If you’re interested in playing an electric guitar, amplification is a key component. But even have you have that guitar amp, the device itself can be confusing.
How does it work? What do all those knobs or buttons do? Why are there so many sockets? Why does it look like you need a pilot’s license to operate it?
But don’t fret! We’re here to guide you through your new amp and get you shredding in no time!
Get Started With the Guitar Amp Essential
First things, first. There are a few key elements you’ll need to make sure you have.
- Your electric guitar (obviously).
- Your guitar amp’s proper power cable. These are almost always grounded.
- The cable that runs from your guitar to the amp, called “guitar lead.” This may seem like another obvious element, but they are easy to overlook. And despite everything else in our lives going the Bluetooth route, your guitar still needs it lead. Your guitar lead, also sometimes called a “jack-to-jack” lead, utilizes a 6.3,, or 1/4″ mono “jack” or “tip-ring-sleeve” (or TRS) plug at either end of the cable. The unbalances audio created by your guitar is transferred to the amp via this lead. For that reason alone investing in a high-quality cable built to last is a must.
Notably, if your guitar amp has a head and a separate speaker cabinet, you’ll also need an appropriate cable for that. Make sure to do use the proper cable for your set up; do not use a guitar lead as a speaker cable. This can create a fire hazard.
Getting to Know Your Guitar Amp
Before you get to playing your favourite riffs, let’s examine the amp’s controls. Don’t worry, they’re not as complicated as they first look.
Most guitar amps will have some or all of the following features:
Buttons and Knobs
- Power switch. This may be found on the front, top, or sometimes the back of your amp. Some amps, like tube amplifiers, also have a “Standby mode” which keeps the valves warm without the speaker being on.
- Volume. Controls the amp’s volume output.
- Gain. This controls the amount of input the amp takes, or “gains,” from the guitar.
- Channel switch. Some guitar amps feature two channels: a “clean channel,” with only volume control for a clean tone, and a “gain channel,” with both volume and gain control. This latter option allows for distortion and more. The channel switch button changes between the two.
- EQ (or “equalization). This is most often represented by a selection of dials that may include “Low,” “Mid,” “High,” and sometimes even more. Some guitar amps feature a graphical EQ, but it does the same job. These controls let you alter your tone, changing the levels of the low, mid, and high range frequencies in the sound.
- Reverb. Of all the effects available to guitar players, revers is the one most often built directly into the amp. This adds reverberation to the sound, giving it an echo-y ambience.
- FX. Modern guitar amps often include a variety of built-in digital effects, accessed via dials or buttons. This selection is probably the most complicated part of your amp, but it’s also the most fun to play around with!
- Tuner. Tuners are also becoming increasingly common in modern amps. Any why not? It’s a handy tool to always have on hand.
Sockets
So, that’s buttons and knobs on your guitar amp. What about all those sockets? They probably include:
- Input. This is where your guitar lead plugs in, and is always located on the front or top of your amp.
- Mains input. This is the power cable socket and is almost always on the back of the amp.
- Footswitch. Here you can plug in a channel switch pedal, which allows for changing between clean and distorted sounds with a tap of the foot.
- Effects send/return. Plug in any external effects pedals here.
- Line out. This allows you to send the sound to another, external audio device. This is useful if you se a mixing desk or recording equipment.
- Speaker out. Lets you plug into a compatible external speaker.
- Headphone. For quieter practice sessions.
Getting Started
Now that you’ve toured your amp, it’s time to have some fun!
Start with the amp turned off, and follow these easy steps:
- Plug the guitar into the amp.
- Set all the controls on your guitar to full and choose a pickup.
- Set the controls on your amp as follows:
- Volume and Gain all the way down.
- EQ controls to neutral (usually 50%, or flat across the middle on graphic EQs).
- Reverb and FX to zero.
- Turn on the amp. Waiting to turn the amp on until now removes the chance of creating that loud crackling noise that comes from plugging into an active guitar amp.
- Use the clean channel (if you have one) to test a clean sound by turning the volume to a comfortable level.
- Use the gain channel to test the gain/overdrive/distortion/crunch sound. Turn the volume down again, raise the gain to 50%, then bring the volume back up. Try different gain levels and have fun!
- Finally, experiment with the rest of the controls. Get a feel for the massive variety in tones your guitar amp is ready to create!
Get Playing!
Now that you know the basics of you new guitar amp, it’s time to start playing; and experimentation is one of the best ways to learn! But a word to the wise: experimenting is fun, but a solid foundation makes it something useful.
Looking for someone to help you build that foundation? Check out The Music Studio’s guitar lessons for kids and adults, as well as our band programs, and sign up today!