Why do some pple find tube amps better than ss amps?
- Thread starter kym
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EugeneSmasher
New member
Wonder if Randall makes hybrids... I go see.
Anyone knows roughly whether Randalls are more expensive than Marshalls or vice versa?
Anyone knows roughly whether Randalls are more expensive than Marshalls or vice versa?
subversion
Moderator
proof that it's not about tubes...
EugeneSmasher
New member
Nope, its not about tubes. 
My famous quote:
I like, I buy :mrgreen:
My famous quote:I like, I buy :mrgreen:
PatheinRaindropMoe
New member
mwahaha, then what about all the tube tone here tube tone there we been talking like real in the last few postings
boy oh boy another one of these debates here.
same thing, tube vs solid state, digital vs analog, gibson vs fender, G&L or fender, Heritage or Gibson.... the list goes on. Guitarists are a gearwhoring bunch compared to other musicians (violinist, pianist, drummers, bassists). In any case here's my take.
I feel that this "tube preference" is attributed to history and influence. it all started from tube amplification, that is powerful. many people seek to find "traditional" tones and these translates to buying things that utilises tube technology. and a good bunch of us have guitar idols/influences who use tube amplification as well, in fact as far as i can remember, most great guitarists use tube amplification. its just one more step to attaining that "lush thick organic" whatever you might wana call it (sexy, orgasmic, raunchy, shimmering, pristine, lovely...) tone. In all honesty, it never totally works out. you might have his gear, you'd never have his mind, fingers, phrasing, vibe.
I have played plenty of tube amps, owned several and i have to say, they're nice. I am no audiophile claiming to be able to distinguish a SS amp from a tube amp. BUT i find that tube amps, when pushed (higher volume), they tend to sound better. so for you folks out there who have a 231312321 watt tube amp, but play at the lowest setting, you're really not getting much outta the amp. Most people prefer to use tube amps for this reason too, to push the amp to a state where it "responds" to your pick attack. I have tried this setting and you can NEVER achieve this nicely with a SS amp. The state where your cleans hang on the verge of being overdriven, place a lil' more attack, the notes are slightly overdriven.
BUT, i have sold my tube amps away. too much hassle for me. yes stone me tube purveyors but I have had so many problems, hissing, microphobic tubes, unmatched tubes, phase inverter tube.... yada yada... heat problems.... ventilation.... tube amps are very picky on their tubes from my experience. i'm back to SS, way more reliable for a gig, especially when i do not have the liberty to take backup amps, its lighter.
There is no better honestly, it depends what you prioritise.
same thing, tube vs solid state, digital vs analog, gibson vs fender, G&L or fender, Heritage or Gibson.... the list goes on. Guitarists are a gearwhoring bunch compared to other musicians (violinist, pianist, drummers, bassists). In any case here's my take.
I feel that this "tube preference" is attributed to history and influence. it all started from tube amplification, that is powerful. many people seek to find "traditional" tones and these translates to buying things that utilises tube technology. and a good bunch of us have guitar idols/influences who use tube amplification as well, in fact as far as i can remember, most great guitarists use tube amplification. its just one more step to attaining that "lush thick organic" whatever you might wana call it (sexy, orgasmic, raunchy, shimmering, pristine, lovely...) tone. In all honesty, it never totally works out. you might have his gear, you'd never have his mind, fingers, phrasing, vibe.
I have played plenty of tube amps, owned several and i have to say, they're nice. I am no audiophile claiming to be able to distinguish a SS amp from a tube amp. BUT i find that tube amps, when pushed (higher volume), they tend to sound better. so for you folks out there who have a 231312321 watt tube amp, but play at the lowest setting, you're really not getting much outta the amp. Most people prefer to use tube amps for this reason too, to push the amp to a state where it "responds" to your pick attack. I have tried this setting and you can NEVER achieve this nicely with a SS amp. The state where your cleans hang on the verge of being overdriven, place a lil' more attack, the notes are slightly overdriven.
BUT, i have sold my tube amps away. too much hassle for me. yes stone me tube purveyors but I have had so many problems, hissing, microphobic tubes, unmatched tubes, phase inverter tube.... yada yada... heat problems.... ventilation.... tube amps are very picky on their tubes from my experience. i'm back to SS, way more reliable for a gig, especially when i do not have the liberty to take backup amps, its lighter.
