solid state vs tube

[BurningSkies]

That is more a case of "cheap vs quality", than it is a case of "SS vs Tubes"...


- georgestrings

Or at least effective EQ vs. ineffective EQ.

 

[BabyCul]

I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm in two worlds at the moment. I'd really like a Warwick Xtreme 10.1, but they are getting hard to find. The other affordable option readily available is the Hartke LH1000.... I like the tone but I'm not keen on the idea of tube preamps.
I spent several years in a music store witnessing a lot of blown tubes, and always said to myself why would I buy something I know I might have to replace down the track??

What to do.... what to do....??

 

[Duke21]

PART OF THE SOUND COMES FROM THE OUT PUT SECTION BEING TUBE AS WELL. BUT TUBE HEADS ARE A HASSLE TO SCHLEP. OTOH WITH A 100 WATT TUBE HEAD YOU CAN REPLACE A 300 WATT SOLID STATE HEAD. TUBES JUST SOUND/PUMP LOUDER.

The power section can be emulated quite well also. The good new class D amps have Nice tube tone with or with out pre-tubes. Amps like the SVT7 pro or the TC amps sound like all tube amps, maybe not 100% but very close.

 

[Wesley R]

I used to be a tube snob, maybe even an addict. I sure used to love handing people crud about using silicon. Now I am too lazy or apathetic to give a hoot. Maybe I grew up, who knows. The reality for me is many non- tube amps work well enough for, and many tube amps I hear do not sound like I remember them sounding.

My only requirements are that I get a decent sound fast, I hate knob twiddling.

 

[JCM800]

mid-70's Ampeg SVT

Worth more than its weight in tone.



I've used many SS and hybrid amps and they get the job done. Done none can hold a candle to the SVT, or my SVT-II when it was working.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm in two worlds at the moment. I'd really like a Warwick Xtreme 10.1, but they are getting hard to find. The other affordable option readily available is the Hartke LH1000.... I like the tone but I'm not keen on the idea of tube preamps.
I spent several years in a music store witnessing a lot of blown tubes, and always said to myself why would I buy something I know I might have to replace down the track??

What to do.... what to do....??

Nonsense- preamp tubes can and do last for decades- there is no reason to shy away from an amp because it utilises a tube front end. Besides, 12AX7's can be had for cheap, so you can carry spares in a gig bag in the very rare instance you may need it.

 

[BurningSkies]

I'm looking for an upgrade, but I'm in two worlds at the moment. I'd really like a Warwick Xtreme 10.1, but they are getting hard to find. The other affordable option readily available is the Hartke LH1000.... I like the tone but I'm not keen on the idea of tube preamps.
I spent several years in a music store witnessing a lot of blown tubes, and always said to myself why would I buy something I know I might have to replace down the track??

What to do.... what to do....??

I agree. This is why I don't own a car. Or a bike. Or a computer. Or any other appliance. Or a TV. My house is pretty dark, because light bulbs fit in the same category.