Great Amps

And the Music they Make Louder

Twin Reverb chassis in a Showman-Style Cabinet

Amplifiers

Amplifiers seem to hold a certain mystique for many players. This is understandable because they are electronic devices and therefore filled with characteristics that are not easily understood without technical training and experience. Because of this all sorts of legends, myths and outright falsehoods have arisen. Still, amplifiers are a fascinating subject, one that is every bit as rich as the subject of guitars.

An amp that sounds great with humbucking pickups may not sound so good with single coils. Tubes, transformers and speakers can all flavor the sound coming out of an amp. Even the brand of capacitors is said to have an effect on the overall sound. In the final analysis it comes down to whether or not we like what we hear.