Jared James Nichols argued that the quality of a guitar amplifier matters more than the guitar itself when it comes to achieving a great sound, telling Marshall that he had recently discussed the subject with Joe Bonamassa.
During the interview, Nichols was asked whether he would prefer an exceptional guitar paired with an average amplifier or an exceptional amplifier paired with an average guitar. He immediately chose the amplifier as the more important piece of equipment.
“I talked, uh, with Joe Bamaso about this recently. The amp. Yeah,” Nichols said.
“Amazing amp. Okay. Now, here’s the parameters. As long as the guitar can tune and it works and it you know it’s it’s it’s you can actually play it but it’s kind of eh if you have an amplifier I always say this like let’s let’s say your guitar is the car let’s say your amplifier is the engine right.”
Nichols expanded on his reasoning with an analogy about vehicles and power. “Okay cool let’s put it this way if you have not the best car but you have an absolute beast of an engine and you know a drivetrain doesn’t matter what your car looks like, you know, you know that thing’s going to run. I feel the same way with guitars.”
He then offered another comparison. “Or it’s like gasoline. If you put bad gas in a sports car, you know, you have a bad amp in a really nice guitar, you’re never going to get the full potential.”
“The amplifier is like the heartbeat of it,” Nichols added. “It’s like this and that. It’s got to be the good amp. It’s got to be.”
Nichols made these comments during his appearance on Marshall’s platform, where he discussed the relationship between amplifier quality and overall tone production.
Nichols has a long history with amplifier gear that shapes his perspective on the equipment. He recently ended his partnership with Blackstar amplification after working with the brand for over 14 years, and joined Marshall Amplification as an endorser. On his 2023 self-titled album, he borrowed a 1968 Super Lead plexi amplifier from a friend, the same model that players like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton would have used.
For his album Louder Than Fate, released on June 5, 2026, Nichols tested different Marshall amplifiers during production. He used a 1968 Marshall Plexi alongside newer Marshall Modified Super Lead Plexis, and found that the modified models stood out immediately. The album was produced and mixed by Jay Ruston, known for his work with bands including Anthrax, Stone Sour, and Amon Amarth.
Nichols and Joe Bonamassa have developed a close friendship based on mutual respect for each other’s playing. Bonamassa was a hero to Nichols, who grew up with a poster of him on his wall alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan, Leslie West, and Jimi Hendrix. The two musicians collaborated on Threw Me To The Wolves (Revisited), where they worked together with featured artist Maggie Rose.
Their creative partnership demonstrates Bonamassa’s faith in Nichols’ abilities. When Bonamassa brought a full amplifier rig over for Nichols to use on a track for his new album, the pair ultimately chose a minimal setup instead. This approach of less is more has become part of Nichols’ philosophy about what matters most in creating great guitar tone.
