Amp evaluations-discussion

[Telesaurus]

I'm always seeing the pro/con views on different amps but ....
We appear to be quite easily ready to buy & try new amps, but, in the "testing/evaluations, the thing that I notice missing, is that there is little or any mention of trying to match the correct guitar to the amp. We all have our main/ favorite guitar(s) and tend to plug in & that's the end.
Just kinda wondering.....are we missing a major part to the complete equation, because the pattern has been set in stone for so long?

 

[jrblue]

I respectfully disagree with your basic premise. I don't think that most people are trying to find an amp match for a single guitar, even if they do have a preferred "number 1." I think there is a basic expectation that any amp can be dialed in for a range of guitars, not somehow optimized for one, and that the amp's signature tones can be generated by both humbuckers and single coils.

 

[chillybilly]

1) No criticism implied but it's almost standard practice these days to use multiple guitars in a demo video for a single amp. Obviously they're aware of the variety of guitars owned by the public and make a good-faith effort to include at least a humbucker guitar (usually a Gibson but not always) and a single-coil guitar (usually a Fender but not always), with other types like Gretsch, PRS often appearing also.

2) Not everyone has the 'correct' guitar. Many people own just one which may be shocking or merely foreign to us but many are hobbyists or merely spend their funds on other things. So if the amp doesn't suit them it's on to the next.

3) Matching guitar to amp would seem to be a tail-wags-dog scenario. The reason we're testing amps in the first place is to determine if they'll work with our preferred/favorite/only guitar. Certainly some pairings are better than others but rejecting orthodoxy is often a gateway to finding new sounds.

4) I have yet to see any amp maker declare that a particular model is aimed at a particular type of guitar and I don't see why they would as they would be preemptively limiting their potential market. In fact, it's typical to see ad copy emphasizing an amp's flexibility or usability with a variety of guitars/pickups.

 

[radiocaster]

I respectfully disagree with your basic premise. I don't think that most people are trying to find an amp match for a single guitar, even if they do have a preferred "number 1." I think there is a basic expectation that any amp can be dialed in for a range of guitars, not somehow optimized for one, and that the amp's signature tones can be generated by both humbuckers and single coils.

I agree, but I played one of those Slash amps in a shop with a tele. It was not a pleasant experience. I'm pretty sure that amp was made for humbucker guitars.

 

[uriah1]

There is magic going on when any guitar is plugged into a super reverb.

 

[Beachbum]

I'm not saying that it's the only way to get there but when it comes to traditional Fender tone it's a no brainer. All you have to do is go Fender/Fender.

 

[Dismalhead]

I know I like the sound of my Tele through my AC15 on the normal channel, but that's about it. Otherwise it's whatever has fresh strings and whichever amp I feel like plugging into at the moment. I'll use my Teles for metal and my SGs for folk. It's all good.

 

[Tim S]

So I need a modeler-guitar to find which guitar model works with my non-modeler amp??

 

[ShortintheSleeve]

My Tele into the normal channel of an AC15HW (and an AC15C1 before that) is my go-to basically 100% of the time. I've never had more than two electrics and one amp at a time, and I just sold the Gretsch Streamliner. Eventually, I'll save up funds for a humbucker guitar on par with the quality of my AS Telecaster, but I suspect even then the Tele into the AC15 will be my main approach. Ever since I got into playing electric (I played acoustic only for years), I've based my gear choices primarily on what best suits my songwriting and our band's music. Starting out, I tried several guitar + amp combinations, but once I came to the Tele + the AC15, I thought, "Yep! That's it!"

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

Not really sure amps are made for specific guitars.

 

[bparnell57]

Not really sure amps are made for specific guitars.

Depends on if its a signature model!

 

[68goldtop]

Hi!

I respectfully disagree with your basic premise. I don't think that most people are trying to find an amp match for a single guitar ... I think there is a basic expectation that any amp can be dialed in for a range of guitars, not somehow optimized for one...

Yes, that's the way it is.
All amps (well, most of them...) can be set-up to be useful with every type of guitar.

The "urban legend" of Fender/Fender and Gibson/Marshall is just that

cheers - 68.

 

[Wally]

I'm not saying that it's the only way to get there but when it comes to traditional Fender tone it's a no brainer. All you have to do is go Fender/Fender.

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A person could miss a lot of great music thinking that one cannot do well while playing a Gibson guitar through a Fender amp. B.B. King did it.…as well as many other blues players, a host of jazz players…Wes Montgomery for one, country players…..I saw Roy Michols players a Les Paul Custom through a Fender amp behind Merle Haggard Doing “Mama Tried”.
Here is what B.B. King considered his best performance…1972…that big ES-355 through a Fender TR.


imho, if an amp will not allow a person to play any guitar and get a good sound, it is not an amp for me. Ommv..

 

[Beachbum]

A person could miss a lot of great music thinking that one cannot do well while playing a Gibson guitar through a Fender amp. B.B. King did it.…as well as many other blues players, a host of jazz players…Wes Montgomery for one, country players…..I saw Roy Michols players a Les Paul Custom through a Fender amp behind Merle Haggard Doing “Mama Tried”.
Here is what B.B. King considered his best performance…1972…that big ES-355 through a Fender TR.


imho, if an amp will not allow a person to play any guitar and get a good sound, it is not an amp for me. Ommv..

I couldn't agree more.

 

[kuch]

I've really downsized my amps in the last 10 years or so. my guitars all sound great through my fender tube amps: 65PRRI and SFVC-single coils, P-90s, humbuckers

 

[NeverTooLate]

When I started in June, I tried to match "correct guitar to amp" namely a Shecter Omen 6 to an Orange Crush 20 RT. Literally, I started from the matching concept: dual humbuckers and a high-gain enabled amp.

Little did I know how many comfort issues the Shecter would have for me AND how terrible its bridge pickup would prove to be.

The Tele Player Plus in series mode made the Crush sound so much better. And now the Shecter has a Super Distortion in the bridge and also fits the Crush better. I also have a Blackstar HT 5, which made the original Shecter bridge pickup sound nearly bearable. Nearly.

I love the Tele in series mode with 5150 simulation from Boss Pocket GT on 80% gain and maxed out EQ.

Never expected that a Tele with "on paper" single coils (even if used in series) would do metal so well.

So long for my paper matching of things.

 

[ruger9]

Depends on if its a signature model!

Yup!