Tube Amp Reliability

Tube amps are reliable. Let them cool off before you move them. And, bring a backup like you would with a solid state. Solid state amps, in my experience, have a tendency of being there one moment and not the next, compared to tube amps anyways. But, all in all, whether tube or solid state, they are man made in an imperfect world so...

It boils down to what you want to use or not use...
 
gball said:
In 40+ years of playing the only time I have ever had an amp sh!t the bed on me it was SS, so...will be sticking with my tubes.
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I am soory you had to experience that. I spent years living with an old JTM30, and it was always problematic. That might be because it was so old, but I like the newer SS amps because I have built-in noise gate and delay, so I no longer need pedals.
 
I never had a tube amp crap out on stage but I like the idea if something did happen it's not going to stop the show.
Like being a Drummer many years extra snare drum extra bass drum peddle.
Last night I did have a QSC K12 solid state crap out on me Chinese made garbage.
 
67plexi said:
I never had a tube amp crap out on stage but I like the idea if something did happen it's not going to stop the show.
Like being a Drummer many years extra snare drum extra bass drum peddle.
Last night I did have a QSC K12 solid state crap out on me Chinese made garbage.
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You know, I would like to solicit your opinion. So many things are Chinese made now - Jackson guitars, Marshall amps from Vietnam, PRS made in Indonesia and my Line 6 relics are Made In China too - how do you find a good amp???

I ask from the premise of a guitarist who doesn't need a Dumble or other high-priced P-2-P unit to serve up the needs of a metal band.

Thoughts???
 
It makes me madder than a hornet when I buy a product that is made in China I buy USA. I got the QSC K12 1000 watt RMS self powered speakers light weight 42 pounds. My EAW monitors made in USA sound great but I will not move them to heavy same with my Dumble amps 87 pounds I don't use them in public
My amps that I use live are 20 pounds. One more point I'm not in a metal band unless you think playing Black Sabbath songs are metal.
Our band plays Classic Rock Last night we played to a full house and it was 80% young hot stunning babes age 21-30
I build most of my amps 151 so far. I don't pass judgement on others for what gear they use
 
67plexi said:
It makes me madder than a hornet when I buy a product that is made in China I buy USA. I got the QSC K12 1000 watt RMS self powered speakers light weight 42 pounds. My EAW monitors made in USA sound great but I will not move them to heavy same with my Dumble amps 87 pounds I don't use them in public
My amps that I use live are 20 pounds. One more point I'm not in a metal band unless you think playing Black Sabbath songs are metal.
Our band plays Classic Rock Last night we played to a full house and it was 80% young hot stunning babes age 21-30
I build most of my amps 151 so far. I don't pass judgement on others for what gear they use
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It was not my intent to pass judgement on anyone, I was just soliciting your opinion on decent imported amps, since most everything is China made nowadays...

We are a 100% original metal band. But, I play for a living in several cover bands and we do a lot of classic rock too, including Sabbath...
 
My Orange 35RT is made in China, I believe the quality is very good. I am quite happy with it. Many of the amps nowadays are made under licence in China.
 
Robert Herndon said:
It was not my intent to pass judgement on anyone, I was just soliciting your opinion on decent imported amps, since most everything is China made nowadays...


I do repairs for our local music store and the China made products are not holding up the last shipment 40% of the guitar amps were dead or something failed at start up
it's the parts they are using now. Take a Apple I phone cost $8.00 to build they sell for $800.00 plus. Have a nice day.
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Robert Herndon said:
Thanks Man...good to know!
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I have had several dozens of amps over the years---an ORange 35RT being one of them and I can state it was a very Good SS amp--if it HAD TO BE my only amp for some reason--I would not be sad-- I have an old Marshall Valvestate-- and it is a very good Solidstate amp Ive had PEavey SS amps I swear you could shoot with a a 45 and they would still work--------I have a MESA tube amp--a Panama and a Lil Sexy Boutique tube amp (Drumoids creation) I do not put the riggers and wear on mine that a pro does---
its one thing to make a trip to my doom room and stay --- for months/years--- its another to be moved around several times a week -- bumped-- banged --dropped bounced etc etc etc

I can only give my experience and I have never had an amp --tube or Solid sate crap out on me---1 time the dog knocked the Vavlestate to the ground and messed up the input jacket--- quick fix for Drumoid-- and its all well and good as new...

The gear in general now days --- be it top qulaity or built to a price point -- IMHO is very good for what it is ---

I mean truly a Fender Mustang SS amp with all the bells and whistles cna keep a novice or mid level player in HIGH cotton for years---for VERY VERY LITTLE $
the pro level stuff being made --- is beyond what was imaginable 30-40 years ago--


ITs all good find what ya like and CRANK IT!
 
Robert Herndon said:
It was not my intent to pass judgement on anyone, I was just soliciting your opinion on decent imported amps, since most everything is China made nowadays...

We are a 100% original metal band. But, I play for a living in several cover bands and we do a lot of classic rock too, including Sabbath...
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I am squarely in the same camp as 67plexi on this one, and I will only consider amps built in the US/England/Germany/Canada. The exception is for practice amps and accessories, where you have little choice but to go Asian, but for my main amplification needs I won't even consider am Asian-built amp.

And just off the top of my head, not trying to be comprehensive or anything, finding a US-made Metal amp is not all that hard:
  • Mesa/Boogie,
  • Bogner,
  • Soldano,
  • Friedman,
  • Rivera,
  • Wizard,
  • Mojave,
  • Splawn
all come immediately to mind, and there are plenty of others that escape me right now.

For lower gain stuff you got things like:
  • Dr. Z
  • Bad Cat
  • Victoria
and so many others I could never list them.

  • Engl and Diezel are German

  • A lot of Marshalls are still made in the UK. They also have Victory amps, Hayden, Cornford, etc.

Alls I'm saying is it's no problem to get your hands on a top-quality, US or Western-made amp. You may pay a little more up front but what you get in return makes them a huge bargain in comparison.
 
Laney makes good metal amps as does Peavey. Tons of good n bad publicity, reviews and pros n cons from metal amps type forums too.

Also heard a few things about Budda amps, Jeff who builds them is local here in MD to me., Sovtek are also good.
 
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