The Guitar Players Club » Miscellaneous

Different Types Of Guitar Amps

Jeff — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:24:43 +0000

There are a few different types of guitar amplifiers that are available for you to choose from. If you're looking for a new amp, you need to first decide what role the amp will need to fill.

The first type of amps that came along were vacuum tube amplifiers. Although the technology of tube amps is fairly old, this style of amp is still very popular with most players. The reason for their popularity is that the tone of these amps is usually very warm and natural compared to the other types or more modern amplifiers. Not only do they sound better, they are usually louder than amps of other types at the same power level. Also, most newer, solid-state amps normally don't require regular maintenance, but tube amps do require new vacuum tubes occasionally. Also, it's beneficial to have a matched set of tubes in the amplifier.

Usually there are two types of tubes in an amp - the preamp section and the power section. Some of the common tubes used in vacuum tube amplifiers are the 12AX7, 6L6, EL34, and several others.

There are many different brands of guitar amps that use tubes -- Fender, Marshall, Soldano, Peavey, Genz-Benz, Mesa Boogie and many others -- especially older and vintage guitar amps. Many of the Fender amps, especially the original amps from the 1960s are in high demand by many players. The amps are still so popular that Fender offers new, reissue amps that closely copy the original amps in style and sound.

Solid state amps were invented to replace tube amps, unfortunatley the warm tones and great sustain of the original tube amps were nearly impossible to duplicate in the newer amplifiers. This is not to say that solid state amps are not as good as tube amps, it just all depends on the application and type of music you are going to be playing. Solid state technology is extremely reliable, but many players have to have at least one tube amp in his/her arsenal. Even with all the effects, synths and modelers, the smooth, warm tone of a tube amp is hard to duplicate.

Some guitarists combine the two types of amps, and use what is called a hybrid amp. This type of amps marries both tube and transistor (solid state) amps into one. Usually there are tubes at one stage of amplification and transistors at the other stage (preamp and power amp). These amps usually offer a vast improvement over a straight solid state amp if you're looking for the warm tones of a tube amp.

Digital amps were introduced in the chain of solid state amps, and offer the guitarist an expanded library of possible sounds that can be had from a single amp. These amps use computers and integrated circuits to create the various tones in the amps. Usually, there are many different types of effects and tones available to the player, with the added versatility of attempting to duplicate different amps and speaker cabinets combinations. These amps are very versatile.

Examples of some digital amps are Vox Valvetronix, Line6, and a few more. These amps are great if you want to play all different types of music with different types of guitars.

It should also be noted that Vox manufactures a device (amp/cabinet modeler) that offers many different combinations of amplifier and cabinet settings. Although it's considered a modeler and needs to be routed through a speaker cabinet and usually a higher powered amp, the Vox ToneLab offers the guitarist a wide variety of vintage amplifier and speaker cabinet settings. Having a vacuum tube in the device helps it to achieve some awesome tube-like sounds. It even duplicates the sound of a Leslie rotating speaker errily well.

Used Guitar Sales

Jeff — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:12:25 +0000

If you're searching for a good deal on a used guitar, eBay has been having some gems pass through lately, especially since Christmas. I don't know if lots of people got new instruments and need to sell their old ones, or they're just broke and need the money, but it's a good time to be buying.

There's especially been some beautiful cheap electric guitars up for bid at the Bay. I'm really wanting to get a PRS, but I'm laid off from work so I can't justify the expense right now (maybe tomorrow though ).

There's been a few of the cheapest Les Pauls to sell in the last few months than I've seen in a good long while. I guess the poor economy is taking it's toll. I've never owned a Les Paul, mainly because they're so damned heavy, but at the right price I could be pursuaded to buy.

I've got an American Telecaster that I bought new in about 1991 I guess, but I'd love to find a used Stratocaster at a decent price. The way things are going now, and from the listings that I've been seeing already, I've got a feeling I'll find a nice cheap Stratocaster, or at least a decently priced one, before too long.

So, click on the drop-down menu to your right, under where it says 'The Guitar and Amp Store', and select the guitar or amp that you're looking for. I'll guarantee that you will find a quality used guitar or amp if you look through the listings.

Oh, don't forget...they've got a huge selection of effects pedals, and anything else that you could possibly want.

Good Luck and Happy Bidding!!

Pink Floyd Stratocaster Up for Auction

Jeff — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:12:38 +0000

In case you haven't heard, there's going to be a guitar being auctioned off on Oct. 15, 2008 that is probably going to be one of the best collector's piece ever. The Stratocaster will be signed by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. After the recent death of Richard Wright, I can only assume that the winning bid will be rather lofty.

Any hard core rock and roll fans, and especially Pink Floyd lovers will be dreaming of owning this guitar.

Mind you, the guitar itself is only a Mexican-made Strat, but obviously the autographs will drive the price up.

Also, the guitar's finish has been designed by UK artist Gerald Scarfe, whom worked with the band on The Wall...both the album, and the movie. I'm sure this will only increase the bids. The guitar is being auctioned to benefit homelessness charity Crisis. You can go here to register at the 'BuyOnceGiveTwice.com' Website, and bid on the guitar. Just make sure you've got a fat bank account before you entertain thoughts of this jewel hanging on your wall.

