Guitar Tube Preamp
The Four Types Of Guitar Amps
There are a few different types of guitar amplifiers that are on the market today for you to choose from. If you are shopping for a new amp, it’s good to decide which type you will want because they are all very different.
The first type of amps that came along had to be the tube amplifiers. Funny thing is, even though the technology of tube amps is fairly old, these amps are still used widely among pro and beginner guitar players. The reason for their popularity is that the tone of these amps is usually very warm and natural compared to the other types. Not only do they sound better, they are usually louder than amps of other types and the same power level. The only thing to remember with tube amps is that they require maintenance because the vacuum tubes need to be periodically changed.
Usually there are two types of tubes in an amp – the preamp section and the power section. Common tubes are 12AX7, 6L6, EL34, and many more.
There are many different brands of guitar amps that use tubes — Marshall, Soldano, Peavey, Genz-Benz, Mesa Boogie and many others — especially older and vintage guitar amps.
Solid state amps were invented to replace tube amps (which didn’t happen!). Basically, the main difference between tube and solid state amps is that solid state uses transistors instead of tubes. They also require almost no maintenance because there are no tubes to change.
This is not to say that solid state amps are not as good as tube, it just all depends on the application and type of music you are going to be playing.
Some guitarists prefer colliding the two and making what is called a hybrid amp. This type of amps marries both tube and transistor amps into one. Usually there are tubes at one stage of amplification and transistors at the other stage (preamp and power amp)
Recently, digital amps were introduced. These amps use computers and integrated circuits to create the various tones in the amps. Usually, there are a number of different types of effects and tons that you can get. These amps are very versatile.
Examples of some digital amps are Vox Valvetronix, Line6, and a few more. These amps are great if you want to play all different types of music with different types of guitars.
About the Author
Corey Palmer is a guitarist and musician.
Marshall Amps
Takamine Guitar Cool Tube Preamp Overview
|
|
Soldano SLO 100 Super Lead Overdrive PCB clone boards Set of two PCB boards to build the FULL version of the legendary Soldano SLO 100 Super Lead Overdrive 100W/50W all tube guitar amplifier. |
|
|
Tube Guitar Amplifier Servicing & Overhaul $39.54 Kendrick Amplifier President and Vintage Guitar magazine columnist Gerald Weber has overhauled and restored over 15,000 vintage tube guitar amps. This extensive DVD covers: basics of servicing and overhauling a tube guitar amp, what tools are needed, the wiring mistake made on 50% of all amps and how to correct it, the best way to straighten preamp tube pins, how to perform a cap job correctly, th… |
|
|
Behringer V-AMP3 Next-Generation Virtual Guitar Amplifier with USB Audio Interface And Energyxt2.5 Recording Software $108.99 If a lack of money and floor space is all that’s been standing between you and a home recording studio full of the finest vintage guitar amps and effects pedals, get ready to love the Behringer V-Amp 3 multi-effects processor. This red rocker comes loaded with 32 amp models, 15 speaker cabinet models and 16 classic effects. But that’s only the beginning you also get the UCA222 USB audio interface … |
|
|
Hughes Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator $489.99 Tube Rotosphere® MK II has all the inspirational power of the legendary Leslie® cabinets. It not only puts the response of a tube-powered Leslie at players’ toe-tips, it also boasts two rotation speeds and legitsounding deceleration & acceleration effects. Rotosphere’s spectrum ranges from clean to sizzling rock scream. In stereo mode, it serves up all the tonal complexity and dynamics of the re… |
|
|
NETWORK, POWERPHASE COUPLER – D3 $29.99 NETWORK POWERPHASE COUPLER – D3… |
|
|
Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0-210T 600 Watt Lightweight Bass 2×10 Combo (Standard) $1,203.30 Genz•Benz’s amplifiers from the Shuttle series was created for on-the-move bassists who need a flexible, full-featured combo system that is easily transportable and sounds good too.The core of the series is the lightweight Shuttle amplifier design. The 6.0 weighs only 3.75 lbs. and delivers 375 watts at 8 ohms and 600 watts at 4 ohms. Though this is a combo, the amp chassis can be easily remo… |
|
|
Marshall JVM410H 100 Watt 4-Channel All-Tube Head $2,400.00 For as long as we can remember, Marshall has been one of the names at the top of the list when people think of rock music and guitar amps. Between the endless list of artists who play them and the sonic tonal characteristics that have made them an industry staple, redefining the flagship model in the amp line is a scary proposition. The Marshall JVM410H was born with the expectation not only to co… |
|
|
Dual Triode Signal Tube ECC83/12AX7 $24.95 High quality 12AX7… |