ZT Amplifiers ZT Lunchbox Guitar Combo Amplifier (200 Watts, 1x6.5")
Don't break your back lugging big amps from gig to gig. The ZT Lunchbox proves that an amp doesn't need to be big to be loud, or expensive to sound great.
Overall User Ratings (based on 19 ratings)
Submitted December 20, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"Tiny just struck back."
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This will serve me well for many years.
Sound
It is an awesome amp that really does respond like a tube amp. I am very happy with how well it sounds, you can really go all over the sound board with this one. I play from raunchy metal to light clean pickin, from "how much bass do you need?" to "treble much?" The best part is blowing your jam buddies away.
Features
Some wont like this, but you have to have your head wrapped around the zt thinking. Simple is good. Like apple, it keeps the user limited, but the hardware is very intuitive. You just have to give up some control with the limited knob options, but you get some fantastic results. Also plugging in my MP3 player is awesome.
Ease of Use
Come on, 4 knobs.
Quality
I like having an amp where I don't have to mess with for hours to get some great tone out of, and going from one tone to another has never been easier.
Value
H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICK yes!
The Wow Factor
I own it!
Musical Background:
10 years, guitar, jam/home
Musical Style:
rock, classical, blues, jazz, alternative, regge, country, other
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Submitted January 6, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Best innovation in guitar amps in fifty years."
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I plan to buy the extension speaker and keep exploring this amp's possibilities. So far I am nothing but pleased.
Sound
I love this amp. It works great with pedals and preamps that I could only get to sound good when I went direct to the mixer. I is set up to adjust to any input level so it works great with all the instruments I've tried. It rocks on a Rhodes piano. I got it for jazz but with the right pedal it can fry your neighborhood with punch and volume. This is the best innovation I have seen for guitar in my forty-five years of playing.
Features
I wouldn't change anything for now.
Ease of Use
Good manual.
Quality
It appears to be rock solid. It would be cool if ZT made one in the states using the same circuits but with a look of American craftsmanship and possibly some beefing up of the internals.
Value
This is the last amp I'd ever buy. Far superior value to any amp I have tried this year.
Manufacturer Support
The manual encourages customers to get in touch with them so that's a good sign.
The Wow Factor
This amp is all about sound. I could see a sexier version with four speakers and double the output but that would be like taking a 200 mph car to the mall.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
jazz/blues/fusion
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Submitted October 4, 2012 by Laurence Schwarz in Edmonds, WA
"This little amp will kick your asterisk!"
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For starters, it weighs 9lbs, so no hauling heavy combo's or head & cab. It behaves very much like a classic tube amp. I wasn't interested in spending upwards toward $1K for a Fender EC Vibro-Champ, etc., but wanted the size, tone, and behavior of one. The 6.5" speaker is a little on the "tinny" side, but connect the speaker out to a 2x12 or 4x12 cab, and this thing will blow your hair back. One place where it really shines is that you get that tube tone, but not the uncontrollable breakup associated with a cranked tube amp. Another excellent feature is the ability to use the headphone out into an audio interface for recording without the need for an amp sim. plug-in. Look, there is no perfect amp in my book. They all have their merits and weaknesses, but this little guy sure comes close. I would buy one again in a heartbeat, and wouldn't hesitate to gig with it either.
Musical Background:
relearning guitar again........
Musical Style:
Blues, Jazz, classic rock.
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Submitted October 25, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"Lunchbox is a monster"
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This is a great grab and go amp that is able to gig in a combo setting.
Sound
Understand that I mainly play jazz and blues with some blues rock here and there. If you are looking for an amp with lots of clean headroom this is a great amp. The small speaker has the kind of range you would expect but if you plug it into an external cabinet, it sounds incredible. There is plenty of headroom for playing jazz and clean blues with it. Even running the gain high it stays pretty clean with the single coils in my stratocasters. The tone voicing is pretty good at 11 to 12 o'clock. The presence control is a bit strange, I mainly leave it turned all the way down.
Features
I really like the ability to switch the speaker in or out when using an external speaker and the external input for my computer or ipod is nice. I can plug my netbook in and play along with tracks and the whole mess is small yet loud enough to be fun.
I wish it had an effects loop, but my effects and preamps have sounded alright at the input and doesn't effect the aux input sound so it works out.
Ease of Use
Can't imagine it being any easier to use...
Quality
For the price it is fairly well put together and is visually attractive.
Value
Great bang for the buck at this price point.