There is no better honestly, it depends what you prioritise.
EugeneSmasher
New member
It also helps for those who rely on pedals for their drive. Most solid state amps sound inferior to tube amps or tube-sounding solid state amps when pushed to high-gain, but cleans, solid states can really achieve really nice tone. Some good ones even beating lower-end tube amps. Example: Vox Pathfinder, Sound Drive SG-100R.
I steer clear of tube amps for the same reason as repulse87. Too much hassle.
I steer clear of tube amps for the same reason as repulse87. Too much hassle.
PatheinRaindropMoe
New member
heh, its like we go with where the wind goes
subversion
Moderator
it's perfectly OK to like whatever type of amps there are out there, it turns hostile when one camp stamps authority on what they believe to be 'better'. as there are fledgings flocking here in an attempt to see the light, we must therefore be objective in our discussions.
thanks for all the inputs.
anyway, to those who thinks this is just another tube amp vs ss amp thread, this is not exactly a typical tube amp vs ss amp thread. realise the question being raised was: why do many people are in the opinion than tube amps r better than ss amps? i m trying to unearth the mentality behind such a "tube amp is superior" impression, rather than trying to find out the technical superiority of a tube amp as compared to ss amp.
u knoe, i kinda agree that guitarists seem to be the only players in the world who r so "gei gao" about tube amps and stuffs. many of my bassists frends do not seem to be too concern with "tube amp vs ss amp" as compared to guitarists.
tube amps r so expensive. true, that using valves in amps is more costly in production than using transistors, but i feel that this does not justify the 3-4 times difference in price tags between tube and ss amps. i somehow feel that it is the "tube amps are better" attitude among guitarists that gives manufacturers reason to mark up the price of tube amps by so much.
anyway, to those who thinks this is just another tube amp vs ss amp thread, this is not exactly a typical tube amp vs ss amp thread. realise the question being raised was: why do many people are in the opinion than tube amps r better than ss amps? i m trying to unearth the mentality behind such a "tube amp is superior" impression, rather than trying to find out the technical superiority of a tube amp as compared to ss amp.
u knoe, i kinda agree that guitarists seem to be the only players in the world who r so "gei gao" about tube amps and stuffs. many of my bassists frends do not seem to be too concern with "tube amp vs ss amp" as compared to guitarists.
tube amps r so expensive. true, that using valves in amps is more costly in production than using transistors, but i feel that this does not justify the 3-4 times difference in price tags between tube and ss amps. i somehow feel that it is the "tube amps are better" attitude among guitarists that gives manufacturers reason to mark up the price of tube amps by so much.
Indigo_blues
New member
tube amps are simply better.. that's why they are more expensive... it shouldn't be the other way around.. that they are expensive, so they must be better.
Ized
New member
to me whatever goes, if you'r skilled you can get any amp to sound good.
versatility and skill goes a long way. I remember paul gilbert used a crappy line six spider amp for one of his guitar world demos. yet he somehow managed to coax his trademark tone out of it.
just goes to show good tone is in the hands of a player, and not gear. ALTHOUGH good gear can make a good player sound even better.
versatility and skill goes a long way. I remember paul gilbert used a crappy line six spider amp for one of his guitar world demos. yet he somehow managed to coax his trademark tone out of it.
just goes to show good tone is in the hands of a player, and not gear. ALTHOUGH good gear can make a good player sound even better.
MadWerewolfBoy
New member
I can't tell whether you were sarcastically agreeing with his sarcasm or really displaying the stereo typical mentality this whole thread just bashed...
Indigo_blues
New member
I can't tell whether you were sarcastically agreeing with his sarcasm or really displaying the stereo typical mentality this whole thread just bashed...
Heeheee, yahlar, ultimately you have to trust your own ears to make the choice..
Don't listen to only what other people say lar... On the other hand, if tube amps were only sold purely on hype even though they are 3 - 4 times more expensive than the equivalent SS amp, then there must be alot of goons out there..
heehee. cheers.
subversion
Moderator
...then there must be alot of goons out there..
branding & aggressive advertising would accomplish this
substance sells, hype sells more....
