Sunday, July 28, 2013

Why Use A Jazz Guitar Amp

By Maryanne Goff


Jazz is typically a smooth and soothing aural art form especially for the guitar player if there is one in the band. It is a matter of what is played not the volume or the number of modulated sounds that can be wrung out of a plethora of effects units. The guitarist needs a jazz guitar amp that will convey the player's dexterity and feel directly and honestly to the audience.

Volume is required but it is not the prerequisite of the amplifier, more it is the quality of the sound produced. Volume is a requirement of the rock player where it is needed in buckets to rise above the accompaniment of the band and the roar of the audience.

When its time for a rock players solo the guitar amp needs to be able to screech and wail at sufficient volume and tone to get on top of the surrounding cacophony. Country pickers tend to use gear that will scythe through the accompanying sound for more percussive effect. The guitar amp that these players choose will help them get these effects.

Jazz is more often played in small intimate clubs. So small in fact that sometimes there is little enough space for the audience let alone the band. Because of this such players tend to use minimal gear especially if the band uses a double bass. I am not referring here to the big band form or even Dixieland but more to the typical trio or quartet.

Consequently the jazz guitarist's amp needs to be small but have sufficient clarity of volume and tone to be heard above the patrons' eating, drinking and conversational hubbub. These units usually have minimal controls not only to minimize size and weight but also to minimize any likely interference to the clarity of the unit's circuitry.

Again a quality amp should be able to project in the correct sound range with out deafening a table of patrons who may be seated within arms reach from the band. Unlike his fellow double bass player it is often possible for the guitarist to get to the gig by bus, instrument in one hand and the amp in another.

When buying an amplifier cost is obviously a consideration. The amateur player might purchase a more standard practice type, mass produced amp when starting out. Unfortunately the sound they get from it may become increasingly disappointing as they progress in their playing technique and start to define the type of sound that they want.

This would not be the case for the professional or aspiring professional though. A good jazz guitar amp would be considered expensive if you consider bang, as in volume and features, for your buck. What you pay for is quality of build and sound. They often incorporate the best components that can be sourced in order to build them. These units are often hand made and some are built specifically to customers requirements.




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