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 …
The body shape of an electric guitar is important. It affects the size, weight and comfort when you play it. There is also the visual appeal, which while less important than how it plays, still matters. So let’s take a look at each of the different electric guitar body shapes and sizes. I went through …
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 …
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 …
Line 6 have become one of the most successful musical instrument and audio companies out there. If you’ve been playing the guitar for even a short time you’ll no doubt be somewhat familiar with Line 6. Their Spider range of guitar amps is hugely popular and one of the biggest selling amplifiers on the market. …
Over the years I’ve been through many guitar amps. It’s been a long struggle to find ‘my sound’ and the amps I’m really happy with. The reason it’s taken so long and I’ve ended up buying and selling more guitar amplifiers than I care to remember is simple: I didn’t properly plan. I rushed in, …
One of the most frustrating parts of tube amps are having to change the tubes. They either break, stop working or wear out at the worst possible time. It’d be much better if we just changed them routinely. But how long do guitar amp tubes last? It depends on how much use they have and …