All Questions
Tagged with amplifiers guitar
130 questions
37
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Why do guitarists put tape on their amplifiers?
I've never truly understood why so many guitarists put tape on their amplifiers.
I have seen many YouTube videos where, before recording and placing a microphone towards their amp, they will put tape ...
- 1,974
30
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Why do tube-based guitar amplifiers sound so good?
Is it just a cultural thing ("they've always sounded that way") or is there some basis in music theory for this?
fitzbog
23
votes
4
answers
121k
views
What is the difference between an amp and a head?
At the moment I currently only use a basic guitar amp, but a few of my friends have 'heads' on top of their amps. What is the purpose of these? What do they do that the amp doesn't do?
- 463
23
votes
3
answers
23k
views
Why is an amplifier's effects loop useful?
When should you plug gear into your amplifier's effects loop and not into the standard input?
- 2,339
17
votes
3
answers
21k
views
How does The Talkbox work?
Beck started using this in the early 70's - they called it The Bag for a hot minute (as did Stevie Wonder) - Frampton's career came alive when he started using it - how does it work?
JustnBeaver
16
votes
7
answers
11k
views
How do you mic a guitar amp?
How do you go about mic'ing a guitar amp for live performance? Would you do anything different if you were mic'ing the amp for studio recording? Is there anything specific I should look for in a ...
Jason Punyon
14
votes
8
answers
92k
views
Can I play a electric guitar through a bass amplifier?
I am a bassist and I am looking for an electric guitar, but I don’t want to buy another amplifier. Can I play the guitar through the bass amplifier?
- 141
13
votes
7
answers
9k
views
Is it okay to sit on guitar combo amplifier?
I just bought a 1x10" Marshall combo guitar amp, and I've read in articles that many guitarists sit on their amps.
Is it okay to sit on it? Is there any chance of breaking it as a result?
- 4,157
13
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Valve (tube) amps and clean tone
Is there any difference in clean tone sound between a valve/tube amp and a solid state amp? i.e., does having a valve in an amp affect the clean channel, or only the distorted channel?
Apologies for ...
- 243
13
votes
3
answers
155k
views
Can I plug my amp directly into my audio interface?
Could anyone tell me, can I plug my guitar amp directly into my audio interface (with the "line out")?
On some forums people say that you can't , on others people say you can...
If it's possible, is ...
- 131
12
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Can you make your own Leslie Speakers?
I love the sound when employed with an Organ ( Jimmy Smith) and on Little Wing(SRV) - I vaguely remember seeing Kings X live once and I believe Ty Tabor had a pair of Leslie speakers that sounded ...
JustnBeaver
10
votes
7
answers
1k
views
What is the value of having tube amp in guitar power amp?
Do we really need tube amp for power amp? I understand that the tone change is done in the preamp. And preamp with tube sounds a lot better than solid state amp as it's more rich and full in tone. ...
- 163
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What do they mean by 'This amp has a lot of headroom'?
Do they mean how loud it will go without getting distortion?
- 883
10
votes
6
answers
8k
views
Why do metal guitarists boost crunch channels on high gain amps?
It seems to me to be the most often recommended method to get a "proper metal tone". Why is that? Why pay so much for a monster and then use the crunch channel and a tubescreamer?
- 429
9
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Choosing a guitar cabinet
I have settled on the amplifier head to buy for my guitar, but I am not sure of the cabinet yet.
I know that there are open-back vs closed-back options, and I assume that the quality of the speaker ...
- 707
9
votes
3
answers
27k
views
Recording an amp using headphone out?
I got an Peavey Vypyr 30w. There is a headphone/record out.
Since I do not have a mic currently, I want to utilize it for recording. What devices do I need?
I know there is some electrical ...
- 263
9
votes
4
answers
67k
views
Sound not coming through amp
I was playing my guitar earlier today, everything working fine; sound coming through the amp and all.
I bought new strings strings and changed them out today and moved the guitar and amp into to a ...
- 91
8
votes
4
answers
22k
views
Should I connect my multi-effects pedal to PA or Amp?
