Guitar Amps

Read and learn more about electric guitar amplification. For more, visit the Guitar Amp website GuitarAmpUniverse.com

Q: Is it necessary to use an electric guitar with amplification or any other effect ?
Im 16 and I just want to learn guitar as a hobby and i dont want any kinda amplifications and other effects . Can an electric guitar be played without amplification ? The thing i like in electric guitar is there stylish shape and that impresses me alot. So which one will be better – an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar ?

A: well the point of an electric guitar is to plug it in to an amp. you don’t have to use distortion or anything; an amp just…amplifies the sound.
if you don’t want to use an amp get an acoustic.

Q: How does an electric guitar sounds without amplification ?
I mean does it sounds low ?

A: well, I’ve never heard my guitar with an amp, so I dont know

Q: Is there much difference between an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar except amplification ?

A: tone, weight, sound, design, so yes, there is all the difference.

Q: Can an acoustic/electric guitar be played when it is not pluged in?
Hi, I am about to buy a guitar, and I was wondering if an acoustic/electric guitar can be played like a regular guitar. In other words, do you need amplification in order to play an acoustic/electric? Or can you play it with or without amplification.

Thanks.
By the way, can anyone tell me if an acoustic guitar and a classical guitar are the same thing

A: What an acoustic electric guitar is, is an acoustic guitar that has pick ups inside of it. You can play it just like an other acoustic guitar and then if you can plug it into an amp and play it. You can buy pickups to go into an acoustic guitar and make it electric, one of my friends did it. It works really good too.

Q: How can i play electric guitar without an amp?
I know this question may sound stupuid. i know you can play without amplification but it is very quiet. what i was thinking. was if it could happen like this.

Electric guitar -> PC -> HIFI system would this work?

like for example. i plugged the cable from my guitar into an adapter to go into my pc mic input. next i would get another cable going from my pc into a hifi system. Would this work?

but i guess the main question is how do i play electric guitar without an amp?

A: You could plug it into your computer like you are thinking. Or directly into the computer and play through it. Ive done that to record.

You can also plug into any speaker.

But honestly the best way is to plug into an Amp or PA system. Or micro amps which are good for portability.

Q: How does Acoustic Guitar differ from Electric Guitar?
Okay so what I am really asking, is for example say you learn Electric guitar would you be able to play accoustic guitar and the notes would sound/be the same? (ignoring the amplification) ??? HELP

A: The notes are all the same, since the electric is the same instrument as the acoustic, but is made to be amplified. They’re played the same, as well. But the necks on acoustics tend to be considerably thicker than those of electric guitars, so acoustics are a little more challenging to play. Acoustic guitarists who transition to electrics can usually play much faster, since there’s less string tension and the action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard) is lower on electrics, so it takes less finger strength and dexterity to play an electric than an acoustic. But if you already play electric, you’ll still be able to manage an acoustic once you get used to the different feel of the instruments.

Q: What kind of distortion can you get with an electro-acoustic guitar?
I have an electro-acoustic guitar, but I haven’t bought an amp yet. I am not aware of the technical terms of amps, so sorry if my question sounds stupid. I wanted to know if you can get the same kinds of distortion and amplification as the electric guitar on an electro-acoustic one. For example, to play heavy-metal.
Do you use the same type of amps?

A: To be honest, no you will not get the same type of distortion. The hollow body of an acoustic-electric guitar is much more prone to feedback and overtones. You can get a pretty decent distortion tone, but don’t plug in expecting to hear Kirk Hammett or Jim Root flowing from your amp. As for amps, you can plug into a “standard” electric amp such as a Marshall or Randall, the preference is yours. If this is your primary guitar I would recommend a Fender acoustic amp with an acoustic multi-effects pedal. I’ve played through a Zoom acoustic effects pedal in the past and had pretty good results.

