Hybrids have always been popular, though. Ever since they came out, they shot right up to the top of the foodchain.
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Solid States More Popular Now
- Thread starter ch willie
- Start date
Very true Jimmy. I guess in response to the original question I think solid state amps have become more popular as they are sounding better all the time and are easier to lug around.
Mesa didn't. They haven't had a tube bass amp for 3 or 4 years now. Now they've got two.
JimmyM said:
Yeah when are these two tube heads gonna be on the Mesa website? They are much anticipated!
If you are running a tube amp TOTALLY clean, then I don't see the advantage, considering the cost. Then after you get to the PA, i doubt that 2 people out of 500 could even know you're doing it, and even then you'd probably have to tell them for them to notice.
How long does a set of EL84's last? 6 months to a year? How much is 6 EL84's?
$60 at LEAST? Not worth it, IMO.
There's damping factor to consider, too. I'll take the tightness of a good SS amp any day.
It's a rule of political correctness in debates about gear, that the benefit of the doubt goes to the gear that is more burdensome in terms of size, weight, cost, etc.
Back in the day, high powered solid state amps were time
bombs with short fuses. Tubes were much more reliable for
handling the power. Solid state devices and design have come a
very long way. Simultaneously, tube manufacturing quality has
dropped significantly. However, tube amps have seen
improvements, too (like auto biasing).
I don't fault anybody for going either way. I can get the tone
I want either way. But I go with SS for the reliability.
bombs with short fuses. Tubes were much more reliable for
handling the power. Solid state devices and design have come a
very long way. Simultaneously, tube manufacturing quality has
dropped significantly. However, tube amps have seen
improvements, too (like auto biasing).
I don't fault anybody for going either way. I can get the tone
I want either way. But I go with SS for the reliability.
I can see you've never played a tube amp in your life, dude. First off, I don't do lowest common denominators on my gigs. If I bring anything but a tube amp, it's because it's an outdoor gig and it's going to rain, the schlep is unusually ridiculous, or I'm sick. Second, anyone who replaces tubes every year is a fool unless they're legit worn out, which only happens if they're cranking them hard. I have tubes in some of my gear that have lasted 10 years or longer. Third, "damping factor" means something to the designers but nothing to me. I doubt anyone who complains about damping factor even knows what it is
As for tightness, I've never liked it but that's personal opinion so that's cool. But all the rest of your post is stuff that people who have never used tube amps say.
Also, anyone who thinks the hot chick will disappoint in bed never dated a hot chick. They'll disappoint you everywhere else BUT in bed!
FYI, JimmyM, I've played through more tube amps than you have. I worked on them for close to 20 years and played through two different ones in my career. Tubes start to deteriorate the moment they are used. Power tubes especially. Most power tubes are class A/B which means they are running pretty much on a LOT if you're playing them.
Don't tell me what I haven't done. I don't like tube amps. Get over it, DUDE!
Don't tell me what I haven't done. I don't like tube amps. Get over it, DUDE!
I will if you get over me liking tube amps. I'm not the one who questioned your choice in amps, remember? It was you who questioned mine.
20 years, eh? That's pretty good. But I've got 35 years playing tube amps, and I've used way more than two
The ONLY reason you would need to change tubes once a year is if you play in a band where you are diming it constantly, which I don't. Therefore, my tubes mostly last a very long time.
I didn't question your choice. I just stated my opinion. I'm entitled to that without you attacking me. I didn't come here to start a fight. "I can see you've never played a tube amp in your life, dude". << That's inflammatory. And don't call me DUDE!
I don't care whether or not you play a tube amp or not. I don't like them for bass. I don't give a rat's ass if you DO like them. You shouldn't give a rat's ass if I like solid state. What's the big deal?
I don't care whether or not you play a tube amp or not. I don't like them for bass. I don't give a rat's ass if you DO like them. You shouldn't give a rat's ass if I like solid state. What's the big deal?
Take it easy, you're going to give yourself high blood pressure! And you did question my choice when you said, "Then after you get to the PA, i doubt that 2 people out of 500 could even know you're doing it, and even then you'd probably have to tell them for them to notice." I consider that an attack on my choice.
