Anyone using a solid state amp???

[johann]

Is anyone here using a solid state amp????

Which one???

[Heady Jam Fan]

Nope.

Had a Princeton 65 until about a year ago. It almost sounded like a full-range speaker - it even worked very well for acoustic, not as much for electric.

[chuma007]

Haha not for anything I want anyone else to hear. I use my tophat live, but I have a line 6 spider jam I use at home because it has backing tracks and I can plug my in-ears into it for silent practice. I couldn't imagine using SS for anything live.

[roquero]

I sometimes use either the ZT Lunchbox or ZT Club amp for rehearsals or gigs where I have to fly

[jes89]

I use a Roland JC-50 in stereo sometimes with my Hayseed 15. But my Hayseed obviously is my main amp when running in mono haha.

[johann]

@chuma007:

That's exactly what I thought, but I am curious if there's someone who's playing with a SS amp live and getting good results

[gitapik]

Little "on the fly" amp: Peavey Backstage 20W. It's great. It really is. Just have to know how to set the controls.

[in_sherman]

yea, a peavey classic chorus 212. great reverb, 3007 chorus circuit and cleans. it's way too loud haha

[hades_1123]

Peavey classic chorus 212 is a good one. I have a Marshall Mosfet. Never has been live, not so crapy. I think is the best SS amp (or at least, the best SS Marshall) that you can get.

[arthur rotfeld]

Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, some other cats.....

[voorhiessa]

Sure, I have a Samick 40w SS amp. The OD channel SUCKS, but the clean is nice enough (but kinda flat and thin). The reverb on it is nice, and it has a good speaker size (which seems to matter a lot to me).

I use a bad monkey set to low gain with the highs/lows boost to warm up the cleans. It's on the the whole time (unless I want to kind of fade into the background). Then I run a Rat for my OD sounds. Works really well.


Been thinking about switching over to tubes, but I'm holding out for something special and cheap to cross my path. I'm in no rush because tube amps require maintaince, warming up, are heavier, more expensive, and most of the time, I wouldnt be able to crank them anyway (to live up to their potential).

[theGhost]

I have a Carvin DCM150 power amp that I run a Tech 21 Liverpool into with good results. Not perfect replication of a good tube amp, but in the mix it gets covered up some, and I would feel comfortable gigging with it if I had to. One step down from that is using a Crate Powerblock with the Liverpool. It's just ok.

Not exactly a SS "guitar amp" in the traditional sense, but it's definitely not tube

[AbstractLunatic]

I have a Micro Cube beside the sofa with headphones and a Boss RC-2. I can noodle away and still have time with Sweetie when she's watching some crap show.

[Rockerduck]

I've used the Fender Frontman 100 watt 212 before in live gigs. Wouldn't hesitate again. The cleans are great and takes pedals well. I use Mesa and Marshalls right now.

[Agitator]

@chuma007:

That's exactly what I thought, but I am curious if there's someone who's playing with a SS amp live and getting good results
I'm gigging tomorrow night with a tiny little Peavey Envoy 110 (40w). I'm sure it would make most TGP'ers barf, but I've used it before for gigs in big places where I can be miked and get my own monitor mix. It doesn't sound as good as a tube amp but it's surprisingly good, even the built-in OD simulation. I don't even need to bring any pedals for the one or two solos I'm going to play. For a short set, it's well worth it to give me a much lighter and smaller load-in.

[JohnSS]

In NYC, I use a Peavey Bandit and a Yamaha G30-112 from the late 70's all the time for club gigs and Peavey Blazer or Rage 158 for church. They sound great for clean sounds and some low level grind; I use pedals for the rest.

I do have a Music Man 210HD 130 W. that's just way too much overkill for most gigs, even outdoor ones.

