I only play tube amps

[Killcrop]

There you go. I said it.

What's not to like about tube amps? So many cool amps to chose from.

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me. I spend enough time on computers.

Who's with me?

:banana

[radium]

Me too. I guess its me and you against the world.

[Darth Tater]

There you go. I said it.

What's not to like about tube amps?

:banana


Those darn tubes burn the crap out of my hands every time I grab them. Is there any way to fix that?

[mitch236]

I tried the Fractal and returned it. It sounds good, but not great.

Tubes only for me too!

[bosstone]

I would bet that this is true of about 90% of TGPers. That said there are a couple hybrids that sound great to me. The Marshall Artist has a SS front end but uses EL34s with Drake transformers for the power section. The Legend does it the opposite way. It has an all tube preamp and a SS power section. I owned an Artist once. Out of the dozens of amps I have had, it is the only non all tube amp I have ever had but wouldn't mind having another.

[Killcrop]

Those darn tubes burn the crap out of my hands every time I grab them. Is there any way to fix that?

No pain, no gain brother.

Built in security. No one will ever still your tubes during a gig.

Next?

[Shiny McShine]

This thread could go critical mass any second now...

[astigtigas]

i fell in love instantly when i tried a tube amp.... simply awesome...

[Blueser]

Amen Brutha' Dave!

[daphil]

I only play music. I try to sound good, whatever I use.

[StudioRat320]

While I love my tube amps, I'm not adverse to using modeling technology or solid state amps for that matter. The important thing for me is the end result. There are things you can do with modelers that are impossible with tube amps. I've even recorded my tube amps and then during the mix used Amplitube 2 or something else to enhance the sound. Like I said, it's the end result that matters to me.

[popsongsmith]

This thread could go critical mass any second now...

ok, here we go...

this is not an original thought, but I'll say it nonetheless:

I'll play anything that SOUNDS GOOD. If I plugged my guitar into my mother-in-law's corn hole and it sounded good...

you get the picturehttp://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gif

[brads]

Me too. I guess its me and you against the world.

You funny:)

[chillerthanmost]

the only non tube amp I would consider is a Sunn Beta Lead.

[Axemeister]

Not to rain on your parade, but this sort of thread starts out with the poster mentioning a preference and puts a clear negative on anybody that might be playing through a modeling amp.

It will end up as another Gear Page debate that does not mean really anything. I say play what you like and let others enjoy their preference.

By the way, I am a tube amp fan and I own seven tube amps, but their are some very talented folks who play through modeling amps, and I need to respect their choices.

I do not like to kill the fun, but I see too many threads where people start off with their opinion and go negative on other choices from the start... and they just end up with somebody getting defensive or arguing.

[franksguitar]

I would bet that this is true of about 90% of TGPers. That said there are a couple hybrids that sound great to me. The Marshall Artist has a SS front end but uses EL34s with Drake transformers for the power section. The Legend does it the opposite way. It has an all tube preamp and a SS power section. I owned an Artist once. Out of the dozens of amps I have had, it is the only non all tube amp I have ever had but wouldn't mind having another.

I have a great Artist 4203 combo with the mod. It is a kick ass 30 watter. I get more comments on that amp for both output volume and tone. It has a 12AX7 & 2- EL34's and great OD as well as decent clean with the mod.. Of course I have a number of all tube P to P Boogies and have a few Fenders & a Traynor combo.

[remocity]

I tried the Fractal and returned it. It sounds good, but not great.

Tubes only for me too!

I did the same thing.......

[remocity]

Those darn tubes burn the crap out of my hands every time I grab them. Is there any way to fix that?

Stop grabbing them??????????:jo

[hudpucker]

Not to rain on your parade, but this sort of thread starts out with the poster mentioning a preference and puts a clear negative on anybody that might be playing through a modeling amp.

It will end up as another Gear Page debate that does not mean really anything. I say play what you like and let others enjoy their preference.

By the way, I am a tube amp fan and I own seven tube amps, but their are some very talented folks who play through modeling amps, and I need to respect their choices.

I do not like to kill the fun, but I see too many threads where people start off with their opinion and go negative on other choices from the start... and they just end up with somebody getting defensive or arguing.


Yep. Just another thinly disguised "I hate X" thread...

[mike80]

I have bought only tube amps since I first tried one 10 years ago.

However, I do own a solid state Earth amp from the 70s, and I practice with an older Marshall Valvestate VS100 combo, which I absolutely love the tone from.

The other guitarist in my band plays a Line 6 SpiderValve, with the modeling front end and a tube power section. It sounds pretty good also.

