Small guitar amplifiers offer a number of advantages over larger ones. One advantage is that small amps are more portable and take up less room. In addition to the practical side, guitar players prefer small amps for musical reasons as well. For instance, small amps are great in the recording studio or in a small club setting. Also, small amps, such has the vintage Fender Champ, produce warm guitar tones that larger amplifiers are unable to reproduce.
Instructions
1. Consider the size and weight of the amplifier. The size and weight of small amps vary to a considerable degree. The weight of the amp depends on a number of factors, such as the wood used for the speaker cabinet, and the magnets used in the speakers.
2. Decide what the primary purpose of the amplifier is for. If you want a small amp exclusively for practice purposes, a small micro amp may suit you. These amps are between 1-10 watts, have small speakers, and solid-state circuitry. Practice amps are usually 10-30 watts, tube or solid state, and have a 10-inch speaker. They are ideal for practice and for small club settings.
3. Pay attention the wattage of the amplifier. Amps are rated by wattage rather than size. The size and wattage of the amp are not necessarily dependent on one another; however, guitar players favor small amps because they tend to be lower wattage than larger amplifiers. Low wattage amps will distort at lower volumes, and it is possible to crank the amp without the volume being overbearing.
4. Evaluate the sound quality of the amp. The sound quality and tone of an amplifier depends upon a number of factors, not just the wattage. The sound of an amplifier also depends on the preamp and power tubes, the speaker, and the cabinet itself. One Fender Blues Junior may sound quite different than another Fender Blues Junior. When you are considering buying an amp, test it out with your guitar. Experiment with the tone and volume settings.
Tags: small amps, Blues Junior, Fender Blues, Fender Blues Junior, guitar players, larger amplifiers