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Finnguitar method for setting the amplifier
Recommedation for a starting point. On most fender amplifier 6-7 is considered as the middle position. From middle adjust the amplier so it not too biting or too mourphle:
1) Turn on your amplifier and check that the indicator lights up.
2) Set the master to maximum. On most fender ampliers it is 12. This gives the cleanest sound.
3) Set Treble in the middle position. If the amplifier sounds too mourphle or muddy then increase the treble. But if the sound has too much bite then descrease the treble.
4) Set Bass in the middle. If sound is too hollow or tiny then turn up the base. If sound is too bassy reduce the bass.
5) Set the Middle in the middle position. If you want a little harder edge like Santana to the sound then turn it up. If you want a more BB king like sound turn in down.
6) Set the Reverb in the area between 0-5 dependning on your sound preference.
7) Plug your guitar into input 1. It always gives the richest sound. Input 2 is used to protect amplifier if more than one guitar is plugged in. In general turn volume and tone controllers to maximum on your guitar. Reference to settings on the electric guitar.
8) Adjust the volume. Start with 2 when practicing in a little flat and it can be turned it up to around 8 for a clean sound in gigs. For clean sound never use fat or gain.
9) Test your setting on a few licks in all positions you use on the guitar. If not satisfied go thought the process one more time. It usualy takes quite a time to adjust a amplifier.
Finguitar uses natural overdrive
Most amplifer can be set to have natural overdrive. It is very difficult to set it right to get good sound. Method: When you have a aquired a good clean sound you can experiment to cranck up your amplier so you get a natural overdriven sound:
a) If you have possibility for fat on your amplier try it and you will get a harder and slightly overdriven sound with a little more edge.
b) Or you can turn your master down and turn your volume up. Sometimes there is a gain or drive controller that does the same as the volume. Basically is means that the preamplier tubes crancks up meaning an overdriven sound.
c) Maximum overdrive is achieved by your volume up to maximum and regulate how loud the amplifier sounds with master. But be careful it may not sound awful good.
d) To switch between clean and overdriven sound many amplifiers have a footswitch.
Alternative: Use a clean sound on your amplifier and use effect boxes to have an overdriven sound. Reference to effect pedals.
Fender Hot Rod, 40 w used by Finnguitar for small/medium sized gigs
This amplifer have two 12 inch speakers, is quite heavy and requires a car to carry around.
Fender Blues Junior, 15 w used by finnguitar for practice and small sized gigs
This amplifer have one 12 inch speakers,is also heavy but it possible to carry around using public tranportation. As the pedal Boss ME-20 is very small is often used with this amp for practice and small gigs.
Other amplifer questions
One of the main questions: Should I use a transistor or tube amplifier. There is no simple answer to this question. The best advice it to try different tubes and amplifiers and see which best fit to the sound that you want. Finnguitar has chosen to stick to Fender combo tube amplfiers. This mainly due to a combination of wishes for the sound, price and transportation.
For practices and small gigs there is not reason to go beyond the combo amplifiers as they are practicial to carry around. It is possible to get bigger and more expensive combo ampliers as Finnguitar use.
A bigger cabinet with larger load speakers gives normally a loader and cleaner sound also often a more round and pleasant sound. The best sounding amplifiers often have a seperat top for the amplifier and seperat cabinet with several load speakers. They are on the other hand expensive and heavy to carry around.
Alternative to fender
Of course there are many classic alternatives to fender tube amplifiers. Examples are Gibson, Mesa Boogie, Marshall, Roland, Vox. More special and expensive ampliers are for example matchless. One the most interesting right now is Brunetti Mc2, 60 w class AB with 1 12 inch speaker inclusive reverb. This amplifier is handmade and produces a relative clean sound with less bite than the Hot Rod but more sustain. The sound is so good that reverb is almost not needed. An amplifier than Finnguitar plans to incorpate later in the range of sounds.
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