Guitar Amplifiers

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Guitar Amplifiers Buying Guide.

Given the variety of guitars and the number of amplifier brands available, deciding on the right amplifier has its challenges. With some basic research, the buying decision is made a little easier. So, here is a brief guide for amp buying. On the one hand, it is wise to arm yourself with some research before entering the market for an amp. On the other hand, the quality of amps on the market these days, you could just as easily pick your budget, review a few models in that price range, and make the purchase. So do not stress too much.

What is the right budget

Many musicians will advise you to spend a similar amount of money on the amplifier as was spent on the guitar. The reason is simple: why diminish your musical talent and the quality of your guitar with an amplifier of lesser value than your instrument. Basically, do not diminish your guitar's potential by matching it with an inferior amplifier. However that does not mean that less pricey amps are of low quality. Today, because of computer aided manufacturing, costs of amp units are dropping considerably without affecting the quality of the sound that produced. This market trend is good news for guitarists researching and buying a new or pre-owned amplifier.

At first glance, amps are designed to match the four types of guitars, namely: electric; acoustic; electric bass and electronic keyboard.

Electric Guitar Amps: These are hands down the most popular of all the amplifiers. This level of popularity is a result of the broad appeal of the electric guitar.

Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers: These amps are used to project the brilliant highs of the acoustic guitar without sacrificing on the mid-ranges and basses. Acoustic guitar amps always have their own speakers and they also generally allow a mic to be plugged in directly along with the line from the acoustic guitars pickups.

Bass Amplifiers: These amps tend to not distort the sound; rather the focus of a bass amp is to reproduce the low sonorous sounds that bass guitars are so popularly known for.

Keyboard Amps: Basically these amps are designed to accurately reproduce keyboard sounds in a similar manner as a PA system.

Types of Amplifier Units

Combo Amps: Contain both the speaker and the amplifier unit in one box. These amps are what you will most commonly find in the market. The combination of amp and speakers in one unit, is the ease of handling and transport.

Amplifier Head: Is a single amp unit without any speakers. Amp heads require a cable connection to speakers. It is advised to use high voltage cables for connecting the amp head to the speakers. Avoid standard type instrument cables. If you plan to use several speakers, then this type of amp is well designed for the task.

How an amplifier works

Converting electrical impulses into audible sound is the basic function of a guitar amp. The electrical signal to sound is achieved by the preamp and power amp circuitry. The preamp processes the signal received from the guitar and sends to the power amp and other processes in the amp, such as the EQ and effects loop. The task of the power amp is to boost the signal sent to the speakers.

Vacuum Tube Amplifier

Vacuum tubes are what you will find in the original radios 50 odd years ago.

Tubes, when they are over-driven and heated with electrical current produce the “distortion effect” which explains the popularity of these types of amplifier. This is the reason why even today, when they are soundly obsolete and replaced with solid state diodes, they remain in vogue.

Solid State Amps

This type of amp incorporates newer circuit design and aims to replicate the tonal and sound processing qualities of the older vacuum tube amp models.

The choice between a tube or solid state amp depends on both your budget and musical genre. The sound and tonal differences produced by both type of amps is generally only detectable by a trained ear, however purists tend to opt for the vacuum tube amps because of the more analog tone and distortion sound quality. Most newbies however tend to stick with the latest in technology, including solid state circuits not only because some of these are suited to some of the modern genres, but also because they are cheaper.

The Proper Channel

When research amplifiers, ensure the unit is capable of multiple channels, which can be set independently allowing the user to seamlessly switch between channels. For most musicians, channel switching capabilities is an important feature. Electric guitarists find the ability to channel switch useful to achieve efficient changes between loud distorted sounds and those cleaner rhythmic tones. A footswitch, which is generally supplied with new amp purchases, manages channel switching.

Electrical Power

Power in an amp is meant to denote the amount of raw power being fed into the amp unit for the speakers. This is usually measured in Watts. Here are a few tips to guide your amp selection, relating to wattage:

a) The higher the wattage spec, the louder sound capability of the amplifier.

b) Vacuum tube type amplifiers deliver a much louder sound per Watt in comparison to solid state amplifiers. A vacuum tube being driven on 5 Watts of power produces the same level of sound as a 40 Watt solid state unit will produce.

c) If you are buying for a beginner then make sure that the amp unit has a headphone jack.

Amplifier Effects

Amps offer a number of effects which you can switch between. These can be summarized as:

Line-6-spider-amp-controls

a) The EQualizer controls sound frequencies. An amp will feature 2 or 4 dial knobs to control these adjustments. For instance, increase treble settings for a brighter sound, adjust the middle EQ to full and the treble and bass to zero to achieve a the natural sound of the guitar, add extra bass tones by increasing the bass frequency. As we are familiar with the slider type EQ controls on a home stereo system, then experiment with the EQ controls on an amp. Adjusting the treble higher produces brighter sounds, while adjusting the middle and bass produces rich deeper tones.

b) Effects Loop: Modifying the signal from the preamp and power amp is achieved by an effects loop controller.

c) Digital Effects such as flange, phase, reverb, echo, chorus, pitch shift, etc are supplied in most quality amplifiers. You can save these as presets that can act as channels in the amp. Many amps also come with presets which can be used as well.

Speakers

Speaker quality is an equally important consideration when buying a guitar amp. It is not necessary to pay a lot of money, but nevertheless, try to get the best quality that fits your budget. Do note that the heavier and more expensive speakers are always of better quality than cheaper ones. Better speakers will also allow for a better coloration of the amplifier’s signal producing richer and more superior sound.

Widely available speaker types:

- 8” Speakers: generally housed in smaller amps.

- 10” Speakers: housed in practice amplifiers.

- 12” Speakers: basic performance amps.

- 15” Speakers: come in separate cabinets, are paired almost exclusively with bass amps.

Things to keep in mind

Buying an amplifier requires some initial thought and research. Be clear about the purpose of the amplifier and how it will match and enhance your musical genre. While evaluating your amp needs, consider: your musical genre; how many instruments use the same amplifier; how loud is the drummer in your band; what size performance do you plan and at what type of venues.

Some helpful tips

- A 40 Watt solid state amplifier featuring 10" speakers will project adequately in most performance situations, depending on the loudness of the drummer.

- 60 Watt solid state amp paired with a 12” speaker will do well in all but the loudest situations.

- 30 Watt tube amp is loud enough for a full rock band in most conceivable scenarios.

This guide is a starter for you on the path to buying the right guitar amp that meets your musical style and performance needs.

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