I still have friends that swear by solid-state amps for their buzzsaw distortion.

I've recorded songs on a solid-state B-52 half stack, various solid states with pedals, and many tube amps.

So I guess you could say I'm not a tube purist, though I will only buy tube amps now.

[doyle o'brian]

These days I will only play tube amps unless I am playing an archtop or acoustic. I play my Hofner archtop through an old Peavey solid state amp. I can't seem to get a good tone with an archtop through a tube amp, and feedback is a lot harder to control. I don't know how all those old jazz guitar players gigged with tube amps in the fifties and sixties. I occasionally see a jazz player playing an archtop through a big fender blackface type amp, but it is rare. Next time I should ask how they make it work.

[kludge]

One exception... I use a Peavey Session 500 sometimes. But that's a straight analog amp, not a modeler.

What I'd like to find is the right combination of solid-state power amp, speaker, and analog modeler (JD10, Sansamp, etc) that would work live. I've actually recorded through a JD10 and think it's as good as a mic'd amp for those purposes. I'm in the process of restoring an old Dual Showman head, which should give me WAY more clean power than I'll ever need... hopefully, I can work out good overdrive textures with it. After that, the next step is small, portable solid-state.

[stratzrus]

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me. The important thing for me is the end result. There are things you can do with modelers that are impossible with tube amps. This may not be the firestorm you hoped for, I think the Axe FX'ers are pretty well argued out.

StudioRat's post nailed it for me...play what you will.

[Red Planet]

No Modelers for me. :hide:banana

Me likey a good Tube Amp!

Cary on.

[Miles]

There you go. I said it.

What's not to like about tube amps? So many cool amps to chose from.

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me. I spend enough time on computers.

Who's with me?

:banana

I used to be with you on this, but as projects evolved and needs changed, so did my tastes. I am able to dial a good sound into just about anything nowadays and I like having the versatility of a lot of sounds. Tube amps are great, but they are tapped into as far as they can go. I like to find strange tones and modellers are great for this.

It's incredibly subjective, but I like some modelling amps a lot, I also like a lot of tube amps...whatever accomplishes the sound I'm after. There are tons of tube amps that get whooped by a good modelling amp, in my opinion, and too many people are hearing with their eyes, not their ears.

[thesteve]

ok, here we go...

this is not an original thought, but I'll say it nonetheless:

I'll play anything that SOUNDS GOOD. If I plugged my guitar into my mother-in-law's corn hole and it sounded good...

you get the picturehttp://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gifI agree with this completely (though the idea of playing through my in-law's cornhole is pretty gross).

I've used an Acoustic 150 through a Crate 212 combo amp the amp was removed) and a Crate Power Block through whatever cabinet happened to be lying around. Works good enough for me. sure there's times when I wish I had the space and money for a tube amp (even one of those little Blackheart amps), but as it is, the SS amps I've been using (the two mentioned previously and a Sessionette 75) do the job just fine when they get the room to sweat it out a little.

[?&!]

I love playing tube amps. I looooooooooooove them. Sometimes, however, it's really a pain in the ass to record them. No matter how good the acoustics of the studio are, no matter how great the mic on your speaker is, no matter how pristine the recording signal chain is, I find it impossible to capture the EXACT tone I hear from the amp on tape. I've gotten many great guitar sounds from mic-ing up great tube amps, but what comes out of the monitors is always a little different than what is coming out of the amp. The great thing about modelers is that what you hear is what you get. I always track live with a tube amp, but feed a clean, direct signal to the board. When we are mixing, I can scroll through and tweak tons of sounds on the dry track, and experiment until I find just the right balance with the live track. There have even been times (gasp!) the modeled tone worked better in the mix than the tube-amp tone. I try to use my ears to decide what works, not prejudices about different technologies. Just my opinion!

[electronpirate]

ok, here we go...

this is not an original thought, but I'll say it nonetheless:

I'll play anything that SOUNDS GOOD. If I plugged my guitar into my mother-in-law's corn hole and it sounded good...

you get the picturehttp://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon12.gif

Smartest thing said so far. If a bit nasty on the visual image of that...

I love tube amps too, but don't need to restrict my ears by saying that's the only thing I'll play.

How soon until someone posts 'I love my modeler, it's the only thing I'll play...' ?????

R

[esoteric pete]

Who's with me?


i am.

[JPenn]

There you go. I said it.

What's not to like about tube amps? So many cool amps to chose from.

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me. I spend enough time on computers.

Who's with me?

:banana

Congrats!!!:)

[buddaman71]

I LOVE tube amps too, but the only thing that really matters to me is the end result: being what the audience hears.

