Every musical instrument amplifier has a rectifier. The rectifier converts the alternating current generated by the amp´s power transformer into the direct current required by the amp´s internal circuitry.
Originally, all amps used rectifier tubes. They gave amps a warm tone, but rectifier tubes are fragile and not very reliable. Many of the tubes are difficult to find, including the popular 5AR4 (or GZ34) used in the Fender Bassman, Tweed Twin, and Super Reverb, and the Marshall JTM 45. So most manufacturers switched to solid state rectifiers, but this resulted in a colder, hard sound.
Courtesy of Andy Marshall 8)
Originally, all amps used rectifier tubes. They gave amps a warm tone, but rectifier tubes are fragile and not very reliable. Many of the tubes are difficult to find, including the popular 5AR4 (or GZ34) used in the Fender Bassman, Tweed Twin, and Super Reverb, and the Marshall JTM 45. So most manufacturers switched to solid state rectifiers, but this resulted in a colder, hard sound.
Courtesy of Andy Marshall 8)
