Tubes and guitars - amplifier classes
Why Use Tubes in Guitar amps ?
Most good guitar amplifiers use tubes rather than solid-state components. Why tubes ? The amplifier is a critical element in achieving the sound the musician desires. Valve amps provide the tone that musicians want. Tube amps are warmer, richer and have a more desirable tone than solid-state amps. The distortion and speaker-damping characteristics of a tube amp with an output transformer matched to the speaker load is hard to replicate with solid-state devices. Tube amps are particularly popular with serious musicians. Many musicians prefer to play vintage Fender, Marshall and Gibson amps. Replacement tubes and transformers are readily available for these amps however there are many boutique amp manufacturers making new tube amps with a vintage sound.
Amplifier classes
Amplifier circuits are classified as A, B, AB and C for analog designs, and class D and E for switching designs. For the analog classes, each class defines what proportion of the input signal cycle (called the angle of flow) is used to actually switch on the amplifying device.
What’s a Class A Amp ?
In a class A amp 100% of the input signal is used. The amplifier is passing current at all times even when you are not playing. The instant you strike a note it’s immediately fed to the speakers resulting in a “fast” sound. Class A is very inefficient but usually gives very low distortion and is generally a better sounding amp at low volumes. Class A amps are often more expensive boutique amps. Some of our Divided by 13 amps are Class A.
What’s a Class B Amp ?
A class B amp uses 50% of the input signal. Class B is different from Class A in that there is no current flowing when the output is at idle and turn on from zero current when a signal is present. In a push-pull Class B amp design each of the output circuits produce one half the audio waveform with each circuit not producing any current flow when the other circuit is operating. Class B designs tend to have more crossover distortion and require a less beefy power supply. Many popular guitar amps use class B designs including Fender and Gibson amps.
What’s a Class AB Amp ?
As the name implies class AB amps exhibit some characteristics of class A amps and some of class B amps. In a class AB amp design, more than 50% but less than 100% of the input signal is used . If an amp uses class A mode for a portion of it’s output then has to apply additional circuitry for the remainder of it’s output then it is considered a class AB Amp. Class AB amps are also more efficient than a straight class A therefore does not require as large a power supply.