[crazynightowl]

Although I'm not playing out much anymore I still use a Pearce G2r in my home studio. Gets some great clean sounds and some nice higher gain tones which take on different characteristics depending on the speaker cabs. Really versitile too in regards to signal routing, EQ, effect loops, etc.
I also like my Marshall Valvestate which actually has one 12AX7 in the lead channel. Sounds good to me using the lead channel clean (or mildly overdriven with guitar volume at max). It also has a stereo power section so you can return from a stereo effect. The built-in reverb is also very dimensional due to some internal stereoizing.
CNO

[johann]

I remember there were some fender amps (dyna something), that took pedals very well, anyone remeber what amps were those???

[p_wats]

I've used a Roland JC-77 live for a while now...that or an old Roland Cube 60 (the jazzy orange one...). Both are great, reliable work horse amps.

I use a lot of pedals anyway, so often the cleaner the amp the better.

[VinceM]

My main amp is a Henriksen Jazzamp. I play mostly jazz and of course it's great for that. But I've got the usual TGP approved pedalboard (Tim, Lizard Leg, Cot50, Black Plague, etc etc...) and it covers any rock territory I need.

For jazz I use a 112 cab, and for a rock setting I break out the EVM12L/Theile cab.

I also have the "tweety" add-on and use it for my acoustic.

[scr@tchy]

I've played a lot of old Peavey solid state that I thought was great. My backup amp is a Yamaha G50, it has a great clean sound and it has a parametric eq that helps to dial it in. I put it on super light overdrive and then put a fuzz pedal in front of it to simulate the touch sensitivity of a tube amp it works great.

http://images1.americanlisted.com/nlarge/yamaha_g50-ii_50_watt_guitar_amp_250_jackson_area_8678807.jpg

This isn't mine, I wish mine looked that good!

[saladin]

I use a Lab Series L2 (100 watt bass head) on top a old Randall Stereo 4-12 w/V30's.
AMAZING clean sounds!!!!! I keep the deep switch off, which turns it into a normal channel in Fender terms which it is what is voiced like. The best thing about it, unlike most SS amps is that it takes pedals extremely well. Currently running a Les Lius and a Superlead pedal for dirt and the tone is breathtaking!!!

I kept it around for years as a backup and have ended up selling off expensive heads for the reliability of SS. It can do bedroom quiet and can also hang on a big stage.

[Tubevalvemaniac]

I use 3 SS amps and several boutique tube amps (Bogner, Bruno, ENGL, Mesa), as well Vox AC30HW.
Don't get me wrong, but SS amps are IMO better choice overall in case that they are engineered and built properly.
My main amps are Pritchard SS combos (2x10 and 2x12) with various amps configurations. They have all the warmth, width and substance of any tube amp in existence with way more variations in cleans.
Very powerful and loud and well maintenance-free.
As I have choice of boutique amps which I don't sell out of pure nostalgia, I believe I know what I'm talking about.
Find and check Pritchard, you'll be converted when you hear it.

[rob2001]

In sig.

Part of a stereo setup. Killer metal tones. Cleans not so good.

[Fabiano 777]

Here i am. I'm playing a Telecaster through an old Fender Deluxe 85, mid 80's if i'm not wrong, and i'm absolutely in love with it. The cleans are wonderful and takes pedals in an excellent way... ask Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead in case of any doubt... ;)

[?&!]

Retro-Channel RR1 mounted in a '74 JMP 2x12 combo cab with a WGS ET65 and VET30. KILLS.

[hunter]

Is a Cube 60 considered solid state? It is to me FWIW.

Yes I use one live all the time. This is a recent humbucker guitar>Menatone Howie>unmic'd Cube 60, live recording made using a handycam out front. Outside BTW.

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11172898&q=hi&newref=1

Basic clean sound. Plenty of amp for anything I encounter.

And you should hear Redd Volkaert playing through his solid state Peavey. Sound plenty bad ass to me.

hunter

[youngupstart]

a jazz chorus head that was originally used in my living room and now started to be incorporated in a live setting replacing my bassman.

[dmw319]

If I did I wouldn't admit it here of all places.. LOL

[macteacher]

Walter Woods Ultra at 6 lbs and 1200 watts. Clean and warm with pedals providing the rest...

