Keyboard Amp and Guitar Amp – Are there lot of differences / dissimilarities? Can a guitar (or any other instrument) be used through a keyboard amp? Here are few things to keep in mind, that will also clear these doubts.
Keyboard Amps Produce Flat Sounds
A Keyboard amp (Acoustic guitar amp or any acoustic amp) are designed to send out clean/non-colored sound (with only volume gain), whereas an Electric guitar amp may give a colored and distorted sound (overdriven, distortion). That is why some guitar players say keyboard amps suck, but the fact is that Keyboard amps are designed to produce flat sounds (non-colored).
Keyboard Samples Are Stereo
You May Need Guitar Amp Emulator
You can use a keyboard amp for acoustic guitar (or any other acoustic instruments), as the amps for acoustic instruments are more or less similar in design. Also, keyboard amps may require slightly higher input level (compared to an acoustic amp). If your instrument has active pickups or you have a pre-amp then things should be ok. However, some guitar players say that the guitar won’t sound good in a keyboard amp without a guitar amp simulation being used first. In that case, you may want to use a guitar amp emulator (such as [easyazon_link identifier=”B000RN53LQ” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Line6 POD[/easyazon_link]); these are designed to run through a clean, wide range amp such as a PA, monitors or keyboard amp.
Keyboard Amps Have Multiple Inputs
More Scenarios
Question
I read this article on this site How is a Keyboard Amp different from Amps for other instruments but I still have queries. Have been doing some reading on the internet and have heard lots of comments on Keyboard amps saying that they suck. Why is that so? Are you not supposed to use Keyboard amps for amplification? Second question is around safety. Assuming I connect a keyboard (say a Casio wk-3800) to my Peavey guitar amp, will it blow up any of the instrument? I tried connecting but I just kept the volume to very low (out of fear). I might sound silly but I just wanted to be sure that it doesn’t damage either of my Casio keyboard or my guitar amp. – Matthew (Sydney, Aus)
Answers:
No, it wouldn’t blow up your keyboard but if you plugged in your guitar amp to the keyboard, it is going to make it sound terrible. Guitar amps are specifically designed for guitars and add a bit of color (for distortion purposes). They are really not meant to be used for other musical instruments. – Chris
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
Leave a Reply