Q: acoustic electric guitar?
would it be cheaper to buy an acoustic electric guitar or buy an acoustic and put an amplification set in it?
im thinking about getting the ibanez SGT120LNT SAGE SERIES Left-Handed Acoustic Guitar

A: Acoustic electric would be your best bet. You could buy an acoustic and get a 50 buck acoustic pick up but it wouldn’t sound half as good as an acoustic electric. Try out an Ibanez, nice guitars.

Q: Do you want or need to bring your own amplifier during performing, gigs or sessions? Why?
I’m an industrial design student working on my thesis: travel electric guitar and amplification system, making them in one portable design. Do you think it would be very helpful for travel musicians specifically session guitarists?

A: Most professional guitarists prefer to bring there own amps to be sure that they have the specific sound that they need, there are many pros that will submit a “rider” to allow them to travel without an amp thus saving the cost of transporting it. The rider will specify exactly what the guitarist needs/wants and what they expect to be there when they arrive. Since often times this does not happen as it should you find most people will bring their own gear to avoid the hassle

Q: Do Laney amps have good amplification?
im thinking of buying a new amp for my electric guitar. i play rock and blues music.. laney amps are affordable than amps like marshall and fender but i really need to know if my its sound is worth it.

A: I personally feel Laney Amps are worth what they sell them for. your going to get a fairly low quality, clean and flat amp. For a rock and blues player, i recommend a crate or epiphone valve amp. they are all tube and produce a great warm sound for a fairly low price.

Q: Please help me with this. I am looking into buying a new acoustic guitar.?
I mostly play indie/alternative/ acoustic type music. I also play alot of country. I dont really want to spend more than 400 bucks. I am currently looking toward the seagull s6..good buy? have a better idea? PLease give me some adivise.

as a side note i ussually only play gigs where no guitar amplification is required. But i would not object to an acoustic electric.

A: i got a jasmine acoustic guitar. i love it. it’s all one piece. really pretty. my hubby got it on sale for $120.00

Q: Cello amplification or pickup?
I’m playing cello in a band with an electric/acoustic guitar and drums, so obviously I need a little more sound from the cello. I’m looking into amplification systems and I’ve come down to the decision between “The Realist” and “The Band.” Does anyone have any opinions or experience with either of these? Or any other type of pickup, like a bridge pickup?

A: Fishman C-100 or C-200 or Barcus Berry 3125 Cello Pickup

http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=103

http://barcusberry.com/products.cfm?CategoryID=3

or a reasonable instrument microphone

… because no one ever things of turning down the other instruments.

Q: Where Was the Love for Les Paul?
Michael Jackson is and was continually fawned over. People are fighting over his death now, a disgusting play of greed is going to take place over his money, estate and even his body.

Les Paul died a few days ago at 92 years old. He died of cancer. Who is Les Paul, and why did his death get only a quick mention? Les Paul invented and refined the electric guitar. He changed the way music was recorded, performed, and played. In the late 1940’s, Les Paul came up with the idea of multi-track recording and his song, How High the Moon, was recorded so that it sounded like eight Les Pauls were playing simultaneously. It was a big hit.

Quotes from article: “The Who’s Townshend, Steve Howe of Yes, jazz great Al DiMeola and Led Zeppelin’s Page all made the Gibson Les Paul their trademark six-string.”

“”Paul had made his first attempt at audio amplification at age 13. Unhappy with the amount of volume produced by his acoustic guitar, he tried placing a telephone receiver under the strings. Although this worked to some extent, only two strings were amplified and the volume level was still too low. By placing a phonograph needle in the guitar, all six strings were amplified, which proved to be much louder. Paul was playing a working prototype of the electric guitar in 1929.

His work on recording techniques began in the years after World War II, when Bing Crosby gave him a tape recorder. Drawing on his earlier experimentation with his homemade recording machine, Paul added an additional playback head to the recorder. The result was a delayed effect that became known as tape echo. Tape echo gave the recording a more “live” feel and enabled the user to simulate different playing environments.

