Tagged: valve amps

Where you place delay and reverb around a cranked valve amp changes everything about ambient tone. Here's how I set mine up, and why.

An archtop and a Strat don't want the same amp. Marc explains headroom, EQ voicing and why wattage matters differently for clean jazz tone.

Stacking overdrive pedals isn't just doubling up — it's about how each stage shapes the next. Jez explains the approach that actually works.

Mismatching your amp's impedance output to your speaker cab is one of the quieter ways to damage a valve amp. Here's what the numbers actually mean.

Fuzz pedals aren't just for rhythm mayhem. Jez explains how to shape a fuzz lead tone that sings without turning to mush.

Your overdrive pedal doesn't work in isolation — the amp behind it shapes everything. Jez explains what the clean channel actually does to your dirt tone.

Wattage isn't just a volume number — it shapes how an amp breaks up, breathes, and responds. Marc explains what the specs actually mean.

Rolling your guitar's volume knob isn't just about getting quieter. It's one of the most powerful tone controls on your whole rig — here's why.

The way you strike the string does more for your tone than most gear swaps. Jez explains how picking dynamics interact with valve amps.

The three families of guitar amp explained in plain English — how they sound, what they cost to run, and which one is right for you.