Amp types

[Ian Price]

Do you want power amp distortion or pre amp distortion? You could look at plexi types or a Trainwreck type powerscaled for power amp distortion or on the other side what about a dumble clone?

Loads to look at

Yep - loads! I'm such a novice at amps that I couldn't possible explain the difference between power amp and pre amp distortion if I tried! I think I understand but would need someone to spell it out in laymans terms!

[PPPMAT]

I'll bite...........

Laymans terms

Power amp distortion (non master volume)
The distortion comes mainly (not all) from the clipping of the power tubes. normally speaking this means very high volumes which can be tamed by power scaling. Some people )like me) like this type of distortion because of the response it gives to the player and the added ability to dig in. Different power tubes sound different (obviously) so you need to research your sound. e.g el34's really fatten up and compress nicely.

Pre amp distortion (master volume)
the distortion is derived from the pre-amp section so that the overall sound is predominantly the same throughout the volume range. What is known as a 'master volume' situation. Dumble type amps are like this with all the dirt coming from the pre-amp section mated to a clean power amp to amplify the sound.

Because of the advances made in amp design you can get a huge variety of tones and responses from a pre-amp style design these days.


Why I chose power amp distortion ?

Some say..................you just can't replicate the sound of a cooking NMV amp. I think that you can get pretty close personally but anyway.. What I think the NMV amps do really well is clean up by use of the volume pot on your guitar without much loss of actual volume. Also the dynamics ARE different. thats why I went that way.

General

I have oversimplified this massively so please don't shoot me down...
No amp type is right or wrong
If Martin corrects my post then he is right by default

[Twinfan]

Sounds pretty good to me!

I would add to your comment:

What I think the NMV amps do really well is clean up by use of the volume pot on your guitar without much loss of actual volume.

Im my experience, it depends how high you're running the master volume.  In a gig situation, where you're up to at least 50% on the Master Volume, you do get those dynamics coming into play.  At much lower volumes, you're right in that you have a much more abrupt reponse to the guitar's volume control.

For example, I gig my M45/100 with Master Volume and it's usually around 60% open.  I can still do the Angus trick of controlling everything from the guitar at that setting, but there's no chance of doing that at home.

[Ian Price]

Cheers for the responses guys - not quite an amp expert (actually nowhere near expert level) but that gives me some info to start with.

Ian.