comparing my ss and tube rigs

[ninepoundjammer]

I've been digging and getting a lot of compliments on my solid state rig lately. For fun I recorded a quick little comparison of them this morning. Thought it might stir up some interesting discussion:

ampcomparison.mp3

I probably did this partly because I wanted to try out my new Countryman Type 85 DI, so it's all direct instead of mic'ed. I think it's pretty obvious which is which, but I won't spoil the fun

The solid state rig is:
Passive Fender J -> EBS Multicomp (tube sim mode) -> VT Bass -> MXR six band EQ -> Countryman -> interface

The tube rig is:
Passive Fender J -> MXR six band EQ -> Music Man HD-130 -> Countryman -> interface

Oddly, I couldn't get the Countryman to work on the speaker out of my EA Doubler Class D SS amp, while it worked fine on the Music Man. Bonus points to somebody that can explain that one to me.

A couple notes:
- my home office/studio is just noisy electrically and I've never been able to figure out why, sorry
- too bad I couldn't record off the speaker outs on both amps, because I think the noise level would've been nearly the same between the two rigs
- if you want my head to explode, please explain to me that my HD-130 isn't a "real" tube amp
- The Multicomp is my latest addition to the SS rig and while it's not my favorite all around compressor, I'm really digging the tube sim mode

[spaz21387]

the tube is definately the second one in the clip you can tell it sounds alittle grittier and fuller

[silky smoove]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

- if you want my head to explode, please explain to me that my HD-130 isn't a "real" tube amp

Was this one of the Musicman heads with a solid state pre and tube power? If it has power tubes, I'll call it a tube amp

[IvanMike]

Originally Posted by silky smoove

Was this one of the Musicman heads with a solid state pre and tube power? If it has power tubes, I'll call it a tube amp

yeah, pretty much that. In terms of an amp being a tube amp, what folk generally mean is that it has a tube POWER section. Preamps that use tubes can run the gamut of tones, as can SS preamps. Likewise, many "tube" preamps stick a tube somewhere in the circuit and call it a tube pre. Many of these don't do all that much and have almost no effect on the tone. Others have a ton.

Generally I can hear if an amp has a tube power section, but not if it has a tube in the preamp or a preamp stuffed with tubes.

FWIW, I like many different preamps and I like tube and SS power sections.

[ninepoundjammer]

Originally Posted by silky smoove

Was this one of the Musicman heads with a solid state pre and tube power? If it has power tubes, I'll call it a tube amp

Yep, solid state pre, tube power section.

I agree, all the good stuff comes out of the power tubes. But you'd be amazed how many people will "educate" you about how the Music Man is not a real tube amp.

[ninepoundjammer]

Originally Posted by IvanMike

yeah, pretty much that. In terms of an amp being a tube amp, what folk generally mean is that it has a tube POWER section. Preamps that use tubes can run the gamut of tones, as can SS preamps. Likewise, many "tube" preamps stick a tube somewhere in the circuit and call it a tube pre. Many of these don't do all that much and have almost no effect on the tone. Others have a ton.

Generally I can hear if an amp has a tube power section, but not if it has a tube in the preamp or a preamp stuffed with tubes.

FWIW, I like many different preamps and I like tube and SS power sections.

I've never found tube pre's to sound anything like tube amps. I typically don't dig whatever they stick in typical hybrid amps terribly much. High end studio tube pre's can definitely sound cool, but it's still different from a tube power section.

[JimmyM]

both sound very good, but the gains aren't matched so it's a little hard to make a judgment. if it were me producing, i'd take either of those sounds in the studio.

[spaz21387]

so what would the hartke lh500 be? what ever it is im defintely digging the one i just got. I could just sound way fuller with my 6x10 just because im putting more power into the cab. or maybe the tube really does have an effect?

[LiquidMidnight]

Both sound great. I prefer the second a little more. It has a more pillowy bottom that I dig.

Great tone all around, though.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by spaz21387

so what would the hartke lh500 be? what ever it is im defintely digging the one i just got. I could just sound way fuller with my 6x10 just because im putting more power into the cab. or maybe the tube really does have an effect?

lh500 is a hybrid, not a tube amp. very good hybrid, though.

[ninepoundjammer]

There definitely are differences in levels and equalization but I tried to match things up as best I could. Without screwing around with it all day, that is.

So, the first clips are actually the tube amp, second clips are the Multicomp/VT. I could probably get a similar bottom end out of the tube amp if I messed with it enough. Point is, I'd say I'm getting a pretty good tube approximation out of the solid state rig. For live use I'm finding the solid state rig so much less temperamental and so much easier to dial in that it tends more often than not to be my go-to rig.

But, the Music Man just looks so much cooler up on stage

Again, the Mutlicomp in tube sim mode adds a lot to this setup, particularly at a good volume. It adds that little bit of give/squashiness in just the right way to give a real tubey feel. For me, at least.