It's definitely true that each guitar player has distinct tastes when it comes to shopping for a jazz guitar amp. Many different styles and designs are available, and each has its own unique tone, capabilities, and characteristics. Still, however, it can be helpful to be prepared with some facts before you start your shopping.
Although you can add fanciful effects to get the sound that you want, it's important to consider that good, straight jazz doesn't absolutely require them. Give a listen to Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel, two jazz guitar legends. Consider that when they were at their peak, amplifiers with fanciful effects hadn't even been invented. All that they required was the warm tones of a good tube-type amplifier.
When you go shopping, there are several decisions that you'll want to make. First, decide upon whether you want to go with a new one, or shop for a vintage model. Yes, it's possible to get a 60 or 70 year-old tube amp in great playing condition. Prices will vary by brand and condition. If you want to save a bit of money and you're handy with a soldering iron, you can find good deals on non-working amps that need a bit of repair. Often, all you'll need to do is to solder in some new capacitors and a new power cord, and you're good.
If you decide on buying a new amplifier, you'll want to decide on whether to go with solid-state or with tubes. It used to be that solid-state got a rather bum rap, and a lot of guitarists swore by that classic tube tone. But now, signal processor technology has allowed some solid-state amps to get mighty close to the classic tube tone.
You may think that tubes are old-fashioned, and that it would be hard to find replacements. But, that's not the case. All of the tubes that you'd need for currently produced gear are still in production, and are readily available. One advantage of going with a tube model is that you can experiment with different brands of tubes, to get the exact tone that you're after. If current production tubes don't do it for you, you could always seek out some vintage, new-old stock tubes, and try them.
And next, decide what you'd like to do about effects. If you decide that you want them, you will then decide if you would want them built-in to the amp, or if you would want to purchase individual effects pedals, instead. Yes, we've already said that you don't need effects in order to create that great jazz sound. On the other hand, a bit of compression, tremolo, or reverb could be just what you'd need to make your music stand out.
Next, determine if you would like to do your shopping on-line, or if you would prefer to visit your neighborhood guitar shop. Yeah, it's good to sit and try out some amps before purchasing. But, you might find some better deals with on-line vendors. Reputable vendors will help you out in case you need to return something.
When looking for a good jazz guitar amp, you have quite a few available options. Your good friend, Google, can help you perform the research. You'll see tons of resources to help you make the right choices.
Although you can add fanciful effects to get the sound that you want, it's important to consider that good, straight jazz doesn't absolutely require them. Give a listen to Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel, two jazz guitar legends. Consider that when they were at their peak, amplifiers with fanciful effects hadn't even been invented. All that they required was the warm tones of a good tube-type amplifier.
When you go shopping, there are several decisions that you'll want to make. First, decide upon whether you want to go with a new one, or shop for a vintage model. Yes, it's possible to get a 60 or 70 year-old tube amp in great playing condition. Prices will vary by brand and condition. If you want to save a bit of money and you're handy with a soldering iron, you can find good deals on non-working amps that need a bit of repair. Often, all you'll need to do is to solder in some new capacitors and a new power cord, and you're good.
If you decide on buying a new amplifier, you'll want to decide on whether to go with solid-state or with tubes. It used to be that solid-state got a rather bum rap, and a lot of guitarists swore by that classic tube tone. But now, signal processor technology has allowed some solid-state amps to get mighty close to the classic tube tone.
You may think that tubes are old-fashioned, and that it would be hard to find replacements. But, that's not the case. All of the tubes that you'd need for currently produced gear are still in production, and are readily available. One advantage of going with a tube model is that you can experiment with different brands of tubes, to get the exact tone that you're after. If current production tubes don't do it for you, you could always seek out some vintage, new-old stock tubes, and try them.
And next, decide what you'd like to do about effects. If you decide that you want them, you will then decide if you would want them built-in to the amp, or if you would want to purchase individual effects pedals, instead. Yes, we've already said that you don't need effects in order to create that great jazz sound. On the other hand, a bit of compression, tremolo, or reverb could be just what you'd need to make your music stand out.
Next, determine if you would like to do your shopping on-line, or if you would prefer to visit your neighborhood guitar shop. Yeah, it's good to sit and try out some amps before purchasing. But, you might find some better deals with on-line vendors. Reputable vendors will help you out in case you need to return something.
When looking for a good jazz guitar amp, you have quite a few available options. Your good friend, Google, can help you perform the research. You'll see tons of resources to help you make the right choices.
