All amps sounds the same?

[Lowtonejoe]

I like watching product demos like this on YouTube.

They are very informative if you know what to do with the information.
As long as you understand what is being used to record the sounds, (this guy let us know what gear he was using), and know a bit about recording, you may not like what is done with the demo, but you always get a 100% accurate representation of what is possible.

Too bad some people are so judgy. Nothing and no one is perfect.

 

[David McIntire]

After a whole lotta years hunting, turns out I sound just like me in any amp. I just can't get away from it. No matter how hard I try. Or how much cash I spend.

 

[Killing Floor]

Nah

 

[r_bnks]

Lol

 

[DaveParker39]

TLDR: All amps can be dialed in to sound similar through the same cab

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This is quite interesting. It's guitar, but I'd assume the same applies to bass amps, no?

This video is a classic example why I never watch videos tout the merits of sound. We have no idea what is going on off camera with regards to signal processing. This goes for video for gear demos as well, unless they also have a disclaimer on just how the signal was processed.

As for if all bass amps sound the same? I think as artists, we have a tendency to try to get "Our Sound" of what ever rig you are dealing which might lead to that misconception.

 

[agedhorse]

I like watching product demos like this on YouTube.

They are very informative if you know what to do with the information.
As long as you understand what is being used to record the sounds, (this guy let us know what gear he was using), and know a bit about recording, you may not like what is done with the demo, but you always get a 100% accurate representation of what is possible.

Too bad some people are so judgy. Nothing and no one is perfect.

I don't think it's judgy...

Take an amp with a Fender tonestack architecture and compare with an amp using a Baxandall 3 band architecture. It would take a lot of work to get one to sound like the other, and depending on the deign choices it may likely be impossible. I say this as an amp designer, not a video influencer.

 

[CryingBass]

Tastes Differ

 

[SJan3]

Agreed! I have the identical cabs, and a TT-800 and LMIII. Both heads have very unique tonal palettes, which is why I keep both around.

As you and I are nearby, may all four cabinets together would make them sound the same?

Lol!! Maybe, Barry.

 

[KenD]

Congrats! You succeeded! Click, click, click.....

 

[Turnaround]

Goes to show that all amps can be made to sound equally bad.

 

[red_rhino]

This is the same guy who claims that guitar strings suspended between two workbenches somehow proves that wood does not affect tone. It's just straight up trolling, that's all.

 

[Harper]

This is the same guy who claims that guitar strings suspended between two workbenches somehow proves that wood does not affect tone. It's just straight up trolling, that's all.

But….wood doesn’t make that much difference in tone.

(ducks)

 

[Hasty]

Heck even my stand alone DIs sound different.

 

[seamonkey]

Jim Lill seems to question all the BS and, rightfully so, has discovered things don't add up to the folklore.
There are many good pre-amps that can plug into a power amp and cab, or send a DI to FOH and get faithful tone of a head. A head is a pre-amp and a (power) amp in the same case. In a vast majority of the amp heads the tone is from the pre-amp. And that pre-amp can drive any amp section and get the same results. Head manufacturers aren't tied to one type of power amp, they can get their pre-amp to work with any type of amp built from chip sets, or amplifier modules.
Jim has at least tries to back up his findings.

Good for him getting a video out showing his findings. Everybody has a chance to state their beliefs but at least he did some experimentation. I hope to seem some of the naysayers posting their own videos, blogs, or posts here. So far, I'm just reading anecdotes and not much evidence to prove there's tone in the actual amplifier sections of most all bass/guitar heads.

 

[Johnny Fingers]

I’ll ask my dog what he thinks. (Since they can hear many times better than we can)
Although when I play he runs and hides under the bed.

 

[IamGroot]

Nope... close but nope...

I really appreciated that video - and @seamonkey comments..

 

[IamGroot]

Except that in many cases, it's not possible to adjust the amp for "flat response".

This is a guy taking a semi-valid "theory" and then extrapolating to a false conclusion. This is especially true when you take the generation of harmonics and texture into account.

All true premises plus valid method = sound argument = True Conclusion

 

[jtg]

I say this as an amp designer, not a video influencer

The world needs more of exactly one of these. As for the other, I recommend a rewatching of the Heston classic "Soylent Green."

 

[Micha84]

All amps sound the same the way all basses sound the same. What do people expect, there is no use for a bass amp that makes you sound like a horn section. Of course there are differences in their basic characteristics, and then there are huge differences when you really make use of individual features. How important those differences are and what they are worth is entirely up to oneself. Outright neglecting them is just simply not true.