Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Guitar Amps & Effects 5

Chapter 1: The Concept of Tone for Creative Guitarists 7

Chapter 2: Making Your Signal Chain Work for You 17

Chapter 3: Aural Delights: Variety in Tone 29

Part II: Grab a Guitar: It’s Your Signal Generator 39

Chapter 4: Understanding the Major Electric Guitar Designs 41

Chapter 5: Guitar Pickups and Electronics 71

Chapter 6: Guitar Hardware 97

Chapter 7: Caring for Your Guitar 117

Part III: The Amplifier: More Than Just Loud 133

Chapter 8: Looking Inside the Major Amp Designs 135

Chapter 9: Choosing the Right Amp for You and Your Music 161

Chapter 10: Understanding Tube Types and Tone 181

Chapter 11: Going from Amp to Ears: Speakers and Cabs 201

Chapter 12: Tips, Tricks, and Basic Amp Maintenance 217

Part IV: Effects Pedals: Fuzz, Filth, Wobble, and Echo 235

Chapter 13: Discovering the Major Types of Effects 237

Chapter 14: Rack Units, Stand-Alones, and Multi-Effects 263

Chapter 15: Setting Up and Using Your Effects 273

Part V: The Part of Tens 291

Chapter 16: Ten Classic Rigs 293

Chapter 17: Ten Iconic Tone Recordings 301

Index 305

About the Author

Dave Hunter has made a career out of explaining the relationships between guitars and amp tone, and the technology that creates it. He has authored or coauthored dozens of books on guitar topics, columns in Guitar Player and Vintage Guitar magazines, and is considered a top authority on amps and effects.