The Truth About Guitar Amps: Over 90% of an Electric Guitar's Tone Is Determined by the Amplifier (Guitar Magazine)

More than 90% of an electric guitar's tone is determined by the amplifier! Tsuneo Akimatsu, an expert on guitar amps, reveals the truth about amplifiers.

"An electric guitar becomes a complete instrument only when it's paired with an amplifier." This simple fact is often overlooked by guitarists. Former frontman of Marchosias Bump and a well-known amp builder, Tsuneo Akimatsu, warns against this reality.

Even if you change your guitar or add a variety of effects, unfortunately, the sound of an electric guitar is largely determined by the amplifier. What kind of amplifier do you use? What kind of structure does that amplifier have? What kind of sound can it produce? Unless you overcome these barriers, your electric guitar will never sound pleasant to the ear.

Furthermore, much of the "common knowledge about guitar amps" that is prevalent in society is based on misconceptions and misunderstandings.

In this book, Akimatsu Neo, an authority on guitar amps and an active R&R guitarist, thoroughly examines common knowledge about guitar amps. He also offers guidance on what kind of sound is essential for an electric guitar in a band ensemble and how to achieve that sound.

He also examines the characteristics of various vintage models considered historic masterpieces, such as Marshall, VOX, Orange, and Fender, as well as the origins of important sounds in rock guitar history. From the perspective of both a long-time active guitarist and an amp builder highly regarded by top musicians, he elucidates the importance and characteristics of guitar amps. This is a must-read guitar amp bible for all guitar players.

◎Selected Vintage Amp Gallery ・1974 Marshall 1992 Super Bass 100W + 1935 Cabinet ・1973 Orange OR120 + 4x12 Cabinet ・Early 70's Vampower Multi MK1 100W + 4x12 Cabinet ・1968 Fender Twin Reverb (Model AB763) ・Early 70's Marshall 1962 Last of the Bluesbreaker ・Early 80's Mesa/Boogie MK2C ・1972 Hiwatt DR-103 100W ・Late 60's Sound City 50 ・1967 Marshall 1967 200W (aka PIG) ・1973 Marshall 1967 Major Lead 200W ・Akima & Neos Products

◎Guitar Amp Basics [Basics] ◆Part 1: Why "Vacuum Tube Amplifiers"? ・Comparing Vacuum Tube Amplifiers and Transistor (Solid-State) Amplifiers ・The Truth About the Sound Quality Produced by Vacuum Tube Amplifiers ・Vacuum Tube Amplifiers as Bass Amplifiers ・Categories Players Should Consider

◆Part 2: How Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Work ・Outline of Guitar Amplifiers ・How Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Work (1) ・How Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Work (2)—Rectifier Circuit ・How Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Work (3)—Preamp ・How Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Work (4)—Power Amplifier ・What is Class A Operation? ・Characteristics of Vacuum Tube Components ・Are Vintage Tubes Good? ・What is the Presence Knob? ・What is a Transformer? ・The Pros and Cons of Input Link Connections ・The Limitations of Guitar Amplifiers ・The Difference Between Audio Amplifiers and Guitar Amplifiers

◆Part 3 Volume and Speaker Units - What is Amp Volume? - Amplifier Volume and Wattage - What to Look for in an Instrument Amplifier - Speaker Units - Speaker Unit Connections - Speaker Composite Impedance - Impedance Matching - Speaker Unit Diameter - Speaker Unit Brands - Celestion Speaker Units - Old Japanese Speakers - Speaker Unit Options - What is Aging?

◆Part 4: Speaker Cabinets - Cabinet Discussion - Cabinet Structure - Cabinet Considerations - Phase Discussion

◎Guitar Amp Tutorials [Advanced] ◆Part 1: The Importance of the Midrange - Ensemble and Guitar Tone - The Evolution of Guitar Sound - Marshall Amp Tone - Typical Guitar Amp Circuits - Passive Tone and Active Tone - Input: Choosing High and Low

◆Part 2 Distortion and Volume ・Amplifier Distortion and Fuzz Distortion ・Amplifier Distortion and Overdrive Distortion ・Speaker Distortion ・Does a Simpler Circuit Produce Better Sound? ・Knob Settings ・Reverb Connections and Sound Quality ・Transistor Amplifier Volume Sensation ・Power Attenuators and the Pros and Cons

◎Guitar Amp Executions [Practical] ◆Part 1 Troubleshooting Part 1 ・The True Nature of Noise ・Vacuum Tube Lifespan ・Vacuum Tube Circuit Contradictions ・The Need for Bias Adjustment ・Speaker Unit Replacement Guidelines ・Sound Quality Produced by Cables ・Speaker Cables

◆Part 2 Troubleshooting Part 2 ・The Dangers of Amplifiers ・When the Power Won't Turn On ・Very Important Information About Fuses ・When the Power Turns On but No Sound Comes Out ・Types of Power Cables ・AC Outlets and AC Inlets ・Line and Neutral Outlets ・How to Store an Amplifier ・The Pros and Cons of an Amplifier ・As an Amp Builder

◎[Column] Legend Amp, Legend Guitarist. ・Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) ・Jimi Hendrix ・Rory Gallagher ・Brian May (Queen) ・Marc Bolan (T. Rex) ・Mick Ronson (David Bowie) ・Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) ・Johnny Thunders ・Ritchie Blackmore ・Tsuneo Akimatsu

◎[Special Interview] Kazuma Koshikawa vs. Tsuneo Akimatsu

◎[Special Interview] Takashi Manabe "Mr. Pan" (THE NEATBEATS) vs. Tsuneo Akimatsu