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