probably a dumb question. (Guitar Related)

[SBsoundguy]

What is the purpose of solid state guitar heads being as large as they are? Are they mimicking the look of tube heads or is it just proportion to cab size?

[Mound of Sound]

Open one up and look at the size of the toroidals in there.

In a very loose explination (I'm sure others can explain it much better), toroidal transformers collapse their magnetic field inwards, and radiate less noise. The solid state electronics don't pick up this noise, making it quieter.

[runmikeyrun]

I'm sure look has something to do with it. People like a familiar item with controls laid out the way they're used to seeing them. It is strange how SS bass heads are all different sizes, but guitar heads are all pretty much the same size.

[SBsoundguy]

Originally Posted by Mound of Sound

Open one up and look at the size of the toroidals in there.

In a very loose explination (I'm sure others can explain it much better), toroidal transformers collapse their magnetic field inwards, and radiate less noise. The solid state electronics don't pick up this noise, making it quieter.

So a solid state guitar head couldn't be as small as a markbass head because it would cause additional noise?

Thanks for the info guys.

[Icey101]

back in the 80s and 90s there was alot of talk about solid state v tube, marketing hype to deposition the tube heads as market leaders i think. People didnt have the money to buy a JCM800 so manufacturers produced solid states tube lookalike heads as cheapo substitutes then talked them up.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

Are they mimicking the look of tube heads or is it just proportion to cab size?

Yes, and yes, respectively.

I fail to see what the transformer type or size has to do with the head-box being XXXL to house XS pcb and a medium size PS.

A micro head -regardless of the intended use- on a regular cab always reminds me of Beetlejuice for some reason or another .

A micro amp on a column cab OTOH looks like it'll fall over at any minute. To me anyway.

Regards
Sam

[Mound of Sound]

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

So a solid state guitar head couldn't be as small as a markbass head because it would cause additional noise?

Thanks for the info guys.

Just trying to give one possibility.