Manufacturer Support
The designer answered my email with a question about use of external speakers and ohm rating. It doesn't get any better than that!
The Wow Factor
Obviously... I bought it, I kept it, I own it.
Musical Background:
Active and old
Musical Style:
Jazz, Blues
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Submitted October 3, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Sexy Little Thing"
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OK I'll answer these quiestions in order. I expect to be satisfied for many, many years to come. I would replace it with a newer model. Sex appeal would be the only thing that would lead me to something else. Well the only thing I like more about other amps is the overdrive. I chose the Lunchbox because of the size and the fact that not only did none of my friends have one they hadn't even heard of it until I inntroduced them to it. My musical goals can't be met by an amplifier or even a guitar. My goals revolve around me not my equipment. If my Lunchbox were lost or stolen I'd buy a new one. I wish I had known how far the overdrive would go. But then if I had known I wouldn't have bought it and I would have missed out. I think what I like most is the wsize. Dynomite comes in small packages. I don't want to sound redundant but the overdrive is weak. It doesn't provide you with much versatility. However I've remedied that with a great stompbox.
Sound
I rated the Lunchbox a 5 on the sound because the actual sound of the amplifier wasn't quite the same as it was on the videos I watched. It had a nice tone from the get go but the overdrive was weak for my style of music. It did sound great when I played some blues through it however that isn't my style. I was going to send it back because I wasn't satisfied with it. Then I pluged a Vox Satchurator into it and let me just say OMG! I have since sold my 5150 212 combo. The Lunchbox is indeed everthing it says it is. It has awesome tone. Heavy lows and bright highs. The Ambience is a great reverb. And volume? Yes. I have played live with it 7 times now and I havevn't had to mic it yet.
So, if you're a blues player the Lunchbox comes out of the box ready to go. I you're a rocker get it but get yourself a nice stompbox to go with it and you won't be sorry.
Features
The only accessories it came with was the power cord and a carrying case. I like the fact that you can turn off the speaker or leave it on when you have headphones pluged into it. As for features I wish it had I think it needs an actual distortion or crunch knob. I don't like using pedals. I've always prefered finding an amp that has the level of overdrive I want built in.
Ease of Use
It's very easy to use. How easy is it to modify the sound? There are only 4 knobs so it's very easy to modify the sound but to modify the sound to my personal taste it can't be done without outside help. Which, as I've said, with my stompbox plugged into it the sound is AWESOME from every aspect.
Quality
I've only had it a month but I think it's going to last a lifetime. Cosmetically, it may depreciate. The paint may start to chip off but that just gives it personallity. Like I said earlier I have sold my 5150 I don't need it anymore. I can now arrive for a gig with my amp on my shoulder and a guitar in each hand. It only weighs 9.5 pounds. But they're are heavy duty pounds.
Value
I've had amps that cost 10 times as much and I can honestly say they are no better than the Lunchbox. In fact I truly believe for the money this is probably the best amp I've ever owned with the exception of a couple of vintage amps I own.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
The Wow Factor
The "sex appeal" is why I bought it to begin with. As I've said previously I owned a 5150 combo. I've played almost 2 gigs a week with it for 10 years. The 5150 is one of the best most versatile amplifiers ever built so I didn't NEED the Lunchbox. I wanted it. I HAD to have it. I'm not sorry I bought it.
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
rock and folk
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Submitted January 29, 2010 by a customer from gmail.com
"Get this amp!"
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I am going to be satisfied with this until ZT comes out with something better, which is going to be rediculously hard to do seeing as how they set themselves up with a masterpiece to top. I am going to use this amp until it falls apart, and even after that I'll get another one. The only thing I would like to see on this is an FX loop which they are bringing to the club model so I am satisfied.
Sound
THIS IS LOUD!!!! I was looking for something that would just alolow me to plug in and be heard and ZT ANSWERED! Many people think that because it's how it is, the sound quality must be crap, BUT the sound quality out of this amp is actually comparable to any tube amp I've ever played on. It gets a really nice blues overdrive when you crank the gain too! It's perfect for any live setting, and with the headphone out port you can even get an amazing direct out recording off of it.
Features
It has a tone control, a volume control, a gain control, and something called an ambience control (which makes the sound more like it's in a wooden box). You can't really tailor the eq well but that's the only problem with it! It's got a speaker out port so you can hook up a cabinet to it and get even louder, and it's got an internal speaker switch which turns the internal 6.5" speaker on or off (which is perfect when you're using headphones).
