What makes a great amp great?

[beckstriad]

This is sort of philosophical, but I'd like to hear from anyone willing, what they think makes a great amp sound great. I don't know enough technical information to be able to really say on that front, but I'd love to hear from those who do.

Basically, from what I can tell, with my meager ears, is all great amps have these characteristics:

String to string clarity
Dynamics that allow a player to go from clean to maximum overdrive with touch only
Harmonic complexity - especially those amps with pronounced even order harmonics (as I understand it - i'm happy to be corrected)
effortless sustain - essentially sustain where all sounds sound like what is stereotypically considered "overdrive" even when the sound is clean

What say you?

 

[FlyingVBlues]

To me the characteristics of a great amp include overall build quality, feel, clarity, big, bold cleans, smooth overdrive whenever I want it, organic sounding violin-like sustain without any distortion, great harmonic complexity, touch sensitivity with a great response to picking dynamics, great string-to-string balance, no notes that sound thin or weak and especially its overall sound.

I want an amp to respond instantly to whatever I am playing, and I view my amps as an extension of my instrument rather than just something that simply amplifies the sound of my guitar. I play the amp as much as I play the guitar, and I incorporate whatever the amp can do into my overall sound. I prefer 100 watt amps due to their high headroom.

 

[Voodoosound]

For me I’ve learned I can sum it up like this. I have found I prefer amps that are simplistic in form but complex in output. I’ve always sought an amp that can make my electric resonate and feel like my Flamencos do. BALANCE. There are very few amps that can do it.

 

[Mojo]

A great amp (to me) is generally a single-channel amp with less crowded circuitry and what I would describe as a clearer signal path that produces the qualities described in the above two posts: dynamics, sustain (clean or overdriven), touch sensitivity, string-to-string balance, a tactile “feel” that is created between the guitar>amp>speaker, and rich harmonic content. Paired with the right guitar and cab, they can cover a range of sounds from piano-like to bowed-instruments and beyond. A great amp is an instrument unto itself and can be very inspiring!

 

[willie k]

A great amp, to me, is one that I immediately feel like I am playing the amp. It should feel connected, but still it’s own thing that I can control by how I touch the guitar. It will respond like a breathing beast, instantly moving from bell-like cleans to searing gain at my whim. I shouldn’t have to fight the EQ.

 

[Geetarman74]

Agree with a lot of the points above. I’ll add this VERY simplistic thought.

A great amp allows me to play at my best. I’m “better” playing through it, if that makes sense. I’m not fighting it, tweaking it, adding all varieties of pedals to get the tone I want out of it. There is a confidence that comes from plugging in….

 

[beckstriad]

Agree with a lot of the points above. I’ll add this VERY simplistic thought.

A great amp allows me to play at my best. I’m “better” playing through it, if that makes sense. I’m not fighting it, tweaking it, adding all varieties of pedals to get the tone I want out of it. There is a confidence that comes from plugging in….

Not simplistic at all, and it makes perfect sense. playing a lot of great amps now has changed me as a player.

 

[Jim S]

For me I’ve learned I can sum it up like this. I have found I prefer amps that are simplistic in form but complex in output. I’ve always sought an amp that can make my electric resonate and feel like my Flamencos do. BALANCE. There are very few amps that can do it.

Ditto : KISS rule for me.
Amps like MESA Marks have way too many options that I don’t want to deal with.

 

[beckstriad]

Ditto : KISS rule for me.
Amps like MESA Marks have way too many options that I don’t want to deal with.

Absolutely agree. I’m not smart enough for them.