How To Pick A Guitar Amplifier

Guitar amplifiers are an essential component of any guitarist’s setup. They help shape the tone and provide the necessary volume to make your guitar sound great. However, with so many options available in the market, choosing the right amplifier can be a daunting task. In this blog post, we will guide you through the important factors you should consider when choosing to purchase a guitar amplifier.

Type of Amplifier

The first thing you need to consider when buying a guitar amplifier is the type of amplifier you want. There are two main types of guitar amplifiers: tube amps and solid-state amps. Tube amps use vacuum tubes to amplify the guitar’s signal, producing a warm and natural tone. Solid-state amps, on the other hand, use transistors to amplify the signal, producing a more crisp and clean sound. Each type of amp has its own unique tone, and the one you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the genre of music you play.

Wattage

The wattage of an amplifier determines how loud it can get. A higher wattage amplifier will produce more volume than a lower wattage amp. However, it’s important to note that higher wattage amps are not always necessary. If you’re just playing at home or in a small venue, a lower wattage amp will do just fine. On the other hand, if you’re playing in a large venue or with a loud band, you’ll need a higher wattage amp to cut through the mix. Solid-state amps tend to have a uniform sound/tone quality throughout their volume range. A tube amp however will change tonal characteristics as the volume is increased and the output tubes driven harder. It is often said that tube amps have a sweet-spot. Therefore, choosing too much wattage will mean you can’t turn up loud enough to achieve the sweet-spot in small venues or during home use and too little power means you will be constantly overshooting this point in an attempt to hear yourself in large or loud settings.

Features

Amplifiers come with a variety of features that can affect your playing experience. Some amplifiers come with built-in effects such as reverb, delay, and distortion, while others are more straightforward and focus solely on amplification. If you’re a beginner, a simpler amplifier may be more suitable for you, while more experienced players may want an amp with more features.

Portability

If you’re going to be gigging or traveling with your amplifier, portability is an important factor to consider. A smaller, lightweight amplifier may be easier to transport, while a larger, heavier amplifier may provide better sound quality. If you’re not planning on moving your amplifier around, then this factor may not be as important to you.

Price

Finally, you should consider the price of the amplifier. Amplifiers can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. While it’s important to choose an amplifier that fits your budget, it’s also important to remember that you get what you pay for. Cheaper amplifiers may not have the same sound quality or durability as more expensive amplifiers. A tube amp will require additional maintance over a solid-state amplifier – at some point or another there is likely to be a time when the tubes need replacing. Like car tyres, the more aggressively they are used the quicker they will wear. Sometimes they fail prematurely like a tyre puncture.

In conclusion, choosing the right guitar amplifier can be a difficult task, but by considering the type of amplifier, wattage, features, portability, and price, you’ll be able to make an informed decision. At Orange Amps, we offer a wide variety of amplifiers to suit all types of players, so be sure to check out our selection and find the amplifier that’s right for you.