Guitar Amps

It goes without saying that there’s nothing quite like an all-tube guitar amp cranked up to its sweet spot. In fact, many tone aficionados will tell you that this setup is the only way to go if you’re serious about your guitar tone. However, weight and portability are often a factor with all-tube amps (with the exception of smaller, more compact designs like the V3M). And if you’re in a position where you’re downsizing your transportation to save on gas or just do not want to lug a heavy amp to the gig, you may find yourself wondering if there’s something else that can come close to the sound of an all-tube amp. And while nothing will sound exactly like it, there are a few options that may prove to be worthy substitutes. 

In recent years, true bypass pedals have become a go-to solution for musicians looking to preserve their tone. True bypass pedals directly connect input to output when the pedal is switched off, thereby ensuring that the pedal’s  circuitry does not interfere with the guitar’s original tone when it is not in use. In short, with a true bypass pedal, if it's not on, it's as if the pedal is not there at all. Sounds ideal, right?

In Part 1 of this series we talked about frequencies of sound and some basic principles of equalization (EQ). Now let’s look at the most common types of EQs you are likely to encounter and how to use them to take control of your sound. Because each type of EQ has an application to which it is best suited many amp makers offer a combination EQ section to give you the best of each in a practical package. We’ll use the Carvin Audio BX700 bass amp combination EQ to explore each of these types but you’ll find these controls are quite universal once you know how they work and how to recognize them.

It is highly unusual to come across any sound system that lacks some form of equalization. While many features are only on the fanciest and most expensive systems, EQ is just about everywhere. Yet of all processing equipment equalization is one of the least understood and most underestimated by everyday musicians.

While longtime tube amp owners are familiar with operating the standby and power switches, the process may be slightly confusing for new guitarists or those switching over from solid state amps. Solid state amps only have a power switch that turns the amp on and off, but all of a sudden there’s another switch next to it on your new tube amp! Fortunately, the standby switch is very straightforward, yet absolutely essential. So essential, in fact, that all of Carvin Audio’s 50 Watt or more all-tube guitar amp models - such as the V3, X100B, and BELAIR come loaded with one. This article will explain what the standby switch does and how to use it.

In the first part of this article we learned the basics of configuring extension speakers- as long as you know the total impedance load of your cabinet(s).

So How Do You Calculate the Total Impedance Load?

No matter which speaker configuration you select, if you're playing in different venues chances are you'll eventually want to use different cabinets or an extension speaker. Perhaps you chose a combo amp for the convenience and portability, but your next performance will be on a wide stage where you might not be able to hear your amp from the other side. An additional cabinet on the other side of the stage could be a very nice solution (and your bandmates who play over there might appreciate being able to hear you without having to add you to their crucial monitor mix). At first glance, it seems simple enough, after all your amp does have an extension speaker jack, so you might wonder, "Can't I just plug in there and crank it up?" In general you usually can do just that, but there are some things you need to know to get a good result and to protect your amp from damage. Before we look at how different speaker combinations affect the impedance load your amp has to carry, we need to know what's going on.

If you're used to the standard three-band EQ section found on many of today's guitar amps, a graphic EQ may seem a little intimidating. And for good reason - all those numbers and sliders are more akin to a mixing board than an amp. However, a graphic EQ system isn't all too different than your regular bass/mid/treble controls and can actually help you fill in many of the gaps that these controls alone can't cover.

The path to becoming a professional musician is not just glitz, glamour, and being onstage in front of a thousand screaming fans. There are the unseen non-glorifying hours of being holed up in bedrooms and rehearsal spaces, honing technique, and practicing those licks, chords, and scales until they are second nature. Becoming proficient at guitar or bass requires that players not only put in the time to practice, but really make the most of that time. Choosing the right practice amp is a crucial component to helping you sound your best as a guitarist or bassist.

Have you ever been at a live show and realized you can only hear each instrument clearly when the player is taking a solo? Have you also heard where one person takes a solo and everything else drops out? While these situations are not necessarily bad things, for instance a band that creates a “wall of sound” can be tastefully heavy. Creating separation between instruments can really help an audience appreciate the nuances of each band member’s playing and improve dynamics.

Spend some time on any online gear forums, and you'll likely find the word “transparent” gets thrown around a lot, especially in reference to effects pedals and guitar amps. It’s often touted as a good thing for many reasons. While different musicians have varying definitions of what qualifies as a transparent sound, the term generally refers to the way in which a piece of equipment adds minimal, if any, of its own tonal qualities to the original instrument’s sound.