• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Why do we tube lovers love tubes?

JimmyM

JimmyM

Apr 11, 2005
127,255
125,175
Plymouth NC
Disclosures
Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
#1
I don't want to hear any nonsense about distortion. It has nothing to do with distorted tones. I prefer the sound of a tube amp running clean over an SS or hybrid running clean as well. And I don't really understand why. I know that TF's play into it, and I know that there's a certain tonality to it that I like. But I can't put my finger on it, and it seems to be discussed in vague terms like "pleasing tones," "mojo" and "vibe." Bill FM once posted that compression is why we like tubes, but didn't really expound.

So why do we like tubes?
 
#6
Presence!!! U can 'feel' a tube amp -even a 100w'er- over ANY S.S. amp I'VE tried. I once A/B'd a V4BH & a SVT4PRO (bridged proply & so was about 1200w IIRC) .
The V4BH was FELT more onstage AND out front(there was No audience at this time) at LOW volume & at Hi volume. Sure the 4PRO went LOUDER, but still wasn't Hitting in the chest like the tube amp was-at any volume.
Just My views.
 
#8
compression is some of it... guitar and/or bass I find similar toned tube amps vs similar toned ss amps... the tubes will have a more 3 dimensional sound field than the ss counter part.

That said, I'm happily solid state again... might get some tubes soon, but it's no rush to find better tone at the moment.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
I don't want to hear any nonsense about distortion. It has nothing to do with distorted tones. I prefer the sound of a tube amp running clean over an SS or hybrid running clean as well. And I don't really understand why. I know that TF's play into it, and I know that there's a certain tonality to it that I like. But I can't put my finger on it, and it seems to be discussed in vague terms like "pleasing tones," "mojo" and "vibe." Bill FM once posted that compression is why we like tubes, but didn't really expound.

So why do we like tubes?
Click to expand...

Didn't your recent poll show that we can't tell the difference? :hiding:

One issue to contend with is that tube preamps and tube power amps behave in different ways, so there isn't going to be a single simple explanation that covers all of the bases.
 
#11
For me it is mostly in their response. To me, tube amps are much more touch sensitive capturing every nuance from the slightest touch to the hardest bang. Most of them seem to be alot more transparent in their tone as well. Every solid state amp that i have is a little bit "veiled" , meaning they seem to have a "layer" between your bass and what is coming out of the speakers, making tube amps feel alot punchier.

Even though there are many really good sounding SS amps (and i own a few), they all seem a bit synthetic and processed sounding to me.

2 cents.........
 
#12
Compression and distortion same reason we like the sound of 15's in undersized cabs. Clean is an exceptionally relative turn especially when you're dealing with tubes. Even when you're not hearing any "distortion" a tube starts boosting those even order harmonics which is by definition distortion.
 
#16
Because when the tubes in my Skunkworks SVT heat up it activates the cigarette smell clinging to it and I find that comforting. Smells like gigging victory! Plus it and my Sunn 2000S are great G.A.S. killers. The only SS amp I wish I didn't sell was my Acoustic 370.
 
#17
Interesting article, Corey. Read like a school paper, but had some interesting info.

BBE, wouldn't the boosting of odd order harmonics in SS amps also a form of distortion? If not, why not? Would these even order harmonics also be present in a SS amp that sounds tubey, such as the LMII? Or is it not possible?

That confuses me, too. I usually don't care for SS amps near as much as tube, but that LMII is a major exception. Despite Fdeck goofing on me about my test, most people could tell the SWR from the LMII and B-15. Not so much with the LMII.
 
#18
it matters to a lesser extent with bass amplification to me personally, as i find a number of ss bass amps sound good, and some sound fantastic, ie no tubes in my TF, but i love the sound...whereas with 6-string guitar, i haven't yet heard a ss amp that i'd prefer over a tube amp

since i'm largely ignorant of electronics, i can only infer that the reason i like tube amps has something to do with how the harmonic content is amplified:bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back