You’ve
Come
a
Long
Way,
by Jamie Wolfert expansive pedalboard rigs that are bringing
the power amp back from the dead.
As modeling units like the Fractal Audio
Axe-FX II and Line 6 POD HD Pro series gain
in power and popularity, and as stompbox
aficionados begin to depend more on
amp-in-a-box pedals for their foundation
sounds, traditional head-and-cab or combo
arrangements become superfluous. When
most of one’s tones are coming from a
preamp or pedal, the amplifier’s primary
job shifts away from shaping the sound to
simply making it louder, and serving as an
interface for speaker cabinets, recording
devices, mixers, and more. In scenarios such
as these, simplicity, functionality, power,
and dependability supersede traditional
concepts of amp tone or romantic notions
about “vintage mojo.” A good power amp
should be light, rugged, easy to use, and of
course, have plenty of power.
The second coming of the guitar power amp
is upon us. Much as during the ‘80s, when rack
mounted power amp and preamp rigs initially
rose to a position of dominance (or infamy, if
you prefer) among professional guitarists, we
are now living in a time of great innovation in
the effects world. Back then, it was the first
wave of digital effects processors that kicked
off the rack boom, causing many guitarists to
jettison their hot-rodded Marshalls in favor of
big power amps and racks full of preamps and
digital processing. Today, a similar revolution
is underway, but it’s digital modeling and Amplifier manufacturers are responding
to this guitar tone revolution with a wave
of new power amps designed to cater
to players that get all their sounds from
rack preamps or meticulously configured
pedalboards. These amps share many
characteristics, including clean, often
Spartan-looking interfaces, high wattage for
maximum clean headroom, and the ability to
connect to virtually any kind of speaker cab,
monitor rig, DI box, or mixer input. Here are
a few of our favorite of the new breed of
guitar power amp.
Baby
6 New-School Power
Amps You Need
24
TONE TALK //
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby: 6 New-School Power Amps You Need