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From: mbe@dde.uucp (Martin Berg)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,rec.music.synth
Subject: Re: guitar audio signals
Summary: Connecting an guitar to an stereo amplifier
Message-ID: <148@Giraf.dde.uucp>
Date: 11 Feb 88 16:05:48 GMT
References: <502@m10ux.UUCP>
Organization: Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Herlev, Denmark
Lines: 44

In article <502@m10ux.UUCP>, rgr@m10ux.UUCP (Duke Robillard) writes:
> Do turntables put out the same  audio signal as electric guitars?
> what about really old turntables (I think they're called ceramic,
> as opposed to electronic), the kind that need a preamp?  Can I
> hurt anything by pluggin a guitar into a home stereo amp?

Hmm - depends on how you play the guitar :-).

Ok, ok no more bad jokes.

With modern amplifiers it may cause some problems if you connect the
guitar to the turntable (phono) input.

 - The guitar normally produces an signal more than 10 times stronger 
   than the signal from a turntable. The volume control on the guitar 
   may solve this.

 - The turntable input has also what they call RIAA-equilization
   ie: the bass is amplified a lot more than the treble.
   This does not sound very good.
   You may 'correct' this by turning the bass control down and the 
   treble up. (and you may not - depends on the amplifier).

In this case you will get better results by using an AUX- or 
TAPE-input.

With an old amplifier with 'ceramic' input it may be a little easier:

 - These inputs are not so sensitive [as 'modern' dynamic inputs] 
   ie: It will not make so much noise.

 - You may still need to mingle with the bass and treble controls.

With some care (turn the volume on the amplifier down !) you should be
able to connect the guitar to the amplifier.
If something starts to make a lot of noise: DISCONNECT FAST !

Generally (normally) you will not destroy anything if you don't play 
with a distorted sound, ie: *TO LOUD* (most HiFi-speakers don't like
this - and damage is endeed possible this way).
-- 
Martin Berg
Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Herlev, Denmark
E-mail: mbe@dde.UUCP   or   ...!uunet!mcvax!diku!dde!mbe