Paul’s next idea was to stack together eight mono tape machines and send their outputs to one piece of tape, stacking the recording heads on top of one another. The resulting machine served as the forerunner to today’s multitrack recorders. Many of his songs with Ford used overdubbing techniques that Paul had helped develop.

Paul’s use of multitrack recording was unique. Before he did it, most recordings were made on a single tape. By recording each element separately, from the vocals to instrumentation on different tracks, they could be mixed and layered, adding to the richness in sound.”"

Michael Jackson may have been the “King of Pop.” But Les Paul is the King of Music, the first Rock Star, the first Guitar Hero. They say rock and roll is king. Without Les Paul, rock and roll would only have been a serf.
Cath, yes he did die of pneumonia and he was 94, not 92. My mistake.

A: You are exactly right and I always respected him as a genius. No mention of his great contribution to the music world. I am a musician and feel he needed to have some body give him a little credit. Thanks for info. You are right.Mary Ford and he did “Old Black Magic” I remember as a child and always loved it.

Q: What equipment do I need for my band?
I play in an alternative band. I’m the singer/guitarist. All the equipment we have is a few electric guitars, bass, and a drumset; with 2 amps, one with 2 inputs and one with just one. we have four people (me, another guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer).

I need to know what type of equipment (amplification) we need so be more professional with our playing. I don’t know anything about this stuff, so help me out. Tell me what i need as if i dont have any type of amplification at all.

A: If you’re doing bar, or any indoor gigs your all set. for more legit outside gigs or very large rooms go for the marshall stack amps like the MG Series, which is super legit. http://www.marshallamps.com/product_range.asp?productRangeId=27

you’ll also want an effect pedal, and maybe a wawa pedal if you need it.
thats good probs.

Q: I feel Unwelcomed at church cause loud music they have..what should i do?
I have Hyperacusis( www.hyperacusis.net), and it’s terrib le when i go there and they have guitars and electric bass and piano Amplified, and use microphones. I realy don’t know why they do it. It’s not needed. The church has echo.. and what we need is people to sing, not amplification of instruments. It’s a catholic church, but it seems to be a trend that Hispanic mass people want amplification. I really dont’ get it. Not needed at all. the church is not super big.. It’s small.

Well anyways, i went yesterday and the loud music started , couldn’t take it and left. I’m not going to wear ear muffs or ear plugs for a place that is supposedly PEACEFUL and welcoming.. so forget it i rather not go. But why are they so ignorant about loud noise in church? should i call them or write to them and hope they will get educated

A: Go to a different mass.

If you were deaf, would you not go to a church that possibly had a sign interpreter?

If you were a Spanish speaker, might you not go to spanish service.

If you were a French speaker might you go to a French service?

People go to services which are suited for them on a physical and spiritual basis. Your hearing difficulties suggest that you go to a service which is more ammenable to your condition.

Amplification and louder music is geared toward people who prefer that experience. Music is an individual experience, and leads toward a sense of worship. Different people are moved by different sorts of music.

I was in a music ministry for 25 years and we used amplification due to the size of the church. We had a number of speakers placed throughout the church with equipment to delay the sound to the various speakers, offering a uniform musical experience throughout the church. It wasn’t very loud, but loud enough for everyone to experience the nature of the music.

Some churches play quite loudly, and the music can have lead one into a somewhat hypnotic state.

I’m sorry for your hearing difficulties, but as with any other human condition, one cannot expect all to modify their ways of doing things in order to cater to you.

On the other hand, you might consider ear plugs when you go to church. The real difficulty isn’t in the sound level of the church, but in your perception of it.

If you really like that service, do what you are able to adapt. In the meantime, get one of those pink noise CD’s and see if it works for you. The ADA may come into play somewhat, but there don’t seem to be any real guidelines for modifying sound levels to make it comfortable for people with your condition. Probably the best method is either ear plugs or other types of hearing protection.

Blessings,

–Dee