[lp_bruce]

I have a Roland JC-120 and gig with it periodically, generally using some a modeller (GT-10 or Sansamp) for dirt. The cleans are really great. The dirty tones can work too, but you need some love and attention to EQ to keep it from being harsh.

Peace,

[cmnyc]

Tech 21 Trademark 30. 14 lbs. XLR out to PA.

Good sounds. Check it out:

http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/amps/guitar/trademark30.html

[fuzzface71]

http://users.techline.com/rag/pathfinder/vox_front.jpg

[binge]

Is a Cube 60 considered solid state? It is to me FWIW.

Yes I use one live all the time. This is a recent humbucker guitar>Menatone Howie>unmic'd Cube 60, live recording made using a handycam out front. Outside BTW.

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11172898&q=hi&newref=1

Basic clean sound. Plenty of amp for anything I encounter.

And you should hear Redd Volkaert playing through his solid state Peavey. Sound plenty bad ass to me.

hunter

I heard a guy playing some rock covers at a bar gig once and he was using a Les Paul into a Cube 60 and he sounded fantastic. I'm not sure what model on the Cube 60 he was using but his only pedals were a Boss Tuner and a Tubescreamer. His playing was great too so I'm sure this impressed me also.

[Agitator]

Last spring, I saw a guy who was playing some kind of humbucky guitar (double-cutaway Les Paul or a similar-looking Ibanez, etc.) into a mid-sized Fender SS amp and it sounded killer. He was getting all his lead tone from his guitar knobs, too. I never got the model number but it was just one of those standard Fender SS jobbies with the red knobs.

[JRBain]

For some things. Nothing that requires the response of a tube amp.

My '83 Peavey Bandit has a great clean sound (what I bought it for). I would like to own a Special 130 from the same era, at some point.

I may not be able to play jazz, but Pat Metheny is easily my biggest musical influence. I attribute my enjoyment of solid state cleans to his sound.

[Humancapo]

Tech 21 Trademark 60, Yamaha G-112II and a Crate GX-140D (stereo) work very well for the gigs I do. I need clean, real clean, DI clean... then I add what overdrive, compression, etc... with pedals. Much more controllable than trying to use a tube amp at various volume levels.

[jnepo1]

I use a JC-120 live, but also have a Twin Reverb for live use as well. I have no hesitations of using the JC-120 at all, its a great amp.

For home, if I don't have the JC-120 or the Twin Reverb around (most cases I don't), I have a Fender FM212 that I play thru. Not the greatest, but at low settings its not too bad.

[arem]

I want one of those Retro Channel amps so bad. I love my tube amp but it would be sweet to have a 100W head that was more portable and consistent.

[Pietro]

This is TGP.

All the people who just said they use a solid state amp are lying and they just pulled a photo off the internet.

We all play Dumble clones.

[ChurchChong]

This is TGP.

All the people who just said they use a solid state amp are lying and they just pulled a photo off the internet.

We all play Dumble clones.

:rotflmao

[Stratm69]

I use a Orange 30 Crush for a bedroom amp. It actually sounds great and pedals sound killer through it.

If I played live, it has to be a powerful tube amp though :)

[johann]

OK, is there a SS Dumble clone???

[johann]

now, seriously...

I heard some clips from the retro-channel amp...wow, but, does it have enough clean headroom???

[Dave]

I've got a gig next weekend and I might use my Peavey Bandit since my AC30 has a microphonic tube and I don't feel like opening it up. :)

I've gigged with the Bandit before. It's a good pedal platform and it's plenty loud. Great amp IMO.

[Fusionshred]

Haven't gigged with it yet, but have used it at band rehearsal: Tech 21 Tademark 60. Totally satisfied with the clean channel and the gain for what I do. With the boost activated, it has adequate headroom for the band, at least at practice. If I need more juice, I might get a Power Engine 60 to match it to. I have tube amps, but at 36 pounds for the TM60 combo, and with pretty serious shoulder problems, I can't beat the grab-and-go-and-not-sacrifice-too-much-tone attributes of the Tech 21. Great product. I really feel lie it's a "boutique" SS amp!