Ease of Use
You plug it in and go nuts. It's requires almost no setup. I've had "easy access" amps that were harder to use than this.
Quality
I feel like if I dropped it, it would get some damage on it. However, it seems to be able to take on it's full volume for quite some time. I've had to crank it for practices and shows already and it hasn't failed yet.
Value
This is the absolute best value you can get for any amp ever, period. I recommend this to every single guitarist out there. Every guitarist should have one of these!
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to use customer support yet but I hear that they're phenominal.
The Wow Factor
This is a technological masterpiece! It's perfect for college students or even your everyday gigging musician. And did I mention that it actually looks like a freakin lunchbox? I had people thinking that there were sandwiches in there at one point! It's the most amazing amp ever, GET ONE!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
A little bit of everything
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Submitted January 8, 2010 by a customer from comcast.net
"The Little Monster"
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This is a amp that will make this company ZT the amp company we will all have in the future in our bedrooms and on stage.
Sound
This amp will supprise anyone who trys it you can get great sounds from this little monster, you would think it would have a hard time getting a good low end but you can get a nice mellow sound by adjusting the controls and if you add the cabinet like i did then you just open it up even more this amp can sound really great and it loves pedals for everything you could want out of it it will do.
Features
This will be its only low point because the controls are so basic and the reverb is really a Ambience control but like i said this amp loves pedals so no problem adding a reverb to it, and a loop would have been nice but for what this amp can do i can live with just the basic controls it has.
Ease of Use
Very easy plug and play and can you play with this little beast you can play with any amp out there and even the crazy drummers with the monster sets wont be able to leave you behind.
Quality
So far so good seem to be built very solid and nice look.
Value
I wouid have to say that this is really worth the price i payed where sometimes i feel the companys ask way to much for the products they make ZT seem to be right on track with there price and i even see these as going up in value over time.
Manufacturer Support
They got back to me when i emailed them the same day and when i called the staff where very friendly and helpfull even when i had a question that i should have know if i would have read the manual.
The Wow Factor
This ampo make everyone who hears it want one that same day several people i know bought one the next day after they tryed my little beast.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Blues,Rock,Country
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Submitted June 22, 2012 by Cesar Aparil
"ZT lunchbox "wow" guitar amplifier"
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This little amp is not little. Do not judge this by its size. The very first time i brought this amp in one of our praise fest event, my friends thought it is like 25 watt amp. I did not bring the extension cabinet that will make a sum of unbelieving 300watt by looking at its size. But the 200watt alone rocks the hall! What more if i brought the extension cab? Wow! This amp matches my epi Lp bb3. I also found my ibanez acoustic-electric guitar sounds great in this "little loud" zt guitar amp. i have not tried this to my yamaha bass guitar but i will not of course! Hope zt would make one also for bass guitars.
Musical Background:
I am playing for almost 20 years. I play for self relaxation, small gatherings and ocassionally involved in some gigs.
Musical Style:
Slow rock, praise and worship songs, love songs.
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Submitted April 7, 2012 by Ken S
"Lunchbox ZT"
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Lunchbox ZT
Sound
This little amp sounds amazing for its size. But let's be real, it isn't a (fill in your favorite, heavy tube amp). I use it for blues to metal and this thing takes effects like nobody's business. If you want to plug right into this and throw out some death metal, it ain't gonna happen. Though you could possibly get a good blues sound, depending on what you like. The pick articulation is very pronounced through it no matter how much distortion I run into it. Oh, I might also add that I'm using a Strat with SSS, 2 Ibanez- an RG550 and an RG1570.
Features
Simplicity is the name of the game here. I like that. The controls: Ambience, Tone, Volume, & Gain. The Ambience is supposed to mimic open/closed back cabs. I personally only find this control useful in about the 1 o'clock position. Next you have a single tone control that does just what it says and does it pretty darn well. Then you have the Volume and Gain. As for the back panel, it has a speaker out for adding on a cabinet. A 1/4" headphone jack with it's own volume control, and an 1/8" aux in to pipe your mp3 player into for practice with a backing track or your favorite band. In a way, it's lack of control panel based bells & whistles is appealing to me. Though I would kind of like to see a reverb on it.