[mcuguitar]

All tube PTP amps rule for guitar, though there are exceptions. A good Roland JC-120 sounds great clean, and Bogner seems to make the hybrid thing work really well...Shivas sound pretty dang good. Jon.

[pluto]

Modeling amps are great, but tubes just have that "je ne sais quoi" about them. It's not like I get a hard-on seeing tubes, but there's something cool about glowing glass that makes it cool!

[thesedaze]

I know Ed Sanner (old amp guy in bakersfield) designed most of the Mosrite amps, but werent the ones a young Dumble designed/built solid state too? Not saying they sounded good, because I think the Sanner ones sound like crap, too...but if it had Dumble history would any of you change your opinion?

[Ed DeGenaro]

Whatever ver gets the job done...
Me...I got 15 tubes amps, 1 hybrid, 2 hard ware modellers and a bunch of software modellers and it all gets used. I have my preferences for certain things. But I do not subscribe to the believe that one has no place in one's arsenal.

[flyingvees]

My old Peavey Mace 50.00 pawnshop prize is the only non tube amp I can handle...Tube power SS preamp...Rossington all the way...:banana

[oldrock]

I love tube amps too but have nothing against solid state. If they sounded as good as tubes, I'd be all for it since tube amps are a pain in the butt to change tubes and fix them when they break. I do admist though that I like my little microcube. One of the best little practice amps out there imho. Runs a very long time on a set of cheap AA batteries and also comes with the adapter and a strap.

There is a place in my music room for both ss and tubes.

[John Coloccia]

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me.

Maybe because they want to? :confused:

IMHO, if you're playing weddings or top 40 a good modeler (like AxeFX) is a slam dunk. I always scratch my head when I see someone show up at a wedding gig with a Twin and a pedal board the size of Rhode Island when a small rack with an AxeFX and a power amp gets the job done better....in my opinion.

For the record, I'll put my Boss GT-6 Eric Johnson tone up against anything - tube, digital or otherwise. :D

[Red Planet]

Maybe because they want to? :confused:

IMHO, if you're playing weddings or top 40 a good modeler (like AxeFX) is a slam dunk. I always scratch my head when I see someone show up at a wedding gig with a Twin and a pedal board the size of Rhode Island when a small rack with an AxeFX and a power amp gets the job done better....in my opinion.

For the record, I'll put my Boss GT-6 Eric Johnson tone up against anything - tube, digital or otherwise. :D

Spoken as if a good Clean, Crunch and Burn aint enuff to play a gig wedding or not?

[Tuberattler]

I have almost 20 tube amps mostly vintage Fenders & Marshalls, but I do like my Vox AD50VT, I play it almost daily espeically when volume is an issue. The nice thing is it does simulate a tube amp really well and there are so many good tones from this thing.

Used to be a tube snob, still am, my Vox has a tube ;)

[dk123123dk]

I would bet that this is true of about 90% of TGPers. That said there are a couple hybrids that sound great to me. The Marshall Artist has a SS front end but uses EL34s with Drake transformers for the power section. The Legend does it the opposite way. It has an all tube preamp and a SS power section. I owned an Artist once. Out of the dozens of amps I have had, it is the only non all tube amp I have ever had but wouldn't mind having another.

I still use a Peavey Classic VT Series 2x12" combo. It has a solid state pre, and tube power amp. It sounds great! I prefer tubes, but I can dial out a decent sound out of most decent solid state amps as well. Its all about making music with whatever works.

dk

[Ken Ho]

On the other hand, I wouldn't play through my mother-in-laws hole no matter how good it sounds. No way I want her in my music room.
It's not just about the tone for me, but the whole aesthetic from all five senses, and how easy it is to get good tone.
Sure, you can get modellers to sound good, no doubt, but a tube just sounds good, no work required.
I get enough of computers at work. They don't intrude on my recreation.
I agree that you can't really ever capture the exact sound of a tube amp in a recording. There are elements to the tube amp experience which just can't be captured. The magical interaction between a good tube amp and a great guitar is a huge aprt of the pleasure of playing to me and there is no way I'll pick an ugly one over a pretty one.

[PFCG]

I am totally open to any new technology. In fact i wish it will surpass tube amps one of these days. I have not tried the fractal yet,but i would like to.

It would be so convenient for me to never have to bring a heavy tube amp everywhere i go or a huge speaker cab. I love the compact size of a 1x12 combo like a swart or the like, but the push and feel a 4x12 cab has when your using a nice tube amp is just magical.