[?&!]

now, seriously...

I heard some clips from the retro-channel amp...wow, but, does it have enough clean headroom???

Just keep the gain knob down and open up the master. Tons of clean headroom. I love mine.

[Windup 43]

http://users.techline.com/rag/pathfinder/vox_front.jpg
Pathfinder is a great little ss amp, love mine.

[photoweborama]

I have a Roland Microcube that I love, and also a Vox Pathfinder... Love it also.

[Fabiano 777]

Last spring, I saw a guy who was playing some kind of humbucky guitar (double-cutaway Les Paul or a similar-looking Ibanez, etc.) into a mid-sized Fender SS amp and it sounded killer. He was getting all his lead tone from his guitar knobs, too. I never got the model number but it was just one of those standard Fender SS jobbies with the red knobs.

I think it might be one of my beloved Fender Deluxe 85s...

http://www.bigrhythmwine.com/gearheads/images/mobile1/fen-deluxe85.jpg

As i wrote before, i use one with both Telecaster and Les Paul and it's really good, very loud too. Believe me, they sound killer when stock, but may improve a lot with a simple speaker replacement...

[fuzzface71]

Pathfinder is a great little ss amp, love mine.


Ditto. I don't miss my old Vox AC30's cleans that much anymore.

[sketches]

I too use a Pathfinder 15R.

One of my favourite amps :)

[Class5]

I've had the Roland JC-120; the Peavey Classic Chorus and the Fender G-Dec, however, SS just doesn't float my boat anymore. The Vox Pathfinder 15R is the amp I recommend to my students on a budget (most are still going to school).

[Ben Sp]

Does the Vox AC-30VR count? It does have one 12AX7...
Sounds very close to a cranked tube AC-30 at any volume and won't start making crackling tube noises during the father/daughter dance. Plus, its of lighter weight and looks snappy on the stage.
I only bring out my '72 Super Reverb or '66 Bassman on special occasions now, or when I know I can play LOUD.
If I'm going stereo or just want to bring something small, I'm also often going solid state with a ZT Lunchbox. Do you know that you can run that thing direct into the board WITH THE INTERNAL SPEAKER STILL ENGAGED? And, it's direct sound is killer!

[smallstoner]

I've used the Fender Frontman 100 watt 212 before in live gigs. Wouldn't hesitate again. The cleans are great and takes pedals well. I use Mesa and Marshalls right now.

I rented one of these (FM 212R) for a gig and I wound up buying it ($200 used). Great cleans indeed, very clear, and yes it takes pedals very well. And LOUD. Just don't use the distortion channel; it's garbage. I use a SD Twin Tube Classic for dirt and the tubes really make the amp sing, but it didn't sound half bad even with a $24 Dano FAB distortion pedal. Definitely a gig-worthy amp and maybe the best choice out there for the price. I'd recommend it to anyone on a tight budget who needs a good loud amp.

[greeny23]

yup.

http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv31/greendogs23/IMG_3230.jpg

[lemmiwinks]

I have a really sweet sounding polytone minibrute. It sounds great. I don't really like it distorted, but the cleans are great.

[Ben Furman]

If you're serious, then try a Pritchard. No exceptions, excuses, or apologies need apply.

[daytonswords]

nope, but if i had to i'd get one of the old gibson lab series. thats what bb king uses. the roland jc 50 is a good one to though

[EADGBE]

I play a Marshall Lead 12 micro stack at home. I've had it 25 years. It's a great amp.

It looks like this:

http://www.loudmusicseattle.com/uploads/1985_3005_Mini_Stack.JPG

[MG90]

Check out the Electro Harmonics Magnum 44. It is a 44 watt SS amp in a small pedal, the same as the Keeley Compressor. It only has a volume knob and a bright switch. There is a YouTube video of it powering (blasting) two 4 x 12 Marshall cabinets. I bought one used with an Ethos pedal deal. Great for practice and back-up.

