified via Instagram

In this Instagram post from Michael Aaron Potter dated July 15 2023, Bradford Cox is seen performing using a ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier behind him.

See how Will Sergeant uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Will Sergeant

Guitarist

Echo & the Bunnymen

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live clip from 2009's SXSW festival, Will can be seen playing onstage with a ZT Lunchbox head and cab. We get our first peek at around :09 (on the left side of the screen, at the back of the stage) and it continues to show up in the background throughout the video. Will is also listed as an endorsing artist on ZT's official website.

See how Angel Olsen uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Angel Olsen

Singer, Guitarist

The Wild Hearts

...
Verified via YouTube

In this 2011 video she is using this for a solo performance

See how Zac Carper uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Zac Carper

Singer, Guitarist

FIDLAR

...
Verified via Fbcdn

"Zac Carper of FIDLAR shot this pic of his rig at the Reading Festival main stage a few weeks ago. Said, "Just mic'd the ZT and the Marshall was just for show." Nice." - ZT Amplifiers

J

Jared Mattson

Singer, Guitarist

The Mattson 2

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar’s Rig Rundown of The Mattson 2, done in 2018 shows Jared Mattson using 200-watt ZT Lunchbox as an amp he runs his bass and loop lines through

See how Robert Hecker uses ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier

Robert Hecker

Guitarist

Redd Kross

...
Verified via Photo

ZT Lunchbox (x2) + ZT Lunchbox Cab (x2). I had read about the ZTs in some guitar magazine reviews. It seemed way too good to be true. They are the real deal. I bought one, and was blown away. However, one Lunchbox alone is very directional , so I picked up another, to get a nice stereo spread. Live, the set-up still seemed a little thin, so I added two of the extension cabs, and there you have it: 400 watts (200x2) driving four 6.5" speakers. Insane. Every show I play, people are incredulous at the amount of tone & volume that eminates from these little amps. The amps are 9 pounds each, the extension cabinets are 7 pounds each. Our drummer plays a Bonham kit, 26" kick, the whole nine yards, ridiculously loud; no challenge or problem keeping up. Back is spared, ears are blessed. I am now an official ZT artist, and absolutely swear by them. Used live exclusively since 2015.

Album Usage

The ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier has been featured on the following albums:

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 ZT Lunchbox 200-watt Amplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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