Tube Amps? *** is a tube amp?!?

[Danni Moe]

In my maybe 2yrs of playing bass, I've heard people talk about tube amps for guitars and I've seen polls about them, but I really don't know what a tube amp is, why they are better that normal amps, etc, etc. Can some body share their tube knowledge with me please?

[s_mcsleazy]

its all about prefrences. if you like a nice clean sound that cuts through a solid state would be more your thing where as if you like nice warm distortion sounds then go tubes

[BurningSkies]

I like tubes for clean sounds though.

[RickenBoogie]

Different topology, but maybe do some research.

[WingKL]

Here are some resources
Some pictures
The difference between tubes and solid state amplifiers.

/endthread

[recreate.me]

Google will really explain this all clearer. But essentially a tube amp produces the sound by passing the signal through a series of vacuum tubes rather then circuit boards. Doing this produces a tone that normally will have more 'life' to it, and allows the signal to react differently to changes in playing styles and dynamics and what not.

It's like the difference between having a real dog and a video game that let's you play with a dog lol it's kinda the same but something's you might care about are missing, or imitated. (bad simile but whatever just go to a music store and play some )

[AwkwardLoudness]

This is a tube amp:


Solid state amps use microchips with transistors in order to amplify a signal. Electrons move across a silicon wafer.

Tube Amps use vacuum tubes where electrons flow through vacuum from one metal plate to another.
Vacuum tube - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are aslo hybrid amps which typically have a vacuum tube pre-amp stage and solid state power stage.


Tubes are popular among some musicians and audiophiles due to their perceived superiority in sound, at least when operating properly in a good circuit. The primary potential downsides of all-tube (non-hybrid) amps is weight (which increases with more power...all else being equal), cost, and maintenance.

[cataract]

Tube amps first crawled from a flaming crack in the ground almost 100 years ago.
Summoned by witches? Awoken from an ancient slumber? No one knows, truly.
Their first order of business was to tantalize the discerning ears of humanity with their sweet, sweet microphonic harmonics, and to cause dissent between those who fell from grace and those who preached the gospel of the Solid State.
Once the battle lines were drawn, the Tubes decided to break the backs of ALL humanity, leaving no posture strong, no discs unslipped, leaving the wailing few survivors behind in a slick trail of spinal fluid and ruin.
Was it worth the pain? Some would say yes. I shudder when I say that I am one of the followers of the Tube.

[6jase5]

All the above, and.....tube amps sound better.


Just kidding. I've been playing guitar for 30 years and bass for about 20. I use both depending on what sound I need. I will never let go of my old tube magnatone nor my solid state roland jc120. Both different animals, both great amps respectively

Although many folks have strong opinions, a tube amp is not "better" than a solid state much like red wine isn't better than white wine to everyone.

[Danni Moe]

Originally Posted by recreate.me

Google will really explain this all clearer. But essentially a tube amp produces the sound by passing the signal through a series of vacuum tubes rather then circuit boards. Doing this produces a tone that normally will have more 'life' to it, and allows the signal to react differently to changes in playing styles and dynamics and what not.

It's like the difference between having a real dog and a video game that let's you play with a dog lol it's kinda the same but something's you might care about are missing, or imitated. (bad simile but whatever just go to a music store and play some )

Given that pretty much anything in my house is accident prone and that I can't afford one, I'll stick with my video game dog for now

[AwkwardLoudness]

Originally Posted by recreate.me

But essentially a tube amp produces the sound by passing the signal through a series of vacuum tubes rather then circuit boards. )

NO!!!! Vacuum tube amps also typically incorporate circuit boards. The difference is the use of transistors, which typically housed in silicon microchips.

[dmonroe]

Originally Posted by cataract

Tube amps first crawled from a flaming crack in the ground almost 100 years ago.
Summoned by witches? Awoken from an ancient slumber? No one knows, truly.
Their first order of business was to tantalize the discerning ears of humanity with their sweet, sweet microphonic harmonics, and to cause dissent between those who fell from grace and those who preached the gospel of the Solid State.
Once the battle lines were drawn, the Tubes decided to break the backs of ALL humanity, leaving no posture strong, no discs unslipped, leaving the wailing few survivors behind in a slick trail of spinal fluid and ruin.
Was it worth the pain? Some would say yes. I shudder when I say that I am one of the followers of the Tube.

LOVE IT!!!!

[kander]

Originally Posted by Danni Moe

In my maybe 2yrs of playing bass, I've heard people talk about tube amps for guitars and I've seen polls about them, but I really don't know what a tube amp is, why they are better that normal amps, etc, etc. Can some body share their tube knowledge with me please?

Tube amps sound really nice when cranked (to 11). The only negative aspect of them is their weight: they're generally behemoths. They separate the men from the boys (j/k).

[ChasBass]

Originally Posted by AwkwardLoudness

This is a tube amp:


Solid state amps use microchips with transistors in order to amplify a signal. Electrons move across a silicon wafer.

Tube Amps use vacuum tubes where electrons flow through vacuum from one metal plate to another.
Vacuum tube - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are aslo hybrid amps which typically have a vacuum tube pre-amp stage and solid state power stage.


Tubes are popular among some musicians and audiophiles due to their perceived superiority in sound, at least when operating properly in a good circuit. The primary potential downsides of all-tube (non-hybrid) amps is weight (which increases with more power...all else being equal), cost, and maintenance.

I perceived their superiority early in life.