| Guitar Amplifiers | | | | prefer the tube amp due to the tube amp's |
| | | | analog sensitivity, which they claim makes |
| Chances are you've just bought your first | | | | tube amps sound better. While this is |
| Electric guitar and wish to find out all | | | | probably the case, most beginners can't |
| about guitar amps. Maybe you're just curious | | | | afford to shell out the $500-$1000 it costs |
| as to how long amps have been around, how | | | | to buy a good tube amp. That's why solid |
| they work, or which to purchase. Whatever the | | | | state amps are actually a good buy in some |
| reason, by reading this article, you'll get | | | | cases. |
| answers. | | | | |
| | | | Solid state and vacuum tube amps come in |
| History of the Amplifier | | | | combo (speakers and head) packages or |
| | | | separately. Guitarists who aren't picky can |
| Guitar amps have been around for roughly 70 | | | | just buy the combo, while those who are picky |
| years now, having first appeared during the | | | | can "mix and match" heads and speakers. This |
| 1930s. The earliest amps had very poor high | | | | is useful for those looking to achieve a |
| treble and bass responses. This was improved | | | | certain sound. |
| over time, as amps became better developed. | | | | |
| During the '60s, the guitar amp greatly | | | | How Amps Work/What Watts Mean |
| evolved to where it is today when guitarists | | | | |
| of that era experimented with deliberately | | | | Without going into a big, long, technical |
| overloading their amp to create Distortion. | | | | explanation, amplifiers basically take the |
| From that point on, most amps were provided | | | | vibration (sound) of the string(s) and |
| with preamp distortion controls. Playing with | | | | amplify it, thereby increasing the sound. If |
| distortion has since become an important part | | | | you wish to find out more about the technical |
| of Electric guitar playing. | | | | side of guitar amps, there are several good |
| | | | books that cover the topic pretty thoroughly. |
| Types of Amplifiers | | | | |
| | | | Each amplifier has a certain number of watts. |
| There are two types of amps: solid state and | | | | The higher the number of watts, the louder |
| vacuum tube amps. Additionally, there are | | | | the sound produced by the amp is. Generally |
| some amps that combine both solid state and | | | | speaking, those who wish to play shows will |
| tube technologies. Most amps, especially the | | | | want to get amplifiers with at least 30 |
| least expensive ones, are solid state because | | | | watts, preferably at least 50 watts, |
| they are lighter and easier to repair than | | | | especially if they plan on playing at larger |
| tube amps are. A lot of guitarists, however, | | | | venues. |