Short Answer
A pedalboard amplifier is a guitar amplifier shaped like an effect pedal that can operate as either a guitar amplifier or an effect pedal. Pedalboard amplifiers can produce sound through a speaker cabinet or be routed into a signal chain into a separate guitar amplifier.
Long Answer
Okay, so hold on, pedalboard...amplifier? In the guitar amplifier and effects world, we have these nifty little devices commonly known as pedalboard amplifiers or pedal amplifiers. This most frequently refers to their utility as either effect pedals or full-on guitar amplifiers – but what do we mean by that?
Pedalboard amplifiers have the dual utility of being able to produce sound through a speaker like a guitar amplifier or be routed into a signal chain like an effect pedal. Serving the dual purpose of either being a standalone amplifying unit or a pedalboard amplifier tone-creator, pedalboard amplifiers are incredibly useful in achieving either end. These differ from amp-in-a-box effect pedals in that the wide majority of such effect pedals cannot create sound through a speaker. There's also quite a few guitarists out there who would swear by pedalboard amplifiers for their unique tones and flexibility in use.
If you're looking to learn more about pedalboard amplifiers, just turn to some of the most popular models out there today. We're talking about units like the Milkman The Amp 100, the Audio Kitchen The Big Trees, or the Blackstar Amped 3. Whether utilizing digital components, true-blue tubes, or a combination of both, this handful of models are sure to give you a little more insight into the world of pedalboard amplifiers and why, for many guitarists, they are the capital "T" truth.
