Power amp as guiitar amp?

[tigerflystudio]

Hi, I'm just trying to think outside the box a bit here. I want to make a my own guitar amp, and am wondering if you folks think this woudl work?:Guitar > Line 6 POD (guitar amp modeller, stereo output) > power amp > passive PA speakersWould that work? Would it sound awful? Would this amp be any good?http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/alesis-ra500-studio-power-amplifier--17044Got any better ideas / suggestions (other than buy a 'normal' guitar amp)?

 

[alexs2]

Hi, I'm just trying to think outside the box a bit here. I want to make a my own guitar amp, and am wondering if you folks think this woudl work?:Guitar > Line 6 POD (guitar amp modeller, stereo output) > power amp > passive PA speakersWould that work? Would it sound awful? Would this amp be any good?http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/alesis-ra500-studio-power-amplifier--17044Got any better ideas / suggestions (other than buy a 'normal' guitar amp)?

Your link doesn't work.....in practice though,there is nothing to stop you using a power amp as a guitar amp,although it may be worked pretty hard,and would need to be a very robust one.

Years ago,Krell ran an ad using one of their amps to run an electric jackhammer,but I'm not suggesting using one....simply ensure that your chosen amp is robust,and has ample cooling,either active or passive.

 

[KelvinS1965]

I have a Line 6 guitar amp, so I'm familar with the modeling power of these things. As the speaker simulation is included in the Pod, you won't suffer the tweeter blowing properties of simply plugging a 'fuzz box' into a PA. In other words, the output of the Pod is really like the recorded guitar sound, so not really any different to playing back a recording of a miked up guitar amp/cabinet.

Therefore the power amp you use just needs a flat response (rather than a guitar amps often tailored response) and to be powerful enough to run the speakers you are using without adding distortion through being overdriven (not the same lovely sound as an overdriven guitar amp you see).

 

[tigerflystudio]

Thanks for info guys. I think the POD advises to turn the speaker simulation 'Off' when plugging into an amp (or a PA, as I'm suggesting in this case). Are you saying that by doing so, it might blow the amp / speakers?I'm just a newbie, but to me it seems weird than a normal PA can play a rock CD no problem (which has lots of distorted guitars), but might not be able to handle just 1 lone guitar signal. Am I missing something about the difference in signals / frequencies?

 

[KelvinS1965]

I wouldn't recommend turning off the speaker simulation if you are using a full range PA to play back through. Most of the sound of a distorted guitar is because it is 'filtered' by the natural high frequency roll off of a 10" or 12" speaker. This is what POD's speaker simulator is doing; rolling off the higher frequencies. If you play a distorted guitar straight into a full range PA it will sound like a wasp in a jam jar...ie it will have a horrible high end fizz (and so will the tweeters in the PA if youu continue). I once blew the tweeters on my speakers by doing this so I speak from experience.

I can't figure why on earth POD would say to do this except for non distorted guitar sounds such as 12 string effect or 'acoustic' simulations. They would suit being played back full range. Can't this preferance be linked to the preset or is it only a global setting on the POD?

 

[tigerflystudio]

Thanks - that's really useful to know - and will save my PA!The speaker emulation does sound so much better through the PA, than when it's been turned off. Too much fizz, like you say.I don't think sp. emulation can be 'written' in with the pre-set patch, it;'s either on or off as a global setting. I could be wrong, but I think that's the case.Wonder why there are no tube-powered PA systems? That'd be great to be able to emply true tube drive on guitar settings.