The end of tubes??? Thoughts?

[TonyP-]

 

[Goatrope]

Tubes will find a way….

I like to believe there will be other manufacturers along to fill the void. Will there be disruption and delay, while supply chains adjust? Absolutely. China, Slovakia are other sources.

 

[And I]

As long as there are amps, there will be tube amps. They will become less and less common and more and more expensive, but they will not cease to exist. Because supply and demand is a thing, likely soon it WILL become profitable for new tube manufacturing facilities to start up.

 

[jnewmark]

I can't see guitar players not using tube amps. Bass players, meh.

 

[Jefenator]

If a new set of power tubes winds up costing twice as much, it won't affect me that badly.
It's not like I have to do it every other month. (Or year, for that matter...)

 

[TonyP-]

I just want to be clear that I’m not saying it is the end...Just debate and conversation.

 

[ryan pate]

They’ve gotten close.IMHO vacuum tubes harmonic swell and round “feel” hasn’t quite been reproduced.(yet)?

 

[TonyP-]

I have seen some new amp companies pop up in the last couple weeks of years in the guitar world.

If I was them, I would be thinking of germanium based amplifiers for a future line.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

On the other hand, those new Ampeg sims are pretty damn good... I particularly like the V4B vst.

 

[agedhorse]

I have seen some new amp companies pop up in the last couple weeks of years in the guitar world.

If I was them, I would be thinking of germanium based amplifiers for a future line.

Personally, I can’t think for a worse technology for amplifiers. So many negatives combined with so few positives. There’s a reason that technology lasted only a relatively few years.

 

[chris_b]

Most of the guitarists I know and see around are firmly rooted in 1957 for their amplification. I know many guitarists who are leaving their Twin Reverbs and AC30's at home because of the weight, so if someone comes up with a good enough SS or D class guitar amp I reckon guitarists will switch, just like bass players did. A shortage of tubes might be the thing that starts it off.

 

[Spidey2112]

I just want to be clear that I’m not saying it is the end...

Hallelujah, I still have time! I haven't finished binging on the X-Files series.

 

[Grinderman]

I'd like to believe we'll all be dead and gone before the tubes are.

 

[el murdoque]

Personally, I can’t think for a worse technology for amplifiers. So many negatives combined with so few positives. There’s a reason that technology lasted only a relatively few years.

Agree on germanium ... but on topic: Did not Mesa discontinue the Prodigy/Strategy line of tube amps because it has gotten too hard to source KT88 tubes?

 

[TonyP-]

Personally, I can’t think for a worse technology for amplifiers. So many negatives combined with so few positives. There’s a reason that technology lasted only a relatively few years.

I will openly admit, I’m not an expert on it...I can just say that I like it when I hear it if I just want a slight fuzz or use it a boost situation.

 

[lizardking837]

I don't think tubes are going anywhere.

I wasn't a believer until I got to play through a vintage B-15. It was that sound and I understood what guitar players always say about tubes "feeling" different than SS. Words can't describe it but it felt so much more "organic" and "natural."

 

[Pilgrim]

Any time there is demand for a product, someone will make it. Pricing will relate to volume and the market.

And there are a lot of tubes already made and looking for a home.

Seems like a non-issue to me.

 

[TonyP-]

Personally, I can’t think for a worse technology for amplifiers. So many negatives combined with so few positives. There’s a reason that technology lasted only a relatively few years.

Andy I know text can be taken weird.
Can you shed some light on the germanium aspect to others because as I said earlier I know I like when I hear it. Again I’m also using it on the lighter side of things.

Obviously this is going to be some sort of tone thing, but I’d love to hear more educated take on it.

 

[Ric5]

I quit using tubes in the 1970s

 

[Sparky Mark]

I'd like to believe we'll all be dead and gone before the tubes are.

Erm.... be careful what you wish for.