I bought the Line 6 Firehawk FX, it's a multi-effects pedal which also has amp-modelling in it. So it can process the signal as if it runs through many pedals and then some well-known amp.
Then, in ...
- 81
7
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Why do I get electric shock from my guitar when I touch the floor?
why do I always get an electric shock from my guitar when it's connected to my amp. I must wear sandals to play it or sit not touching the ground. Any solutions?
- 209
7
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Guitar Amplifier (Head versus Combo versus None)
I'm in the process of getting my first electric guitar and am trying to figure out amplifiers. I currently have a stereo amplifier and pre amplifier and a pair floor standing speakers. My living space ...
- 173
7
votes
3
answers
4k
views
One amplifier, two different instruments
I have a keyboard and a Tagima Dallas guitar. I want to buy an amplifier, but just one. I have been advised that an amplifier for a guitar is not good for a keyboard, and the same about a keyboard one ...
- 83
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How do I get pinch harmonics during solos?
Could someone tell me how to get the pinch harmonics sound during solos? Specifically on the "Wanted Dead or Alive" solo by Bon Jovi?
Is it an amp setting? Is it something I do with my left or right ...
- 366
6
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Acoustic Guitar in the Live Mix
I play acoustic guitar in a band with drums, electric bass, and electric guitar. I'm often told that I need to switch to electric because nobody can hear my guitar However, I like the sound of ...
- 644
6
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Switching amp heads with pedal
I was listening to Killswitch Engage and decided to look Adam D's rig up. He's used multiple amps and guitars, but is sparse with pedals. When reading this I started wondering how they achieve cleans ...
- 163
6
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Is there a big benefit to running stereo?
I have a conference coming up and I am contemplating whether to run my guitar rig in stereo or not. Both my amplifiers will have microphones on them. My delay and reverb pedals have modulation, so if ...
- 1,974
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Does instrument cable impedance matter?
I see many 1/4 TS 'instrument' cables for sale with no mention of impedance.
With:
the speed of light in vacuum of ~300 000 km/s
audio frequencies < 20 kHz
you get wavelengths of at least 15 km(!)...
- 279
5
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Valve and solid state guitar amp power comparisons?
is there a chart or general rule of thumb of how the different power levels for a valve amp compare to an equivalent volume solid state amp?
for example,
5 watt valve amp similar volume to 20 watt ...
- 59
5
votes
3
answers
46k
views
Setting up Distortion on an Amp
I'm new. I've been trying to play the song 'I Stand Alone'. I can read tabs and I can get my guitar in drop C, I am just not getting the heavy distortion noise. I'm wondering how I should adjust my ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
363
views
What notes relate to the EQ on a guitar amp?
On a standard guitar amp, there are three EQs lows, mids, and highs. I know the lows affect the low frequencies, the mids affect the middle frequencies and the highs effect the high frequency. What I ...
Dom♦
- 48k
5
votes
3
answers
12k
views
My guitar has a problem - no signal to the amp. How can I fix it?
I just started having this problem. I have 2 guitars (a BC Rich Warlock and a Squier Strat), and only one of them (Strat) is working on my amp. Like the title says, I know for a fact that the amp and ...
- 51
5
votes
4
answers
717
views
Is standby switch helping to extend tube life
I just watched a youtube video which is telling that standby switch only mutes an amp and has nothing to do witch amp tube life. It is not the thing I used to hear from tube amp users. What is the ...
- 2,546
5
votes
3
answers
2k
views
I've recently had a power cut, now all my guitar and bass amps are making a humming/buzzing noise?
I recently had a power cut in my area this Monday just gone, power was restored quickly, in about 5 seconds. However now whenever I go to plug in and turn on any of my amplifiers in my studio or ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
771
views
What makes an amp sound heavy?
What I want to know is what makes some amps sound the way they sound like the Sunn Model T/Sunn Scepter or the Ampeg VT22. What are the components inside the amps which give it a round, fat , heavy, ...
- 61
5
votes
2
answers
780
views
Guitar audio interface matching tone of my old amp, and a problem
I just finally got a decent audio interface (M-Audio MTrack) and now I'm trying to figure out how to make nice sounds with the virtual amps in Logic, and Amplitube LE.
