Variation of Amps
- Thread starter Wayne27
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Erlend_G
New member
Re: Variation of Amps
In my experience;
Two very different amps, with the same guitar, will sound "more different"
than two very different pickups, in the same guitar, in the same amp.
(though... pickups can vary in the extremes. Like a very very quiet single coil, vs. a very dark and loud humbucker- or gold foil? filtertron. EMG. )
If you're comparing, let's say two similar SD pickups, versus a solid state Peavey and an all-tube Fender,
I'd say the amp makes more of a difference.
In my experience;
Two very different amps, with the same guitar, will sound "more different"
than two very different pickups, in the same guitar, in the same amp.
(though... pickups can vary in the extremes. Like a very very quiet single coil, vs. a very dark and loud humbucker- or gold foil? filtertron. EMG. )
If you're comparing, let's say two similar SD pickups, versus a solid state Peavey and an all-tube Fender,
I'd say the amp makes more of a difference.
Last edited:
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Variation of Amps
The short answer is "it depends"; some amps and some pickups are extremely consistent while others aren't. I don't think it's possible to answer such a general question.
In terms of variation I'm most familiar with MV Marshalls; specifically the 2203 & 2204 models of both JMP and JCM800 vintage. After the mkII circuit was adopted in late '76 or '77, the only design change I know of for sure is the power supply redesign in '86. Pre-86 amps have the 'classic' sound that everyone associates with JCM800s, while the later ones are brighter and more aggressive. I don't care for the later power supply with the 2203/2204 circuit, while others like Kerry King prefer it. I really like what the new power supply does for the 2205/2210 circuit FWIW.
The pre-86 'classic' 2203/2204s are all supposedly the same circuit, but they're all over the map in terms of tone. I'm not sure how much of it is initial component tolerance, how much is component drift over the years, and how much is different makes of tubes, but there is a ton of variation within amps that should in theory be the same. OTOH the 2203X reissue is supposedly a copy of the pre-86 circuit, and they're remarkably consistent from amp to amp. In terms of which is 'better', the 2203X sounds like a 'good' original 2203. The great ones are better, but the reissue saves you having to go through potentially dozens of amps to find that diamond in the rough.
The short answer is "it depends"; some amps and some pickups are extremely consistent while others aren't. I don't think it's possible to answer such a general question.
In terms of variation I'm most familiar with MV Marshalls; specifically the 2203 & 2204 models of both JMP and JCM800 vintage. After the mkII circuit was adopted in late '76 or '77, the only design change I know of for sure is the power supply redesign in '86. Pre-86 amps have the 'classic' sound that everyone associates with JCM800s, while the later ones are brighter and more aggressive. I don't care for the later power supply with the 2203/2204 circuit, while others like Kerry King prefer it. I really like what the new power supply does for the 2205/2210 circuit FWIW.
The pre-86 'classic' 2203/2204s are all supposedly the same circuit, but they're all over the map in terms of tone. I'm not sure how much of it is initial component tolerance, how much is component drift over the years, and how much is different makes of tubes, but there is a ton of variation within amps that should in theory be the same. OTOH the 2203X reissue is supposedly a copy of the pre-86 circuit, and they're remarkably consistent from amp to amp. In terms of which is 'better', the 2203X sounds like a 'good' original 2203. The great ones are better, but the reissue saves you having to go through potentially dozens of amps to find that diamond in the rough.
Re: Variation of Amps
Yes and no......
No and yes.
There are incredible variations in both. And there is no global measuring scale.....nor perhaps any real need to try and invent one as its not really something anybody is really interested in specifically finding out.
Most of the actual practical use for this area comes when you consider that the amp is the ultimate link in the tone chain (and i'm talking amp+speaker+enclosure here). In many ways it is the most critical aspect - a poor choice here will essentially 'negate' any awesome components preceding it. And a great amp can sometimes 'rescue' a bland guitar, pickup set or effects.
The best, of course, is to have good components throughout the chain. Then, the myriad of pickup choices will sound just as distinct as they can be.
Yes and no......
No and yes.
There are incredible variations in both. And there is no global measuring scale.....nor perhaps any real need to try and invent one as its not really something anybody is really interested in specifically finding out.
Most of the actual practical use for this area comes when you consider that the amp is the ultimate link in the tone chain (and i'm talking amp+speaker+enclosure here). In many ways it is the most critical aspect - a poor choice here will essentially 'negate' any awesome components preceding it. And a great amp can sometimes 'rescue' a bland guitar, pickup set or effects.
The best, of course, is to have good components throughout the chain. Then, the myriad of pickup choices will sound just as distinct as they can be.
dzdandcunfsd
New member
Re: Variation of Amps
very short answer, to what has been stated a very broad question
a great amp can make a crap guitar sound good
a great pickup can make a crap guitar still sound like a crap guitar unless you use a great amp
very short answer, to what has been stated a very broad question
a great amp can make a crap guitar sound good
a great pickup can make a crap guitar still sound like a crap guitar unless you use a great amp
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Variation of Amps
Amps are the main course. Guitars are the garnish. Pedals are spices. Pickups are salt and pepper to taste.
Amps are the main course. Guitars are the garnish. Pedals are spices. Pickups are salt and pepper to taste.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Variation of Amps
I'm pretty sure OP is referring to variations between different MODELS of amps, not differences within models.
When I was a kid getting started I thought the only difference between amps was whether they had built-in effects or not. "Fenders have built-in reverb and trem for country guys, Marshalls have built-in distortion for rockers." It took years of playing before I I understood the nuances and subtleties that come from various kinds of Marshall's or Fenders.
I'm pretty sure OP is referring to variations between different MODELS of amps, not differences within models.
When I was a kid getting started I thought the only difference between amps was whether they had built-in effects or not. "Fenders have built-in reverb and trem for country guys, Marshalls have built-in distortion for rockers." It took years of playing before I I understood the nuances and subtleties that come from various kinds of Marshall's or Fenders.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Variation of Amps
Answer to the OP is “night and day”
Answer to the OP is “night and day”
