Amps

What would an electric guitar be without an amplifier? The following page has information on early amps, as well as modern creations.

Tube vs. Solid State

The very first electric guitar amplifiers generated power with tubes, like one might put in a television of the same era. Tubes are still the most desired element in a guitar amp because of their warm tone, sweet dynamics, and "break-up". Break-up is when an amp over powers it's tubes and the tubes produce a somewhat "distorted" effect which many blues and rock players like. In the late 60's though, solid state was born, and was believed to be the "next big thing". Solid state technology uses circuit boards to produce sound. Solid state didn't catch on as expected, and tubes reigned supreme over solid state electronics. Solid state technology lacks the tone, feel, break-up, and dynamics of tubes, which is why most musicians use tube amplifiers.

Fender

Fender, by many opinions, makes the quintessential guitar amplifier. In the latter part of the forties, their popular amplifiers had a wood cabinet, and were affectionately nicknamed "Woodies."

Throughout the years from the 40's to the 60's, there were many changes in the way their amps were made. In the 40's the aforementioned "Woodie" amps were popular. In the fifties, their amps changed their look and sound with the birth of the "Tweed" era amp. As the name suggests, these amps had a tweed cabinet and different electronics. Tweed amps are highly desirable today, and some cost up to $15,000 in good condition. The next era of Fender amplifiers is the "Blackface" era. These are even more desirable than the Tweeds because of their famous warmth and feel. Many modern amp companies have tried to make their amps sound like these, but none have ever faithfully replicated the Black face amps.

Fender's new amps are mostly corperate junk by many opinions. They have tried to recapture the sound of their classic amps, but have never gotten it quite right. This is probably due to several different owners and merges. Fender's vintage amps are still the king of the mountain, though, so to speak.

Marshall

If you love bands like Creed, Nirvana, Metallica, and the like, then you have already heard Marshall amps. The word "Marshall" to most musicians is synonmus with that distorted, heavy rock sound. Even the likes of Jimi Hendrix used Marshall amps. Marshall amps are often used with a Gibson Les Paul, because the LP's humbucking pickups give low noise and good tone when used with a Marshall. Marshall's have often been comapred to Fender's, but actually they sound totally different. On most stages, you will either see a Fender of Marshall amp.

Mesa-Boogie

Mesa Boogie has tried to mix the sounds of Fender and Marshall amps, and have done a fairly good job. Mesa was born about 20 years ago when one of Fender's execs left to form Mesa-Boogie. A lot of popular bands also use Mesa Boogies such as Creed, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Limp Bizkit. Overall, Mesa has provided a somewhat affordable, high quality hybrid of Fender and Marshall amps.