Warm sound: Scientists create commercial ‘molecular’ product for guitars
EDMONTON — For years, serious guitar players have clung to their tube amplifiers, saying the rich sound is worth the hassle of old-school electronics.
Now, scientists at the University of Alberta have used the latest nanotechnology in a guitar pedal that duplicates that beloved tone without the inconvenience and expense.
“People generally use the word ‘warmer,’” said Rick McCreery, a University of Alberta chemistry professor and researcher at Edmonton’s National Institute for Nanotechnology.
Most consumer electronics, including non-tube guitar amps, depend on silicon-based devices called transistors or diodes. They work extremely well to help amplify electronic signals accurately and smoothly.