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Guitar amps- the most important factor for great tone

By  Bob Glastetter | Published  07/24/2006 | Guitar Amps
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Guitar amps- the most important factor for great tone

?I know I'm gonna raise some eyebrows here but this is what I've learned in the search for great tone. Amps always seem to come in second next to the guitar when talking about tone. It's a given that you should buy a quality instrument for playability and to inspire one in the musical journey.
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? All to often I see players with fairly good guitars playing thru bad amps.
First off you are not getting the most from your quality guitar when using?cheap amps?that sound bad, those quality tones are just lost.?Try this experiment next time at the local music store. Take a expensive guitar like a PRS or Gibson and play it thru the cheapest solid state amp in the store. Then take?a Epiphone or Squire guitar and plug it into a good Marshall or Mesa Boogie and then see how that sounds! The quality amp makes the lower quality guitar sound much better.

? Amps have sound characteristics that are recognized too just like a Strat sound?or Les Paul sound.?I am a fan of tube amps and I realize they are more exspensive but there are great deals on used tube amps all the time. Tube watts for the most part?are much louder than the same rated solid state watts, so don't get fooled by the big watts. Most of the time 30 watt tube amps are plenty?loud for live and recording applications and really let the sound of your guitar come through.?So rethink your budget when buying your?amp, don't let the amp choice suffer!?

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Comments
  • Comment #1 (Posted by anonymous)
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    I agree 100%. I play a cheap PRS and an AS Strat thru a Boogie Mk IV and get great tones! It does lack the heavy chunk of recto, but the versatility is awesome! I've played my guitars through other quality amps with the same results. Marshall's, Fenders, etc... For me the Boogie Mk IV has the widest range of tone, all great. The manufacturer is a personal preference, but quality is the key. I also will never go back to solid state after playing through tubes. One more thing, playing with great tone makes the need for effects almost nill. I use mine at minimal settings just to add character. Again personal preference.

     
  • Comment #2 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    No comments
     
  • Comment #3 (Posted by Garageband)
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    What an obvious and useless article. The overall conclusion is wrongheaded - it's not all about the gear.
     
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