Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [amplifiers]

For questions about amplifiers in a musical setting. If the question is about a specific topic of amplifiers like maintenance or repairs those tags should also be included.

The amplifier is an important part of the performance set-up for electric guitars and keyboards, and makes a big difference to the tone. Other instruments and vocalists can also use amplifiers to be louder, either to balance with other amplified sounds, or just to fill a larger performance space.

If you're interested in using amplifiers in ways that don't specifically relate to musical practice and performance, for example as part of a home sound system, or in a suite for editing recordings, you will probably get better answers if you instead ask on the Sound Design Stack Exchange.

490 questions
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Amp picking up radio stations

When I plug my combo practice amp into a normal wall outlet I pick up a local public radio station, just loud enough to be annoying. The only way I've found to reduce it is to plug it into a UPS or to wrap the input cable around the amp. Anyone…
bobtheowl2
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8 answers

How to predict the loudness of an amp based on description

Related question: Is there an amp power formula? When I look at amps in a shop or online, I ask myself what the amp is suitable for: Can it be played quietly enough for home use without disturbing the neighbours/sleeping wife/etc.? Is it loud…
slim
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Do phase inverter tubes affect the sound of my amp?

I was told once that a phase inverter tube should "just work" and that it has no effect whatsoever on the tone of the amplifier. Is this true?
Jduv
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How do preamps and power amps compliment/replace guitar amplifier heads and combos?

I see rack mounted power amps and preamps, mainly for large venues. But I don't know exactly what they do. I know a preamp can be used to boost a microphone signal for a soundcard, but I don't know what a preamp does in the signal chain of the…
todd
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Using smaller more inefficient speaker to dampen volume with tube amps

I had an epiphany recently in my never ending search for the perfect tone. I have 7-8 amps and have played/owned just about every amp imaginable (boutique, standards, mods, etc.) In my 5 watt champ clone, I use a very old 10" Jensen that came out of…
Gator
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Types of Amplifiers

What are the differences between guitar amplifiers used for blues, rock, or heavy metal genres? Are there any major distinctions between them or are they almost the same?
Apurva Nandan
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Are the effects on a guitar pedal/stompbox any better than an amplifier's overdrive?

I've been around guitars since I was young but I haven't really looked into them that much. I know that a Guitar Pedal can do more than just overdrive but is there any difference between the clarity in tone when using a Pedal vs. An amp's…
Brian
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Noisy lvad heart pump transferred to amp

I have a problem with noise from my heart pump somehow bleeding into my guitar amp. Has any other musician experienced the same or similar, and found a solution?
vernon jurome cobb
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5
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3 answers

Control 2 identical amps with single footswitch

I've just ordered two Fender 2x12 combos that use this footswitch: Fender 2 button footswitch I'd like to control both amps with the one footswitch - should this be possible by simply splitting the signal from the footswitch using a TRS stereo…
armadadrive
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What is a power amp?

I'm fairly new to having a head amp. Can someone explain to me what the the power amp is? I'm confused.
H.D. Lowrider
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Weird Radio Station Coming Through My Amp

I have a fender mustang III Amp and I recently bought a used Washburn Bad Dog Wah pedal. When I plugged in the amp, wah, and guitar a strange radio or news channel station started playing through my amp talking about the president impeachment. I…
michael hinkley
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How long do guitar amps "last"?

Recently, a (supposed) 1967 Pro Reverb Blackface came on sale locally. I'm told that the speakers are "the original Utahs". Can this be right? How long do speakers in guitar amps last? Similarly, the circuit board photo shows a bunch of…
GreenAsJade
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Can I use a Line6 Spider combo amp as a cabinet?

I just purchased a tube amp head (Peavey Windsor). I don't currently have the funds for a proper cabinet, so I was considering rewiring my Line6 Spider 212 combo amp to behave as a 2x12 cabinet. It doesn't have an external amp input jack or…
jrummell
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Could a good sound be had from small output amps?

I'm wondering if it is OK to instead of having your guitar go through a high wattage amp that fills the arena up by itself rather have a small tube amp set to full blast and then maybe set it up and send it through a PA system or other cabs? Could…
Neil Meyer
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How to get a super short guitar strap?

I have a roland microcube and I can't find a replacement for it's broken strap. I'm trying to find some kind of a short strap that would be suitable for use with this amp as on the image. Any…
Glorious Kale
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