amplifiers – Guitar Music and Gear

Ep012 – Electricity Basics for Guitar and Bass

Andy Schneider / March 25, 2025

Title:
GTRNRD Podcast Ep012: Electricity Basics for Guitar and Bass

Body:
If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head at all the electrical lingo tossed around in guitar gear discussions, this episode is for you! ⚡️ This time on GTRNRD, we’re zapping into the basics of electricity that every guitarist and bassist should know.

In the latest episode, we’re on a mission to demystify the fundamentals of electricity and its impact on your sound. We tackle everything from Ohm’s Law to the difference between AC and DC voltage, and I explain exactly how capacitors and resistors play their part in your gear. Understanding how voltage, current, and resistance interact can spell the difference between a killer tone and, well, a very silent amp.

I also shine some light on why matching your speaker impedance with your amp can make—or break—your gig. Plus, you’ll learn why that flimsy cable might be the reason for your tone woes. We’re talking straight about power supplies on pedalboards and the brilliance of isolated power supplies in keeping tone clean and mean.

So, whether you’re saddling up for your first gig or you’ve been around the block with your six-string, this episode will gear you with the electrical know-how to boost your sound and confidence. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to share with your guitar buddies!

See you there, NRDs!

Ep006 – Tube Amp Generations

Title: GTRNRD Podcast Ep006: Tube Amp Generations

Body:
Ever get lost in the rich, warm embrace of a vintage tube amp and wonder how it got so legendary? 🎸 In this episode, we hop on a musical time machine to explore the fascinating evolution of tube amplifiers. We’ll journey through the Tweed Era of the late ’40s and ’50s, admire the crisp tones of the Blackface and Silverface eras, and rock out to the Marshall sounds that defined heavy rock. From boutique amps to the high-gain craziness of the ’80s, I’ve got all the amplifier insights covered for you!

We didn’t just stop at the history lesson though—I shared some cool tips for advanced players, like playing with different tube brands or using attenuators to nail that cranked sound without causing your neighbors to call the cops. We also talked about amp switching to achieve killer tones. And of course, there’s an emphasis on understanding your settings, because getting the right tone should be as satisfying as the first chord you strum with a new setup.

So, grab your favorite beverage, and listen in as we decode these tone machines! You might even want to check out your local music store afterward to twiddle some knobs and try things firsthand.

Hit play and join us on this tube amp adventure—listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

See you there, NRDs!