I think I prefer solid state amps...

[jmattbassplaya]

A few things:

- Tubes are no more unreliable than SS heads. TBH, I've had more issues with SS in the past than tubes.
- Tubes can have very clean tones.
- Tubes have been popular for a loooong time. It's no more a phase than SS heads being a phase.

 

[Russell L]

A few things:

- Tubes are no more unreliable than SS heads. TBH, I've had more issues with SS in the past than tubes.
- Tubes can have very clean tones.
- Tubes have been popular for a loooong time. It's no more a phase than SS heads being a phase.

That's all a fact.

I still rather tote my LMIII around best, though. But, I get to play an olde Ampeg V4 and 810 at the blues shack. But, hey, I don't ever have to move it. Sounds delicious. Then, so does my LMIII.

To each their own.

 

[georgestrings]

- Tubes are no more unreliable than SS heads.

Yeah, tube fans say that all the time - it's not true, though...

For example, if you pay attention to the "my amp's acting up" threads, tube amps are usually more present in that regard - and when you consider that there are *probably* more SS amps in service today than tube amps, it becomes even more apparant...

I love the "tube amps don't require any more upkeep than SS amps" line of BS, personally... Granted, the differences are often overstated in both cases, but they are very real, nonetheless...

FWIW, I like tube amps - still have a couple, and have quite a few years experience gigging them - but believe in being honest about the differences between them and SS amps...


- georgestrings

 

[PJMiDi]

I prefer SS to tube, from what I've played through so far.

I'm also cheap and don't like replacing tubes though

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Yeah, tube fans say that all the time - it's not true, though...

For example, if you pay attention to the "my amp's acting up" threads, tube amps are usually more present in that regard - and when you consider that there are *probably* more SS amps in service today than tube amps, it becomes even more apparant...

I love the "tube amps don't require any more upkeep than SS amps" line of BS, personally... Granted, the differences are often overstated in both cases, but they are very real, nonetheless...

FWIW, I like tube amps - still have a couple, and have quite a few years experience gigging them - but believe in being honest about the differences between them and SS amps...


- georgestrings

You left of the last bit where I said I've had less issues with tube amps than SS amps, so to me I could even go as far as to say that SS heads are more unreliable based on my personal experiences.

As far as threads on TB go, I've not seen more tube than SS head issues come up, and I'd dare say that most tube issues are due to user errors than actual amp errors. I remember being scared to death about ever owning a tube amp because of guys like you who say they're unreliable - but then I actually bought one and found the exact opposite to be true.

 

[JimmyM]

I have never played an all tube amp,and never want too. I've been using my Thunderfunk since 2007 and never looked back. The audience doesn't know or care what amp you are playing through.

Might as well play Behringer, then

BTW, TUBES are what can be unreliable sometimes. The amps themselves, however, are usually pretty solid. When a tube amp acts up, it's usually a tube issue of some sort. I'll give you that tubes ain't what they used to be.

 

[jumbodbassman]

i flip flop back and forth depending on my mood. ( and how my back feels that day). I tend to go tubes in smaller venues where i want the warm sound especially at low volumes. And smaller tube heads are somewhat reasonable weight. I will say some of the new really light stuff is making it harder to use my tube heads on gigs. i used my recently tuned up 71 univox 1245? head last week at rehearsal with a 6 10 cab and it was just so perfect. One of the guitards who is a Mesa man commented on how warm and full it sounded. Recently added a Ampeg SVT7 and Markbass SD1200 to the stable and they both give a lot of bang for the pound, especially the MB.

PS - the fender BXR heads are actually pretty good and dirt cheap. Anyone interested i have 2 for sale in my tag sale.

 

[jumbodbassman]

You left of the last bit where I said I've had less issues with tube amps than SS amps, so to me I could even go as far as to say that SS heads are more unreliable based on my personal experiences.

As far as threads on TB go, I've not seen more tube than SS head issues come up, and I'd dare say that most tube issues are due to user errors than actual amp errors. I remember being scared to death about ever owning a tube amp because of guys like you who say they're unreliable - but then I actually bought one and found the exact opposite to be true.

a lot of that may be the result of how old many of the tube amps are. Not many 70's SS amps still in service....

 

[JimmyM]

a lot of that may be the result of how old many of the tube amps are. Not many 70's SS amps still in service....

How can that be? SS amps are always more reliable!

 

[walls]

I always read these type of posts because I really like tube amps specifically vintage ones.
Doesn't really matter to me what other people use or like as long as they're happy. Just remember before saying something silly, you might change your mind one day.
In reference to tubes amps being unreliable, that's not necessarily true. They do require periodic maintenance if you want them to be reliable. Tubes also cost money so, that's something to consider. Some people take their cars to get oil changes. Some people change their own oil. I understand not wanting to do the extra work or even take the time to learn how to do it. Some people like plug and play.

 

[georgestrings]

You left of the last bit where I said I've had less issues with tube amps than SS amps, so to me I could even go as far as to say that SS heads are more unreliable based on my personal experiences.