[ekp]

Guitar World just did a review of a Pritchard Gold Estoc 2-12......

[bdj]

While I am definitely in the minority, I swear by my Roland JC-160 for live use. I use pedals for dirt, and in a live setting 95% of the crowd won't know or care that I am not using a tube amp. If I had to play in front of a room of TGP'ers I would still use it and not care. I love this amp. Besides, our other guitar player is using a tube rig, and the two sounds compliment each other.

[guitkrazy]

I own a Roland JC120 & several tube amps. For practice I use an Orange Crush 30r (the early ones before they put the digital effects in!ewww) I replaced the speaker with a Ragin Cajun. That amp really sounds good, actually we played a party & I used it (mic'd) and it really shined & took my pedals better than some of my tube amps.

[harpinon]

Last night I had to do some practice after hours. I plugged my Strat into an old crappy Crate 15 watt ss amp that just sits in dust. I added my Texas two step OD for some grit on the clean channel and was pleasantly surprised on how good it sounded.

[gitapik]

Guitar World just did a review of a Pritchard Gold Estoc 2-12......
I'll check it out. Your amps are outstanding. IMHO, they're among the best in the market...regardless of the tube or ss tab (I don't subscribe to the "difference", btw...it's all about the sound).

My Boogie Mark IIB is 10lbs lighter with a my new Jensen C12k replacing the original EVM12L (and it sounds much better...wish I'd done it sooner). But at 55lbs, it still ain't light. I've had my eye on your Sword of Sartori for about a year. Just haven't pulled the trigger, yet. It's a fantastic amp.

Kudos to you, Eric. :rockin

[Brian Johnston]

I've been aware of Pritchard amps for a while now... I have not had the pleasure of trying one, but the sound samples and some of the feedback I have heard is nothing short of GREAT! Maybe one day.

[rybass]

Sunn Beta Lead 2x12. I honestly haven't played it at a gig but use it often in jam sessions with friends. Easily heard over a drummer.

The clean is awesome; so fat and round! I love the distortion for stoner and detuned stuff but usually use pedals for drive and distortion because not everyone likes to bring the doom.

It has an effects loop for each channel and a master loop that covers both, killer reverb and plenty of volume to blend well with drums.

We usually play rock from Zeppelin to AC/DC, ZZ top, punkish stuff from Rancid to Social D, garagey stuff from TWS, TBK to the kinks. Even have been doing a bit of DubStep lately. It takes pedals so well I don't feel limited by it at all. One guy that jams with us runs his acoustic through it with flawless results.

I only own 5w tube amps (if you don't count my Ampeg bass amp). The Beta Lead handles all the volume I need.

I have owned many tube amps BTW. Vintage Bassmans, JTM60, Gibson Goldtone, Marshall 2061x, Blues Jr, Musicmaster, Peavey, etc. I liked most of them but none were as versatile as the BL.

[Jules-RM]

Got two Jazz Chorus' in the band, a JC60 (the singer) and a JC77 (the bassist - I occasionally play bass and that's what he uses for guitar). I use tube amps tho.

[brrandall]

Is anyone using a solid state?

Yes.

My 13 year old brother.

[HerrRentz]

Not for serious playing, but for practising I have a VOX DA5 I use.

It actually sounds pretty decent on the Clean and Crunch 2 settings. Can't beat it for portability either. Runs on batteries or AC. Has a smattering of effects with tap tempo feature.

[johann]

Pritchard amps.....above 1000 bucks for a SS amp????

[Brian Johnston]

You get what you pay for... no tube changes or burn-outs and listen to the Pritchard sound samples. I wouldn't complain about those tones!

[rybass]

Is anyone using a solid state?

Yes.

My 13 year old brother.


Well when you get to his ripe old age maybe you'll be open minded too. :rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao

I keed I keed! To each his own!

[phillygtr]

Guitar World just did a review of a Pritchard Gold Estoc 2-12......

