It doesn’t take long for the costs of being a guitarist to mount.

In addition to the instrument, you have to purchase an amplifier, cables, pedals, strings, picks, straps, etc. With so many things to purchase, an amp’s electricity usage should be kept to a minimum.

How much electricity do amplifiers consume?

A stereo amplifier consumes about 100 to 200 watts per hour on average. To put that in perspective, they consume about the same amount of electricity as a refrigerator, slightly more than lights on the ceiling, and ten times less than a standard air conditioner. A guitar amplifier power consumption is between 100 and 200 watts on average, but the subject isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. It’s important to consider all variables to determine whether amplifiers use a lot of electricity, since there are so many amplifiers on the market, each with its own features and inner components.

Electricity consumption & amplifiers

A guitar amplifier consumes between 100 and 200 watts of electricity per hour, as we’ve established. As a result, it is only a broad guideline, and in reality, many amplifiers use considerably more or less electricity than this average. The power consumption of amplifier based on several factors: their size, whether they are solid-state or valve, how loud they are set, and how long they are used. An amplifier’s overall electricity consumption depends on all of these factors. In general, the louder the volume, the more power the amp will need to achieve the desired dynamic level. Solid-state amps and tube amps operate differently, have contrasting inner components, and, therefore, use different amounts of power.

This table shows the power consumption of some popular amplifiers, along with their fuse values. The fuse values are located on the back of the amplifier, usually on the label.

In the above table, I have presented a mixture of valve and solid-state amplifiers to illustrate the general differences between them. It is possible to predict how much electricity an amplifier will consume by looking at these numbers, but other factors must also be taken into account.

The Line 6 Spider Jam amplifier uses a lot of electricity due to its solid-state makeup and fuse value. If you are only using this amplifier for short periods of time, at low volumes, it will not use much power. Similarly, if you were using the Roland Cube Street, which is a very low-power amplifier, but using it for hours on end and pushing it to its dynamic limits, then its power consumption would soon increase.

On Amazon, you can find the Roland Street Amp.

Power output and electricity consumption

It may seem logical to link output power to power consumption to determine if an amplifier consumes a lot of electricity. However, it isn’t that easy, and there is often confusion about how much power the amplifier draws and how much power it can produce. A 50-watt amplifier, for instance, refers to how much power it is capable of producing. How much electricity do speakers use?As a result, 50 watts would be sent to the speakers. The power consumption of an amplifier refers to the amount of electricity that is drawn from the mains plug. Generally speaking, this number is much higher than the amount of power it sends to the speaker. When an amplifier is used at a low volume, its labeled wattage is likely to be much higher than what it uses when it isn’t at maximum volume, so it may not consume much electricity. The loss of heat in the process of powering the amplifier can cause the amount of electricity that it uses to be much higher than the amount of power it sends to the speakers.

Amps does a guitar amplifier draw

Here is the question how many amps does a guitar amplifier draw? When it comes to guitar amplifiers, there are several factors that can influence the amp draw. One of the most significant factors is the wattage rating of your amplifier. Generally, higher wattage amplifiers tend to draw more amps than lower wattage ones due to the increased power output. Another factor that affects amp draw is the type of tubes or transistors used in your amplifier’s circuitry. Tube amplifiers typically require more current and therefore draw more amps compared to solid-state amplifiers. This is because tubes need a higher voltage level for proper operation. The volume at which you play your guitar also plays a role in amp draw. Cranking up the volume means pushing your amplifier harder, which will result in drawing more current from its power source. So if you’re playing at ear-shattering levels regularly, keep in mind that it may have an impact on energy consumption. Additionally, using effects pedals and other accessories with your amplifier can increase its overall amp draw. These additional components require their own power supply and contribute to the total energy usage of your setup. Environmental conditions such as temperature can affect how efficiently an amplifier operates and consequently impact its amp draw. Extreme heat or cold can strain electronic components and cause them to work harder, resulting in increased energy consumption.

Calculating the amp draw for your specific guitar amplifier

When it comes to calculating the amp draw for your specific guitar amplifier, there are a few key factors to consider. First and foremost is the power rating of your amplifier. This can usually be found on the back panel or in the owner’s manual. The power rating will tell you how much wattage your amplifier can handle. Next, you’ll want to determine the voltage that your amplifier operates at. Most amplifiers operate on standard household voltage, which is typically around 120 volts in North America. However, some amplifiers may require higher voltages, so it’s important to check the specifications for your specific model.

Power Consumption of Class A vs. Class AB Amplifiers

The difference between two types of amplifiers is a reliable way to determine whether or not an amplifier uses a lot of electricity. Both Class A and Class AB amplifiers are very popular, but their inner components differ, which affects the power they draw.

Technically, Class A amplifiers differ from Class AB amplifiers in the point at which the transistors are biased. The transistors in Class A amplifiers are biased to allow for the full cycle of RF input, so they operate within their linear range. Class AB amplifiers, on the other hand, turn off the transistor during the input cycle. It can be confusing, but don’t worry, everything will become clear. The impact that choosing Class A amplifiers or Class AB amplifiers has on the amount of electricity used shouldn’t be underestimated.

How much electricity are Class A and Class AB amplifiers using?

Compared to their counterparts, class AB amplifiers consume much less electricity. They are also more economical. To put it in guitar terms, the majority of Fender and Marshall amplifiers fall into the Class AB category, while Vox amplifiers fall into the Class A category.

Compared to Fender and Marshall amplifiers, Vox amplifiers use a lot of electricity.

As a result, a certain process occurs in Class A amplifier circuits. There is a positive voltage applied to the circuit grid, which overlooks the electron flow. Due to the continuous flow of current through the amplifier tube, a lot of electricity is consumed in class A circuits.

The grid of a Class AB amplifier is subjected to a negative bias voltage in its circuit. When the audio waveform drops below a certain point, the tube turns off. It behaves similarly to a compressor in that it reads the dynamics of the audio wave and responds accordingly. Immediately before the previous tube switches off, a separate tube and circuit become active. Together with the other tube and circuit that started the process, this circuit produces the remainder of the waveform.

The pros and cons of Class A and Class AB amplifiers are summarized below.

Amps And Electricity Consumption Related Questions

Are tube amps equipped with built-in effects?

Fender has installed tremolo and reverb units in its tube amplifiers since the 1960s. Modern effects pedals mimic the sound of vintage tremolo and reverb effects from vintage amplifiers by using dedicated rotary knobs.

Is it possible to send vocals to a guitar amp?

The speakers in some guitar amps are specifically tuned for the timbre and frequency range of an electric guitar, so vocals may not sound great when sent into them. The quality of the speaker cones within the amplifier will determine the type of sound you want to create. Here is an article I wrote on the differences between amplifiers.

To record the electric guitar, do you need an amplifier?

Certainly, an amplifier was needed to record electric guitar in the past.

As music technology has progressed, devices called audio interfaces have become more popular. Electric guitars can be plugged straight into these devices, and recorded to a digital audio workstation. The electric guitar does not need an amplifier to be recorded.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this clarifies some of your questions about modern guitar amp electricity consumption.