Naim as guitar amp

Posted by: Ian P on 15 March 2002

Hi all,

Gosh,it's been a while - hope all are well, especially any who remember me !

Some may recall from a while back (if they have very good memories) that I was thinking of taking up guitar. Well I finally did, and am having fun learning on an acoustic.

In fact I'm enjoying it so much I'm thinking of also getting an electric. I'd like to avoid buying anything more than the naked guitar, so am wondering has anyone much experience of using a Naim system for amplification ? Basically, does it work, and what does one need to connect guitar to pre-amp ?

Thanks for any input (no pun intended).

Cheers,
Ian

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by David Dever

Or Digitech GNX 3 (has digital out for computer-based recording), or the Johnson J-Station (uses same Digitech DSP in different housing), whic I use at home for shredding the planet...

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Greg Beatty

...get yaself onna these...

Fender Amp Can

This way you can take your act on the road We use one with wireless mics and a CD player.

- GregB
"The Wacky Yo-Yo Man"

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Not For Me

I have used both a 110 and a 250 sucessfully as guitar amps. You will need a pre-amp e.g. Line 6 POD as mentioned.

There have been previous diatribes from purist about using Naim amps with other pre-amps.

Ignore them.

I did, and np harm has every come of it.

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Thomas K

Hello Ian,

Welcome back! What guitar did you get?

(And, err ..., talk about mocking the afflicted - can you not just say where you're really from?)

Thomas

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Ian P

quote:
Originally posted by Thomas K:
Hello Ian,
Welcome back! What guitar did you get?
(And, err ..., talk about mocking the afflicted - can you not just say where you're really from?)
Thomas

The acoustic is a Simon & Patrick SP6 Spruce top. Looks and sounds great.

Sorry about the "old news" location quip, I'll go change that!

Thanks for the advice so far chaps. It sounds like the suggestions involve by-passing the pre-amp section of my system. That isn't a goer - what I was wondering was how to make the electric guitar simply another source into the pre-amp.

Cheers,
Ian

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Ian P

There - no more out of date gloating !

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Paul Ranson

My understanding of the posts is that you install a widget between the guitar and your preamp.

Directly connecting your guitar to a line level channel of your preamp will work, but I think the sensitvity is to low and also you want some processing between guitar output and a hifi approach to amps to get a 'realistic' guitar sound.

Paul

Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Ian P

quote:
Originally posted by Paul Ranson:
My understanding of the posts is that you install a widget between the guitar and your preamp.
Directly connecting your guitar to a line level channel of your preamp will work, but I think the sensitvity is to low and also you want some processing between guitar output and a hifi approach to amps to get a 'realistic' guitar sound.
Paul

Right, thanks for that. Would the previous posters be so kind to confirm whether or not the suggested "widgets" are suitable for connection to the pre-amp line level inputs ? If there are any such devices which don't pose a potential threat to the Naim kit please let me know !(ref "otherwise blown speakers are a likely outcome").

Finally, to show my utter ignorance, why is it that "also you want some processing between guitar output and a hifi approach to amps to get a 'realistic' guitar sound" when I'm intending to amplify a real guitar ?

Ian

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by Not For Me

The output levels from an electric guitar pickup is too low to put into a line stage. The boxes mentioned amplify the signal, also add other functions, such as volume controls, stereo outputs, tone controls, effects (reverb, chorus, distortion, flanging etc.) The next level is a amplifire simulator, which alters the sound to the characterics of a Marshall valve amp and 4 x 12" cabinet, or a Fender combo.

In a nutshell, simply amplifying the signal out of the guitar pickup will sound pants. If you are after a 'rock' sound, you need a bit reverb etc. to give it "life and space"

Why not take you guitar to a musical instrument shop and ask to typ a few of these things out ?

Whatever output the pedal or box gives you, a lead can be made up or an adapter to go into the preamp.

Watch the volume though.. Especially with high levels of fuzz and distortion, which Hi-Fi speakers will be upset about (blown tweeters).

I had a Line 6 Pod and a Korg Ax1g to go these types of things into a Behringer mixing desk, into a Naim 250. Works fine.

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by ebirah

What the other guys have said; youll need some sort of simulator or the guitar will sound so awful and lifeless youll give up! I use the POD and can recommend it without reservation. If you need to do this on a tighter budget, something like the Zoom 505 (about 60 quid?) would be fine. I dont run directly into a hi-fi thesedays but did so in the past, when I had a lot of joy with a Tom Scholz Rockman and a 42/110 - one of these s/h sould be cheap and will do the job perfectly. As mentioned, the AX1G or Pandora are also fine choices.

Steve

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by Thomas K

Jeez, that brings back memories ... "I close my eyes and she slips awaaaayyyyyyyiiiiyyyyyyyyyyy" dee dee deedoodoh ...

Thomas

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by garyi

I think really, hi fi shoul dbe for hi fi and guitar amos for guitar amps, get yerself over to loot and pick one upp second hand, try to get one with a headphone or line out which you can then hook up to the computer and record your master peices!

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by Tony L

quote:
like to avoid buying anything more than the naked guitar, so am wondering has anyone much experience of using a Naim system for amplification ? Basically, does it work, and what does one need to connect guitar to pre-amp ?

I have a Nait in my “studio” system, and it works really well. I have the computer, bass fx unit (used mainly to get a little more gain), and a couple of keyboard / beat box kind of things plugged into the Nait via a small rack mixer. This means that if I stick a CD into the computer I can play along with it or play along to the sequencer etc. At the moment I have no recording facility, but as I just play for fun so that is not an issue. Quality hard disk recording is only a decent soundcard away should I ever want top add it.

The Pod guitar processor is the ideal thing if you want a kick ass guitar sound without buying an amp, they are as mentioned above truly excellent. I really want to get a Bass Pod at some point. The Zoom thing I use is a bit lame.

If you are looking for a cheap option I have a Mk 1 Korg Pandora lying about that you could have for fifty quid.

Tony.

Posted on: 16 March 2002 by Not For Me

Tony,

How on earth do you play records on your deck?

Must be a bit difficult cuing up track 4 side 2?

Posted on: 17 March 2002 by Ian P

I've looked into the POD, and it seems like it could be just the job, so thanks for the recommendations. I'll try to post some feedback in a month or so when I've had a chance to try it. Now I need to decide on the guitar ...

Posted on: 17 March 2002 by Tony L

quote:
How on earth do you play records on your deck?
Must be a bit difficult cuing up track 4 side 2?

The hard bit is actually getting the record onto the deck!

Tony.