I saw that and it was indeed a very positive review. I loved the look of that amp from the picture too (I like the maroon color). You've certainly cracked the code!


Video:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/guitarworldvideo/Holiday+Videos/Pritchard-Amp.mov

[aporcelainsky]

I saw that and it was indeed a very positive review. I loved the look of that amp from the picture too (I like the maroon color). You've certainly cracked the code!


Video:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/guitarworldvideo/Holiday+Videos/Pritchard-Amp.mov


man, they still have that guy doing reviews/demos? :facepalm

[gitapik]

Pritchard amps.....above 1000 bucks for a SS amp????
Hey, man...I love my Boogie. Don't get much more tube than a Mark IIB. But, yeah: these Pritchard amps are the real deal.

[Guardianangel32]

I'm using a Randall RG75G3 in church. I find that its better at low "church" volume. My tubers sound great but they need more volume to get get great tone.

[emjee]

MusicMan 112RD. I love its cleans and for dirt I use pedals. Add Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew to the list of Roland JC-120 users...

[Crocker]

Well, I admit to using and liking a Traynor DG30D (with Eminence Red Coat) sometimes when I don't want to drag out my YCVs. It just doesn't have the power of my tube amps so it doesn't gig much at all, but for practices and the lesson studio it's quite good.

[gitapik]

MusicMan 112RD. I love its cleans and for dirt I use pedals. Add Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew to the list of Roland JC-120 users...
My friend's got one of those 112RDs. Really nice, crisp cleans and, yeah...it's takes to pedals very, very well.

[Pinelake]

I sometimes use my Fender 65R Frontman. I play in a jazz /jazz rock group and our range of material varies quite a bit (Sinatra standards to Steely Dan, Santana, Diana Krall, etc.). If we are doing a really small room and truly background ambient, I'll use the Fender. Otherwise I use my Rivera Venus 5.

The Fender does a great job under certain circumstances.

[5cent]

i regularly use a Vox Pathfinder 15r with one band, and a late 70s Traynor TS-15 with another. they both sound great, not just good.

[ekp]

I'll check it out. Your amps are outstanding. IMHO, they're among the best in the market...regardless of the tube or ss tab (I don't subscribe to the "difference", btw...it's all about the sound).
Kudos to you, Eric. :rockin

Thanks for the kudos. But there is a difference physically, particularly historically, and consequently sonically. Tube amps are the way they are because that is the simple way to design and build them. The typical solid state amp is the way it is because that is the simple way to do them. And they are different because the tube sound is not native to solid state. My amps use many special circuits to produce a generally exaggerated version of tube amp sonic characteristics. There is are two special circuits for every preamplifier op amp. One creates the grid characteristic and the other does the plate characteristic. And the output stage is simply loaded with special circuits to create the output stage harmonics, compression, and extra fat. The Watts Knob circuitry also replicates the power supply sag and lower power levels so that the feel stays consistent.

There is an opportunity for players for a truly customized amp in the fact that all of the extra circuitry that is used to bring the tube character to solid state can be tweaked differently. After all, after keeping the amp from burning up and being reliable, it is all a matter of taste.

Thanks again, Have a great day, Eric

[Fabiano 777]

Is anyone using a solid state?

Yes.

My 13 year old brother.

Oh yes... and other inexperienced 13 years-old guys as Jonny Greenwood, Jimmy Page, Mike Campbell, Beck Hansen...

[LowTech]

I never ever hear anything about these amps, but I have a Fender Stage Lead II 212 from 1987. Great amp for pedals due to the clean channel.

My other amp is a Vox Pathfinder 15r which is a neat little amp that seems to be pretty popular among folks.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a solid state amp. It just depends on the sound you want. Granted, I'd like to have a nice tube amp when I can invest in one, but what I have is just fine for me and the tone that I choose.

[turnstylepoet]

I do. I play wet/dry clean/dirty setup with a Roland JC-50 and a Fender Pro Junior.