The winning bidder will also receive a Scarfe On The Wall Limited Edition Box Set. This comprises eight prints signed by Gerald Scarfe and an in-depth interview regarding the time when he created the illustrations for The Wall and the accompanying film.

Roger Waters has signed the accompanying "monograph" book which includes many early concept drawings for The Wall and a new interview with Scarfe. The monograph is accompanied by eight 16" by 20" prints of Scarfe's famed illustrations for The Wall, which includes three unseen works.

The box set is also available to buy, in a limited run 300 pieces. I'm sure the box set will also prove to be a great investment, being offered in such a limited run.

Investing in Vintage Electric Guitars

Jeff — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:10:19 +0000

Investing in Vintage Electric Guitars
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lowry_Gibson]Lowry Gibson

In the current world of investing for the future, one sure way to beat inflation and devaluation of the bond market is to put your money in vintage electric guitars. The demand for original flying v or Paul McCartney left handed guitars continues to rise in spite of recessions.

Especially in demand are vintage Gibson hollow-body, Fender's vintage sunburst Stratocaster and vintage Fender guitar amplifiers. Nostalgia for early rock is only one reason for the high valuation of vintage guitars and accompanying guitar equipment. The main reason demand is so high for vintage guitars is the sound they produce is as unique as the instrument itself.

Decades ago, when vintage guitars were new, the technology to produce them was in its early stages and many of the electric pick-ups had to be hand-wound or if they were machine made, each was just a little different. A few less strands of wire in the pick-ups caused a little different sound. The bodies were not completely uniform either, making the sound-box on each just a little different from the next guitar being made. As a result, each guitar was just a little unique. Additionally, over time, the electronics degraded a little causing even more difference and variation from instrument to instrument.

Original Fen

The Beginnings of the Vintage Electric Guitar

Jeff — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:33:05 +0000

The Beginnings of the Vintage Electric Guitar
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lowry_Gibson]Lowry Gibson

That beat up old Fender vintage guitar has had a lot of history associated with it since it was first made nearly sixty years ago. The true beginnings of the electric guitar started with Gibson Guitars as early as 1920, but the design was not successful and was shelved. Rickenbacker made the first successful pick-up in 1931 and installed them on their "Flying Pan" Hawaiian steel guitar. Dobro placed electronic pick-ups on a few of their steel guitars in 1932.

The real success of the electric guitar was with the ES-150 Gibson (which stood for Electric Spanish guitar) in the late 1930's and made popular as part of the Benny Goodman Orchestra. World War II intervened and progress and development of electric guitars all but stopped.

The famous Les Paul experimented in 1929 with his own design of electronic pick-ups but wanted to resolve problems of excess vibration affecting the sound the pick-ups gathered. As a result, Paul started working on a more solid body electric guitar which allowed the sound of the strings to be the only thing picked up by the electronics. Les Paul, Leo Fender and Paul Bigsby worked together to make a solid body guitar to eliminate unwanted vibrations on the guitar's top wooden plate. Epiphone Guitars, at the same time experimented with solid wood bodies that resembled a railroad tie with a neck and pick-up.

Leo Fender started the Fender Electric Instrument Company in 1949 and made the Broadcaster, soon to be renamed the Telecaster in 1950. In 1951 Fender invented and made the first electric bass guitar and began marketing it. Gibson introduced the Les Paul model of electric guitars in 1952. That same year was the introduction of the three pick-up Stratocaster by Fender.

Since 1952, electric guitars are almost the same with the exception of some modifications to the pick-ups to take advantage of the ability to make them smaller such as use of piezoelectric pick-ups, "humbuckers" or the use of transistorized pre-amps embedded in the guitars themselves. Because of little changes over the years, the values of vintage electric guitars increase. And by studying production numbers of some vintage electric guitars, some instruments are very rare.

George Harrison played a Rickenbacker 360 12 string guitar in the early 1960's to obtain a fully rounded sound during recordings. His guitar may have been one of the total of 36 ever made! Because of the low numbers of this model of guitar (360/12 OS), finding the other one made during that year would make this vintage electric guitar extremely valuable.

Harrison was also given one of two Fender Telecaster electric guitars hand-made by Fender in Rosewood. Fender serial number 235594 was the only prototype of the Rosewood Telecaster outside of the one held by the Fender company itself. A similar Rosewood Stratocaster was given to Jimi Hendrix. The current owner of the Harrison Telecaster is Delaney Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie. Bramlett received the guitar as a gift from George Harrison for bringing him back on stage after several years retirement to play along side long-time musician friends including Eric Clapton.

Inside the fraternity of guitar players, specific vintage guitars are passed to others because of a unique sound it provides. For example, Jeff Beck gave a 1959 Fender Stratocaster to Jimmy Page during one of their recording sessions because of a particular sound that guitar produced in the hands of Page. Joe Walsh gave Page an 1959 vintage Gibson Les Paul. In fact, almost all of the guitars used by Page are 35 - 60 years old! Vintage Gibson guitars, vintage Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters as well as Vox and Rickenbacker vintage 12 string guitars make up most of his collection. [http://www.vintageelectricguitars.net/Fender.html]Vintage Electric Guitars are not only an interesting topic of conversation but also a unique investment opportunity. But before you embark on that get some basic information first.

For a wide selection of electric and vintage electric guitars visit [http://www.electricandvintageelectricguitars.com]Vintage Electric Guitars dot com today for the best prices anywhere

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