As far as threads on TB go, I've not seen more tube than SS head issues come up, and I'd dare say that most tube issues are due to user errors than actual amp errors. I remember being scared to death about ever owning a tube amp because of guys like you who say they're unreliable - but then I actually bought one and found the exact opposite to be true.

Yeah, you need to work on your reading skills - I have never said that tube amps were "unreliable"...

" I'd dare say that most tube issues are due to user errors than actual amp errors"

Really???!!!

By all means, list the SS amps you've had, and the conditions under which they failed - it oughta be interesting...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

BTW, TUBES are what can be unreliable sometimes. The amps themselves, however, are usually pretty solid. When a tube amp acts up, it's usually a tube issue of some sort. I'll give you that tubes ain't what they used to be.

Right - which still translates into tube amp "issues", since the amps themselves are useless without good working tubes...

As I've always said, reliability and maintainence differences between tube amps and SS amps are often blown way out of proportion, but they are still real - despite any excuses offered...


- georgestrings

 

[jumbodbassman]

How can that be? SS amps are always more reliable!

well i still have a few old sunn SS around and they work just fine. Well they did when i last played them 15 years ago

 

[georgestrings]

a lot of that may be the result of how old many of the tube amps are. Not many 70's SS amps still in service....

IIRC, there really weren't all that many SS amps in the 70s - and all were pretty new in their development... Tube amps probably outnumbered them back then, actually...


- georgestrings

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Yeah, you need to work on your reading skills - I have never said that tube amps were "unreliable"...

- Tubes are no more unreliable than SS heads.

Yeah, tube fans say that all the time - it's not true, though...

Uh... Right there? You quoted me saying that they were no more unreliable than SS heads and you responded with 'that's not true.' Would you mind telling me exactly what you meant then if you weren't trying to imply that the were less reliable?

Upkeep =/= unreliability. It just means the user needs to be aware of their amp and its needs (this is where the user error issues come into play).

 

[georgestrings]

Uh... Right there? You quoted me saying that they were no more unreliable than SS heads and you responded with 'that's not true.' Would you mind telling me exactly what you meant then if you weren't trying to imply that the were less reliable?

OK, do you understand that:

"less reliable" does not equal "unreliable"???

FWIW, I'm not implying anything - I'm coming right out and saying that tube amps aren't "as reliable" as SS amps...


- georgestrings

 

[ThudThudThud]

Owned both. Like both. I move my own gear these days. Guess what I use?

 

[Lowbrow]

About 30 years ago the GK 400RB not only set a standard in reliable operation - it established a terrific signature sound. I point to this head as one very visible and ubiquitous example of the emergence of great and often preferable SS bass amplification. SS is a worthy choice.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

OK, do you understand that:

"less reliable" does not equal "unreliable"???

FWIW, I'm not implying anything - I'm coming right out and saying that tube amps aren't "as reliable" as SS amps...


- georgestrings

Intentional or not, you definitely implied it enough to give someone who is unfamiliar with tube amps the impression that they are unreliable in comparison to SS amps, which is wrong. They are no more unreliable than SS amps. Do they require upkeep? Sure do, but so do cars, houses, computers, and a number of other things in life, and that alone doesn't make them unreliable. It just means their user needs to know their stuff.

Feel free to disagree if you want, but I won't continue this conversation with you.

 

[Russell L]

I have a 1966 Silvertone Twin Twelve guitar amp that saw regular gigging service (2-3 gigs/month + rehearsals) through the late '60s, and service during the 70s for awhile, and service peridically at home since then. Still has the original tubes. They all work except for the reverb tube. I'm scared to turn it on, though, afraid the capacitors have dried out and will cause a fire, and other things are so old I'm not confident about them.

Had a mid-'60s Fender Bassman head during the early '70s. Played it 6-nights-a-week, four hours a night, for two years, and then some. Replaced a tube here and there about every few months, but that was a LOT of gigging and rehearsing time.

Fender (CBS era) Super Reverb. No tube problems, but blew one speaker.

1988 model Peavey Mark IV head (SS). Never any issues at all until I sold it after about 10 years of regular gigging and reheasing.

'80s model Peavey Combo 300 (SS) died twice---transistors. Died again, still doesn't work.

'80s model Trace Elliot GP7 SM combo (SS). Gigged regularly for a decade, never a problem, still not any trouble except for some dust.

Early '90s model SWR Workingman's Twelve (SS). Gigged regularly for a few years. Never a problem except for scratchy pots.

'05 Peavey Classic 30 (tube amp). Won't come on. Dunno yet what the problem is.

2008 Markbass CMD 121H combo (SS). No problems.

2011 Marbass Little Mark III (SS). No problems so far since last fall.

So which is better, tubes or SS? I dunno. Like I said before, whatever floats yer boat, and I'm not offended by others' opinions. All I know is I like carrying my 6 (+) lb. LMIII to gigs, and it sounds good enough to me.

I'm doing it tonight. Yay!