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Does Your Amp Really Matter More Than Your Guitar?

Experiment reveals surprising truth about what truly shapes electric guitar tone! Can a cheap guitar sound amazing? Does your amp really matter more? Find out in this video and learn how to achieve an awesome sound on a budget!

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Does Your Amp Really Matter More Than Your Guitar?

Have you ever wondered if an expensive guitar is key to achieving a killer sound? This video experiment by YouTuber John Nathan Cordy might surprise you!

Does Your Amp Really Matter More Than Your Guitar?

John Nathan Cordy delves into the age-old debate about what truly shapes an electric guitar's tone. Is it the wood? Pickups? Strings? Or maybe it's all in the amp?

While most would agree it's a combination of factors, the question remains: how much does each element contribute?

Squier Stratocaster
Squier Stratocaster

HX Stomp

This experiment throws a curveball. Cordy grabs the cheapest Squier Stratocaster he could find on Amazon and plugs it into a Line 6 HX Stomp, a powerful digital amp simulator.

Sure, the Squier might not be a top-of-the-line instrument, but Cordy admits it feels decent overall. The real star of the show, however, is the HX Stomp. Check out the video to hear how the Squier sounds when processed through the Line 6's modeled amplifiers.

The results might challenge your assumptions about the role of guitars versus amps in achieving a great tone.

So, is it time to rethink your next gear purchase? Watch the video and see for yourself!

More Information

Jef Stone
Jef Stone
Founder and editor of GuitarBomb. Jef has been writing about guitars, effects pedals, and music gear for over ten years, covering everything from breaking gear news and leaks to hands-on reviews.