Monday, December 1, 2014

Acoustic Guitar Amps - How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar Amp

The task before any acoustic guitar amplifier is to reproduce and magnify the natural tones being produced by the actual instrument. These tones are often subtle, rich and brilliant, and are generally best appreciated with a sonic clarity free of amp buzz, distortion and noise.
When a musician is to put an acoustic amp to use, it is important to consider the sort of musical tonality that will be sent through the amp's circuits and machinery, and the environment in which its work will be done. For example, a classical guitar with gut or nylon strings will perhaps call for a different amplifier than a steel string dreadnought. Likewise, a solo performer in a quiet restaurant will prefer an acoustic guitar amp with different tonal considerations than a singer songwriter with a backing band of other musicians. These variables should be taken into consideration when deciding which amplifier is right for the particular situation, as they will each require differing tone quality output from the amp, and will be more or less forgiving towards the residual noise of its electronics.
The makeup of a guitar amp plays a tremendous role in the sound it will create. Acoustic amps generally consist of a set of speakers, one a small high-frequency horn and the other a large bass driver. These speakers are powered by a circuit board fitted with tone and effects controls such as EQ band adjustments, chorus, delay and reverb adjustments, and noise filters. Many acoustic amps have two or more various style inputs such as XLR and quarter inch or Piezo instrument jacks, and dual-channel separations to allow for an instrument and vocal mic to flow through the same box. Line outputs generally include options to connect the guitar amplifier to an external power amp, or as an amp head to power an additional speaker.
The size and physical appearance of an acoustic guitar amp can also be important factors in making a selection. Most amps are vinyl encased wooden boxes housing the speakers and circuit board and faced with Tolex grill cloth. Several modern guitar amps have innovative portability considerations inherent in their designs which enable the working musician to better handle the rigours of the trade, and to adapt to even the slightest venue staging environments. This can be advantageous when playing, for example, a cozy restaurant, or when traveling.
The price range of the acoustic amp market are generally coordinate with the amp's power output and speaker size, as well as the included on board tonal effects features and the specific design element considerations invested in the specific model.
Taking the above considerations into mind when choosing an acoustic guitar amp will help match the right tool for the job. The environment of the performance and the kind of music being put through the amp are essentially important factors to consider. Thankfully, the guitar amps of today and the people who build them are sharpening the focus on providing quality details that can maximize tonal effectiveness for any musical performance situation.