You just flick the switch to on, right? Thats how you turn on a tube amp. Very easy, now you can go play! If only. Things are never that simple. And tube amps, as awesome as they are, can be awkward and messy. Due to their design something as straightforward as turning an amp on …
Tube amps are special. I know there’s a lot of debate around whether they’re worth it or better than other types of amps. But they’re held in such high regard by guitarists for a reason. And so if you’re not that familiar with tube amps and don’t understand the hype or what they do this …
When I was deciding on an amp I looked at both the Orange OR15 and Rocker 15 (as well as many more!). I ended up choosing the Rocker 15, and I love it. But the OR15 is a different beast and in some ways a better amp. They may be 15 watts and made by …
Finding the best tube amp for home use is, as I’m sure you know, not easy. One of the age old problems when playing the guitar is how to get a great tone at an acceptable volume. Most of us play and practice at home and so need an amp that isn’t going to upset …
If you’re not that familiar or experienced with amplifiers it can be intimidating trying to understand them. With so many different types of guitar amps, various sizes and speakers, not to mention the almost endless number of brands, it can be confusing! I found it took me a while to make sense of all the …
Whether you’re a beginner, someone who hasn’t much experience or just bought a new one it’s normal to find guitar amplifier controls confusing. Getting familiar with what they do and how to use them can be tricky. Some amplifiers are straightforward and only have a few knobs. But many of them have a huge array …
One of the most frustrating parts of learning the guitar is the amount of new language and terms you have to pick up. ‘Scooping the mids’ is one you may have come across and be confused by. And I can understand why. It sounds like something from a cookbook! “Take one scoop of mids, add …
A guitar amplifier turning on but with no sound is a common problem. If you’ve been playing guitar for any length of time there’s a good chance you’ll have encountered this at some point. Unfortunately the reason for why an amp has stopped working can be varied. Quite often it’s something obvious and that’s easily …
Blackstar are relatively new to the world of guitar amplifiers, at least in comparison to the big boys like Fender and Marshall. But in a short time they’ve made a big impression. You see some of the biggest and most famous guitarists playing Blackstar amps and their more affordable ranges like the HT series and …
For a very long time I wondered whether I needed an amp cover. Living in a fairly dusty house I was worried my amps were destined to be ruined by it and one day wouldn’t turn on. That’s without the fear of scratching, staining or spilling something on them. Even though months went by and …