Why Don't High-Dollar Tube Amps Impress???

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
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Of late, I've played through some very expensive tube amps. Some are studio owned and others are privately owned. This morning it was a colleague's Overdrive Special. It sounded OK, but it just didn't blow me away. The price tag certainly gives you bragging rights, but as far as it really delivering uncommon tones, even clean, it just wasn't super remarkable.

Hmmm...
 
I suspect much of what I hear and think sounds good is a combination of many factors. From a certain novice in the world of sound. I am sure quite a few amps from the el cheapo to a high dollar and everywhere in between are "dialed in" with their tone altered by sound engineers, effects, room acoustics and other factors that produce the final sound we hear. Another question I should raise is are you hearing these amps from the perspective of the player vs perspective of an audience while someone else is playing thru these amps?

Also, in all the years you have been listening to the performances of your mom, her friends, your band mates, obviously albums of players you enjoy, have you not found at least a few examples of amp setups they played through that sounded better than the high dollar ones you say don't bring the goods for you?

As I write, I still also wonder what your ideal goal for the sound you are searching for is? Is it how you sound recorded, how you sound live in gigs, or how you are just hunting for while practicing? As you have said, so far your amps are getting you good results which leads me to that old saying. if it ain't broke don't fix it.
 
"Good" is very subjective. I think it is as simple as that. Lots of amps can sound good when used by good players, but the tastes of any given listener will vary. If you don't like what you are hearing from a particular amp, be it cheap or expensive, no one can argue with you.
 
Yup, 100% subjective. If an amp doesn't impress you then it's just not your thing (but it might be someone else's). I too was completely unimpressed when I tried Dumbles (2 of them) but they represent the grail to many people. No right or wrong there. At the same time, the only amps that I find truly inspiring to play are modern tube, high-gain channel-switchers like Mesa, Bogner, Engl, etc. They won't impress everyone or be the solution to their needs but that's why we have so many choices.
 
chilipeppermaniac said:
I suspect much of what I hear and think sounds good is a combination of many factors. From a certain novice in the world of sound. I am sure quite a few amps from the el cheapo to a high dollar and everywhere in between are "dialed in" with their tone altered by sound engineers, effects, room acoustics and other factors that produce the final sound we hear. Another question I should raise is are you hearing these amps from the perspective of the player vs perspective of an audience while someone else is playing thru these amps?

Also, in all the years you have been listening to the performances of your mom, her friends, your band mates, obviously albums of players you enjoy, have you not found at least a few examples of amp setups they played through that sounded better than the high dollar ones you say don't bring the goods for you?

As I write, I still also wonder what your ideal goal for the sound you are searching for is? Is it how you sound recorded, how you sound live in gigs, or how you are just hunting for while practicing? As you have said, so far your amps are getting you good results which leads me to that old saying. if it ain't broke don't fix it.
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Growing up so deeply rooted in country music, the Broadcaster (and later the Telecaster) and a Twin Reverb were considered the only proper tool for this genre. Certainly, the clean tones from this combination are second to none and I've played often in country bands with this type of equipment.

Now, I have heard some really amazing rigs, but in all honesty, every one that I heard that truly impressed me, had a bunch of rack-mount effects working with it, so was it the amp or the effect units that contributed to the tone I was hearing??? One such tone is Tony Iommi's current live rig. It is indeed impressive.

Now, for me, I play in metal and 80's rock bands, so my tone is very heavy. However, I often play with bands in other genres where my sound/tone will run the gamut and be almost totally clean at times.

So, I wanted this thread to be more of a conversation starter than anything else, since, as you all have pointed out, tone is a very subjective thing... :-)
 
Gahr said:
"Good" is very subjective. I think it is as simple as that. Lots of amps can sound good when used by good players, but the tastes of any given listener will vary. If you don't like what you are hearing from a particular amp, be it cheap or expensive, no one can argue with you.
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Right! I am often surprised when I plug into a Made In China POS at Guitar Sinner and love the tone...
 
One of the best overall tones I have heard in person was Nita Strauss. The clarity and timing of the delay, the tonal spectrum, EQ and depth of the reverb truly was phenomenal and it sounded just as good when her tech was noodling around on it.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Growing up so deeply rooted in country music, the Broadcaster (and later the Telecaster) and a Twin Reverb were considered the only proper tool for this genre. Certainly, the clean tones from this combination are second to none and I've played often in country bands with this type of equipment.

Now, I have heard some really amazing rigs, but in all honesty, every one that I heard that truly impressed me, had a bunch of rack-mount effects working with it, so was it the amp or the effect units that contributed to the tone I was hearing??? One such tone is Tony Iommi's current live rig. It is indeed impressive.

Now, for me, I play in metal and 80's rock bands, so my tone is very heavy. However, I often play with bands in other genres where my sound/tone will run the gamut and be almost totally clean at times.

