tube amps vs. regular amps

[solutionbassist]

i need to get a new amp. i already decided i want to get an amp head and speakers. the only problem is all the heads ive found are "tube" heads can someone please explain this to me????

[iualum]

...my explanation would be that you must not be looking very hard...

[Scottgun]

Originally Posted by iualum

...my explanation would be that you must not be looking very hard...

+1 What models are you looking at? From that we can probably point to its "regular" equivalent. (Which most of us call "solid state" )

[jelwood]

There's nothing "regular" about a solid state (non-tube) amp. In fact, solid state amplification uses more sophisticated technology. Some people prefer the sound of tube amps, some prefer solid state. Tube amps have a slower response and sound a lot warmer with a natural compression and distortion. Solid state amps are a lot quicker and punchier, and don't necessarily distort in a good way when they are pushed hard. They are easier to maintain though. Go to a Guitar Center, play some of each, and decide which you like. Simple

[solutionbassist]

looking a a GK backline 600 vs these 2
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1752229435.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1758906842.html

[solutionbassist]

Originally Posted by jelwood

There's nothing "regular" about a solid state (non-tube) amp. In fact, solid state amplification uses more sophisticated technology. Some people prefer the sound of tube amps, some prefer solid state. Tube amps have a slower response and sound a lot warmer with a natural compression and distortion. Solid state amps are a lot quicker and punchier, and don't necessarily distort in a good way when they are pushed hard. They are easier to maintain though. Go to a Guitar Center, play some of each, and decide which you like. Simple

thank you for fixing some confusion here

[jelwood]

I would be careful about buying a used tube amp unless you have had past experiences with them. Often when the tubes are replaced, it can be done incorrectly and/or a lot of the time the bias on the amp has to be adjusted, and sometimes it isn't.

Edit: You can't go wrong with that GK head you're looking at. It's fantastic.

[treekiller]

It depends what you want. If you like that old tube/ampeg tone, then that's probably the way you should go. However, re-tubing an SVT is VERY expensive so keep that in mind. I went with the G-K 550 Fusion & 4/12 NEO cab. The tube preamp/solid state power is a good compromise, I can get a nice warm tone with my P similar to the old style tube heads and also still have the more modern solid state G-K sound too. With channel switching, I can set the 2 completely differently and have access to either at the stomp of the footswitch.

As far as solid-state G-K has been there, done that forever. Most any of the other major companies have great SS amps as well. Good luck!!!

[MrTAteMyBalls]

Originally Posted by jelwood

Often when the tubes are replaced, it can be done incorrectly and/or a lot of the time the bias on the amp has

it's a good idea to have a tech replace the tubes and bias the amp if you don't know what you are doing. there are voltages held inside a tube amp even after it is turned off that can kill you.

i've heard good things about this head for bass as far as a cheap tube solution:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...ead?sku=502588

[solutionbassist]

what do you think of this
a GK backline 600 and two 15'' GK speakers
would this work for my playing style

[MODELL]

Originally Posted by solutionbassist

looking a a GK backline 600 vs these 2
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1752229435.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1758906842.html

The GK and Eden are solid state amps. The other link you provided looks to be a guitar head????

[Selta]

[countrybassist]

troll!

[thumpbass1]

Take some time to learn about tube and solid state amps, besides the hybrid amps that ususally stick a tube or two in the preamp section somewhere, in an otherwise solid state amp. Each class of design can have advantages as well as disdvantages and it's up to the player to decide what they like, and it involves using your ears. There are great all tube bass amps and some that sound like crap, the same applies to solid state and hybrid designs. Design class alone doesn't guarantee that it's going to be a killer sounding amp, or a pile of trash.

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by solutionbassist

looking a a GK backline 600 vs these 2
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1752229435.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/1758906842.html

I'd recommend you take somebody along who knows about amps. Pay somebody who has a degree.

Like when you buy a used car you take to a mechanic to get inspected.
The mechanic right then and there will tell you "This isn't a minivan, it's a old school bus"

[rbonner]

SM what you got against old school busses? They all hauled cute high school girls.

Problem is all the other vehicles, turns the cheeleaders into old sea hags.

[JimmyM]

boy, some of you are real girls..."tube amps are harder to take care of...the tubes are expensive..." waah waah waah!!

yes, tube amps can be really expensive to retube if you listen to the dimwits who tell you to replace all the tubes because you have one bad one. otherwise it isn't so bad.

and this harder to take care of stuff is just plain wrong. all amps will break if used enough. i've had just as much trouble with ss heads as tube heads, and if i'm being honest, way less trouble with the tube amps i've owned. ran a v4b for over 10 years and i think i changed a preamp tube in it. ran a b-15n with a bashed in transformer and sovtek power tubes for over 7 years and never put a dime into it.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by jelwood

...............Tube amps have a slower response and sound a lot warmer with a natural compression and distortion. Solid state amps are a lot quicker and punchier, and don't necessarily distort in a good way when they are pushed hard.

IMO, this is too much of a generalization. IME, a tube amp's response is anything but slow, and in most of my amps, have as much, or more punch than SS amps. it all depends on the particular amp and its design. generally, i actually find tube amps to be less veiled, more dynamic and more 'touch-sensitive', response-wise.

i'm not knocking or supporting either, since i have quite a few of both types.

[JimmyM]

honestly, sometimes i have to wonder if those who comment on how hard tube amps are to take care of or the nature of the tone of tube amps have ever owned one or ever played one outside of the music store. it seems to me that those who have done it have experiences wildly different than what passes for conventional tube amp wisdom around here.

[RickenBoogie]

All true. These tales are as misguided as the whole underpower a speaker thing. This site is an awesome reference for the actual facts concerning amps.