Tube vs Solid State

Over the years I’ve had half a dozen solid state amps and at least ten tube amps that I can think of. The main problem with all of them was scratchy pots and broken input jacks. It didn’t matter if they were tube or SS. In all that time I’ve had one 12ax7 tube go bad. I have replaced power tubes once just because I wanted to try some different tubes. I have one 1955 military converted pa amp that has the original tubes in it and it still cranks out the sound. When think how many tube guitar amps that have been gigged for years and years I don’t see how you can say SS requires less maintenance. It is more about the quality of the materials and construction than SS vs tubes for cost of operation. Buy good well made gear and it will last. Buy cheap crap and it won’t. I mostly use tube amps because I like the sound but I have owned and played SS amps that I would have no problems with them as my main amp. The Traynor DG series, many of the old Peaveys, some of the Orange Crush, and Roland Blues Cubes are all great sounding amps that would sound great live. For a year my only amp was a Marshall 100 watt SS. It had one sound but it was a very sweet sound. I always got compliments on my tone from other players.
 
SG John said:
Last maintained over ten years ago. 50 year old Mullard tubes, and gets ridden hard and put away wet. There are a lot gigs on this amp. Sounds wicked pissah!


View attachment 38041



View attachment 38042
Click to expand...
Nice JMP
I'd like to get me one of those, the closest I get is my JCM800 2203X what a monster though.
eSGEe said:
ANd to be even MORE honest -- as the Hairy Wanker said--
it is easier -- to get a consistent tone with SS
I turn the Marshall on it SOUNDS the same -- every time -- period--
same with the Peavey
the Mesa is lovely and I love its tone--but its finicky -- some days it sounds better-- it sounds BETTER after its been on for 30 minutes than RIGHT when you turn it on -- if I want to do a "quick noodle" I dont chose it --

tube amps are like owning old British cars
SS amps are like modern Toyotas--

both start -- both GO --
but -- if you are driving from South Fl. to Northern Ca. ----- and MUST get there in 5 days..................and can pick either car ---- which one ya gonna pick?????????
Click to expand...
You are right a tube amp wouldn't survive the stairs, but could be repaired.
At this point I wouldn't trade my tube amp for any SS amp. Yes they do like to be warmed up befor play there is a sweet spot once they get there.

My JCM900 came factory with 5881 power tubes that about a year later one broke its vacume seal. When this happened it made blue swirls inside the tube. With that also took out a grid resistor so it got a mod to EL34 power tubes. This also required new screen resistors and replacing bias resistors. Then I did the 1ohm resistors to the chassis for biasing without a probe.
The tubes in it are now about 10 years old and amp works flawlessly. The cost of doing these mods was about $300 I did the labor so that saved a bunch.

I have nothing against SS amps there just not for me at this point. Tube amps aren't for everybody but for me when you hear the classic's from the 80's you can tell it's a Marshall. I have yet to mistake a SS for tubes, tubes just have that sound that's not replaceable.

That's just my 2 cents
 
I just finished a rehearsal with some tube goodness!....yes...I own both tube, and solid state...
SS for cleans/bass(hi-fi style) is good to my tastes...
BUT.....where grit/break-up comes in to play...tubes for me...mostly...my Kustom amps do well on bass with a light break-up.
Fuzz sits better on a tube amp, in my opinion, too....OK on the right SS...but better on tube...
 
eSGEe said:
LOOK I own SS -- hybrid and ALL TUBE amps -- and much like the hairy wanker in post 74 -- I cant hear ANY difference OTHER than -- thats a different amp-- but tube vs SS vs hybrid -- its not that big a diff..... I tried it this evening

Mesa -- all tube-- USA made
Orange Micro Terror-- hybrid--Chinese
Marshall Lead 15 - SS- Vietnamese
Peavey Bandit 112-- SS-- USA made

Same SG guitar-- same cord-- same pick --same :poo: power chords by an old stinker that looks like me----
HONESTLY -- NOT a HUGE DIFFERENCE.....certainly NOT the 89.00 for a Micro Terror VS the 500.00 for a Mesa difference---

I mean thats OVER 5 TIMES more $$$ and Im sorry the TONE is not FIVE TIMES AS GOOD ---- TO MY EARS----different -- YES-- but thats like saying milk chocolate should be 5 times as much $ as dark chocolate--
Click to expand...

I'm really glad you feel that way.

So.....umm....since the sound isn't ~that~ much better than your other amps...how 'bout you send me the Mesa?! :cool:

(I'll even pay for the shipping!)
 
67plexi said:
I look at resale value solid state falls way short on resale value and I do own one solid state amp a Vox 120 watt
nothing to brag about I got it for the 2 x 12" cabinet.

View attachment 38082
Click to expand...



Plexi now you're starting to sound like the Gibson guy's.o_O Open your mind plexi, now get over to Sweetwater right away and buy a sweet SS Orange, that's an order.. :) Trade off the Vox 120 SS if you have too. :D
 
Last edited:
History Of Orange Amps
 
Here you go gball , you can get this GT100W 1970s valve, like the one you put here in this thread . yours for a price of 3,586.51 CDN. But give the Orange CR120H a go next time you are in the music store.

Vintage 1970s Matamp Orange GT100 100w Valve Amplifier Head
 
Last edited:
Session 5 said:
gball 5 stars on 53 reviews Sweetwater. I have also tried this amp, Its SSSWEEETT.

Click to expand...

I've tried the 60-watt combo version, and it was okay but wouldn't get me to selling any of my tube amps.

Thing is, I just don't think the Orange family sound is for me. Nothing wrong with it, because I love hearing that sound when other people are playing, but it doesn't work for me when I'm the one playing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top