Do solid state amps play better with effects than tubes?

[Andrew Jones]

What do you think?


AJ

[Jared Lash]

Not really a yes or no question.

In a general sense I've felt like dirt (OD/distortion/fuzz) often sounds better through a tube amp and modulation sounds better (or at least more clear) through SS.

But again, those are sweeping generalizations. Depends on the amp, and depends on the pedals. And above all else, it depends on what sounds good to you.

[James Hart]

Good amps sound better with effects than bad amps... generally... too me at least. I find some people's good amps sound similar to my bad amps and I know my good amps sound worse to some other people than their bad amps.

FWIW: I ditched my big tube head for a kinda light solid state head after I caught the stomp box bug.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Not really a yes or no question.

In a general sense I've felt like dirt (OD/distortion/fuzz) often sounds better through a tube amp and modulation sounds better (or at least more clear) through SS.

But again, those are sweeping generalizations. Depends on the amp, and depends on the pedals. And above all else, it depends on what sounds good to you.

What he said.


>Protip: use SansAmp-type bassdriver thing after any dirt. It helps, sometimes.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

It helps, sometimes.

or you could just get better dirt

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by James Hart

or you could just get better dirt

i could get a better bass driver. my BDI21 sucks my tone so bad.

[shaolinwhat]

the hiwatt custom 100 i had was great with effects. but then again so is the 400rb that i use now. meh.

[totalimmortal08]

it depends on the person

[Mudfuzz]

I have over 55 effects and I only own tube amps. If you like the sound of your bass through your amp then you should like the sound of the pedals you like through a amp you like. a good tube amp is just as clear a good SS amp.

[shinobi]

in general, if i were to run a heavily effected signal, i would want a full representation of the effects and not have anything else colour it. to me, SS amps do that because they are 'cleaner'. tube amps colour the tone, albeit desirably. ever wonder why you can use a tube sim on an SS amp, but there is no SS sim for a tube amp? that's all subjective though

[darkgloryknight]

i like tubes better but it all depends on your personal opinion. i suggest taking your pedal board to the guitar shop an test it out on tubes and ss amps

[grygrx]

The correct one word answer to the question is No.

Specific amps / effects / basses all play differently. Each persons ears guide them in a unique way.

[lowbass68]

Not as much of a question of "Do solid state amps play better with effects than tubes?" A good amp should be able to handle any normal effect you throw at it.

The real question is "What sound do you want?"

Try lots of amps until you find the amp that delievers the sound you want with your bass and effects.