I would love to get that huge sound of a 100 watt plexi or my two rock, or any LOUD tube amp, out of a very small package.

One rackmount, one foot controller, one guitar. i would love that!

What i dont get though is that my mac has tons of processing power and is about 3500 bucks, but why cant you use that same processing power and technology to build a bitchin amp for the same price?

I think the axe fx does like one gigaflop, but my comp does like 35 atleast.

[todd921]

Tube amps smell good.

[Lex Luthier]

I have a whole bunch of tube amps, a couple of Yamaha DG digital amps and a couple of SS amps. For practicing I usually plug into a small Peavey Transtube amp.

FWIW, I'd love to have another old Pearce G1R again.

[DC1]

There's a 4th choice (for recording at least) beyond tube amps, SS amps, and modelers.

If you have a recording rig that can do a true shelving EQ (lo shelf with adjustable slope and variable frequency) you can emulate the curve of many guitar amps without all the coloration. Use a preamp (I like a Barber Tone Press or a Matchless Hotbox or both) and go direct. Adjust the shelf to taste both in slope and frequency. Frequency can make a real difference when the shelf is set to 500 compared to 2K.

You can come up with outstanding clean tones this way. I mean, just stunning. You can layer parts and fills without eating all the space in the mix because it is so clean, and if you combine a parametric bump within the shelf or above it, you can get as warm or sparkly as you like. Use your ears and spend an evening finding all the possibilities.

In fact this sounds so good, especially in stereo with delay or reverb, that I hesitated to tell anyone about it...

So keep it between us.

:hide

And use tubes or not, depending on what works for the tune.

DC

[jkamp20]

I personally prefer tube amps myself . . . but man I can really get going on my friends JC-120! To each his own. Better is subjective. This is almost on the same level of PTP vs PCB boards discussion. Each done right results in a good amp, same goes for this conversation.

[Tone_Terrific]

You can come up with outstanding clean tones this way. I mean, just stunning. You can layer parts and fills without eating all the space in the mix because it is so clean, and if you combine a parametric bump within the shelf or above it, you can get as warm or sparkly as you like. Use your ears and spend an evening finding all the possibilities.

DC

Much of what we hear as good just depends on finding an EQ curve that is pleasing for the purpose, imo, too.
A tube is not required, not rejected, but not necessarily necessary.:messedup
Many of these questions are so dependent on individual experience that advice is almost meaninless.

[DC1]

Much of what we hear as good just depends on finding an EQ curve that is pleasing for the purpose, imo, too.
A tube is not required, not rejected, but not necessarily necessary.:messedup
Many of these questions are so dependent on individual experience that advice is almost meaninless.

Exactly. I am working with a manufacturer to come up with a guitar pedal with a single band of shelf, with freq. and slope, and a band or 2 of true parametric.

One people hear what you can do with that, many of their ideas about this stuff changes. I don't think they believe there is a market, but if it comes out, I'll tell everyone here first.

DC

[Shiny McShine]

I want it all... good acoustic guitars, good tube amps, good Fractal... all of it. They all have their uses.

[DC1]

I want it all... good acoustic guitars, good tube amps, good Fractal... all of it. They all have their uses.

It's HELL isn't it??

:Spank:Spank:Spank


:banana:banana:banana



:hide


DC

[Unabender]

I play mostly any amp that comes by. They all sound decent enough with a RAT pedal I usually carry along.

Amps are just tools, and lifeless machines. No reason to fall in love with them.

[Blind Rat]

I play mostly any amp that comes by. They all sound decent enough with a RAT pedal I usually carry along.

Amps are just tools, and lifeless machines. No reason to fall in love with them.

I find plenty of reasons to fall in love with a good amp!

[HeeHaw]

I traded my tube amps for a pod and never looked back.:D

[candid_x]

Tube amps smell good.

That's the hemp speaker cones. Tubes burn 'em up.

I only play thin and icepicky solid state Sunn amps from the late 70's.

But really, I bought a Line6 Flextone, mainly to use as a backup. I figured it'd be lightweight and hassle free. It lasted 2 days before it hit the classifieds. Sold two days later.

For me, it was not an enjoyable experience, as I couldn't feel any returning energy from the amp.

That said, a local studio owner uses Line 6 for nearly all his projects, and there's no way that type of constancy, of layer upon layer, can be achieved by a plain ole tube amp. (I sold my Line 6 ext speaker cab to him.) Great for him, doesn't work for me.

