Best Guitar Preamps of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Guitar preamps are essential tools for any guitarist looking to enhance their sound quality. These devices are used to amplify the guitar's signal before it is sent to the amplifier, allowing for greater control over the tone and overall sound. With a range of features including EQ controls, gain adjustments, and built-in effects, guitar preamps offer musicians the ability to fine-tune their sound to their exact specifications. Whether you're a professional musician or just starting out, a quality guitar preamp can help take your playing to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Palmer PEPAMP Guitar Amplifier MK2 Features Cover #TOP 1
Palmer PEPAMP Guitar Amplifier MK2 Features
ftb score rating icon 9.9
NUX Stageman Floor Acoustic Preamp with Looper Cover #TOP 2
NUX Stageman Floor Acoustic Preamp with Looper
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Universal Audio Lion '68 Super Lead Amp for Guitar Cover #TOP 3
Universal Audio Lion '68 Super Lead Amp for Guitar
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Guitar Preamps

#TOP 1

Palmer PEPAMP Guitar Amplifier MK2 Features

Palmer
PAL-PEPAMP-MKII
Silver
Palmer PEPAMP Guitar Amplifier MK2 Features Cover
Palmer PEPAMP Guitar Amplifier MK2

The Palmer PEPAMP MK2 is a versatile guitar amplifier that offers an array of useful features. It includes level, mic position, and mode controls, allowing you to tailor your sound to suit different environments and styles. The treble and bass controls let you enhance your tonal quality, ensuring your guitar sounds its best. With three outputs, you can connect to multiple devices easily, providing flexibility for performances or practice sessions. This compact pocket amp is designed for convenience, making it an excellent choice for musicians on the go.

What We Like
Multiple sound control options
Compact and portable design
Flexible connectivity with three outputs
Enhanced tonal quality
#TOP 2

NUX Stageman Floor Acoustic Preamp with Looper

NUX
173.338UK
Cream White
NUX Stageman Floor Acoustic Preamp with Looper Cover
NUX | Stageman Floor Acoustic Preamp DI Pedal, 173.338UK

The NUX Stageman Preamp is designed for acoustic performers seeking versatility. It features a 60-second looper with overdub and freeze functions, allowing you to layer your sound effortlessly during performances. The USB port enables easy firmware updates, ensuring your unit remains up-to-date with the latest features. Additionally, the notch filter helps you control feedback, making it easier to maintain sound clarity. With a 3.5mm line level aux input, you can connect various audio devices for enhanced versatility.

What We Like
Versatile looper functions
Easy firmware updates
Feedback control feature
Aux input for audio devices
#TOP 3

Universal Audio Lion '68 Super Lead Amp for Guitar

Universal Audio
GPM-LION
Black
Universal Audio Lion '68 Super Lead Amp for Guitar Cover
Universal Audio Lion '68 Super Lead Amp - Electric Guitar Preamp

The Lion '68 Super Lead Amp offers a powerful UAFX dual-engine that captures the authentic sound of late-'60s British 100-watt tube amplifiers. With emulations of iconic amplifiers such as the Super Lead and Super Bass, you can enjoy a rich tonal experience. The amp includes top-notch speaker cabinet, mic, and room tones, ensuring your sound is studio-quality. Additionally, you can bypass cabinet and mic emulations to enhance your existing setup, allowing for versatile tonal flavour and overdrive options.

What We Like
Authentic tube sound emulation
Customisable footswitches via app
High-quality speaker cabinet tones
Versatile tonal options
#TOP 4

BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp with Vintage Sounds

BP-1W
BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp with Vintage Sounds Cover
BOSS BP-1W Booster/Preamp | Premium Waza Craft Guitar Effect Pedal with Analog Circuitry | Vintage Sounds from the BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble & Roland RE-201 Space Echo | Standard & Vintage Buffer

The BOSS BP-1W Booster offers a premium experience with its analog circuitry, inspired by iconic BOSS and Roland effects. You can choose from three selectable modes to suit your needs. The CE mode delivers a bright, bell-like sound reminiscent of the BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, perfect for adding clarity to your tone. Meanwhile, the RE mode provides a rich, warm sound akin to the Roland RE-201 Space Echo, enhancing your music's depth. The NAT mode offers a clean boost with minimal colouration, ensuring your natural sound shines through.

What We Like
Premium analog sound quality
Three versatile modes
Customisable gain and level control
Selectable input buffer options
#TOP 5

Behringer ADI-21 Acoustic Amp Modeler and DI

ADI21
multi
Behringer ADI-21 Acoustic Amp Modeler and DI Cover
Behringer ADI-21 Acoustic Amp Modeler/ DI

The Behringer ADI-21 is an innovative acoustic guitar preamp and stompbox designed to enhance your sound. With its ultra-musical 3-band EQ and sweepable mids, you can effectively control feedback and eliminate harsh piezo harmonics, ensuring a clearer tone. Its super-high impedance retains maximum signal integrity and dynamics, giving you a richer sound. Additionally, the authentic tube/microphone modelling circuitry provides the warmth and presence of a professionally miked acoustic guitar, making your performance sound exceptional.

