633 DRAGONFLY RT 1X10 COMBO

Low-output, tone-rich valve amps just keep getting more relevant as home recording and quieter stages have put players’ focus on getting maximum juice from smaller amps that can be worked hard. If you’re in the market for such a thing, you won’t find better than this top-notch British-built combo from 633 Engineering, whose hand-built amps are the choice of tone-conscious artists such as Kirk Fletcher. The 10-inch Celestion VT Jr driver is mounted in an open-back birch ply cabinet, and there’s a neat trick in the design of the power stage that lets you switch between a 6V6GT or an EL84 for instant access to US or British-inspired tones. The RT version here also adds optical tremolo and a lush digital reverb to the package, giving the little Dragonfly plenty of tonal sting. It’s louder than its five-watt output might suggest; small gigs are well within its capabilities, and it’s perfect for on-song studio tone. Usefully, the RT also features an analogue cab sim for sending its signal directly to a DAW or PA. The price may seem salty for a sub-10-watt amp, but it’s all the tone you’ll ever want in a compact combo that’s designed to give its best at the real-world volumes – with a touch of boutique cachet thrown in to seal the deal.