Best High Gain Amp (our top pick)
Mesa/Boogie Badlander 25
I could truly put any Mesa amp here, but the Badlander 25 is one that I've tested, so I'm comfortable recommending it from my own first-hand experience. It's a high-gain monster, similar to the Mark V:25. No distortion pedal needed.
If you have the option, it's far better to get your distortion from your amp, rather than a pedal (more on that below), especially if you're running a tube amp. But the problem for those wanting high amounts of gain is that a lot of tube amps don't necessarily produce that type of distortion.
For example, Fender and VOX amps aren't designed for high gain. They're great amps, but they're not rock or metal.
The amps I'll cover in this section are definitely rock and metal.
Primarily, we'll focus on Diezel, Mesa/Boogie, and Marshall.
All the amps listed here have excellent onboard distortion with high gain, modern chug (Will it chug?) and lots of sustain.
Top 5 Amps with High Gain (my picks)
Amp | Name | Rate | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa/Boogie Badlander 25 | 92.7 | |
 | Diezel VH2 | n/a | |
 | Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier | n/a | |
 | Peavey Invective | n/a | |
 | Marshall JCM800 | n/a |
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Our disclosure↬
All the Mesa amps have awesome distortion channels, but I can vouch for the Badlander personally. I've also played the Mark V and Rectoverb. All of them have high gain that sounds great.
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1. Mesa/Boogie Badlander 25
For this amp, I'd recommend active pickups if you want to get the most out of the gain levels. Although I suppose that could be said of any high gain amp. The Badlander responded really well to my PRS with Matt Heafy Fluence pickups, putting out a ton of sustain and percussive chunk at high gain levels.
Read the full review: Matt Heafy Fluence Humbuckers
It didn't sound too noisy or muddy and the tone was just incredibly smooth and modern.
A major bonus is that is has a built in attenuator and cab simulator that allows it to run without a speaker cab, with a headphone output.
This is one of my favorite amps, period. And it's definitely my top pick if you want some high quality distortion.
Most distortion pedals can't beat an amp like this.
Read the full review: Mesa Badlander 25
Review Card
IDEAL FOR: Modern rock recording, headphones, metal, moderate budgets.
TONE
92
CONTROL
92
VERSATILITY
94
PRICE/VALUE
93
- CabClone built in (handles speaker load)
- Some nice chime and high end for treble-leaning EQs
- Wattage and cab selection
- Runs the table on gain levels (no distortion pedal needed)
- Comes with a footswitch
- 25 watt version is affordable by Mesa standards
- Direct out and headphone out
- Cab models are just ok
- No reverb
Price Guitar and Table
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History
Price History for Mesa/Boogie Badlander 25 Tube Head Black Bronco
Statistics
| Current Price | $1,699.00 | September 24, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $1,899.00 | June 4, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $1,599.00 | May 26, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $1,699.00 | September 24, 2023 |
| $1,899.00 | June 4, 2023 |
| $1,599.00 | May 26, 2023 |
2. Diezel VH2
I don't think there is a better brand out there when it comes to high gain. Diezel amps are absolute monsters, but they're expensive. This keeps them outside most budgets and price ranges, but if you can swing the cost, holy smokes they're worth it.
Tool's Adam Jones uses the VH4, which is what got them on my radar. The VH2 is basically a stripped down two-channel version of that amp.
This saves you some money, but you're still gonna pay more than you would for most Mesa amps, and Mesas are already expensive.
But all cost issues aside, Diezel has one of the best high-gain sounds I've ever heard.
Highly recommend, especially for semi-pro/pro rigs.
Read the full review: Diezel VH2
IDEAL FOR: Metal, higher budgets, hard rock, percussive/rhythmic playing styles
TONE
n/a
CONTROL
n/a
VERSATILITY
n/a
PRICE/VALUE
n/a
- Possible the best high gain amp brand on the market
- Deep knob is a unique EQ feature
- Six total EQ options (two global)
- Footswitch included
- Dual master volumes
- Hand-made boutique brand
- Really, really, really expensive
Price Guide from Major Retailers
Amazon Only
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3. Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
I typically recommend the Dual Rectifier because it's cheaper than the Triple Rectifier, but still gives you the same tone and most of the same perks. This is one of the most popular high-gain amps in the world, and has been for decades. Tool, Korn, Disturbed, and a ton of modern guitar players have used the Mesa Rectifiers to get that smooth, saturated high-gain tone with percussive low-end.
