When choosing a portable guitar amplifier, there are a number of things which you need to take into account. There are many, highly persistent, myths around about amplifiers in general, and their performance, which beginner guitarists are prone to believe. Always choose items with caution, and beware of sales techniques, as buying guitar equipment is rarely a cheap pastime.
One of the first myths to deconstruct is the one which states that you need a huge amplifier to be able to be heard in any kind of venue outside of your bedroom. This is far from being true, and many small amps do a fantastic job, even in quite large venues. Indeed, most guitarists will never really need an amp which is bigger than 30 watts, and you need to be able to transport it easily too.
You are unlikely to play any venues which require a larger amp than that for many years. A 30 watt has the advantage of being easy to mike up through a PA system too. It is also relatively easy to carry around yourself, without a professional road crew, and can fit in the back of your car or another small vehicle too, along with your instrument.
Another half myth is that by doubling the amount of watts your amp has as an output, you double its actual volume. Again, this is not the case, as a doubling of wattage doubles the sound pressure level, not the sound itself. Therefore, the actual increase in volume is a long way off being doubled, when wattage is increased in this way.
It is also a fallacy that the only gear to buy is that which is made by the best-known, top of the range brands. While the music industry's most famous names will often make wonderful amplifiers for the top-priced end of the market, their budget gear can be terrible. That is why it is a good idea to try out every manufacturer's products in your price range, or as many as possible.
Many less well-known companies actually put more of their resource and planning into making amps for the cheaper end of the market. This can make their cheaper models a far higher quality for the beginner than something cheap made by a headline brand. Always listen to several amps in your price range before choosing, as it was an amp sounds like that is really important, not who made it.
It is also wise to avoid amplifiers which have in-built effects, such as chorus or delay. An in-built effects unit is unlikely to be able to create the same sound as a separate effects pedal or unit. The time and resource a manufacturer puts into fitting an effects unit could probably be better used by building a better amplifier, so beware.
When looking for a portable guitar amplifier, your ears are the best judge that you have. Try out as many amplifiers within your price range as you can, and do not be beguiled by big name brands, or mesmerising sales techniques. If you are any doubt, ask the advice of an experienced musician, whose judgement and knowledge you know you can trust.
One of the first myths to deconstruct is the one which states that you need a huge amplifier to be able to be heard in any kind of venue outside of your bedroom. This is far from being true, and many small amps do a fantastic job, even in quite large venues. Indeed, most guitarists will never really need an amp which is bigger than 30 watts, and you need to be able to transport it easily too.
You are unlikely to play any venues which require a larger amp than that for many years. A 30 watt has the advantage of being easy to mike up through a PA system too. It is also relatively easy to carry around yourself, without a professional road crew, and can fit in the back of your car or another small vehicle too, along with your instrument.
Another half myth is that by doubling the amount of watts your amp has as an output, you double its actual volume. Again, this is not the case, as a doubling of wattage doubles the sound pressure level, not the sound itself. Therefore, the actual increase in volume is a long way off being doubled, when wattage is increased in this way.
It is also a fallacy that the only gear to buy is that which is made by the best-known, top of the range brands. While the music industry's most famous names will often make wonderful amplifiers for the top-priced end of the market, their budget gear can be terrible. That is why it is a good idea to try out every manufacturer's products in your price range, or as many as possible.
Many less well-known companies actually put more of their resource and planning into making amps for the cheaper end of the market. This can make their cheaper models a far higher quality for the beginner than something cheap made by a headline brand. Always listen to several amps in your price range before choosing, as it was an amp sounds like that is really important, not who made it.
It is also wise to avoid amplifiers which have in-built effects, such as chorus or delay. An in-built effects unit is unlikely to be able to create the same sound as a separate effects pedal or unit. The time and resource a manufacturer puts into fitting an effects unit could probably be better used by building a better amplifier, so beware.
When looking for a portable guitar amplifier, your ears are the best judge that you have. Try out as many amplifiers within your price range as you can, and do not be beguiled by big name brands, or mesmerising sales techniques. If you are any doubt, ask the advice of an experienced musician, whose judgement and knowledge you know you can trust.
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