If you’ve ever attended a live concert, especially one featuring a rock or blues band, you may have noticed that many touring guitarists use not just one, but two amplifiers on stage. This practice has become a common sight in the world of live music, and it’s not just for show. Guitarists often use two amplifiers, a setup known as “dual-amp rig,” for a variety of practical and sonic reasons. In this article, we’ll explore why so many touring guitarists opt for two amps and how this setup enhances their live performances.
Sonic Depth and Texture
One of the primary reasons guitarists use two amps is to create a more expansive and textured sonic palette. Each amplifier contributes its unique tonal qualities and character to the overall sound, allowing for a richer and more complex tone. By blending two amps, guitarists can achieve a depth and fullness that might be challenging to attain with a single amplifier. This approach is particularly effective for genres like rock, where a big, powerful sound is essential.
Redundancy and Reliability
Touring musicians often rely on their gear to perform flawlessly night after night. Using two amplifiers can provide redundancy in case one amp experiences technical difficulties or malfunctions during a performance. Having a backup amplifier ready to go ensures that the show can go on without interruption, minimizing the risk of equipment-related disasters on stage.
Tonal Versatility
Different amplifiers offer distinct tonal characteristics and sonic qualities. By using two amps with contrasting features, guitarists can switch between them to achieve a broader range of tones on the fly. For example, one amp may provide a clean, pristine tone, while the other offers a warm, overdriven sound. This versatility is especially valuable for musicians who need to cover a variety of musical styles within a single performance.
Enhanced Stage Presence
The visual impact of two amplifiers on stage can’t be overlooked. The presence of multiple amps not only looks impressive but also conveys a sense of power and authority. It can contribute to a guitarist’s stage presence and overall showmanship, enhancing the audience’s perception of the performance.
Stereo and Spatial Effects
Some guitarists use two amps to create a stereo sound field. This is achieved by running different effects through each amp or using a stereo chorus or delay pedal to create spatial effects. The stereo setup can make the guitar sound more immersive and three-dimensional, especially in larger venues.
Sound Localization
In larger venues or outdoor stages, having two amplifiers positioned on opposite sides of the stage can help improve sound localization. This means that the audience can better perceive the origin of the sound, making for a more immersive live experience. It also prevents the sound from being too concentrated in one area, ensuring that all members of the audience have a chance to hear the guitar clearly.
Distributed Stage Volume
In addition to enhancing sound localization, the use of two amplifiers can help distribute the stage volume more evenly. When playing in a band, it’s crucial to have balanced stage volume to hear all the instruments clearly. With two amps, the guitarist can achieve this balance and ensure that their sound isn’t drowning out the rest of the band.
The Wet-Dry-Wet Setup
The “wet-dry-wet” setup is a variation of the dual-amp rig that involves using three amplifiers. In this setup, the guitarist uses two amplifiers for the dry signal (the unprocessed guitar sound) and one amplifier for the wet signal (the signal with effects such as reverb and delay). The result is a combination of a clear, direct tone from the dry amps and a lush, ambient quality from the wet amp. This setup offers the best of both worlds, providing a pristine, focused core tone while enhancing it with atmospheric effects.
Iconic Examples
Several legendary guitarists are known for using dual-amp or multi-amp setups:
- Eddie Van Halen: The late Eddie Van Halen was famous for his “brown sound,” which he achieved using a dual-amp setup. He ran his guitar through a cranked Marshall stack for overdrive and a variable voltage Variac for power sag, creating a unique and iconic tone.
- Stevie Ray Vaughan: Stevie Ray Vaughan used two Fender Vibroverb amplifiers in his “Number One” rig. One amp was used for his clean sound, and the other was overdriven to create his signature Texas blues sound.
- John Petrucci: Dream Theater’s John Petrucci employs a wet-dry-wet setup with three separate amplifiers, each serving a specific purpose in his complex and layered guitar tones.
- The Edge (David Howell Evans): The Edge of U2 fame is known for his use of a complex multi-amp setup, incorporating multiple amplifiers, effects processors, and signal routing to create his distinctive ambient soundscapes.
Conclusion
The use of two amplifiers, or even more, by touring guitarists is not just a matter of showmanship; it serves practical and sonic purposes. Guitarists leverage the distinct tonal qualities of each amplifier, create redundancy for reliability, achieve tonal versatility, enhance stage presence, and optimize sound localization and stage volume. Whether it’s a dual-amp rig or a more complex setup, the choice to use multiple amplifiers is an important part of a guitarist’s live performance strategy. Ultimately, it’s about harnessing the power of technology and creativity to craft a captivating and unforgettable sonic experience for the audience.