The guitar amplifier is an electronic amplifier to make the signal having its source from electric or acoustic guitar louder, such that it produces the sound through loudspeaker by modifying the tone.
Emphasize or overemphasize can be done in certain frequencies and electrical effects can also be added to keep yourself enthralled in the sonic.
The two main stages of amplifier is the Pre-amplifier stage: Here amplification of voltages of signal received from guitar take place.
Apart from this it does electronic effects like distortion, chorus, re-verb and control over graphic equalizer.
Power amplifier stage: The ultimate sonic effect reaches your ear by conveying high current to speaker to produce sound.
There are generally four types of amplifier they are
- Tube amplifier
- Solid state amplifier
- Modeling amplifier
- Hybrid amplifier
The high end model fabricates sound with ultimate quality.
It employs one or more dual triodes to bring in high voltage gain.
Reverb unit which is nothing but the one or more coiled spring is found, instigating reverberation of an echoic ambient.
It will give out the best at any volume.
Offers low drift over various range of operating conditions, organic distortion, warm, fat tone, louder with unambiguous feel and finally makes you ease in tube replacement when it fails.
But the cons in tube amplifier are it is bulky due to existence of heavy iron in power and output transformer, fragile, degrading performance before its failure.
Solid state amplifier (transistor): This type of amplifier is welcomed among the guitarist exploring for sturdy, reliable touring.
It gives out clear tone, quick response time and comes with distortion channel also.
Hardly ever needs repair with increased reliability, cheap and less weight.
It is most preferred among jazz guitarists.
Modeling amplifier: They digitize the input signal using Digital Signal Processor to process the signal.
Here digital processor is used to enhance the old fashioned tube technology and programmed with software to model the sounds of tube amplifier.
It's built with digital effects like chorus, wide range of tone effects and cabinet stimulation.
Hybrid amplifier: Here tube amplifier is fed by solid state in pre-amplifier circuit.
Features include distortion, volume control.
Apart from this there are other two types like traditional guitar amplifier and hard rock style.
Where the former is used by country musicians, blues and rock producing clean, warm sound, sharp treble at 5 KHz or even less, bass in the range of 60-100 KHz and contains reverb units, tremolo units.
Hard rock style provides you control over pre-amplification, tone filter, distortion effect.
They use amplify tone to add or drive intensity, edge to the guitar sound.
The two configurations in guitar amplifier are combination (combo) having one amplifier and one, two or four speaker in wooden cabinet.
Combo amplifier is ideal for small venue, clubs etc.
Thickness of wood required to construct the cabinet is the prime factor in determining the quality of sound.
Thinner wood will tend to vibrate the speaker and the minimum thickness required is 1/2 inch.
The second configuration is stand alone amplifier consisting of electrical circuits called the head & speaker cabinet (stack).
The stack has head atop 1 cabinet- half stack and 2 cabinet -full stack.
Head & cabinet is suited for open arena, large auditorium.
Some amplifiers have stereo RCA jacks for connecting CD player, 1/4 inch head phone jack, extension speaker jack to add additional speaker cabinet and send & return jack to give out loop effects like compression, reverb.
Also a connection from one guitar amplifier to another guitar amplifier is facilitated to create various tones of sound effect.
The better bass response is achievable when the amplifier is closed.
Before purchasing the guitar amplifier look in for traits like 3 bands EQ, over drive channel, reverb, designing of earth isolation components & channel switching.