I figure now I have creative ...
- 469
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How can I prevent clipping when using a microphone with a tube amp into a PA?
This weekend I played electric guitar through a 25 watt tube amp through a PA system. This was the setup (telecaster > tube amp > microphone > PA). The sound guys asked me to turn my tube amp down to ...
- 219
4
votes
2
answers
515
views
Guitar Cabinet volume low
I have just bought a guitar Cabinet (Harley Benton G112) but when I connect anything to it, the volume is very low.
I have tried the Phones out of my Boss Katana 50, with all volume up — it's hearable ...
- 143
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Bass effects through guitar amp
I have often heard that you should never plug a bass guitar into a standard guitar amp. Granted it's not going to sound its best but it can supposedly be detrimental to the amp or speakers. I've heard ...
- 854
4
votes
3
answers
955
views
Can playing an amp at minimum volumes (<1%) be harmful to it?
I have Peavey Vypyr VIP 2. It's a solid-state 40w amplifier.
I don't own any lower power amps, so I use it at my apartment for practicing. It does have a headphone output, but I wanted to know if ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
742
views
Difference between chassis and cabinet
What's the difference between chassis and a cabinet for a guitar amp? Are there any concrete definitions?
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is using an amp sim along with a passive speaker a good idea for home practie and small gigs
I am fairly new to using amp simulators for guitars, I was trying to figure out the best setup I could have for practicing at home and for jamming sessions. I will list down my requirements of the ...
- 141
4
votes
1
answer
776
views
Instrument or line level for recording amplifier through headphone jack?
I just got a digital combo amplifier and the only outputs it has are USB and a headphone jack. I am trying to record it by using a 3.5 mm to dual 1/4 inch adapter and plugging it into my interface. ...
- 43
4
votes
0
answers
143
views
Are my amplifier's foot controller/foot switch inputs protected?
I have a guitar amplifier with a 'clean' and 'lead' 'channel' that can be manually toggled. I'd like to switch between my different amplifier settings using a 'foot controller'.
I often see schematics ...
- 279
3
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Should I use PA speakers for a full band all the time?
I've been playing guitar, drums, and singing for about 6 years but I have no experience outside of playing by myself with an amp and speaker. I want to get serious about starting a band and playing ...
- 57
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How to avoid certain notes ringing out when played with distortion
When I play a certain note like the 9th fret on the G string or the 8th fret on the B string (it is more prominent with higher notes) it seems to ring out almost like reverb but I have no reverb on my ...
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What makes different tube amp heads different?
I want to make my orange dual terror have that chimey/glassy sound that an VOX AC 30 has, i know amp heads have circuit boards and tubes, but my question is, what makes a tube amp sound different then ...
- 467
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How much difference does the guitar make when recording with a modeler?
I am learning and experimenting with Maschine Mk2, a MIDI Keyboard, and Komplete 9 for my pursuit of making music, a very EDM/DAW approach. When I got Komplete, although it came with Guitar Rig 5 and ...
- 195
3
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can someone explain to me how to get my guitar pickup to work on speakers?
I have a decent set of speakers for regular music from my iPod.
Something like this one above
Today I bought a pickup for my classical guitar that you basically tape it next to the bridge and its ...
- 133
3
votes
2
answers
847
views
If I've put the notes correctly in the first piano roll image, why does it not sound correct?
I used this video to find the notes of ghost riders in the sky.
Based on this image:
I created this in Fl Studio:
I used to resize all of them together, making them faster or slower.
But it doesn't ...
- 57
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
is it possible to make my electric guitar have a metal or rocky kinda sound?
I've seen a lot online about using the different knobs but i have an amp with only 3 of them: Treble, Volume and Gain. There's also a boost button but I haven't seen much about that.
On the guitar ...
- 31
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Connecting multi effects pedal to a tube amp and modeling amp
I started playing the guitar again in the last month and i'm having some trouble with my gear. So, i have a modelling amp from pevey which also has some effects built in. I also have a line 6 POD ...
- 31