Getting your first portable guitar amplifier is an important step in any guitarist's career as a musician, and so it is important that you get it right. There are a number of myths and half-truths which surround buying amplifiers, and this article will seek to undermine some of those. As you become a more experienced musician, you will learn that the best thing to trust is your ears.
The first thing to remember is that the size of an amp does not necessarily mean that it is a suitable for your needs. Many beginner guitarists think that they will need a huge amp to just be heard in public. This is a very mistaken view indeed, as most guitarists will rarely need an amp which is bigger than 30 watts or so.
An amp that size is perfect for most venues, especially as it is unlikely that you will be playing at Wembley Stadium or Madison Square Gardens at the beginning of your career as a musician. A 30 watt amp can also be miked up through a PA much more straightforwardly than a larger amp. It can also be carried around much more easily.
Another half myth is that by doubling the amount of watts your amp has as an output, you double its actual volume. Again, this is not the case, as a doubling of wattage doubles the sound pressure level, not the sound itself. Therefore, the actual increase in volume is a long way off being doubled, when wattage is increased in this way.
It is also wise not to become infatuated with certain makes and brands of guitar equipment. While many of the more famous brands make superb amplifiers at the top end of their range, their cheaper models can often be worse than less well known brands. If you are looking at an amplifier which is made by a very famous and well-regarded brand, also try something in the same price range from a less prominent manufacturer.
Lesser known companies often work harder at making budget gear better than top rank names do. So a cheaper model can often be a better choice, especially for a beginner, and you can gain a good sound without having to fork out for a big name brand. The important thing, as with anything musical, is what it sounds like to your ears.
It tends to be a good idea to avoid an amplifier with an in-built effect too, though this is not always the case. An effect which is built into the amp is not likely to be of the best quality in terms of what it will offer as an effect. It may also detract from the sound quality of the amplifier, which might well have been better had the effect not been built into it.
When it comes to choosing a portable guitar amplifier it is always wise to pay attention to your ears. If what you hear as a musician sounds good through an amp, then it is probably the best amp for you. The key is to listen to as many as possible, and ask advice from an experienced musician you trust, who is not trying to sell you anything.
The first thing to remember is that the size of an amp does not necessarily mean that it is a suitable for your needs. Many beginner guitarists think that they will need a huge amp to just be heard in public. This is a very mistaken view indeed, as most guitarists will rarely need an amp which is bigger than 30 watts or so.
An amp that size is perfect for most venues, especially as it is unlikely that you will be playing at Wembley Stadium or Madison Square Gardens at the beginning of your career as a musician. A 30 watt amp can also be miked up through a PA much more straightforwardly than a larger amp. It can also be carried around much more easily.
Another half myth is that by doubling the amount of watts your amp has as an output, you double its actual volume. Again, this is not the case, as a doubling of wattage doubles the sound pressure level, not the sound itself. Therefore, the actual increase in volume is a long way off being doubled, when wattage is increased in this way.
It is also wise not to become infatuated with certain makes and brands of guitar equipment. While many of the more famous brands make superb amplifiers at the top end of their range, their cheaper models can often be worse than less well known brands. If you are looking at an amplifier which is made by a very famous and well-regarded brand, also try something in the same price range from a less prominent manufacturer.
Lesser known companies often work harder at making budget gear better than top rank names do. So a cheaper model can often be a better choice, especially for a beginner, and you can gain a good sound without having to fork out for a big name brand. The important thing, as with anything musical, is what it sounds like to your ears.
It tends to be a good idea to avoid an amplifier with an in-built effect too, though this is not always the case. An effect which is built into the amp is not likely to be of the best quality in terms of what it will offer as an effect. It may also detract from the sound quality of the amplifier, which might well have been better had the effect not been built into it.
When it comes to choosing a portable guitar amplifier it is always wise to pay attention to your ears. If what you hear as a musician sounds good through an amp, then it is probably the best amp for you. The key is to listen to as many as possible, and ask advice from an experienced musician you trust, who is not trying to sell you anything.
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