Guitar+Amplifier

=Guitar Amplifier= toc //by Meredith Consono//

Purpose
//The purpose of a guitar amplifier (also known as an amp) is to amplify the signal from an electric guitar and project it through a speaker so that the player and/or audience can hear it.//

Energy
//Most guitar amplifiers use a 120 volt AC power input, which usually goes through a transformer that converts the signal into a lower voltage of direct current. The power is used to amplify the signal from a guitar into a signal that is amplified enough to vibrate a speaker. This creates the sound you hear.//

Controls
//Depending on the model of the amp, there are between one and thirty control knobs on the head of the amp. Each of these knobs controls difference things. Volume, bass, mid, treble, reverb, gain, and presence are the most common among these switches. The volume controls the overall volume of the amplifier. The bass knob creates a lower sound, the mid knob creates a midrange sound (a sound between low and high) and the treble knob creates a higher sound. The reverb knob generates a resonating effect. The gain knob increases the amplitude or power of the signal. This usually produces a small amount of distortion or overdrive. Presence gives the guitar a lively and warm sound. //

Materials
//A guitar amplifier consists of two main parts, the amplifier head and the speaker. Unless you are using a combination (or combo amp), which joins the amp head and speaker in one unit, the amplifier head and speaker are separate. They are joined together by speaker cables. So to properly be able to use a guitar amplifier, you will need an amp head and a speaker.You will also need an electric or acoustic-electric guitar with an ouptput jack to plug into the amplifier, and a cable to connect your guitar to your amplifier.//

Science
//A guitar amplifier uses electrical current because it must be plugged in to an outlet in order to work. It takes the current from an electric guitar, which usually has a small amplitude, and converts it to a higher amplitude, but with the same frequency.//

Design
//A typical guitar amplifier looks like a box with a speaker and knobs. Above is a diagram of some of the main parts of a guitar amplifier.//

Evolution
//Originally, there were only tube amplifiers which did not have transistors. Now, there are Solid State amps, which use a transistor. Although tube amps are older, many players prefer them because they provide a warmer, less "digital" sound.//

Competitors
//A PA amplifier serves a similar purpose because it also amplifies a small signal.//

Partners

 * Electric Guitar
 * Guitar Wah-Wah Pedal
 * Guitar Distortion Pedal

Siblings
//Amplifiers for different instruments such as bass guitars, microphones, etc, use the same scientific principal as electric guitar amplifiers.//