| There are a few different types of guitar | | | | amps (which didn't happen!). Basically, the main |
| amplifiers that are on the market today for you | | | | difference between tube and solid state amps is |
| to choose from. If you are shopping for a new | | | | that solid state uses transistors instead of tubes. |
| amp, it's good to decide which type you will want | | | | They also require almost no maintenance because |
| because they are all very different. | | | | there are no tubes to change. |
| The first type of amps that came along had to | | | | This is not to say that solid state amps are not |
| be the tube amplifiers. Funny thing is, even though | | | | as good as tube, it just all depends on the |
| the technology of tube amps is fairly old, these | | | | application and type of music you are going to be |
| amps are still used widely among pro and beginner | | | | playing. |
| guitar players. The reason for their popularity is | | | | Some guitarists prefer colliding the two and |
| that the tone of these amps is usually very warm | | | | making what is called a hybrid amp. This type of |
| and natural compared to the other types. Not | | | | amps marries both tube and transistor amps into |
| only do they sound better, they are usually louder | | | | one. Usually there are tubes at one stage of |
| than amps of other types and the same power | | | | amplification and transistors at the other stage |
| level. The only thing to remember with tube amps | | | | (preamp and power amp) |
| is that they require maintenance because the | | | | Recently, digital amps were introduced. These |
| vacuum tubes need to be periodically changed. | | | | amps use computers and integrated circuits to |
| Usually there are two types of tubes in an amp - | | | | create the various tones in the amps. Usually, |
| the preamp section and the power section. | | | | there are a number of different types of effects |
| Common tubes are 12AX7, 6L6, EL34, and many | | | | and tons that you can get. These amps are very |
| more. | | | | versatile. |
| There are many different brands of guitar amps | | | | Examples of some digital amps are Vox |
| that use tubes -- Marshall, Soldano, Peavey, | | | | Valvetronix, Line6, and a few more. These amps |
| Genz-Benz, Mesa Boogie and many others -- | | | | are great if you want to play all different types |
| especially older and vintage guitar amps. | | | | of music with different types of guitars. |
| Solid state amps were invented to replace tube | | | | |
