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Do non-tube ampheads have a different drive/distortion than effects?
- Thread starter Jon O
- Start date
In my own really dumb and generally non-observant experience when (if) I can get my solid state bass amp to overdrive it's very limited and sounds like what I'd get from a pedal. Remember that most bass amps are designed to sound clean at gig volume.
I very often play with a boost (Sex Drive) in front of my amp to hit the front end for a light edge. But it's not the same as preamp tube breakup. Good but different.
I very often play with a boost (Sex Drive) in front of my amp to hit the front end for a light edge. But it's not the same as preamp tube breakup. Good but different.
Certain tube heads will give you overdrive characteristics that CANNOT be replicated by effect pedals. Maybe emulated tube amp offerings from Axe Effects, Fractal, or Line 6 can capture these tones, but I have yet to hear it done well.
In my experience, tube overdrive sounds great, but is not worth carrying around on multiple gigs. I currently use a Mesa D800, an overdrive pedal, and blend my clean control into it. Consistent, easy to dial in, and lightweight.
In my experience, tube overdrive sounds great, but is not worth carrying around on multiple gigs. I currently use a Mesa D800, an overdrive pedal, and blend my clean control into it. Consistent, easy to dial in, and lightweight.
I'll ask and provide answers to a range of questions that hopefully will give you a better way of thinking about this.
Do two different models of OD pedals sound the same? In most cases the answer is no. If they all sounded the same, you would only need one OD pedal. I do think that some definitely sound more alike than others though.
Do two different models of tube amps sound the same? In most cases the answer is no. Different amps may be similar in some ways, and dissimilar in other ways. In other words two amps may cover some common ground, and simultaneously each amp may have unique tonal qualities that the other cannot duplicate. Which rig sounds best depends on the situation, how you adjust the rig, and your personal preferences.
Do all tube amps produce great distortion? IMHO the answer is no.
Do all solid state amps produce unusable distortion? Again, IMHO the answer is no.
Can you make a solid state device that emulates a certain model of tube amp? IMHO, it's not 100% authentic, but overall I would say yes. But an emulation of an SVT is not doing the sound the same as an emulation of a Hiwatt DR405. This makes sense as real SVTs and DR405s do not sound the same.
My collection includes pedals, all-tube amps, hybrid amps, and solid state amps. None of them sound exactly the same, but all are great in their own unique way.
If you like a certain sound, IMHO it should not matter how you get it, only that the sound is good. Keep in mind that not everyone will agree with your humble opinion.
Do two different models of OD pedals sound the same? In most cases the answer is no. If they all sounded the same, you would only need one OD pedal. I do think that some definitely sound more alike than others though.
Do two different models of tube amps sound the same? In most cases the answer is no. Different amps may be similar in some ways, and dissimilar in other ways. In other words two amps may cover some common ground, and simultaneously each amp may have unique tonal qualities that the other cannot duplicate. Which rig sounds best depends on the situation, how you adjust the rig, and your personal preferences.
Do all tube amps produce great distortion? IMHO the answer is no.
Do all solid state amps produce unusable distortion? Again, IMHO the answer is no.
Can you make a solid state device that emulates a certain model of tube amp? IMHO, it's not 100% authentic, but overall I would say yes. But an emulation of an SVT is not doing the sound the same as an emulation of a Hiwatt DR405. This makes sense as real SVTs and DR405s do not sound the same.
My collection includes pedals, all-tube amps, hybrid amps, and solid state amps. None of them sound exactly the same, but all are great in their own unique way.
If you like a certain sound, IMHO it should not matter how you get it, only that the sound is good. Keep in mind that not everyone will agree with your humble opinion.
Very popular in old and new music is a highly over driven solid state amplifier, often called a "Fuzz Box".
Early tube amps came had high fidelity origins, and fuzz boxes were used between the guitar and amp to create the overdrive sounds many people cherish.
Some solid-state amps, like some models from Acoustic, have highly rated built in distortion circuits.
Early tube amps came had high fidelity origins, and fuzz boxes were used between the guitar and amp to create the overdrive sounds many people cherish.
Some solid-state amps, like some models from Acoustic, have highly rated built in distortion circuits.
