Tube vs Solid state with massive distortion!

[totaltpantad]

Ok quick question. I play in a d-beat punk band and i play with LOTS of distortion. So my question is, do i want a tube amp or a solid state?

[MAMMOTHvolume]

I'd say a valve amp would be ideal but you're better off trying a bunch of amps out in your budget first

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by totaltpantad

Ok quick question. I play in a d-beat punk band and i play with LOTS of distortion. So my question is, do i want a tube amp or a solid state?

Where do you get your distortion from? The amp or pedals?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass totaltpantad.

Where does the distortion come from for You/where do You want it to come from?

Overdriven tube power sections are what I consider to be the ultimate musical distortion on any amplified instrument.
For that, You obviously need a tube power amp that's driven onto distortion. The problem is that the certain distortion level only happens with a certain volume, and that can be a PITA sometimes.

If You OTOH are fine with, or even prefer, stomp-box generated or pre-amp distortion, the rest of the rig doesn't quite matter in the end.
In fact, on most occasions players with heavy outboard effects have found their "tonal bliss" first from a straight recording, and then from a channel strip driving a transparent PA amp.

IME anyway .

Regards
Sam

[totaltpantad]

My distortion comes from a Boss DS-1 and a MXR El grande bass fuzz. So you mean that a solid state would do the job just fine?

[Ric5]

You might want to try parallel processing. One clean signal with lots of low end and a dirty signal with more mids and treble. Also with lots of distortion from your pedal a clean solid state amp would be my choice. Maybe Ampeg, GK, Hartke, SWR, or similar.

[totaltpantad]

Ok thanks for the answers! Will take a little detour to the musicshop and test some amps!

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by totaltpantad

My distortion comes from a Boss DS-1 and a MXR El grande bass fuzz. So you mean that a solid state would do the job just fine?

If you are comfortable getting all of your distortion from pedals then you could be happy with a SS amp.

Depending on how much tone shaping you need From an EQ, you could get by with a pretty simple system. Just need the right signal strength into a power amp.

[totaltpantad]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

If you are comfortable getting all of your distortion from pedals then you could be happy with a SS amp.

Depending on how much tone shaping you need From an EQ, you could get by with a pretty simple system. Just need the right signal strength into a power amp.

Yea i like the sound im getting right now with those two pedals likned and run to a fender bassman 100 combo. Maybe a hybrid to get a little more warmth to it?

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by totaltpantad

Yea i like the sound im getting right now with those two pedals likned and run to a fender bassman 100 combo. Maybe a hybrid to get a little more warmth to it?

Depends on what you mean by "warmth" I guess. I might check out a Aguilar TH pedal, and use the DI out on that to drive a power amp.

[guroove]

get a solid state amp and use a pedal for distortion.

[Marton]

In my experience GK amps sounds pretty good with distorted sounds. Not the case with some SS heads.

Get a cab without tweeter if you want my advice. Matters much more than tube VS solid state for massive distortion.

[JimmyM]

Love tubes, and even if an amp has only one preamp tube, I consider it an improvement. Don't get me wrong...I'm quite happy with my little Ampeg SS amps and they sound great with distortion pedals. But for me, tubes are teh winz.

[guroove]

Originally Posted by Marton

Get a cab without tweeter if you want my advice. Matters much more than tube VS solid state for massive distortion.

Very good advice here. 12 and 15 inch speakers help a bit too.

[BbbyBld]

The speakers are what matters the most if you want a good distortion tone.

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by BbbyBld

The speakers are what matters the most if you want a good ... tone.

Fixed that for you Bobby!

Maybe we should be asking the OP what cab is is planning on using before he seals his fate on an amp?

[guroove]

Originally Posted by guroove

get a solid state amp and use a pedal for distortion.

I should qualify this advice by stating that, like JimmyM, I generally prefer tubes to solid state, sound wise. For heavily distorted sounds, there aren't a lot of amp choices, so you you're best off getting your fuzz from pedals. Whether your amp has tubes or not doesn't matter so much, but for punk venues, you want an amp that's going to survive being kicked, bumped, and had beer spilled on.

[totaltpantad]

I dont really know what cab id like to use right now. Yea i know how punk venues work, damn slobs! Haha

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by totaltpantad

I dont really know what cab id like to use right now. Yea i know how punk venues work, damn slobs! Haha

I would figure this out before your amp. That way you know what kind of power requirements you need.

Also here is a clip of my Aguilar Tone Hammer driving a Peavey IPR 1600 into my '66.

https://soundcloud.com/templar85/7-9-groove

[lomo]

I agree the cab matters at least as much as the head, but if you're happy with your pedal-generated distortion then I'd stick with a SS head.