Ease of Use
I wanted this for it's size and simplicity. It has excellent tone for what it is. In a perfect world we'd all have our dream amp and effects with us wherever we go. There's a whole lot to be said for having an amp of this size, with this power, that fits in a bag you can throw over your shoulder. Put a small digital multi-effect processor in the side pocket of the carry bag and you're ready to jam anywhere. It's convenience at it's finest. And it's light enough that you can put it up on your desk or table, closer to your ears, for late night practicing. Headphones are a necessary evil, but I do my best to avoid them.
Quality
This amp appears well made. No rattles, squeaks, etc.
Value
I don't know of any other company that puts these particular features into an amp of this size. The wattage. The ins and outs etc. I'm sure they're out there somewhere though. The sound is spectacular for it's size and weight. I do think it's a bit pricey though. But not so bad that I didn't buy it.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't needed any support. That's why I gave it a 2.5 rating instead of 5.
The Wow Factor
We've all had junk amps that just got us by. And at times we played through some gear that we just had to have. That's what this amp was for me. At first glance, it's size is what strikes you. Then when you play through it, it's just amazing. The volume that this little thing puts out will floor you. So I said "WOW! I can put this in a little shoulder bag, with a pocket size FX unit......."
Musical Background:
Guitarist for 28 yrs. I currently play in one rock/metal band as well as record in my home studio.
Musical Style:
Blues, rock, metal.
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Submitted December 15, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com
"GREAT LITTLE AMP, LOUD AS YOU NEED IT TO BE, LIGHT AS YOU NEED IT TO BE!"
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I look forward to really using this product a lot in the coming months/years. Hope to add the cabinet soon.
Sound
This little amp has great volume/sound. In my opinion, it does need external effects to get the full potential, but with some reverb and delay, it really does sound good.
Features
Keep it simple is the best way to describe this amp. I really wish they had added a reverb instead of the "ambience" knob! (couldn't have been that much harder!)that said, it has ins/outs, and a switch to turn speaker on/off, like I said, keeping it simple.
Ease of Use
Plug into a stompbox, plug into the amp, turn it on, gain up, volume up, you're done. simple.
Quality
Built like a little tank! Really impressed with the ruggedness of this unit! I'm not really worried about anything breaking or being knocked off. I think they really got this part right!
Value
It is a great product. Still, I think a bit pricey at $260! But I did pay that and I'm not complaining. I just think it would be a greater value at a lower price point.
Manufacturer Support
haven't had to deal with anyone.
The Wow Factor
just the coolest little thing. you walk in with it to jam sessions and everyone's kinda eyeballing you about to make fun of you, then you plug it in and keep up with those twin speaker boxes of lead and they change their tune really quick!
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Gospel
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Submitted May 16, 2012 by sam f in los angeles, CA
"Zt has some great features but pricey for what it doesnt do"
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Overall you have to try it. I think at best you could use it for acoustic or small combo. Even Jazz you would want a bigger speaker. Some nice features like headphone out (send to an amp or PA) the switch speaker off/on. However, no reverb is unforgiveable ona na item at 250-300 especially if it is to try and sub for a real amp. I am keeping it for now but there are other lightweight options out there. I will probably do a comparison on video.
Sound
Pretty good sound at medium levels on clean (vol at 10 use gain) it starts to break up at about 60-70%.. It does sound good with pedals like real pedals or my ME-50 or even my zoom G3. it has a sharp solid state amp sound. Even with a humbucker gtr the sound is too tinny and I often keep the tone control nearly all the way down and the ambient is a weird type of cab, woodsy feel.
Features
Most useful: small though a bit heavy, can use with another amp or cab and still have the ZT speaker, on/off spkr switch, good clean and pedal sound at about 70%Least useful: too many things - NO REVERB just ridiculous at this price point - there are small amps that may not be 200 watts but sound and play better (Roland Microcube, KUSTOM PW50 which is like a mini PA, or a simple solid state small amp) the tone control whil responsive needs to emphasize low not high - ambient is a waste without a reverb.Just not loud enuff for most practical uses and way more than you need for a reference or practice amp.
Ease of Use
Pretty easy to dial in sound if u want clean put up thevolume channel, set the tone. I HAVE the ext cab which is a nice addition but too limited - I plugged the ZT into a Flextone - really drove the amp loud plus the sound of the ZT but the ZT cab is a cute idea but does not equal a decent 12" speaker the lows eventually do not hold.
Quality
Seems well made BUT it is too much like a lunchbox. for this price I think the handle could be easier to use. I have arm issues and am always looking for loud and compact. In actuality carrying this is light but because it is like 2 bricks in a box it is not as easy as some 8" 10" amps or my KUSTOM mini PA. I did play it loud compared to Line 6 60 watt and it held up (using ping pong delay) until the flex was up at about 50% that makes it a great lieel addition for stereo, a head or a monitor.