[picnic]

Tube amps preferred. I put my coffee or soup on the amp while I practice and the tubes keep them hot

[stump]

I'm in the play anything and make it sound as good as it can. As well, I own at least one of each. There are some less than stellar sounding tube, solid state, hybrid and modeling amps. Conversely there are some great ones in each class. I do prefer tubes though.

[Frankee]

It's not like I get a hard-on seeing tubes....

I do....

[Leonc]

I only play good amps!!!










Er...well...not entirely true, heheh.

[Shiny McShine]

It's HELL isn't it??

:Spank:Spank:Spank


:banana:banana:banana



:hide


DC

At first I didn't get what you meant but YES! it is sometimes. Then I just have to tell myself "I have everything I need" so I carry on making the most of what I've got. As it is, I can take an inexpensive acoustic guitar, GarageBand, my H2 and create whole songs.

[DC1]

At first I didn't get what you meant but YES! it is sometimes. Then I just have to tell myself "I have everything I need" so I carry on making the most of what I've got. As it is, I can take an inexpensive acoustic guitar, GarageBand, my H2 and create whole songs.

Yeah, I meant it was hell to get all that gear! But we love it.

DC

[gkoelling]

I started playing in 1967. Since then I've owned 13 tube amps and two SS amps. I know SS has come a long way but, well, um, no thanks.

[popsongsmith]

so here's one more philosophical observation. it's just luck of the draw that tubes were even invented in the first place. transistors could just as easily have come first, and then we wouldn't even be having this discussion. in 100 years--assuming we aren't extinct as a species--if electric guitars are still popular, they'll likely look back and chuckle at these trivial debates. because as we all know full well, sooner or later the technology will let you have your cake and eat it too. it's only a matter of time.

it'll probably transpire right around the time we finally effectively and efficiently harness solar power to it's full potential. so tubes and combustion engines can take their respective spots atop the scrapheap of history...

[Red Planet]

so here's one more philosophical observation. it's just luck of the draw that tubes were even invented in the first place. transistors could just as easily have come first, and then we wouldn't even be having this discussion. in 100 years--assuming we aren't extinct as a species--if electric guitars are still popular, they'll likely look back and chuckle at these trivial debates. because as we all know full well, sooner or later the technology will let you have your cake and eat it too. it's only a matter of time.

it'll probably transpire right around the time we finally effectively and efficiently harness solar power to it's full potential. so tubes and combustion engines can take their respective spots atop the scrapheap of history...

Until then I'm going to be ejoying my Tube Amps!

[stratotonedude]

I also only use tube amplifiers. Though I am kind of looking around for an old Kustom 100 with a matching cabinet.

[Frankee]

so here's one more philosophical observation. it's just luck of the draw that tubes were even invented in the first place. transistors could just as easily have come first, and then we wouldn't even be having this discussion. in 100 years--assuming we aren't extinct as a species--if electric guitars are still popular, they'll likely look back and chuckle at these trivial debates. because as we all know full well, sooner or later the technology will let you have your cake and eat it too. it's only a matter of time.

it'll probably transpire right around the time we finally effectively and efficiently harness solar power to it's full potential. so tubes and combustion engines can take their respective spots atop the scrapheap of history...

Buzzkill.........:D

[MikeyG]

I think the Axe FX is pretty cool, records GREAT. It blows the doors off the other modelers.

But it's still doesn't beat a tube amp.

The day a modeler equals all the great tube amps available, will be the day I sell all my tube amps. Based on a prediction I made a few years ago, it should happen in 12-15 years.

[9fingers]

"Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me."
Not beyond me- the most fun I ever had playing is the last 5 or 6 years with a modeller into the front input of my tube amps.

[supersecretjim]

I'll go along with the "whatever works at the time" crowd.
Ive loved my tube amps. Ive loved the few solid state amps Ive owned. I never really cared for any of the modelers Ive owned, but I do love my Axe Ultra for its amp sims.

Id never be so closed-minded to say Id only ever play tube amps, though. In fact, I'll never again be so closed-minded that I'd rule out anything until Ive really tried it. You just never know what you may pass up if you dont give variety a chance. That would be pretty short sighted & limiting to me, soundwise.
Ive gotten plenty of great sounds out of the GK amps Ive owned, as well as my Roland JC. My Lab Series L5 was pretty awesome too (really wish Id never gotten rid of that one), but back in 89 when I got rid of it, it just wasnt rockin enough for me. Plus, I had space concerns being in a small dorm room for a few years. I look back now, and realize it was a pretty amazing solid state combo (as long as you didnt want too much gain).

