Solid State/Tube Hybrid Amp Heads with Character?

[jdjk7]

Update, just for fun:

I think I'm probably gonna get the WD-800, but I've decided to wait until the Barefaced cabinet I'm ordering comes, or at least closer til then, to decide.

Of the suggestions that have been presented to me: the Milkman 700 is a really nice sound, but it lacks an effects loop, which is a bit of a deal breaker. It also is a bit too expensive for me new. They seem to go for much cheaper used, which is odd... if I can get a black one under $1000, I would strongly consider it.

Same for the Sisma and Arkham Beast... they both sound lovely, and have the right features and enough power, but both are just too expensive for me. I'd have to find them used at a significant discount to consider them.

I don't think they're exactly within the parameters of my initial post, but I've also been looking at the Trickfish Bullhead .5K and the Eich T900. I quite like the sound of the T900, and it can certainly be had for a good price. It's the close 2nd to the WD-800 on my list.

Additionally, I've been thinking about picking up a Trace Elliot ELF for the times when I want as little to grab as possible. They're going for a good price at the moment, so I'm considering it.

 

[agedhorse]

Can you try any of these out to see which ones might be close to what you are hoping for? That seems to be a pretty wide variety of amps with quite different tones.

 

[jdjk7]

It also occurs to me that I worded my initial post poorly. I was using "solid state" and "tube hybrid" separately... So, I was not only looking for amps that have a tube preamp. But those do just seem like a natural way to go with what my original intent was.

Can you try any of these out to see which ones might be close to what you are hoping for? That seems to be a pretty wide variety of amps with quite different tones.

The only one I can try is the WD... a friend of mine owns one, and my local joint has one in stock/can get them.

It is a pretty broad array of choices, hence I've decided I'm not going to make the choice now.

 

[agedhorse]

It also occurs to me that I worded my initial post poorly. I was using "solid state" and "tube hybrid" separately... So, I was not only looking for amps that have a tube preamp. But those do just seem like a natural way to go with what my original intent was.


The only one I can try is the WD... a friend of mine owns one, and my local joint has one in stock/can get them.

It is a pretty broad array of choices, hence I've decided I'm not going to make the choice now.

Probably a good plan.

 

[D.M.N.]

For SS with good tone, I still love old Acoustics. The 360 and 370 sound great, and there's the smaller 150 too.

 

[pepj]

A firm fan of tube in the pre here.
I'm currently looking at that config now I've sold my Berg.

 

[jdjk7]

Update: I've gotten myself a Trace Elliot ELF as a less-expensive convenience amp (desktop use, backup, jam, "don't feel like lugging gear" sort of usage), and on the same outing I became acquainted with an old GK 700RBII that I became taken with. Grabbed both for good prices. The WD800 is still on my radar, and I'm gonna borrow one from a friend today to give it a spin. I may end up buying one, although functionally, my new rig is perfectly usable with the GK. The other option that stood out to me in my research is the Eich T-900, but I rarely have found the black colorway available (better for my aesthetic) and I would likely have to order it from the mfg.