Amplifier design

DavidRees

a question if I may, what are the differences design wise between a single channel solid state amp designed for bass and one designed for guitar, or indeed any other instrument come to that? Thanks, David

ecc83

If you are talking about the power section, in theory nothing. A "perfect" amplifier would be capable of delivering its rated power at any audio frequency.

In practice bass needs a lot more power than mid band stuff so the amps tend to be bigger. 100W is a serious guitar amp but just about gets you out of practice/recording bass rigs!

The pre amp section will have the EQ say, optimized for lower frequencies and many bass amps include a compressor? Bass gits are spikey b'stds!

N.B. "HI-FI" amplifiers are made with a very good LF response which means large value coupling caps and big, expensive output transformers in valve amplifiers. However, even for bass use, such measures are not needed to the same degree with guitars.

Once again, read Merlin!

Dave.

DavidRees

Thanks Dave