Amplifier Tone Control: Is It Necessary?

There's an awful lot of hogwash talked about amplifier facilities, so it's time to put the record straight. It's perfectly true that the fewer the number of components there are in the signal path, the better an amplifier is likely to sound in ideal circumstances.

Every component adds distortion, and switches and tone controls are prime offenders. But a good many recordings could do with a bit of help on the tonal front, sounding harsh and fatiguing on revealing systems.

So, there's a case for having tone controls, provided they're relatively subtle in their operation. When you audition an amp with bass and treble knobs, give them a try - you should hear relatively small changes. And they're not just for rock and pop listeners - even classical fans often find the need for a spot of 'left hand down' on the treble to tame the savage top end of particular recordings.

What tone controls can't do is make the amp go louder, or make bass-light bookshelf speakers sound like monster Cerwin Vega! thunderboxes. Well, they can, but only for a short while. Remember we mentioned added distortion? Well, crank bass and treble up to get even more level for that party, and the distortion is what starts blowing speakers.

The best of both worlds? An amp with good tone controls, plus a 'source direct' or 'tone defeat' button to bypass them when required.