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solid state vs all-tube

#3
I am leaning towards getting an all tube amp, not only for the tone, but the power, even though I've been trying to reduce my rig size. I bought an Ampeg B500DR (all solid) with a 410HLF cabinet last year because it was relatively portable, had four tone pre-sets, and well, it's an Ampeg. Sounded great at Guitar Center by myself, sounds like crap jamming with friends (stoner rock, mostly). Part of it is the moderate power of the amp, but when I turn it up to 8, the tone is terrible.

I'm now using a Peavey T-Max which was given to me a couple of years ago. It has a tube pre-amp and sounds considerably better at higher volumes.

Probably early next year, I'm going to start shopping for the smallest and lightest all-tube amp I can find that puts out at least 400 watts.

Since I'm mostly a hard rock player, consider the source when I say that to my ears, tube distortion at high volume settings sounds pretty good to me where solid state distortion (at least "unintentional" distortion) sounds too harsh at higher volumes.

I'll do a thread search, but what are some relatively compact, heavy-rock capable all tube amps out there?
 
#9
haujobb said:
Why not look at a nice tube preamp, and pair it with a lightweight but powerful solidstate amplifier?

Might be a good compromise.
Click to expand...

Or a bad one. If you want the roundabout or My Generation tone, you'll need a valve amp.

blast_tyrant said:
I am leaning towards getting an all tube amp, not only for the tone, but the power, even though I've been trying to reduce my rig size. I bought an Ampeg B500DR (all solid) with a 410HLF cabinet last year because it was relatively portable, had four tone pre-sets, and well, it's an Ampeg. Sounded great at Guitar Center by myself, sounds like crap jamming with friends (stoner rock, mostly). Part of it is the moderate power of the amp, but when I turn it up to 8, the tone is terrible.

I'm now using a Peavey T-Max which was given to me a couple of years ago. It has a tube pre-amp and sounds considerably better at higher volumes.

Probably early next year, I'm going to start shopping for the smallest and lightest all-tube amp I can find that puts out at least 400 watts.

Since I'm mostly a hard rock player, consider the source when I say that to my ears, tube distortion at high volume settings sounds pretty good to me where solid state distortion (at least "unintentional" distortion) sounds too harsh at higher volumes.

I'll do a thread search, but what are some relatively compact, heavy-rock capable all tube amps out there?
Click to expand...

Maybe it's more because Peavey is actually honest with their power ratings. :rolleyes:

Anyways, having a tube preamp has nothing to do with how distortion sounds at higher volumes if you have a solid state power section. A ss power amp will sound like crap when clipped no matter what.

Oh, and you may be surprised. A 200 watt tube head like the Traynor YBA200 might be loud enough (with replaced valves, of course). A 400 watt tube amp is REDICULOUSLY loud. Too loud for even me. :eek:
 
#10
The 0x said:
Anyways, having a tube preamp has nothing to do with how distortion sounds at higher volumes if you have a solid state power section. A ss power amp will sound like crap when clipped no matter what.

Oh, and you may be surprised. A 200 watt tube head like the Traynor YBA200 might be loud enough (with replaced valves, of course). A 400 watt tube amp is REDICULOUSLY loud. Too loud for even me. :eek:
Click to expand...

So then don't clip the power amp:smug:

But a YBA200 would be my second choice.
 

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