Tube snobbery?

Nate · 10-22-2004, 09:41 AM

Tubes are good for some things, and solid states are good for others. It's not a "one is obviously so much better that the other is practically obsolete" kind of situation. The most obvious advantage of solid state amps (that I am aware of) is that they are easier to maintain than tube amps. For some people, that's a big plus. There are many other things such as this that could be mentioned.

In His love,
Nate

nate95366 · 10-22-2004, 01:09 PM

It's the maintainance issue, generally. Also, SS amps do better in the "raw clean" tone category. If you want "country - clean" tone, you go SS. That's the rule. For everything else, tubes are better but they're more maintainance-intensive by far.

Nate

dickson amps · 10-22-2004, 01:33 PM

There is a market for those who want the sound of tubes, but can not get them due to various reasons (price, weight/size(of the amp), volume issues, psychosis, etc.). So companies will always build and market amps that have a 'tube-like' sound. The same goes for the software modeling trend. These amps produce tones that are very close to the sound and feel of a tube amp. They are not exact, but close enough for many. (I am not downing modeling amps, I even use them at times, but they are not 100% the same). Modeling amps and solid state amps can be much more versatile then tube amps at much lower prices.

Berry

klassiccobra65 · 10-22-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate95366

It's the maintainance issue, generally. Also, SS amps do better in the "raw clean" tone category. If you want "country - clean" tone, you go SS. That's the rule. For everything else, tubes are better but they're more maintainance-intensive by far.

Nate

SS umm

. Have you heard a Fender Twin Reverb?????? Its got the smooth clean and still gets a load of twang for the country. It is the cleanest I have played man. But still puts out great tone when rock'n out. TUBE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111oneone

I love TUBES

All in Christian love,
Josh

Mattlock · 10-22-2004, 03:15 PM

Why? It's basically so they can sell stuff.
"Look at our amp!!! It has 231048120947 built in effects and can come not even close to sounding like a Marshall and a Fender!!! So buy our crap!!!" That's why.

Nate · 10-22-2004, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skilletswitch

Why? It's basically so they can sell stuff.
"Look at our amp!!! It has 231048120947 built in effects and can come not even close to sounding like a Marshall and a Fender!!! So buy our crap!!!" That's why.

Ummm... no. Haha.

tht00 · 10-22-2004, 04:58 PM

a lot of it is marketing. they can make SS amps cheap, slap on some fancy descriptions, and sell them to newbies who don't know any better. a lot of newbies also look for the wrong things in an amps anyway; effects, effects, effects, and the amount of watts.

those that stick with the instrument longer, and when their ears mature, can recognize the difference in tone, and is the most important part of the amp. now, SS does have its place, and modelling amps are getting much better, but 100% tube is sure to get you great tone.

i have a vox ad30, which is a modelling amp, and love it for its flexibility, and the incredible tone i can get from it. i could afford it and i can get some awesome tube tone. i'd recommend tube over modelling amps most of the time, depending on the circumstances... but i'd always recommend tube over plain 'ol SS any day.

rock_guitar1990 · 10-22-2004, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klassiccobra65

TUBE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111oneone

dont ever do that again.

i agree with the fact taht solid-states are much more easier to maintain. you don't have to worry about changing tubes or damaging them. theyre virtually perfectly clean. they sometiems come with built in effects (which in my opinion sound bad) they sound great for a lot of things.

tubes have a lot of advantages too (probably more). they have a warmer sound. they are loud. they have smooth distortion (and tend to go from clean to distortion smoothly and not instantly or harshly). tubes glow!

and they generally just sound better and have better tonal possiblities.

so that is why companies make solid-state. but still, its like when they made that "New Coca-Cola" back in the '80s and everyone got angry and wanted the old stuff.

**Rainer.** · 10-22-2004, 06:38 PM

I must disagree that SS gives a cleaner sound. Sure, it give a more perfect, clearer, sterile, 100% untampered with tone, but probably not any cleaner. In fact, tubes can stay clean at higher volumes.

Yes, solid states are easier to maintain. They work well for a person who just can't seem to take care of their stuff. You don't need to change tubes and such, but then again, changing tubes is only usually a once a year occasion, and probably doesn't take as long as changing strings.

Companies don't phase out the solid states, because first, they're cheap and easy to mass produce. That means they sell for cheaper, which means there will usually be someone to buy them. And as long as people buy, they'll make them.

rock_guitar1990 · 10-22-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I must disagree that SS gives a cleaner sound. Sure, it give a more perfect, clearer, sterile, 100% untampered with tone, but probably not any cleaner. In fact, tubes can stay clean at higher volumes.

Yes, solid states are easier to maintain. They work well for a person who just can't seem to take care of their stuff. You don't need to change tubes and such, but then again, changing tubes is only usually a once a year occasion, and probably doesn't take as long as changing strings.

Companies don't phase out the solid states, because first, they're cheap and easy to mass produce. That means they sell for cheaper, which means there will usually be someone to buy them. And as long as people buy, they'll make them.

boycott!!

**Rainer.** · 10-23-2004, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock_guitar1990

boycott!!

It's called Tube Snobbery.

Casey · 10-23-2004, 11:25 AM

Maybe a thread merge is in order, what with the redundant nature of it...

Case

maadio · 11-19-2004, 08:58 AM

I have a Fender Pro Reverb, so I take offense when people talk about the "cleaner sound of SS Amps." No Solid State box can ever match up to the crystal clear sound I get out of my 50w baby. Not even close. In fact, the other Fender amp owners here would probably agree with me when I say "Don't even go there. Don't mess with our amps because you will pay dearly for it."

Is there an official Tube Snobbery Club around here? If so, where do I find it?

**thesteve** · 11-19-2004, 09:11 AM

so far it's unofficial, and you're an official member. i can almost guarantee that your "crystal clear" tone is plenty affected from the original signal. the reason people keep tube amps around is because of all of the additional harmonics that are introduced, not because of the lack of them. the only reason you're offended is because you're close minded.

BlessedNinja · 11-19-2004, 01:52 PM

PC, I think what steve is trying to say is that SS amps produce an un-tainted reproduction of your guitar tone. He's not saying that SS sound better(though he may think so....an he'd be wrong

) , it's just that tubes "color" (in a good way) the original signal from your guitar. So if you like the sound of a guitar played straight into a PA, then go ahead because you'd get the same sound out of a SS amp (less the speaker color of course).But if you want your guitar to sound sparkley(insert chimey, fuller, etc) then you need a tube amp.