Difference in guitar / bass / pa amp

[awdman]

Hello all,
Just want to know the difference in a guitar /bass/pa amp.
is it the preamp that makes them different or the main amp?

[Enzo]

In solid state systems, yes, the preamp is the main difference.  The power amps all tend to be full range and clean.  Bass and PA amps tend to be more powerful than guitar amps - who needs a stereo 800 watt per channel guitar amp?  IN a bass amp, 1000 watts is more about effortless clarity in sound than abiout sheer loudness.  But other than power levels, the power amps are all similar.

Preamps are the difference.  Guitar amps are meant to have a sound of their own, they are not PA systems which are meant to NOT have a sound of their own. All PA systems ought to sound the same.  They may not sound alike, but not because they weren't trying.  Guitar amps are part of the instrument.  They are fundamental producers of sound.  PA systems are designed to faithfully REproduce sound.