Learn How to Choose the Right Guitar Amplifier

If you go shopping for an amp, it is easy to get confused, as there are so many to choose from. There are basically four kinds of amplifiers made, and they are hybrid, tube, solid state or analog, and modeling or digital. Tube amps are the best liked among performers for their rich and warm sound. They produce more volume at the same wattage as solid state, allowing for "That fat sound", and have a softer distortion that is gentler and more pleasing to the discerning ear.

Unlike solid state which are made of transistors, the tubes in the amp will need replacing after time. Solid State amps, as mentioned above are made of transistors, instead of tubes. Also unlike the tube amp, solid state rarely, if ever need replacing or repair, hence the name solid state. Solid states are pretty much a safe bet if you are just starting out, because initially you will want an amp that has a clean sound.

Guitar Effects and Amplifier Emulation

For those who are into high tech, there are the digital or modeling amps. Basically these amplifiers use digital processors and they imitate the sound of tube amplifiers by the use of software designed to duplicate the sound. The advantage of these amps is that they have different programs for different sounds, so you can alter it for whatever style you want to change to. Hybrid amps, as the name suggests, use the parts of other amps to make one single amp.

For instance, tubes can be combined with solid state, or analog. You can have an amp called a valvestate that use tubes in the pre-amp section and solid-state technology drives the power section. Then there is the combination, or combo amps and they combine both the amplifier and the speaker into one unit, or you can do a combo of amplifier and speaker in different ways for a different sound, and easier portability. Amps that are purely for practice are normally solid state or a combo and generally have a lower power output.

When and How to Use a Video Distribution Amplifier Or Video Splitter

For a decent amplifier, the wood should be half an inch thick at least so that it can take the vibration and that is an important thing to know when shopping for a good amp. When you are looking for an amp, also consider the speaker size, as it will matter what purpose you want to apply it to. Ten-inch speakers at thirty watts are ideal for practice and for a small crowd twelve inch at fifty watts is ideal - large crowds need at least one hundred watts.

So, when you're shopping for an amplifier, make an educated choice using this information as a guideline. Type of amplifier, speaker size and wattage and different built-in distortion effects are all crucial, as well as telling the sales rep what purpose you want it for - they're always happy to help. Make sure to tell them what price range you want to stay within as this narrows down the choices and find out what the return policies are.