IDEAL FOR: All things metal and modern rock, semi-pro to pro performing and recording.
TONE
n/a
CONTROL
n/a
VERSATILITY
n/a
PRICE/VALUE
n/a
- Just a fantastic distorted tone with all the modern characteristics we're looking for
- Cleans are excellent as well
- Tons of speaker and external switching options
- Full four-band EQ for each channel
- Selectable wattage (50 or 100)
- Diamond faceplate is an iconic look
- Slave out
- Expensive
- No reverb
Price Guide from Major Retailers
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History
Price History for Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W Tube Guitar Amp Head Black
Statistics
| Current Price | $2,999.00 | September 24, 2023 |
| Highest Price | $2,999.00 | April 14, 2023 |
| Lowest Price | $2,799.00 | January 6, 2023 |
Last price changes
| $2,999.00 | April 14, 2023 |
| $2,799.00 | January 6, 2023 |
4. Peavey Invective
I love the Peavy Invective as a Diezel alternative. The 120 gives you a significant discount over Diezel amps, with three channels are a similar high-gain distortion profile. Plus, it has a built-in noise gate, and MSDI output for recording/PA systems, and a little more flexibility than the VH2.
IDEAL FOR: Lower budgets, Diezel alternative, tone flexibility, recording, and live performances.
TONE
n/a
CONTROL
n/a
VERSATILITY
n/a
PRICE/VALUE
n/a
- Lots of lower wattage options
- Prices are fantastic
- Flexible EQ
- MSDI direct output for recording and PA systems
- Distortion is the real deal
- None for the price, especially if you don't care about reverb
Price Guide from Major Retailers
Amazon Only
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5. Marshall JCM800
The JCM800 definitely has a vintage vibe, but it's surprisingly heavy and percussive, similar to the Mesa Boogie amps. You can really hear it in the "In the Room" demo by Ola Englund.
This amp has been around for a long time and has been a favorite of countless professional guitarists. If you want something with more of a classic rock feel, that's also capable of some incredible high gain tones, the JCM800 is a great landing spot. It's expensive, usually somewhere between the Diezel and Peavey amp price range, but well worth it in the right context.
IDEAL FOR: Balance between modern metal and classic rock. Versatility and British rock era fans. Mic'd up speaker cabs.
TONE
n/a
CONTROL
n/a
VERSATILITY
n/a
PRICE/VALUE
n/a
- Quality cleans and distortion on both sides of classic and modern rock styles
- Time-tested
- Used by countless pros over the years
- Marshall cleans
- Four-band EQ
- Only one channel
- Expensive
Enter your text here...
Major Retailers
Amazon Only
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What about just using a distortion pedal?
These amplifiers are going to make most distortion pedals obsolete. You might add an overdrive pedal to push your gain, but otherwise, it's better to just let these high gain amps do the heavy lifting.
If at all possible, we recommend using amp-based distortion, especially if you're running a high quality tube amp like the ones we've featured here.
Read more: Distortion pedal or amp dirty channel?
A note about Fender amps
When you're looking for high gain, it's important to keep in mind that not all amps, not even tube amps, are a good fit for this style of distortion.
For example, Fender and VOX tube amps - though fantastic in a lot of contexts - are not designed for high gain. These amps are primarily intended for cleans and bluesy breakup, not metal or modern rock.
We'd recommend making sure you're listening to demos and staying familiar with the style of the amps you're considering, especially if you don't go with one of our recommendations here.
Are there cheaper options
If you're looking for a cheaper high gain amp, here are a couple brands you should check out:
Blackstar, in particular, is a good alternative to the Mesa/Boogie amps with a similar distortion profile.
Where to buy a high gain amp
We typically recommend Sweetwater for buying these types of amps. There aren't a ton of retailers that carry Diezel and Mesa products, so we'd start there. Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, Reverb (for used options), and even Amazon are all worth checking out.
Summary and Questions
We're confident in the brands we've recommended and in all five amps on this page. But, as always, what works for you is the most important factor, and only you can take all of the variables into consideration.
If you have questions about our recommendations, or about a different amp you're considering, feel free to reach out via the comments section below.
We'll help out as much as possible.
See you there.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Roundups
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