Determining the desired sound and application of the music you’ll be playing can help narrow down your search for the perfect guitar amplifier. There are models that are ideal for quick and easy transportation and set-up, whereas others are a bit more intricate, employing several components to result in the final configuration. Some amplifiers are set up to excel in certain genres or playing styles, whereas others are ideal for general use all across the board. Many amps come with built-in effects, while others can be customized based on the type of tubes or pre-amps are included in the chain. There are some key components you’ll want to be aware of before you make your purchase, but in most cases, you will want to try out a guitar amp yourself before making your final decision. To help you out in the meantime, here are some basics you need to know.
Combo vs. Head and Cabinet Amps
Combo amp
A combo amp is a single unit that contains both the speakers and the amplifier itself. It’s extremely easy to travel with and set up; in most cases, guitarists simply plug it into the wall, plug their guitar into the input jack, switch it on, and they’re ready to rock.
Combo amps come in a variety of sizes that are designed for different types of use. If you’re going to be using the amplifier primarily at home or in smaller venues, a small combo with one 8-inch, 10-inch, or 12-inch speaker is a more than adequate option. For larger rooms and louder situations, 2x12 combo amps (which combine two 12-inch speakers, hence the name) kick things up a necessary notch.
Head and cabinet
The head and cabinet setup takes the combo amplifier and breaks it into separate pieces. In this case, the amp head is used to process and shape the tone of the guitar that plugs into it, and then this signal is routed to the speaker cabinet to make the sound louder.
This type of setup is primarily designed for guitarists who consistently play in large venues where they need to get extra loud; there’s also an aesthetic appeal, as this creates the iconic rock and roll “wall of sound” backdrop for when you’re blowing people’s faces off in, say, Wembley Stadium.
Although the head and cabinet setup also gives players the ability to customize their sound by mixing and matching different components to create their ideal sound, for most novices (and truthfully, even up to musicians who rely on guides like this one), a combo amp is probably the most convenient and appropriate bet.
Types of Guitar Amps
Tube amp
In the beginning, there were tube amps. Using actual tubes inside the body of the amp, guitarists could overdrive their signal to create a slightly “hot” tone that continues to be favored by musicians today; while there have been many advances in some of the competitors to tube amps, there is still an overall “feel” that many believe has not yet been surpassed.
Tube amps generally have separate channels that allow players to switch between clean and overdriven tones. The glass tubes that define this type of amp are fragile, and also need routine maintenance and replacing.
Solid-state
Solid-state amps came later. By replicating the sound of tube amps via the use of transistors, the solid-state amp offers a cheaper alternative to tubes and is also far less prone to any of the aforementioned maintenance issues. They too offer clean and distorted channels, and over time have become better and better at approximating the classic tube sound. Because they are so much more affordable, solid-state amps tend to be the amplifier of choice for beginners starting out with limited budgets.
Digital/modeling amps
Digital amps (also known as modeling amps) approximate the tube tone using digital processors. As they essentially are using a computer program to replicate sounds, these amplifiers often offer several different “sounds” or “boxes” in one compact package. They also offer a slew of processed effects built into the package.
Hybrid amps
Hybrid amplifiers combine the best elements of both tube and solid-state amps into one contained unit. These setups typically utilize tubes in the pre-amp, while relying on the solid-state digital processing to power the signal, effectively eliminating the need for power tubes. Many players prefer having a hybrid set-up, while some feel that the warmth and overall tube tone gets compromised in the process.
Effects to Look Out for in the Ideal Guitar Amp
Although there are a variety of guitar effects pedals that are available to help guitarists shape and transform their signal into many different types of sounds, many amplifiers also come equipped with their share of effects that can be just as useful.
Built-in reverb
Most amplifiers commonly come with built-in reverb, which creates an echo-like reverberated sound around the guitar signal similar to what you might hear if you were in a large hall. Although the parameters to control the reverb are not quite as advanced as what you might find in a pedal or processor solely dedicated to reverb effects, it’s still a great option to give your guitar an airy, grand sound.
Separate channels
Many amplifiers provide separate channels for clean and distorted sounds. This feature was originally introduced exclusively via tube amps, through which the tubes would overdrive the signal so far that it would come through as “hot” or overdriven – what we would call distorted. Today, this feature isn’t limited to tube amps; solid-state amplifiers and digital modelers can also give guitarists the grit they are looking for through their amplifier alone.
Tremolo
Tremolo is another common built-in effect that one can find most often in vintage amplifiers. Often mislabeled as a vibrato effect, tremolo approximates what it would sound like if you were to hit a note on your guitar and then rapidly turn the volume knob up and down. Speed can be adjusted to create alternating volume fluctuation rates, while the depth controls affect the range at which that signal is altered. This effect is most popular in genres such as rockabilly and surf rock.
Chorus
Chorus is a built-in effect that is frequently seen in amplifiers. By duplicating the original guitar signal and altering that duplication slightly enough, the result sounds as though the tone is being voiced by multiple sources – a chorus, if you will. It’s a great way to thicken up the sound, and – when used with other effects like distortion – expand multiple layers of tones within a signal.
Amp Construction
Although the actual construction of an amplifier may not be the first thing that players think of when considering purchasing a guitar amp, the physical attributes of a unit can make an impact on the resulting sound. Amplifiers that have closed backs typically do a better job at processing bass sound. Because of the vibrations that occur when sound is emitted from a speaker, amplifiers require wood that is at least ½-inch thick in order to prevent the interior from shaking loose. This configuration will also ensure a clearer and stronger signal.
If you’re planning on moving your amplifier around a lot (whether you’re touring, playing the occasional gig, or just moving the amp to different parts of your home), there are additional features that can improve your experience. Corner protectors can help protect your amp from regular wear and tear, while rolling wheels can make the transportation process much easier. For smaller units, a handle is also a great accessory that will make a world of a difference when you’re trying to quickly reposition an amp on or off-stage.