Amplifiers

An amplifier is part of the sound, not just volume

This is the fundamental difference nobody grasps before playing: with an electric guitar, the amplifier does not merely make the sound louder — it shapes it.

The same guitar through two different amplifiers sounds like two different instruments. That is why the Marshall sound is recognisable across decades of records — it is not a brand, it is a signature.

In practice that means the amplifier deserves at least as much attention as the guitar. A good guitar through a bad amp sounds mediocre; a mediocre guitar through a good amp sounds fine.

How many watts you actually need

This is the most common purchasing mistake, and almost always upwards.

For practice at home. 10 to 20 watts is more than enough — and already loud for a flat. A 50-watt amp at home will never go past two, and many amplifiers sound better when worked — so in practice you hear them at their worst.

For band rehearsal. 30 to 50 watts, so you can be heard over the drums.

For stage. Today you are almost always miked, so you do not need enormous power — you need a sound you like and reliability.

And a note for flats: look for an amp with a headphone output or a low-power mode. It is the difference between playing and not playing.

Valve, solid state or digital?

Valve (tube). The classic sound. Warm, with natural breakup as you turn up. It needs warming up, it is heavy, and the valves are a consumable that gets replaced. For many players, there is no alternative.

Solid state. Reliable, lighter, cheaper, no maintenance. Clean sound with consistency — and for many styles it is exactly right.

Digital / modelling. It simulates many different amplifiers. For home practice and for anyone still finding their sound, it gives enormous flexibility in one unit.

The honest recommendation for a beginner: start with a small digital or solid state amp. You learn what sound you want before investing in valves.

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