Amplifier Collection

Electric guitar and amplifier

Early electronic valve, diagram
Audion amplifier. Diagram of an Audion triode valve that was the first amplifier. It was invented by Lee De Forest in 1907

Lee De Forest, US radio pioneer
Lee De Forest (1873-1961), American radio pioneer, holding the triode valve, or Audion tube, that he invented. De Forest studied at Yale, gaining his doctorate with a thesis on radio waves

Illustration, stereo system

VOICE AMPLIFIER. An imaginary voice amplifier, based on the ideas of Athanasius Kircher. Copper engraving, 1723, by Arnold van Westerhout

George Morris inventor of the 12 volt electric Welsh Harp
George Morris inventor of the 12 volt portable electric Welsh Harp, testing his invention in the hills of Snowdonia, North Wales Date: 1988

The Beatles during rehearsals for the Royal Variety Performance at The London Palladium. London, United Kingdom. L-R Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison

Marsha Hunt sings at The Isle of Wight Music Festival on Saturday 30th August 1969. She is billed as Marsha Hunt and White Trash

American blues musician Bo Diddley performing in concert during a Rock and Roll show at Wembley Stadium. 5th August 1972

Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, The Animals, Steam Packet, Richmond Jazz Festival, London, 1965
Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, The Animals, Steam Packet, The 5th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Richmond, London, 1965

Amplifier used as part of a DJ setup, 1970s. Creator: Yamaha Corporation
A Yamaha F1030 amplifier used by Angelo T. King. The front of the amplifier is all black with off-white text. The text at the top center reads: [YAMAHA / FREQUENCY DIVIDING NETWORK / MODEL F1030]

Le Porte-Voix (engraving)
2808392 Le Porte-Voix (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Porte-Voix. Illustration for Nos Vraies Conquetes by Albert Levy (Hachette)

Guild Thunderbass amplifier, before 1978. Creator: Guild Guitar Company
Guild Thunderbass amplifier used by Christopher Dowd, keyboardist, vocalist and trombone player, in the alternative rock band, Fishbone. The amplifier has a serial number of: [4773]

American blues musician Bo Diddley performing in concert during a Rock and Roll show at Wembley Stadium. 5th August 1972

American rock and roll singer and musician Jerry Lee Lewis performing on stage at a rock and roll concert held at Wembley Stadium. 5th August 1972

Long John Baldry, The Animals, Steam Packet, Richmond Jazz Festival, London, 1965
Long John Baldry, The Animals, Steam Packet, The 5th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Richmond, London, 1965

Jim Hall, Brecon Jazz Festival, Powys, Wales, August 2000. Artist: Brian O Connor
Jim Hall, Brecon Jazz Festival, Powys, Wales, August 2000

John Etheridge and Gary Boyle playing at Campus West Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 1984

Electric guitar plugged into amp, front view

Illustration of man playing electric guitar, using foot pedal to change sounds, and amplifier

Cartoon, His Masters Voice, WW1
Cartoon, His Masters Voice, showing Kaiser Wilhelm as a German dachshund looking back at a British bulldog inside the amplifier of a wind-up gramophone

Illustration, man holding clipboard and speaking into loudspeaker, side view

Illustration of Tyrannosaurus Rex playing the guitar

Amplifiers at Bolling Field in Washington, D. C. Photograph, 1921
AMPLIFIERS, 1921. Amplifiers at Bolling Field in Washington, D.C. Photograph, 1921

Home-made radio amplifier, 1920s

Cooling fins. Close-up of the cooling fins from an audio amplifier. The fins are shaped like this to maximise their surface area

VOICE AMPLIFIER, 1723. An imaginary voice amplifier, based on the ideas of Athanasius Kircher. Copper engraving, 1723, by Arnold van Westerhout

Coronation fancy dress party, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

Loudspeaker and polystyrene balls. A loudspeaker takes an electrical input and converts it into a series of vibrations. This is done using electromagnets that produce vibrations in the speaker which

Ammeter and voltage multiplier. Analogue ammeter (right) used for measuring the electric current in a circuit, displaying it in amperes

Amplifiers. Blurred picture of amplifiers. This could represent noise or vibration

Loudspeaker apparatus, 19th century
Loudspeaker apparatus, as constructed in the laboratory of the French physicist Henri Becquerel (1852-1908). This apparatus includes a Ruhmkorff coil (induction coil)

Phonograph
Diagram engraving showing components of a phonograph, along with a woman demonstrating how it is used. The phonograph worked by a small needle vibrating along a jagged groove

Radiola Portable, 1924
The Portable (well, sort of) RADIOLA receiver, loud speaker and amplifier

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"Amplifying the Sound: From Electric Guitars to Voice Amplifiers and Everything in Between" In the world of music, amplifiers play a crucial role in enhancing sound and creating unforgettable performances. Whether it's an electric guitar shredding through a roaring amplifier or a voice soaring through a state-of-the-art vocal amp, these devices have revolutionized the way we experience music. Dating back to the early electronic valve era, amplifiers have come a long way. Diagrams showcasing their intricate inner workings reveal how they transform weak signals into powerful waves of sound. An illustration of a stereo system demonstrates how they are at the heart of our home entertainment setups, delivering crystal-clear audio for our enjoyment. But amplification isn't limited to just instruments and stereos; even voices can be amplified. A fascinating copper engraving from 1723 depicts an imaginary voice amplifier based on Athanasius Kircher's ideas. This historical artifact showcases humanity's longstanding fascination with boosting vocal power. Innovation continued as George Morris invented the 12-volt electric Welsh Harp, incorporating an amplifier that allowed this traditional instrument to reach new heights. Meanwhile, legendary musicians like Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, The Animals, and Steam Packet took center stage at events like Richmond Jazz Festival in London (1965) and The Isle of Wight Music Festival (1969), captivating audiences with their amplified performances. Not only did rock legends benefit from amplification; American blues musician Bo Diddley electrified crowds during his concerts using powerful amps that added depth and intensity to his iconic tunes. DJs also harnessed this technology in the 1970s when Yamaha Corporation introduced amplifiers as part of DJ setups - ensuring every beat reached its full potential. Even beyond music realms, voice projection found its place with Le Porte-Voix engraving showcasing innovative designs for public speaking engagements or theatrical performances where projecting one's voice was crucial.