So, I wanted this thread to be more of a conversation starter than anything else, since, as you all have pointed out, tone is a very subjective thing... :)
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Robert, I think you are in the right place too. Gball likes different styles than say Sp8 or Goo or Ray or me and hence like you.
Like you said, Fender Twin Reverb is one thing. Peavey Butcher or Dumble or Matchless or Made in China with 100 emulators, are another,,,,,,,,,, what you hear and what you are after will be a juggling act of trial and error till you hit the nail on the head.

Until a few years ago, I could not tell you what exactly a Master Volume amp is, or hi gain, or a good metal amp vs a sludgy doom type metal thing, or what I hear is a thing called djent. Ya see, for me, I had the Fender types from SS Princeton Chorus to Valve amp like my Red Knob Twin, to my Marshall half stack. I had no idea what amps for doom or thrash or those other heavier music should be played through. However, from the web, I am able to sample and learn mostly how they sound. This is how I chose my Laney AOR. It is different than my Marshall and yet a point to point head with channel switching and push pull pots etc. So while it could likely be my go to amp instead of the Marshall, I now think of it as another flavor of pie so I don't burn out on plain old cherry.
 
Why don’t the high-dollar amps impress?

It’s pretty much the same reason someone else won’t be impressed by a Line 6 head.

The amps you reference don’t have the sounds that grab you; the amp you really like doesn’t have the sounds that grab someone else.

Personal preference.

Not a whole lot more to it than that.
 
Robert Herndon said:
One of the best overall tones I have heard in person was Nita Strauss. The clarity and timing of the delay, the tonal spectrum, EQ and depth of the reverb truly was phenomenal and it sounded just as good when her tech was noodling around on it.
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Thanks Robert I can't get into it due to Nita's endorsements.

Lisa and Nita.jpg
 
SCHWING!
SI that the GUITAR MATE by chance ?? if so they run around 500.00 now --- GOOD INVESTMENT! PROFIT BABY!!!!
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smitty_p said:
Why don’t the high-dollar amps impress?

It’s pretty much the same reason someone else won’t be impressed by a Line 6 head.

The amps you reference don’t have the sounds that grab you; the amp you really like doesn’t have the sounds that grab someone else.

Personal preference.

Not a whole lot more to it than that.
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I think your point has merit, but its a bit of a blanket statement and I never look that lightly into anything.

I earn a living playing. I've had the Marshall's that some consider Holy Grails and played through other high end rigs that are highly revered. Thus far, while good tones could be extracted from them, I was expecting to be blown away by the tone, functionality, etc.

In nearly every recording studio I know of down here, the two most often used amplifiers are the Fender Twin Reverb and the Solid State Peaveys. Period.

Line 6 - there's a lot to why I like these amps and its beyond personal preference. I play a lot of outdoor venues and some real 'dives' too. Having two HD-75 heads, that cost less than $200 combined, is a smart move in these types of settings - especially next years Mojave Wasteland Festival, which is 3 days of being outdoors in blowing sand.

Same with my (4) Jackson USA cabinets. They cost around $100 each. Solid birch, Eminence USA speakers. Decent stuff for the price.

Tone wise, it pays the bills for rock and metal. Sounds better than my 45 watt Marshall head and 2034 cabinet did, especially at lower volumes and there's no need for effect pedals, and i need not csrry spare tubes, which makes everything more simplistic.

For recording at home, I've been impressed with the versatility of the Blackstar ID-CORE 100watt. I've used it clean for country work, metal, rock, etc., with really great results. How crazy is that for an amp costing $349 brand new???

I don't even plug in my Marshall DSL40C anymore. It just doesn't have what I would call a good, versatile tone. Its awesome for AC/DC covers and that's it. You can't sell them either so its become my main guitar student amp.

Now, I won't get the adoring comments by posting pics of my current rig, but its reliable and it works. I guess that's my top priority.

What I find most interesting is that I get more compliments on my tone now - and more questions about my gear - than I ever did playing through my vintage Marshall 45 watt head (with no reverb or anything) and a rare Marshall cabinet loaded with rare Greenback speakers.

I suppose I could crank a Dumble or any other boutique amp and get a decent metal tone out of it, thrown down a One Spot and a few pedals, but in all honesty, it wouldn't improve the amount of money coming in, just increase how much I have going out.

At least that's my analytical perspective and how I look at things... :-)
 
MAYBE they dont "impress" the same way I find MOST over priced -- meg hyped -- "OH YOU GOTTA HAVE THIS ITS THE BEST" stuff doesnt "impress" ---ever--

Ive been to the 250 a plate steak place--- the ones I flop on my grill for 12.00 --- Lb fer lb -- just as good --- and I dont have to worry which fork Im using....or IF IM USING one! or even if I wearing PANTS!!!

the hype the lure -- the mystique--- all work on psyche -- then much like (perfect HOLIDAY SEGUE RIGHT HERE) --much like Ralphie in a Christmas Story-----

You get the Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Rifle ---------------and ---- you shoot your eye out-------

Don-t-shoot-your-eye-out-a-christmas-story-3189191-800-600.jpg



conversely -- I have 20.00--- and 45.00 and FREE amps--- that BLEW MY NUTS OFF --- they sounded so GOOOOOD ---- so well there ya go ---
 
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