Archive for the ‘tube amps’ Category
April 28th, 2012 | 
Author: what’s best between tube amps and solid state amps? i’ve seen that solid state are cheaper but i still don’t get why.
Solid state amps use silicone transistors to pre/post gain the signal that comes from your guitar, where as "tube" amps use… you guessed it, vacuum tubes. Guitar shop wisdom holds that when gaining signal, tube amps tend to produce/accentuate "even harmonics" i.e. the possible frequencies in a single sound that make it pleasant to hear and give it more timbre than a sign wave. Tube amps are not without there disadvantages: older tube amps can take 15-20 minutes to warm up and produce any sound at all. When they are warm, they get so hot amp makers need to install more complex heat-syncs and are thus, tube amps usually heavier. Output by decibel, per watt in a tube amp is at least double that of solid state. Tubes also burnout once every 200 hours of use, or if they have a bad power source, where as solid state tend to be more resistant to power surges and need to be replace more like every 200 years. Hope that helps.
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Tubes for me. There are distinctions between different tube amps that I don’t know. It’s funny: my wife, who doesn’t play guitar, knows more than me, and I’ve been playing for 25 years. And I’m a badass mo fo on the guit-fiddle.
GENDER PALZ™!
Well i think its just a preference thing. What sounds do you like better for what you are playing? Also do you just like to rock it old school or get all technologically advanced on their ear orifices dude. Personally I think you just can’t beat a good old tube amp
BQ: What’s your favorite Fender amp (regardless of whether it’s a solid-state or tube amp)?
BQ2: What’s your favorite Vox amp (regardless of whether it’s a solid-state or tube amp)?
My favorite, is the old original black face Vibrolux Reverb.
The new ones are "ok",
but nothing lick the old ones, which were hand wired,
The old ORIGINAL black fave Deluxe Reverb, is a close second,
I’m just a real fan. of guitar amps,with 2-10".
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I’ve own a couple of old Tube Vox amps, the but the old ones a re well known as headache amps,
Good sound, but I’ve seen a friends "Super Beatle" tube amp, go up in smoke.
Flames shoot out, about a foot,
And I’m not a fan, of their Solid state stuff.
Don’t think so, but I haven’t played anything but my old Mesa Boogie amp for the last ten years.
Solid state amps just sound different than tube amps. End of story.
Whether that’s for better or worse is subjective, although most people find that tube amps sound more interesting. Transistors are predictable and consistent. Tubes aren’t nearly as perfect, and there’s a bit of randomness in the sound. That makes for a more complex and pleasing sound. No processing can create something truly random.
is it true that guitar tube amps are louder than pure wattage amps at a solid state?
i cant remember where i heard this from, is it true?
can you explaine to me why, i would like to know in detail.
thanks, the reason even post the question here in the first place is to get a user friendly answer, a clear, consise answer, not what some amp guru writes on wiki.
in other words its easier to understand when you put it in your own words.
Depends what you mean by louder. A 5 watt tuber deemed loud when you turn the vol up to 3 or 4 at the dial and a solid state at 5 watts require the full monty.
A 50 watt tuber on the 8 dail and a 50 watt solid state on the same 8 dial level may be quite onto the same finishing line. Having said that, yes, the tuber has a louder advantage over the solid.
I am getting sick of the digital amps of today’s world, I just needs an amplifier that sounds good clean and works well with pedals.
I need a budget price amp broooo!
LOL. Good luck with that.
1. Are Marshalls tube amps?
2. How can I tell if an amp has got tubes or something else?
3. Do tubes really degrade and if so, at what rate?
It is the Amp head that has the tubes, not the box. The box just houses a speaker. Usually a dealer will answer the questions you have but if you were to be buying it from a friend or craigslist then you can take the back off the head and you will see the tubes. (they look like light bulbs) they are expensive to change (depends on brand and quality you are seeking)
Easy way to tell if you are just turning them on a tube amp will take a little bit to "warm" up. Most amps are not tube amps anymore. Older amps yes but if you are buying a new one expect it to be not. Orange Amps are all tube amps and their price reflects it.
Tubes break yes, light a light bulb they burn out. It really just depends. We have had an Orange Amp for a couple years and have transported it to various places and it still works like new. Best advice is if you plan on getting a tube amp and transporting it get a case for it to help absorb shock.
There is no "rate" at which it will break… Just depends on the tubes and use.
A tube amp can give you an older classic rock sound. So if that is NOT what you are looking for look for something else. While Marshall amps give you heavy metal sounds (I doubt they are tubes).
I just don’t understand.
Can somebody please explain in detail the difference, some examples, etc.?
I would really appreciate it!
Thanks [:
I don’t know the complete technical aspects of both but its pretty simple- Tube amps were the first type of amplifier produced awhile back that used vacuum tubes to produce sound, then they were replaced by transistor amps (solid state). For a short time solid state amps were popular until people realized they sounded like shit. tube amps are generally more expensive, and better sounding, (most of the time) but are harder to maintain and much heavier. Solid states are much "colder sounding" in relation to a warm tube amp and are much reliable. Tube amp: Tubes, warmer sound. Solid State: transistor, Shitty sound.
what are better tube or digital or what?
No, Marshall makes both solid state and tube amps.
The guy above me is wrong, of course they still make tube amps, they were the technology of the past, but are still being used today because they sound so good.
An example of a good solid state would be the MG100HDFX head.
A very good tube head would be something like a JCM2000 Super lead
http://www.GuitarBandDVD.org presents The Tube Amp Survival Guide – Part 2 in a multi-part series on how to maintain your tube guitar amplifier. The series was filmed at Carruthers Guitars in Venice, California and features Rick Marshal. Rick demonstrates what you should and should not attempt to service yourself. The average musician will gain a ton of insight into how to maintain a tube amplifier. Hosted by David Caris. Learn about tubes, transformers, sockets what to handy when you gig or tour. This tutorial will save you time, money and frustration. Be sure to watch all of the segments in the series and subscribe to GuitarBandDVD.org. Understand the gear that is a huge part of your sound better.
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