Connect Your Electric Guitar to a Combo Amp

Before you do this you will need an Electric Guitar, a Combo Amplifier and a quarter inch to quarter inch patch cable.

1. If the power cable is not already attached to the back of the amp then connect the female end of the power cable into the back of the Amp. After you are sure the power cable is connected to the Amp - connect the power cable of the Amp into the wall.

2. Look for the input for the quarter to quarter inch patch cord on your electric guitar. The Les Paul guitars have this located on the edge of the guitar near the hooks for the straps and the Stratocasters usually have this located on the front panel of the guitar near the volume and tone knobs. Once you have located the input for the patch cord, plug the one end of the patch cord into your electric guitar.

3. Then look for the input for the quarter to quarter inch patch cord on your amp. This should be either on the top panel of the amp or on the front of the amp. Once you have located it plug the other end of the patch cord into your amp.

4. Make sure that the Volume knob or knobs on your guitar are at 0. Also make sure that the Volume and Gain knobs on your amp are at 0. If you don't do this before turning on your amp you are going to get some nasty feedback when you turn on your Amp.

5. If you amp came with a footswitch then look for the input of the footswitch on the back of your amp and plug it in. The footswitch lets you toggle on and off the effects such as distortion and reverb. If your amp didn't come with a footswitch don't worry about it and continue with step 6.

6. Once you have plugged everything in and made sure all switches and knobs are turned to 0. Locate the power switch for your Amp. The power switch is usually located on the front or top panel of your amp near the volume knobs or on the back of the Amp near the power cable. Once you have located it switch your Amp on.

7. Now we get to the fun part. Strum your guitar whilst gently turning the volume knob on your guitar as well as the volume and gain knobs on your amplifier. Play around a bit until you find the volume of sound that suits you. After you have done this continue strumming your guitar while you gently play around with the low, mid and high knobs (EQ) on your amp and the tone knobs on your guitar until you find the sound quality you are looking for.

8. Now for some more fun. Check to see if your amp has added features such as reverb and distortion. If your amp has these features then look for the switches or buttons that turn these on and the knobs to control their intensity. Once you have located them make sure that the effects are set at 0 before switching them on. You don't want any nasty feedback. Again, strum your guitar while playing around with these effects so you can acquaint yourself with the different sounds. If you have a footswitch play around with that too.

It takes time to get to know your electric guitar and how to best use all its functions. The more you play around and practice the better you will become. Have fun and Rock on!