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Does "valve tone" come from the power amp?

#21
Your conception of tube might be different of the one the builders of amps have. I mean, you need to know what kind of tone you're seeking and then decide whether there is an amp that covers your wishes.
A SWR engineer and the Ampeg engineer have definitely not the same sound in mind when they build a tube preamp. Tubes can sound very differently (e.g. compare with Hifi amplifiers).

Ampeg sounds different than Hiwatt. Both are valve amps.

I had several tube pre's and some of them really gave that tube feeling, but many didn't.
I ended with the Fender TBP-1, which is great.
There are a few others that are very well built. Unfortunately they are often not produced anymore:
- Warwick Quadruplet
- Alembic FX-1
- Ampeg SVP II Pro
- Ampeg SVP CL
- Hughes & Kettner Fortress

IMO a Traynor does not give the feeling of a tube amp. For me this is the proof, that a tube does not mean tubey sound. It has to be construed well in order to fulfil that purpose.
 
#22
In short, valve tone comes from both the pre-amp valves (tubes) and the power valves. There is also an interaction between the output transformer and the speakers that's unique to the sensitivity, dynamics, and feedbacking sustain (if the instruments pickups are near enough to the speakers) of amps with all valves/tubes.

Some amps will saturate the power section better than others and some of those may need pre-amp valve saturation before the power valves saturate. The bias settings on the power valves is also a variable.

For me, there is no substitute for a loud valve amp barking through a fridge full of good speakers. :hyper: :bassist:
 
#23
Tubes aren't consistent: I've heard tube amps with edgy barky, throaty grind; and conversely with rich, warm harmonics and fat, pillowy bottoms. It's easy to get distracted by tech talk and design topology, but what matters is how it's voiced - if it makes the sound you want with your associated equipment. A DB750, with its tube pre and "warm for solid state" Mosfet power section makes the tone you describe with headroom to spare and a decent post-pre DI to keep the funk going to your studio or PA board. Or just get a REDDI.
 
#27
Caca de Kick said:
Different ears from different players....
As a tube-only player for 20yrs now, to me MarkBass sound nothing tubey whatsoever.
Click to expand...

+1. I've never gotten the whole LMII "tubiness" thing. I keep trying out the various MarkBass heads, but they never have sounded or felt like a tube amp to me. I don't get it.
 
#30
nutdog said:
You won't do it for me?

I was leaning toward the lower end. A 50 watt old traynor and an Ampeg V2 are close by fairly cheap but I think I may wait for something in the 100 watt range.

But more likely, I'll probably skip it all together, save the hassle and be happy as is. Unless something irresistible shows up on CL.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Allow me to "do it for you"

please don't "skip it", if you have the time and money..

1) Go and buy that f'ing Traynor tomorrow.
2) Find a reputable amp tech. and drop it off for an inspection/service.
3) Enjoy for the rest of your life. Srsly. Pure playing enjoyment.

Interacting with a tube amp/paired cab while playing is just where it is at for me. fwiw, The diff. between a 50w amp and a 100w amp is only a few db's. Getting the right cab is more important imo.
 

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