Also, lets be honest, there are some really bad tube amps out there. There are many great ones too, but just like any product, you have the good and the bad. I loved Peaveys Triple XXX combos, but I think the Valveking leaves plenty to be desired (thats putting it nicely). Less than thrilled with Marshalls JVMs too. The list of less than Great tube amps can go on and on. In my mind Mesa is hit & miss. Ive owned a few.

Go get rid of all your tube amps & get a Valveking (its a tube amp, Im sure you'll be happy!)...You'll be begging me for my old POD xt live inside of a week.

[pbradt]

I'm with you. Tubes or nothing.

[ebenezer]

Tried the Modeler route and just couldn't find anything to match a tube amp. Tubes are still far superior.........so far.

[wildschwein]

Also, lets be honest, there are some really bad tube amps out there. There are many great ones too, but just like any product, you have the good and the bad.Amen brother. Tube does not always equal good. I've played plenty of tube amps that sound like crap and I've played some SS amps that have really suprised me. Right now I'm using two 65w Peavey Transtube Studio Pro 112s in a dry-wet setup both equipped with Eminence Delta 400-500w speakers and I'm getting the best and most varied tones I've ever had from any amp and I've owned quite a few valve jobs in my time - Marshalls, Boogies and Fenders etc.

The problem with this thread is that most guitarists use tube amps anyway. Solid state guys are already marginalised and you won't have many here arguing for their preference - so the thread is like an echo chamber for people who want to hear their own opinions bounced back at themselves.

[dunara]

The problem with this thread is that most guitarists use tube amps anyway. Solid state guys are already marginalised and you won't have many here arguing for their prefernce - so the thread is like an echo chamber for people who want to hear their own opinions bounced back at themselves.
Absolutely! I own 4 valve and 2 solid state amps; when I go out to a gig or session, the electronic construction of the amp I will use is not a factor I consider. I know what they each sound like and how loud they are, and I'll pick up the amp I know will do the job. Each sounds great in its own way IMO. These amps are:

JTM45 + 4x12"
18 watter
Lab Series L9
Rivera R55
Selmer Bassist Major (15w head - awesome guitar amp!) + 2x12"
Fender 85

Each to their own - I have good friends who own amps I wouldn't touch with a shitey stick (JC120, Line 6, Marshall JCM900, for instance) and they make them sound amazing!

[burner]

I don't like tubes at all, and frankly I could do without the hassle.

It's really too bad that they just sound better.......

[devilrob1979]

Maybe because they want to? :confused:

IMHO, if you're playing weddings or top 40 a good modeler (like AxeFX) is a slam dunk. I always scratch my head when I see someone show up at a wedding gig with a Twin and a pedal board the size of Rhode Island when a small rack with an AxeFX and a power amp gets the job done better....in my opinion.

For the record, I'll put my Boss GT-6 Eric Johnson tone up against anything - tube, digital or otherwise. :D

Wanna PM me the patch?

Tube amps suck in apartments when you get off at 12:30am. Mine doesn't live with me.

[Jay Mitchell]

so here's one more philosophical observation. it's just luck of the draw that tubes were even invented in the first place. transistors could just as easily have come first,That's incorrect. Vacuum tubes can be built with parts that can be seen by the naked eye, made of common, everyday materials (metal and glass) with noncritical constituent proportions. See http://dailymotion.alice.it/video/x3wrzo_fabrication-dune-lampe-triode_tech . Vacuum tubes are an offshoot of incandescent light bulbs, which were invented near the end of the 19th century.

Even the most primitive transistor requires that specific parts of crystalline solids be grown and infused with highly toxic impurities (i.e., boron, arsenic) in accurately-controlled proportions. Tubes can be built DIY with relatively simple tools. Making transistors requires specialized production equipment.

[Ken]

I have never played the Axe-Fx, but it seems like a really cool tool...

With that being said, per some of the comments about the unit here, I would love to see a self contained amp made with the Axe-Fx as the preamp into a well designed tube power amp for an all in one head or 1x12 combo.

[TNJ]

All my guitar amps are tube amps...except the Crate Power Block I take as a backup.

Other than that...gimme TUBES, BABY!

:dude

S.
j

[John Coloccia]

Wanna PM me the patch?

Tube amps suck in apartments when you get off at 12:30am. Mine doesn't live with me.

Yes, I'd love too. I'll even see if I can record a little bit of it. It really just kills IMHO. Send me a PM to remind me and I'll do it tomorrow sometime.

