30.8.13

How To Choose A Jazz Guitar Amp

By Gloria Mason


Once you've purchased your first jazz guitar you need to start thinking about a jazz guitar amp as well. Having an amp is important for being able to produce the right types of sound. The sound is amplified through the device, producing a much better quality than you would achieve without one. The quality of the amp you purchase is another important detail. The majority of professional musicians do not think a guitar is of any use unless they have a good amp to use as well.

There are 4 different types of amplifiers. The one you find that best suits your jazz music may not end up being one with the latest technology or one that eve looks cool. However, it will work well for what it is suppose to do. It is very important to know the difference between all 4 amp types before you buy anything since each kind can have a distinct effect on the music you are playing and the sound it is able to produce.

Tube amps were the first kind introduced to the market. They produce a warm and rich sound. Inside, glass tubes are used to produce a louder sound than any other type of amp is capable of. Upkeep for this type can be expensive and their size is rather bulky. Care needs to be taken when moving them around, to prevent the tubes from breaking inside.

Solid state style amps use transistors instead of glass tubes. They work much better than other types when they will need to be used often. When using this style for jazz music, some fine tuning will likely be needed to prevent distortion at high frequencies. A lot of musicians think solid state amps are more reliable than others, but they still have complaints about sound quality.

Digital amps have become a mainstream trend through their use of digital technology. They can imitate many different sound ranges, included distorted sounds and those of the tube style amp. Cheap options can sound very fake, so more sophisticated digital amps are needed for playing this type of music if you want superior sound quality.

Hybrid amplifiers use both tube and solid state technology to achieve sound. The tubes are responsible for the tone and the transistors for the power. This is a good alternative to consider if you want a tube amp but don't won't to spend a whole lot of money. Their sound quality isn't the best, but it's descent and they are very reliable.

Jazz musicians having varying opinions on amplifiers. Traditional jazz music uses acoustic sounds and is still preferred, making tube amps the best choice. Other types are also used and they can produce great quality sound as well. In the end, it's all based on your own personal opinion.

Sound quality, mobility and how often you will be using your amp all play a role in choosing the right one to buy. No one specific style is designed for use as a jazz guitar amp. When you are shopping for a new amp, bring along your instrument so you can see how it will sound with each individual one. This is the best shopping method to determine if an amp within your budget will work for you.




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