Q&A for How to Connect an Electric Guitar to a Combo Amp

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How do I connect a mixer to my amp?

Aaron Asghari
Professional Guitarist & Instructor
Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.

Aaron Asghari

Professional Guitarist & Instructor

Expert Answer

For recording, connect your amp's Aux Out into the line input of the mixer. Adjust the gain of the input channel to achieve the proper signal level. Once it's connected, you can play around with the sound quality and shape!

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Question

What type of connecter do you prefer to buy for an electric toy guitar?

Community Answer

It really depends on which kind of cable the toy guitar uses. Typically guitars need to have a 1/4'' cable in order to properly work in a combo amp.

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Question

How do I control it if the gain is too loud?

Community Answer

Most amps have a volume knob, or a volume and gain knob. Generally, "gain" means "distortion," so you can turn the gain knob down and volume up if possible, or just turn the volume down if that's your only choice. If your amp has a boost button, turn that off if you want less volume and/or gain.

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Question

Amp or guitar - which gets plugged in first?

Community Answer

It doesn't matter, just make sure your amp is turned off when plugging in or unplugging the guitar, as this can cause a loud hum which may damage the amp's speaker if it's turned up very loud.

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Question

I plugged everything in and turned the amplifier on but it isn't working, what do I do?

Community Answer

Start by making sure that everything is powered. Next, make sure that your guitar is plugged into your amp's input, not the output. If it still doesn't work, try a different guitar cable to see if it's a faulty cable. If none of this works, either your guitar is malfunctioning or your amp may be broken. Take both to an instrument repair shop to see what the case is.

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Question

The cord for my Keith Urban electric guitar is L-shaped on one end and straight on the other. Which end gets plugged in to the guitar?

Community Answer

Either end will work, but use the straight end for the jack on your guitar so that it doesn't bend and so you have more mobility when playing. The L-shape side can go into the amp.

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Question

Can I still play without pedals?

Community Answer

Yes - you can plug directly into your amp. Pedals are just good for experimenting with different sounds, they're not a necessity.

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Question

So, my amp has only an input socket right. Can I still use pedals? I mean, do I connect my guitar to the pedal's input, and the my pedal's output to the input of my amp?

Community Answer

Yes! That's exactly how it works. If the pedal came with instructions, you can also check those. Also, never be afraid to ask people who work in music stores. They are there to help, not just sell.

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