My $0.02:

Originally Posted by: RickBlackerHi, I just got done reading your amp guide article. Great little article. Precise and to the point. I've got some questions though..


== 1 ==
What is an effects loop? [/QUOTE]As applied to guitar amps, this is usually a set of jacks that allows you to insert an effect, or a string of effects, between the preamp and the power amplifier. Aside from allowing these effects to be applied after the preamp gain and EQ, there's usually the additional benefit of being able to add or remove these effects with a single switch.

Originally Posted by: RickBlacker== 2 ==
If you plan on using affects, do you need multiple channels?[/QUOTE]More channels = more options. Beware the temptation to add so many gizmos that you end up tap dancing on the switches as much as playing your guitar.

Originally Posted by: RickBlacker== 3 ==
Is there anyway to get a tube amp to sound great at low volumes?[/QUOTE]Play well. ;)

'Great Sound' is very subjective. Being loud doesn't have to be part of it.

Originally Posted by: RickBlacker== 4a ==
This article wasn't the first time I've heard that tubes sound their best at loud volumes. My guess is that it's not so much how loud they are, rather how hard you're driving the tubes right?[/QUOTE]Right. Tubes change the harmonic content of the signal as they get pushed harder. So do transistors, for that matter, but the results sound very different.

Originally Posted by: RickBlacker== 4b ==
If that's the case, could you simply put a pot between the drivers and the actual head thus.. Allowing you to drive your amp hard, but control the actual output the drivers separately?[/QUOTE]Putting a pot between the preamp and the power amp will reduce the output power for a given level of preamp signal, but it would also mean that most of the distortion would be produced in the preamp instead of by overdriving the power tubes. There is a technique called Power Scaling that reduces the voltages applied to the power tubes, which reduces the available output power. The beauty of this method is that it allows power tube distortion at reduced volume.

[QUOTE=RickBlacker]== 5 ==
Can a 10 watt amp sound as good as, or sound the same as a 100 watt amp? Not asking about all the bells and whistles, just sound quality. I realize this is kind of a loaded question because I doubt a 10 watt amp is capable of driving a 4x12 cab. But. in theory if it were, is it possible that the two would have the same sound signature?

Most of the bells and whistles are in the preamp anyway, so that doesn't matter. A 10 watt amp can be made to sound very good indeed, and with efficient speakers, might actually be as loud as a 100 Watt amp.

[QUOTE=RickBlacker]== 6 ==
Is Marshall "all that and a box of chocolates" like everyone says?

In my opinion, the 'Marshall sound' is good, but the amps are one-trick ponies. You can make some sweet sustainy distortion with 'em, but that's about all they're good for. Mind you, if that's the sound you want, then an old Plexi is hard to beat.

[QUOTE=RickBlacker]== 7 ==
Are there lesser expensive amps that sound just as good as Marshall?

"as good"? That's just way too subjective, man.

[QUOTE=RickBlacker]== 8 ==
Are the affects built into tube amps generally good quality or should you typically use separate pedals?

They're convenient. A lot of them are actually pretty good. Trouble is, everybody ends up sounding like everybody else. If you're picky about your sound, get pedals that each do one thing really, really well.

[QUOTE=RickBlacker]== 9 ==
If you know you want to use separate pedals for affects, is there any point to buying an amp with built in affects?

It can be a lot easier to gig with an all-in-one amp. And, sad to say, most people in the audience don't have any idea what good tone sounds like anyway, so you might consider that option. As I said earlier, if you're picky about your sound, you will select each component in your signal chain strictly on what it contributes to your sound.