Confused? Amp settings ExplainedCongratulations......You've just bought the amp of your dreams.Maybe a little tube amp or that stack that looked so great in the store. Could be it's the electronic wonder that models 20 different amps in 15 different ways. Wow info overload.... So how do you eat a elephant?... one bite at a time (Maybe some garlic :). Lets look at tube amps. Lets start with something simple that could save you some money replacing tubes.Amp settings, the how and why.The standby switch. Why is it there? On a tube amplifier you might find a standby switch. The standby switch has a couple of functions. One is to warm up the tubes before you start cranking on the amp. This prolongs the life of the tubes - which can be quite expensive to replace and keeps them sounding their best. It's also good practice to put the amp on standby if you are going to be away from it and are coming back shortly. It keeps the tube warmed up and ready to go. You can also use it to shut off a runaway amp and figure out why its trying to blow your ears out. Next is the master volume - This controls how much power is available to the amplifier. If you want it to be mellow set it low, if you want it to really get nasty turn it up. Gain control - this effects the amount of distortion that the amp puts out. Tone controls - Bass for the lows, if you like a booming sound turn this up, mids for cutting through above the rest of the band. this is the reason the electric guitar was invented in the first place so experiment with this one, treble for the highs. Too much and you will sound harsh. Channel Volume This is where it gets loud or quiet. IMPORTANT: Be sure to check and follow the safety guidelines that come with your amp to protect your hearing and the hearing of others around you. I recommend a decibel meter to give you a idea of what you are doing to your ears.There are many musicians that wish they were more careful in this area. Your sound is affected by your guitar, pickups, cables, effects, strings, the room your in and personal playing style.so experiment. All amps are different and respond in different ways and amp settings need to be adjusted to the conditions. What is in the room with you or how many people are there. so ya there are places where you can get the magic formula to sound just like whoever and that's OK for getting the idea but it comes down to what you hear at the time and place that you are. In other words Fake it till you make it. Guitar amp settings are a matter of personal taste and the situation that you are in with guitars effects and your surroundings. General ideas are really all I can give you and the rest is up to what you think sounds cool and the response you get from your audience. Another thing I have personally noticed is that ears get tired.It seems a amp can sound amazing to me one day and completely lousy the next. How much sleep you get, your attitude that day, if you have been exercising, how much water you drink can all effect what you think you hear. Remember you are a major part of your sound too. Solid state amps with built in effects. The good ones have presets, amp settings that have been put together by Pros so you sound good right away with the twist of a knob. Playing guitar is a creative art. That's why there are so many choices of effects, guitar and amps. I know people need to be held by the hand for awhile and that is why Line 6, Roland and other amp manufacturers have presets built into their amp. Nothing wrong with that. It can be a big time saver. I like 'em. Takes a lot of the guess work out and gets me back to practicing. Lazy? no, I use them as a starting point and tweak with them from where they start out. Be sure to check out the related pages from this website below.
1. Best guitar pickups - How your pickups can add or subtraction from your sound. How Guitar strings can completely change the sound of your guitar and amp. 2.Electric guitar tuning - Do you really know if your tuning is accurate?
Links to useful websitesMarshall Amp Tips
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from guitar amp settings.No compensation was or is made to me (Roy Barnett)or anyone associated with me, for any of the product endorsements or recommendations on this Website (Guitar-skill-builder.com). All products reviewed and recommended were either purchased by myself or I experienced the products at a retail outlet or the item was recommended because of the research carried out by myself. No company has supplied me with any products or software to review free of charge. If this changes full disclosure will be in the disclaimer page on this site.
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