If this is a first amplifier purchase, price will
be only one of your primary concerns. Guitar amps
range in price from under $100, to thousands of
dollars. One common choice for the first-timer is
a small and basic solid state amp, putting out from
8 to 15-watts as a low cost solution. However, the
sound of these smaller amps, regardless of manufacturer,
tends to be tolerable at best. The beginner can
become frustrated with what is heard from these,
not realizing that it's the equipment causing an
inferior sound, and not their playing. Also, these
small solid state units don't provide much in the
way of volume. Once the guitarist is ready to start
playing with other musicians, some of these smaller
amplifiers won't be heard above the volume of a
drummer.
Finding a balance between over-spending on a
first amp and getting useful features that will
serve your needs should be the approach. An amp
with the dependability and desired tone will go
a long way to keeping the interest level high,
and will encourage the player in the early stages
of musical development.
When shopping for an amplifier, be sure to try
before you buy. Bring your guitar, or play one
on display in the store. Make sure it is of the
same make and model, with the same pickups and
features as your own. Any dealer will welcome
you to try each of the amps that meet your buying
criteria. Ask one of the salespeople to put these
amps through a sound check if you're unsure how
to adjust tone and volume settings, or if you're
just not confident as a player at this early stage.
It's just nice to hear how these things sound
with a knowledgeable player at the controls. If
you have a guitar instructor or other trusted
player with more experience than yourself, drag
them along.
Check the range of frequency cutting, as the
knobs are turned from minimum to maximum. There
should be an appreciable change in high, mid-range,
and low tones.
Reverb is a feature that is standard on many
models. Listen to it closely. It should be deep,
clear, lush, and warm, not faint or shallow.
TUBE OR SOLID STATE
The solid state amps tend to run much cooler,
need less maintenance, weigh less, and can be
less susceptible to damage when being carted around.
The main undesirable elements of a solid state
power amplifier are that there is no high frequency
roll-off to remove the harshness of the brutal
clipping produced. Clipping is the point at which
the signal becomes distorted. In solid state amps,
the onset of distortion is just too sudden. They
will produce very clean tones throughout most
of the power range, but won't give you that "brown,
thick, and creamy" sound as when a tube amplifier
is pushed into subtle overdrive. Again, the genre,
style and personal preference is of prime consideration.
A good entry-level solid state like the Vox Pathfinder
would list at $175.
Tube or "valve" amplifiers are a different
animal. They tend to be heavier, due to the requirement
of a speaker transformer and larger power transformers.
The tubes typically need to be replaced every
couple of years, (more depending on use) to maintain
peak performance. They run hot, and in general,
heat is an enemy of electronics. Initial cost
is typically higher. But for your investment,
you get the kind of tone; that "musical"
overdriven, harmonic distortion which can be described
as "smooth and creamy." This type of
amp is limited to low volume clean, and high volume
overdrive; but what it does, it does very well.
Look at the Fender Blues Jr. at around $400.
MODELING AMPS
For a few dollars more than a basic amp with
nothing more than volume and tone controls, and
maybe reverb and vibrato, are amplifiers that
incorporate digital signals that reproduce tones
that are very close to that of the classic tube
amps. The added versatility make some of these
the right choice for those who have not identified
with a certain sound and would like the ability
to change tonal qualities at the touch of a foot
switch. Independent testing has proven that at
certain settings, the trained ear cannot identify
modeling amps from tube amps. In addition to simulating
many popular amplifier sounds, entirely new ones
can be created, and different components can be
combined. For example, you could combine a Fender
tone circuit with a Vox AC30 output stage played
through a Marshall quad box! These designs still
don't quite create the juicy sounds available
from a valve output stage, but can be very practical
in live and studio situations; covering a wide
range of amplifier sounds and digital effects
with a single setup.
One example is the Line 6 Spider II 112 combo,
list price $420,
In Summary, a consideration of present needs
and future wants is recommended. Having the versatility,
value, expectation of service, and desired tone
are all important factors in the quest for a first
guitar amplifier. Ask questions of players using
the gear that you're in the market for. Read consumer
reviews, and don't let myth or macho influence
your decision.
