The 3rd Power Lyra is a 3rd Power amplifier, currently around $2399. Close alternatives include the Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT V3.8 and the Carr Skylark. It pairs well with the Catalinbread Formula 5F6 and the Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31.
3rd Power Lyra
3rd Power · amplifier
The 3rd Power Lyra is a handcrafted 20-watt 6V6 boutique tube guitar amplifier built in Minneapolis that combines the voiced characters of two iconic Fender Deluxe amplifiers: Channel 1 is voiced after a 1962 brown-panel Deluxe, delivering warm, woody, naturally breaking tone, while Channel 2 captures the clarity, headroom, and expanded response of a 1965 black-panel Deluxe. Both channels are American-voiced, open, expressive, and touch-sensitive throughout the gain range. A built-in power attenuator scales output from 20 to 12 or 5 watts while preserving player-amp responsiveness, and built-in tube-driven spring reverb is standard on all configurations. Available as an amp head or 112 combo.
What stands out
“both channels are american-voiced”
— from the listing
“Tube-driven spring reverb adds authentic spring decay and warmth consistent with the vintage Deluxe tonal aesthetic”
— from the reviews
“The power attenuation system is praised for preserving amp response and feel at”
— from the community notes
“The power attenuation system stands out for maintaining amp feel and dynamic response at lower wattage settings , compressed quality typical of passive external attenuators”
— from the reviews
“The 3rd Power Lyra is a handcrafted 20-watt 6V6 boutique tube guitar amplifier built in Minneapolis that combines the voiced characters of two iconic Fender Deluxe amplifiers: Channel 1 is voiced after a 1962 brown-panel Deluxe, delivering …”
— from the listing
- american
- spring reverb
- response
- attenuator
- warm
- driven
- open
- amp feel
Good for
- Live
- Studio
- Worship
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the 3rd Power Lyra is commonly used in
- Americana
- Country
- Blues
- Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the 3rd Power Lyra
Catalinbread Formula 5F6
Catalinbread
23% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
The Formula 5F6's natural, harmonic blues breakup stacks with the Lyra's own warm, American clean for a richer push.
Goes in front of the amp
Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31
Tone City
22% matchclean platform takes the driveA clean, high-headroom stage takes on dirt it can't generate by itself. (high headroom → mid-forward)
The Model B's modern, EQ'd crunch pushes the Lyra's warm, American clean into real, contemporary gain.
Goes in front of the amp
Vemuram Jan Ray
Vemuram
21% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
The Jan Ray's punchy, transparent medium-gain drive pushes the Lyra's warm, American clean into real, musical gain.
Goes in front of the amp
Origin Effects SlideRIG Compact Deluxe
Origin Effects
13% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Run the SlideRIG before the Lyra for subtle, high-quality compression before the amp's own warm, attenuated clean reacts.
Goes in front of the amp
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
Boss
12% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Boss TR-2 Tremolo's own voicing points at Fender-style amps, and 3rd Power Lyra delivers it
Goes in front of the amp
Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal
pedal
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal in 3rd Power Lyra's effects loop, clear of 3rd Power Lyra's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep the El Capistan in the Lyra's loop for bright-to-dark tape echo beyond the amp's own warm, American clean. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Sits in the amp's effects loop
Friedman Small Box Overdrive
Friedman
tonal matchGoes in front of the amp
Friedman Small Box Overdrive's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and 3rd Power Lyra delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Universal Audio Uafx Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier Preamp
Universal Audio
72% similarityUniversal Audio Uafx Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier Preamp recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Catalinbread Dreamcoat Skewer Special Edition Box
Catalinbread
72% similarityCatalinbread Dreamcoat Skewer Special Edition Box recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Tone King Imperial Preamp
Tone King
72% similarityTone King Imperial Preamp recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Blackstar Artisan 30 212 Combo 30W/2x12Zoll Class A
Blackstar
52% similarityShared character: channel 2, two channels, articulation
Blackstar Series One 45-Watt 2x12"
Blackstar
48% similarityShared character: two channels, crunch, response
Bad Cat Cougar 15
Bad Cat
44% similarityShared character: touch, crunch, clarity
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT V3.8
Electronic Audio Experiments
72% similarityElectronic Audio Experiments Model feT V3.8 recreates this amp's tone in pedal form
Carr Skylark
Carr
56% similarityShared character: higher gain, reverb, articulation
Divided by 13 JRT 9/15
Divided By 13
52% similarityShared character: reverb, headroom
Cornell Romany 12 Reverb
Cornell
51% similarityShared character: reverb, touch, response
Gretsch 6160 Chet Atkins Amp
Gretsch
49% similarityShared character: two channels, articulation, crunch
Bartel Swingland 3W 1x12 Combo
Bartel
49% similarityShared character: reverb
See all alternatives to the 3rd Power Lyra (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the 3rd Power Lyra?+
The closest matches in character are the Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT V3.8, the Carr Skylark, the Divided by 13 JRT 9/15. Budget picks: Universal Audio Uafx Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier Preamp, Catalinbread Dreamcoat Skewer Special Edition Box, Tone King Imperial Preamp.
What pairs well with the 3rd Power Lyra?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Catalinbread Formula 5F6, Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31, Vemuram Jan Ray — The Formula 5F6's natural, harmonic blues breakup stacks with the Lyra's own warm, American clean for a richer push..
How much does the 3rd Power Lyra cost?+
Around $2399 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).