Some don't know enough to give a crap but if they are listening they can still hear the difference between a tube amp and my Trace amp. They still might not give a crap if they do give a crap I am ecstatic.
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Tube Amps. Worth it?
- Thread starter Tom Gotsch
- Start date
Some audience members know and care more about what I’m doing than I do! There are some passionate live music goers out there. I try to be as good and knowledgeable about my craft as I can be for everybody, I hope.
How bizarre...
Of all the adjectives that ever came to mind when I play my Ampeg SVT-CL 810 rig, “slow” is never in that group.
The main advantage to owning a tube amp is that you can tell everyone that you own a tube amp.
Secondary benefits include seeing your fans being pummeled in the face by the awesomeness of your tone and and the way your 810 towers over the guitarist’s half stack.
Secondary benefits include seeing your fans being pummeled in the face by the awesomeness of your tone and and the way your 810 towers over the guitarist’s half stack.
Not to me, but I never really gigged all tube amps. Maybe if I do, I would never go back. Who knows. But my Mesa Titans V12 totally fits my needs for the moment.
At your next gig after a few sets go out into the audience and start asking patrons if they think your amp is a tube or a solid state. I bet no one knows or cares.
Responding to the Original Post, I have a Markbass Tube 800 head and really like it. I can get a satisfying tube tone from it, and its part of the rig I use when I play rock gigs. The moment I bought it I turned to "tube engage" knob to 11 and have kept it there since.
But I also have an several vintage Ampeg tune amps: a B-15N from 1974, a B-18 from 1966 and a B25B from 1969. While the Markbass is a great amp that has so many advantages over my vintage ones, it ain't no tube amp. I use it in place of a tube amp because I like its tube sound, is very light and highly dependable.
But I also have an several vintage Ampeg tune amps: a B-15N from 1974, a B-18 from 1966 and a B25B from 1969. While the Markbass is a great amp that has so many advantages over my vintage ones, it ain't no tube amp. I use it in place of a tube amp because I like its tube sound, is very light and highly dependable.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
People come and dork at me about valve amps before and after my gigs pretty consistently. More people take selfies with the amps than anyone in the band.
Who gives a crap? If that's your standard for what you do, then go and get a Squier starter pack. Hell, why even show up if they don't know or care? Obviously you're expendable.
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
If no-one can name the bass player, should they even have to turn up to the gig?
Exactly! Sheesh...people have such low standards for themselves, then wonder why they don't get anywhere with their music.
The best thing I've ever heard proceedeth forth from a bass cab was delivered via a 1969 Ampeg B-25. I kept it one day and returned it within GC's 72 hour vintage gear window: it had a rather annoying hiss in a couple of channels, and in any case I realized it would be a very expensive practice amp at 50-ish watts. But lord have mercy, the tone.
I have high standards for myself and I consider I'm doing pretty well. I just know the crowd doesn't care what I play and use as long as I do it well.
That I can't argue with. But this whole "The audience doesn't know or care" thing is just a giant copout for not doing your best.
I had this happen once too a year ago. Brought my (retired) Mesa Bass 400 and 215 cab to one gig, and a dude nerded out over it and wanted his picture taken with it.
Has never happened to any of my bandmates.