[thesteve]

The problem with this thread is that most guitarists use tube amps anyway. Solid state guys are already marginalised and you won't have many here arguing for their preference - so the thread is like an echo chamber for people who want to hear their own opinions bounced back at themselves.Agreed. There have been some gem SS amps over time, and it seems clear to me that there are TGPers besides me that are using SS amps and loving it...

but what's the point in debating it...just use what sounds good. Back when I was playing guitar regularly and using an Acoustic 150 I had people giving me compliments on my tone and more importantly, I thought I sounded good.

[Scott Peterson]

I love tubes. I love tube amps. I love the Fractal Axe-FX. I love playing guitar. I love making music.

Everyone's a right to their subjective take on the tools to get there. Go with what you know. But make music.

[stratzrus]

Back when I was playing guitar regularly and using an Acoustic 150 I had people giving me compliments on my tone and more importantly, I thought I sounded good.Back when I was playing an Acuostic 150 I didn't like the tone at all so I paired it with an Amgeg Gemini II but that was years ago and a story for another day.

I think many people rightfully champion tube amps because the good ones sound and feel better than so many SS amps, but there are some good SS and digital units out there that defy the stereotypes.

Advances in the digital world are causing some tube amp diehards (like myself) to rethink our positions, formerly stated in the absolute, that "nothing is as good as a tube amp".

I think many of us are now in a "right tool for the right job" state of mind, and despite my strong sense of nostalgia, it's probable that, in time, digital amps will eventually surpass tube amps in any significant practical application.

But I think most of us still love tube amps, even the Axe FX converts. The "I only play tube amps" self identification may not be an asset in seeking the best tone and could prove simply to be dogmatic chest thumping in the absence of trying legitimate alternatives that may prove more satisfying in the long run.

As I said, I love tube amps, but the words "I only play..." are unlikely to roll off my lips about any type of gear...I've been proven wrong about equipment way too often to say "never".

[TS808]

I own all of the above..tubes, solid state, and a digital modeler. I have to say that they all have their own distinct tones and nuances. I find myself gravitating to different amps at different times. Personally, I don't care if it's powered by a hamster on a wheel...as long as it sounds good, I'll like it.

The solid state amps of today are nothing like the raspy sounding ones I owned in the 80's, and the versatility of a modeler is pretty cool. The warmth and dynamics of tubes are great. All have their value and it's crazy to compare them all...they are all their own unique animal.

[DC1]

I don't care if it's powered by a hamster on a wheel...as long as it sounds good, I'll like it.

:rotflmao:rotflmao

I was just going to post the following...

"I don't care what color the hamster is, as long as the wheel goes 'round"

Synchronicity!

DC

[sfletch]

Tech 21 trademark 60
Cube 60
Jazzmaster ultralight
old Peavey Bandit

would all get you through the average bar gig just fine....I hear people all the time with great/expensive gear and crap tone....and people with crap gear and great tone....

One of the nicest tones I remember was a fusion guy around here in the 80s...Ibanez Roadstar-Boss OD, chorus and delay-Peavey Bandit....and the guy sounded as good as anyone I've ever heard.

How about this analogy....Acoustic guys slam Ovations all the time, and then they hear Adrian Legg tear it up on one, and it doesn't matter. Ever really listen to Chuck Berry's tone? it's not the greatest, but who's gonna say that he's not a linchpin of rock and roll? Saw Johnny Copeland back in the day, playing a Peavey T-60 into a Peavey SS amp, and he tore the roof off the joint....

Sure, everybody loves tube amps....but everybody loves great music, too. Picasso's blue period was allegedly the result of him only having blue paint and no money to buy other colors.

I GAURANTEE you that somewhere in the world, there is a kid with a p.o.s. guitar and the worst amp you could imagine who absolutely rocks, who renders all gear discussions moot, but they're fun, aren't they?

[DC1]

I GAURANTEE you that somewhere in the world, there is a kid with a p.o.s. guitar and the worst amp you could imagine who absolutely rocks, who renders all gear discussions moot, but they're fun, aren't they?

Yeah, and then they hear about TGP!!

:crazyguy:crazyguy:crazyguy

and it's all over!

:Spank


:banana





Actually everyone wants to sound great and in that pursuit we can lose sight of what really matters so easily, huh?

DC

[Shark Diver]

There you go. I said it.

What's not to like about tube amps? So many cool amps to chose from.

Why someone would even think twice about a modeling amp is beyond me. I spend enough time on computers.

Who's with me?

:banana




Reminds me of my great, great grandfather who said, and I quote,

" What's not to like about horses and buggies. So many to choose from.

Why someone would even think twice about about an automobile is beyond me. I spend enough time on machines."

Just saying... :munch

[Killcrop]

Reminds me of my great, great grandfather who said, and I quote,

" What's not to like about horses and buggies. So many to choose from.