What We Like
High-quality sound enhancement
Effective feedback control
Rich, warm tone
Versatile recording options
#TOP 6

IMG Stage Line Microphone Preamplifier with PSU

IMG
210680
Black
IMG Stage Line Microphone Preamplifier with PSU Cover
Img Stage Line Microphone Preamplifier

The IMG Microphone Preamplifier offers versatile use with its stereo or dual mono options, making it ideal for various audio setups. You will appreciate the wide frequency range, ensuring a clear and dynamic sound for your recordings. The sturdy black metal case provides durability and protection, suitable for both studio and live environments. Additionally, it comes supplied with a plug-in PSU, allowing you to get started straight away without the need for additional purchases.

What We Like
Stereo or dual mono options
Wide frequency range
Durable black metal case
Includes plug-in PSU
#TOP 7

Nicoone 3-Band Acoustic Guitar Preamp

1313150-1463-2040004141
black
Nicoone 3-Band Acoustic Guitar Preamp Cover
Nicoone 3-Band Guitar Preamp, Acoustic Guitar EQ Equalizer Onboard Preamp Pickup Tuner Guitar Tool

The Nicoone Guitar Preamp offers a 3-band equaliser with controls for bass, midrange, and treble, allowing you to customise your sound effortlessly. It features an integrated tuner for quick tuning adjustments, ensuring your guitar always sounds its best. The low-profile control button makes installation a breeze, letting you plug and play without hassle. With a built-in Sonicore pickup and a pre-wired 9-volt battery, you can enjoy seamless performance without the need for soldering.

What We Like
Easy sound customisation
Quick tuning access
Simplified installation
Long battery life
#TOP 8

Fishman Platinum Pro EQ Analog Preamp Pedal

PRO-PLT-201
Beige
Fishman Platinum Pro EQ Analog Preamp Pedal Cover
Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI Analog Preamp Pedal, PRO-PLT-201

The Fishman Platinum Pro EQ is a completely redesigned all-analog preamp that enhances the sound of any acoustic instrument. With its 17-volt, high-headroom Class-A preamp, you can expect incredibly accurate sonic detail, allowing your musical expression to shine through. The 5-band tone control, featuring a sweep-mid and low-frequency filter, offers you the flexibility to sculpt your sound to perfection. An integrated fully-chromatic digital tuner ensures you stay in tune effortlessly, making it a fantastic tool for performers.

What We Like
High-quality sound detail
Versatile tone control
Built-in digital tuner
Balanced XLR output
#TOP 9

Fishman Neo-D Acoustic Pickup with Clarity

PRONEOD02
Silver
Fishman Neo-D Acoustic Pickup with Clarity Cover
Fishman Neo-D Magnetic Humbucker Acoustic Pickup, Silver

The Fishman Neo-D Pickup is designed to help you achieve exceptional sound quality when connecting your acoustic guitar. With its neodymium magnet structure, it provides excellent string balance and sparkling acoustic clarity, ensuring your music sounds its best. The low-profile design means it won’t get in the way while you play, and its high-impedance functionality eliminates the need for batteries, making it a convenient choice for musicians on the go. You can enjoy rich, true sound without the hassle of extra equipment.

What We Like
Exceptional sound quality
No battery required
Low-profile design
Great string balance
Easy to use
#TOP 10

TC Electronic Ampworx Dual Wreck Preamp Pedal

DUAL WRECK PREAMP
Pas Disponible
TC Electronic Ampworx Dual Wreck Preamp Pedal Cover
TC Electronic Ampworx Dual Wreck Preamp - Electric Guitar Preamp

The TC Electronic Dual Wreck is designed to deliver authentic tube amp tones, faithfully recreating the iconic sound of the 1995 Revision G Dual Rectifier. With two independent channels, you can effortlessly switch between clean and lead tones, making it perfect for various styles, from bluesy sounds to heavy rock. The integrated adjustable booster adds a 5 dB boost, enhancing your mid tones for solos and riffs. Additionally, the convenient output options allow you to connect to a PA system or enjoy private practice sessions without disturbing anyone.

What We Like
Authentic tube amp tone
Two versatile independent channels
Adjustable boost for dynamics
Convenient output options
Master presence control
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a preamp do for a guitar?

What Does A Preamp Do? The foremost function of a preamp is to boost your electric guitar's output signal up to 'line level'. A pure guitar signal typically sounds weak and anaemic, something that is particularly evident when you plug a guitar directly into something like a PA system or an audio interface.

2. Does guitar need preamp?

Do you need a preamp to record guitar? No, you don't need a preamp to record guitar. Preamps boost the original sound of the guitar before feeding it into the amplifier and can produce higher levels of feedback and distortion.

3. Do you really need a preamp?

Bottom line: An external preamp is a great second step to improve your sound quality or to obtain more sound variety, but don't make the second step before you've made the first. You can make great recordings with just your audio interface's internal preamps and one or two high quality condenser mics.

4. Do acoustic guitars have preamps?

Most acoustic amplification setups benefit from either a preamp or a DI (direct input) box. ... A DI or preamp is essential for getting the best sound when plugging a guitar into the mixer of a PA system, and many guitarists prefer to use a preamp even when plugging into an amplifier.

Editor's Notes

During our guitar preamp research, we found 34 guitar preamp products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,017 customer reviews through our big data system to write the guitar preamps list. We found that most customers choose guitar preamps with an average price of £65.31.

The guitar preamps are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of guitar preamps, including Palmer, NUX, Universal Audio, BOSS, Behringer.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.