Tube vs. Solid-State Amps

[bucephylus]

Here’s a topic we’ve never discussed before….

Horses for courses. I’ve personally been using what one would call Hybrid amps for the better part of 40 years.

Before that, I gigged several Fender Bassman heads; Brown Face, Silver Face, hopped up to 100 VRMS etc etc. And, there was a Sunn Model T.

But, through those early years I NEVER went for that power tube distortion thing, a la Casady / Pappalardi etc. I was always going for CLEAN.

Then, I found the Alembic F1X and Demeter preamps, rack systems, and Solid State POWER amps. Those gave me everything I was looking for.

In somewhat more recent times, I have gigged SVT’s, which I adore not for any kind of distortion, but for the SLAM; and had a bit of a tenure with Trace Elliot Hexavalves. IMO, the SVT stands alone tone wise; but, no way I ever intend to drag one of those around for my clubbing gigs. Come to think of it, I did drag an Acoustic 360 around for club dates for several years, and thought that amp was awesome; though I did use a small tube pre in front of it.

Anyhow, my gigs don’t make use of distorted bass tones, being pop cover gigs. So, the power tubes distortion thing just isn’t useful for my sounds. I do still use tubes in my preamps; both on the pedal board and in the hybrid heads. And, I still have my Demeter and Alembic rack gear; though anymore the stage volumes just don’t need that kind of push. My audiences hear what is coming through the FoH, not the backline.

What was the question?

 

[bitterminnows]

I’ve gotten great sound out of both, and I’ve heard both sound great recorded, too.

I guess though, that my dream amp would edge me towards team tube (the Ampeg SVT).

I do like both, though.

 

[Phaidrus]

How about neither? An amp is a necessary evil IMO, and when I have to have one I want it to be small, light and easily portable, so class d amp with a small neo cab is my bread and butter

A tube amp is a lovely evil necessity. And overdriven is even lovelier.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Which camp are you in: tube warmth or solid-state reliability? What made you choose your main amp, and would you ever switch?

Really?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Which camp are you in: tube warmth or solid-state reliability? What made you choose your main amp, and would you ever switch?

I’ve played the following all tube bassamps: Ampeg SVT & V4, Hiwatt, Marshall, Traynor, Sunn, Eden. If I were going to buy a tube amp, it would be a 70’s Hiwatt which IMO is the best tube amp I ever used for playing bass.

The only 100% solid state amps I’ve played through was a Vox Essex, and two Peaveys, a Century 100, and a Mark IV. The only one that if I wanted a 100% solid amp is the IV.

As for Hybrids (preamp tubes only), Eden WT 500, WT-800, RS 320 115 combo Nemesis RS 320 210 combo, and the venerable Mesa WD-800.outnof these, The Eden WT-800 would be my choice.

One last hybrid is my Eden Rack rig including the Navigator Preamp (has preamp tubes) and the WT-1250 stereo power amp.

Out of all the amps I’ve played through, my favorite out of all of them is my Eden rack rig, which in today’s economy is about worthless, a monument to overkill. That said sound wise I’d put this up against any and all comers.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I like digital modeling amps that are the most digital sounding amps that money can buy, the worse they sound the more expensive I hope they are, and they better be super unreliable with zero customer support!
All joking aside.
I have both, if it sounds good, it is good. I don’t prefer one over the other. The rig I move around is a modular class D, light weight, scalable and can handle anything I need it to.

 

[agedhorse]

I chose both
View attachment 7361048

For some players this was just too tubey, typically players that preferred a tighter feel.

There's no single perfect amp or amp type.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I've played through all of them over the years. For live shows, a tube preamp into a SS power amp is glorious and dependable. In the studio or at home, I like tubes.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

For some players this was just too tubey, typically players that preferred a tighter feel.

There's no single perfect amp or amp type.

Like everything else out there, people are either going to love something, or they’re not, no matter whether it’s tube, SS, or a hybrid.

The only thing we can do, is play many different amps, then go with what works for you. Fortunately, there are so many more choices out there then there were 50-60 years ago.

 

[Wasnex]

My advice, play a bunch of amps and choose whatever you think sounds great. If you can handle the weight and expense, don't be concerned with whether it is tube or solid state.

This conversation is one of those beating a dead horse type things for many of us.

Which is more reliable. I guess that depends on what you mean. IME tube amps do require more maintenance on average. However, a well designed tube amp can be like a family heirlooom; I.E. something that is handed down through generations. Not that anyone would do that .

My observation is solid-state amps tend to have more finite life-spans on average, and many of them have tended to become unrepairable in decade or so. To be fair, this can be a problem with tube amps to some extent as well; especially modern tube amps. Also, to be fair, there are some really old solid-state amps that can still be repaired.

I have a fairly large collection of amps and 2/3rds or more are considered all-tube. However, during my time as a pro, I almost always used solid-state or hybrids amps with tube preamps and solid-state output sections. Some of the solid-state amps I used definitely failed. Some failed more than once.

Why do I prefer solid state. They tend to weigh less and cost less. Also I like the ability to dial in my sound and then adjust my volume without it having much impact on the tone or feel of my bass. I do understand the charm of a tube amp pushed to the edge, but I find the feature too limiting for live work. Then again, I own several tube amps that are rated 400W or more. Pretty sure I could gig them, but this powerful of a tube amp tends to be very, very heavy.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

Solid state warmth right here.
How many bands that have insisted I use this rig has been phenomenal.

Of course, your experience and understanding of warmth may differ vastly from mine.

 

[N4860]

Really?

Nice, you caught them! They almost got away with posting 2 questions on a forum in 1 day!

 

[D.A.R.K.]

My fav amp is a Mesa Boogie Walkabout. Totally old school with pure tube path and a big toroidal transformer for power. I also have a 500 watt class D amp that fits in the gig bag pocket in case there’s an issue. What was the question agsin?

 

[agedhorse]

My fav amp is a Mesa Boogie Walkabout. Totally old school with pure tube path and a big toroidal transformer for power. I also have a 500 watt class D amp that fits in the gig bag pocket in case there’s an issue. What was the question agsin?

Except that the Walkabout doesn’t have a pure tube path… and while it appears old school on the surface, there are a lot of modern elements within that amp too.

 

[bherman]

I didn't know the Bass 800D was using digital modeling, where did you see that info?

I am with you on this one, it really is a wonderful sounding amp. I haven’t owned an all tube since the B 15 days, and I’ve often played through them on back lines, but never to the point where I wanted to carry one around I think Mesa hit a home run in this amp

 

[monsterthompson]

Really?

You missed the rounds/flats one
3 threads in 4 minutes. All x vs y.

 

[KenSmithFan]

You missed the rounds/flats one
3 threads in 4 minutes. All x vs y.

Like a toddler crying for attention.

 

[cymbop]

I've been gigging since 2006.

I've only ever owned three amps, all early 70s Ampegs.

Never had a failure.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I've played full tube guitar amps forever not a single reliability issue replaced one tube in 20 years. Urban legend that TUBES are not reliable.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Except that the Walkabout doesn’t have a pure tube path… and while it appears old school on the surface, there are a lot of modern elements within that amp too.

My confusion then- I thought the preamp was tube path only and then the solid state amplifier? Will it still pass signal without the tube in the preamp? Best amp of all time for me, 23 years running now. Time goes by pretty quick!