Value
Tough one.NO - it is a great start to an idea that is overdue - try it if you find it at 150-200 it could be a great value. I think since I used it clean, stereo with a large amp and as a head of sorts it has functions and I love having it as a reference amp for my little studio. Look at the CLUB its older brother that has a 12" speaker and is about 22 pounds some outs in the back but I hear the reverb is bad plate - Come on guys separate reverb should be the rule!. the ext. cab only works for the Lbox and I hear the acoustic ZT is not that loud. I would look at for acoustic: fishman lbox, Kustom PW50 or a small acst amp. though this thing may be enough for a small acstc gig with a reverb pedal. I have too many amps but would like to consodlidate - I like it but not sure I can justify it at 250 which is a great price - for small jams or maybe more a folk group with drums aI would use it and send it out to an amp then you have 2 sources. The cab does not add as much as a simple amp. IN the end a 6 inch speaker is just a 6 inch speaker. But it does get loud relative to anything else its size
Manufacturer Support
No
The Wow Factor
Yeah I may keep it cuz of the convenience and versatility but I do not really need it. The Kustom mini PA provides well-rounded PA tone for anything, small amps have rvb for reference and an apartment, for this money you can get a pretty loud SS amp with a 10"speaker - you will be happier - It is convenient and fun to use but over priced -add a hall reverb, an eight inch spkr and this might be ok for drums. The CAB is over 500 dollars - for 350 u can get the vox hybrid 80 watt and only a few more pounds. It is growing on me I want to see the next version or other companies - Loud, rvb and very portable is where tech is going! its a start
Musical Background:
30 yrs
Musical Style:
Rock/Funk, world, fusion, blues
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Submitted February 13, 2011 by a customer from iadfw.net
"The lunchbox is worth it."
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A really startling tiny amp that is big in so many ways.
Sound
The Ambiance control allows this little amp to sweep a broad range of tone, from very dry and clean to a full strong sound that is nice for blues and slide guitar. The clean setting gives an easy sift to a clean, jazz sound. And yes, it is loud. One of my main amps is a 1964 Fender Deluxe Reverb and the Lunchbox challenges it for both presence and volume.
Features
It came with a power cord and manual; that"s all. 'Course it is inexpensive so it all works out.
Ease of Use
No learning curve. Very easy.
Quality
I didn't give it a 10 because I'm curious to see how it holds up with a lot of use.
Value
Very strong comparative value.
Manufacturer Support
No applicable
Musical Background:
Professional blues and jazz player since the mid-1960s.
Musical Style:
Blues, Jazz, most anything else as need be.
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Submitted April 27, 2012 by Charles P in Hartland, NB
"Great for it's size"
I tried out many small inexpensive amps(under $200) but most were larger than the lunchbox , cheaply built with poor tone. Having a Mesa Lonsstar special 1x12 as my main amp the ZT doesn't hold a candle to the Mesa but I wasn't expecting it to with only a 6.5" speaker but connected to the Mesa's speaker it is nothing short of amazing and becomes quite obvious this is a 200watt peak amp(130 watts rms) that could be used in most venues. I bought it for using around the house but it will also be great backup for stage. Using only the amp the sound is okay...nothing special...lots of hiss,,,little to no bass response and will distort it's speaker if volume is med to high but hey it does pretty good considering the speaker size.. It's downfalls all disappear if hooked to a decent size cab and this thing could easily drive a 4 x12" cab as claimed..
The amp is dry sounding but it loves pedals so i use a mutli-effects board to get incredible tones. I use a strat with brdige HB($4500 list) but I'm confident any guitar would sound good through it. This amp doesn't cheapen the guitar sound and it responds much like a tube amp.
For size alone no other small amp can touch this thing for volume . The cube 80x is probably a better amp for sound out of the box but in fairness it has a larger speaker and onboard effects.
I highly suggest you try one out in a store ...don't buy online unless you have because it's not an amp everyone will like.
Oh by the way I've read several negative reviews which I don't quite get. This amps is amazing for it's size and is endorsed by some well known guitarists . Many stores can't keep them in stock which is proof the many who have given thumbs up aren't crazy. Mine is a keeper.
Musical Background:
37yrs
Musical Style:
Classical,Rock,Jazz and New age
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