NOOB QUESTION-PRE-AMP

[FlipFlopFly]

I'm new to electric guitar/amps. I was wondering what a pre-amp does in relation to a power amp or power amp portion of a combo. I also see pre-amps sold by themselves. Why would this be preferrable over a pre-amp/power amp in one unit? Thanks for educating me.

[Roccaforte Amps]

Originally Posted by FlipFlopFly

I'm new to electric guitar/amps. I was wondering what a pre-amp does in relation to a power amp or power amp portion of a combo. I also see pre-amps sold by themselves. Why would this be preferrable over a pre-amp/power amp in one unit? Thanks for educating me.

A preamp takes your tiny guitar signal and makes it large enough to drive a poweramp. The poweramp takes the signal and makes it large enough to drive a speaker.
Separate, they do the exact same thing.

[oddone]

Dont forget that the "preamp" is usually where you signal is being shaped via the bass mid and treb pots. Poweramps usually just have volume controls.

[FlipFlopFly]

Thanks Roc and Oddone. That makes sense. Things are so much easier to understand when someone explains it to you.

One more question, please. Which amp has the most influence on your sound, the pre-amp or power amp? Thanks again.

[oddone]

Argh thats debatable I think. I personally would lean towards preamp as having the most influence, but people argue either way.

[Clinically Deaf]

Originally Posted by FlipFlopFly

Thanks Roc and Oddone. That makes sense. Things are so much easier to understand when someone explains it to you.

One more question, please. Which amp has the most influence on your sound, the pre-amp or power amp? Thanks again.

they are both equally instrumental in generating your tone. A lot of beginnners just think of a poweramp as only generating volume, but infact it is crucial in generating your sound. Using different poweramp tubes will give distinctively differernt tones when used with the same preamp. I know this is wandering off topic a bit but, using different speakers with the same preamp and poweramp will create a different tone as well.

[knucklefux]

let's say you have a preamp and two different power amps...if you change NOTHING but the power amp, you'll end up with two different flavors.

just ask the rack rig guys that use VHT power amps if they'd ever switch to (or in some cases go back to) mesa power amps. i guarantee a resounding NO will be the answer. i think it was james peters that said that he never got into building preamps because there was so much variability in power amps that he couldn't ensure that it would sound good. (if it wasn't you james, my bad).

[Say Ocean]

Originally Posted by oddone

Dont forget that the "preamp" is usually where you signal is being shaped via the bass mid and treb pots. Poweramps usually just have volume controls.

and presence

[metalfanat1c]

Originally Posted by Say Ocean

and presence

and sometimes neither.

[petejt]

Originally Posted by oddone

Dont forget that the "preamp" is usually where you signal is being shaped via the bass mid and treb pots. Poweramps usually just have volume controls.

They also have Presence controls, and sometimes Bright & Depth switches.

They can also have Resonance (damping) switches, as well as switches for Class A & Class A/B, Full Power, Half-Power etc.

[Say Ocean]

Originally Posted by petejt

They also have Presence controls, and sometimes Bright & Depth switches.

They can also have Resonance (damping) switches, as well as switches for Class A & Class A/B, Full Power, Half-Power etc.

tube/solid state rectification, bold/spongy, tube bias switch for EL34 or 6L6, etc

I have a triple rec

[FlipFlopFly]

Originally Posted by Clinically Deaf

they are both equally instrumental in generating your tone. A lot of beginnners just think of a poweramp as only generating volume, but infact it is crucial in generating your sound. Using different poweramp tubes will give distinctively differernt tones when used with the same preamp. I know this is wandering off topic a bit but, using different speakers with the same preamp and poweramp will create a different tone as well.

And sometimes worse and sometimes better, I daresay?

[Daneswede1]

Originally Posted by FlipFlopFly

I'm new to electric guitar/amps. I was wondering what a pre-amp does in relation to a power amp or power amp portion of a combo. I also see pre-amps sold by themselves. Why would this be preferrable over a pre-amp/power amp in one unit? Thanks for educating me.

Well You want to start with the BEST opossible AMP you can find . Dependant on what style you play ( MUSIC THAT IS )
If you like Death music YOull haveto look at BOGNER UBERSCHALL amps . I find them to be the best. If you want your uberschal to have heavy bottom and top end and a lead rone . By a SOLDANO WITH EMINANCE spkrs! Belive it . I tried it.

[Hapless]

Originally Posted by Daneswede1

Well You want to start with the BEST opossible AMP you can find . Dependant on what style you play ( MUSIC THAT IS )
If you like Death music YOull haveto look at BOGNER UBERSCHALL amps . I find them to be the best. If you want your uberschal to have heavy bottom and top end and a lead rone . By a SOLDANO WITH EMINANCE spkrs! Belive it . I tried it.

What the fuck is this happy horseshit?

[Sixtonoize]

wat

[tele62]

Originally Posted by Daneswede1

. By a SOLDANO WITH EMINANCE spkrs! Belive it . I tried it.

I believe it, brother! I believe!



Oh, and lol wut?