keyboard versus guitar amplifiers

[huffmuds9320]

The speakers on my keyboard (Yamaha PSR-290) are 3 watts each speaker. Even with the volume on max it doesn't sound that loud. I tried connecting it to my computer speakers which is 2 speakers with a subwoofer but doesn't work that good. I'm wondering what the difference between amplifiers made for keyboards versus for guitars. Sorry I'm no music expert but the input plugs look same. Thanks.

 

[Bret Chase]

keyboard amps are much cleaner distortion wise than a guitar amp. both will work though.

 

[Papa Bear]

If they are 3 watt speakers then it's probably a ~3 watt amp.
Drive any speakers you want with a 3 watt amp and it won't get too loud.

Keyboard amp- 3 watt ..... Guitar amp- 50 watt (100 watt, whatever)

 

[mechtech2]

Right.
Keyboard amps are designed for a clean, pure, sound.
But you can use a guitar amp on a clean setting. It may still distort at higher volume, though.
You may like the sound!

 

[Papa Bear]

If the amp distorts at high volume, then it is "clipping". That's what blows speakers, not the volume but the clipping.

Good guitar amps have quite acceptable THD.... you do want your distortion accurately reproduced, don't you ??!!

 

[Bret Chase]

Quote:

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Good guitar amps have quite acceptable THD.... you do want your distortion accurately reproduced, don't you ??!!

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I would guess it depends greatly how you define a "good guitar amp" looking purely at THD, a Mesa/BOOGIE or a tube Marshall are HORRIBLE, most of that "Marshall sound" comes from the output tubes clipping.... on purpose.

 

[huffmuds9320]

Thanks for the info. I guess a keyboard amp would work best for me.

 

[Steve S]

A tube amp distortion sounds great a transister amp distortion sounds really bad.Go to a music store and try out the amps and see which sound you like. Tube amps are the way to go for guitar amps though.

 

[mechtech2]

Steve - You seem a bit behind the times concerning the sound of solid state amps. It is 2007 now.

 

[keith]

I currently own a solid state (Crate 350Watt head with 4x12 cabinet) and tube (Fender Twin - 85Watt, 2x12) amp for guitar, and a Carvin 1800W solid state PA amp for voice and keyboard, and many other amps along the way.

Set the guitar amp to its clean settings and the keyboard should sound fine. The tube amps have a really nice distortion when they start to overload, which sounds great with guitar. The solid state amps often try to emulate tube distortion with special circuitry. Crate call theirs Flexwave, and it's not bad but it's not as nice as real tubes. The Fender Twin has a real spring reverb and it's way better than the dsp reverb in the Crate.

None of that should concern you if you want a clean sound with a keyboard. Tube or solid state are both fine. Solid state will usually be cheaper and lighter.