“A celebration of Dimebag’s timeless influence”: Dimebag Darrell’s Warhead amp has been revived as a compact lunchbox head – and it was tested during Pantera rehearsals
The affordable 40-watt amp head looks to faithfully deliver “pure, unfiltered Dimebag tone” with pre-set EQ circuits and identical settings – and was put through its paces with Pantera by Zakk Wylde
(Image credit: David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty Images / Warhead Amps)
After well over a year of waiting, Dimebag Darrell’s legendary Warhead guitar amp – which was at the foundation of the late guitar great’s influential metal tone – has finally been resurrected.
However, that initial announcement teased that the Warhead would return at some point by the end of 2023 – a timescale that, obviously, wasn’t adhered to.
But now the Warhead is officially back – but it’s taken on a form that many probably weren’t expecting.
Rather than resurrecting the fully fledged amp head, the Warhead has been reimagined as a smaller, portable 40-watt lunchbox amp, which has been masterminded by KHDK Electronics’ David Karon.
Karon – who worked at amp’s original maker Randall, and had collaborated closely with Dimebag on his amp designs – partnered with Dime’s former guitar tech, Grady Champion, and Rita Haney to make this new Warhead.
What's more, the new Warhead was officially signed off after it was put through its paces and rigorously tested by Zakk Wylde during Pantera rehearsals.
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In a launch video, Champion says the compact repro of the original Warhead amp was built by closely studying some of Dimebag’s original gear, and was a true “labor of love” to get over the finish line.
“It’s like having a little piece of Dime with you everywhere,” Champion notes. “Dime would be so proud of this right now.”
Launched under the new dedicated Warhead brand umbrella, the Warhead lunchbox amp arrives with a no-nonsense control set that comprises Master, Gain and Presence parameters, as well as a three-band EQ.
Under the hood, it promises “authentic sound engineering” with the same pre-EQ circuits and identical settings to deliver “pure, unfiltered Dimebag tone”.
“You’re getting the same 40-watt, single-channel, solid-state power amp, crafted with input from Dimebag’s closest crew,” a statement on the Warhead website says. “Building on the heritage of the original early 2000s Warhead, the new mini amp is a heartfelt tribute and a celebration of Dimebag Darrell’s timeless influence.
(Image credit: Warhead Amps)
“More than two years in the making, it is a true labor of love and our homage to the man who has deeply touched all our hearts.”
The Warhead’s original limited launch edition has already sold out, but the standard Black Edition is available to pre-order now ahead of a November shipping.
Notably, the Warhead weighs in at $529, which, by today’s standards, doesn’t make it just a competitively priced high-end lunchbox amp, but also one of the most affordable – and conveniently sized – signature amps you could hope to find.
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
