tube amps

  There’s a reason why tube amps have remained popular after all these years. Despite their relatively high price tag and an overall delicate design that is firmly rooted in mid-20th-century technology, nothing beats a tube amp when it comes to creating stunning high-gain tone. Whether you’re looking for smooth sustain and compression or fat and crunchy distortion, the signature sound of a tube amp remains the holy grail of guitar tone. Today, we’re going to look at a few tips to that should help you properly care for those delicate yet beautiful tone machines and give them the best shot at a long and happy life!   Continue reading →

Guitar tube amp rectifiers are a source of confusion among many players out there. And with the growth of dual rectifier or selectable rectifier tube amps, it is important that players take the time to know the basics on what they are and how they work, along with what they do and don’t contribute to a tube amp’s tone. Below, we take a closer look and hopefully give you a good idea on the type of tube amp rectifier can bring to the table.     Continue reading →

To keep your tube amplifier running at its best, it needs proper care and maintenance. One of the most common sources of trouble when it comes to these kinds of amps is tube problems. In this article, we take a look at few common problems, how to spot them, and how to tell when its time to replace your bulbs.   Continue reading →

Even as technology has given us cheaper, more efficient forms of amplification, most guitarists still prefer the tried and true vacuum tube amp. The reason is simple – tone. While solid state amps have come a long way, tube amps and the century-old tech that powers them remain in heavy use thanks to the warmer and richer qualities they give to our sound. Below, we take a look at the how an important component of these amps work – their vacuum tubes.     Continue reading →

It's common to find different amps referred to as either British voiced or American voiced. However, it can be difficult sometimes to understand or, even, define the difference in these tones especially when certain bands from America also play what is regarded as a typically British voiced amp. Even so, the most common way of differentiating between the British sound vs. American sound is by taking a look at the prime examples of both: Marshall versus and Fender amps. While you can definitely get a lot deeper into the subtleties between British and American amp tones, below is a quick look at some of the general qualities of each that should give you a good idea on where these two tones differ.   Continue reading →