Comparison of Guitar Amplifiers

Series Summary

An amplifier is a natural or artificial device that is used to make audio or any type of signal stronger as it passes through the device. There are many different types of amplifiers. Some, like acoustic guitars and cellos, are acoustic or natural amplifiers. Other amplifiers that use electricity such as electric guitars and PA systems are electric or artificial amplifiers. Although you have much more control over tone and volume with an artificial amplifier, the quality of sound of a natural amplifier is usually preferred by musicians.

If you have ever wondered about the differences among the types of available amplification, then wonder no more. Guitar teacher Pete Pidgeon will run down the distinctive qualities of several types of amplifiers. Don't know if you should buy a tube amp or a solid state amp? Wondering how to get the tone you want out of your guitar amplifier? Trying to create an effects loop with your guitar and amp but not quite sure how to go about doing it? Watch this free guitar equipment series and learn inside tips from a professional guitar player.

Video Transcript

"In this series I'm going to discuss the different types of amplifiers. Tube amplifiers, modeling amplifiers, and solid state amplifiers. I'm also going to discuss the different types that you would see on stage not just internally but externally. A stack verses a combo amp. I'll go over what all the different knobs mean on the amplifiers and the onboard effects that we talked about, effects on the floor. These effects are actually built into some amplifiers such as reverb. And I'll also tell you how to create settings on the amplifier using the equalization. The treble, the bass, and the mid so that you can get a tone that you're looking for, whether it be an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar or hollow body guitar. Each amp has its own purpose and we'll tell you how to get the best sound out of each. I've also got a chance to describe the different types of inputs and the different and you can use a microphone, you can use an instrument and we'll go over all the different types on these amps."