Why someone would even think twice about about an automobile is beyond me. I spend enough time on machines."

Just saying... :munch

At $4 plus per gallon I'd say your great, great grandfather is a very wise man.

[AirKuhl]

Steak is ALWAYS better than Ice Cream.

Discuss.

[waxnsteel]

I only ride in short buses.

[Greggy]

Tubes are phallic symbols, so you guys worry me.

[trazan]

There's a 4th choice (for recording at least) beyond tube amps, SS amps, and modelers.

If you have a recording rig that can do a true shelving EQ (lo shelf with adjustable slope and variable frequency) you can emulate the curve of many guitar amps without all the coloration. Use a preamp (I like a Barber Tone Press or a Matchless Hotbox or both) and go direct. Adjust the shelf to taste both in slope and frequency. Frequency can make a real difference when the shelf is set to 500 compared to 2K.

You can come up with outstanding clean tones this way. I mean, just stunning. You can layer parts and fills without eating all the space in the mix because it is so clean, and if you combine a parametric bump within the shelf or above it, you can get as warm or sparkly as you like. Use your ears and spend an evening finding all the possibilities.

In fact this sounds so good, especially in stereo with delay or reverb, that I hesitated to tell anyone about it...


Goes to show how different we hear! But then I really dislike that 80's clean. I think direct guitar, no matter how much you eq it, sounds beyond terrible. Hyperclean, dry, lifeless and overly dynamic (level wise, not in the sense most guitarists use the word).

The slight grit, compression from various stages, the working speaker element and cabinet, the room, the resonance from other instruments as a result of the air moving around. Yum :cool:

[Shark Diver]

At $4 plus per gallon I'd say your great, great grandfather is a very wise man.

Touche! :)

[scottlaned]

There are some great ss/modeling amps. I, however, have no use for them since the basis of my sound is cranking an amp and using my guitar's volume knob to determine how clean or dirty the sound is.

I'm with you.

[Turbo Gerbil]

There are some great ss/modeling amps. I, however, have no use for them since the basis of my sound is cranking an amp and using my guitar's volume knob to determine how clean or dirty the sound is.
I'm with you.

Current modelling technology has no problem with that.

[John Coloccia]

Wanna PM me the patch?

Tube amps suck in apartments when you get off at 12:30am. Mine doesn't live with me.

Hmmm....I've never posted any music before so I hope I'm doing this right. This is an old '57 Reissue plugged into a Boss GT-6. The GT-6 is plugged into the effects loop input of my Fender Twin so I'm using the Twin strictly as a clean amp. I need to do this as I got rid of all my recording gear many years ago and have no way to record direct to tape. Sorry about the sloppy playing. I should practice this song more....I've forgotten how fun it is to play!!

The backing track is playing through a Rokit 5 monitor. The whole thing was recorded one take through my crappy laptop microphone. I just left the backing track and guitar level where I thought I sounded OK and hoped it'd be mixed right after the laptop mic got through with it.

There are two files...the first one is the raw .mp3. The laptop speaker picked up an enourmous amount of bass. The second "EQd" file was passed through an EQ just to boost the top end a bit. Through most speakers the EQ'd file is much closer to what it really sounded like in the room unless you're listen through headphones or built-in laptop speakers.

Anyhow, I love my tube amps too but I'm not about to start dissing digital technology....even OLD digital technology. Rob: If you still want the patch, give me a hint how to get it off the GT-6....I've never done it before and have long since lost the directions. Probably MIDI of some sort?

http://www.ballofshame.com/flying/CliffsOfDover.mp3

http://www.ballofshame.com/flying/CliffsOfDoverEQd.mp3


edit: Added Trademark also....same exact deal recorded 2 minutes later. Had a false start but I was too lazy to edit it out....LOL
http://www.ballofshame.com/flying/Trademark.mp3

http://www.ballofshame.com/flying/TrademarkEQd.mp3

I'll also mention I made absolutely no effort to optimize any of this for the laptop mic I was using, nor did I even tweak the patches...they're as they were 4 years ago and it's the first time the GT-6 ever met my Twin. Folks who poo-poo digital without even trying it are possibly missing out on some stuff they might enjoy.

[Killcrop]

Those clips sound great. Your playing is most excellent but...


I only play tube amps

[rhythmrocker]

Those clips sound great. Your playing is most excellent but...


I only play tube amps
http://www.animated-avatars.net/files/nnrock.gif

[Red Planet]

Tubes are phallic symbols, so you guys worry me.


Ha!

I bet my Tubes are bigger than yours. :D