[Piper72]

hey all as a newbie, just wondering what the difference is between a solid state and a tube amp? Ok let the flaming begin lol! Thanks again all I love this group and you have all been so awesome and patient with me and the other newbie's posts that i see! :rockon:

 

[violation]

Well, the basics are:

- tube amps sound best when cranked

- SS basically sound the same at low volumes as they do high, though lots tend to get really harsh to the ear when loud (Marshall MG series is a perfect example)

- tube amps require more maintenance than SS

- SS amps, if they ever need repairing, will cost quite a bit (so I've heard, never had to repair one)

- tube amps sound warmer and more pleasant to the ear

- SS can sound semi-warm, but can't match that of a tube amp... some sound really good though (Roland Jazz Chorus, best cleans I've played with)

- tube amps REALLY react to the dynamics of your fingers in comparison to SS

- tube amps volume is louder to the ear than SS

- pedals react better to tube amps than SS

- medium and high output pickups react better to tube amps... high output ones like a Dimarzio X2N can drive the tube amp to total overdrive without having to adjust the gain on the amplifier

Those are some quick ones I've realized from my experience... I'm sure someone who has been playing more than a year (I've only played a year so far) can tell you a lot more about the technical aspects of it.

 

[GuitaristZ]

Well, the basics are:

- tube amps sound best when cranked

- SS basically sound the same at low volumes as they do high, though lots tend to get really harsh to the ear when loud (Marshall MG series is a perfect example)

- tube amps require more maintenance than SS

- SS amps, if they ever need repairing, will cost quite a bit (so I've heard, never had to repair one)

- tube amps sound warmer and more pleasant to the ear

- SS can sound semi-warm, but can't match that of a tube amp... some sound really good though (Roland Jazz Chorus, best cleans I've played with)

- tube amps REALLY react to the dynamics of your fingers in comparison to SS

- tube amps volume is louder to the ear than SS

- pedals react better to tube amps than SS

- medium and high output pickups react better to tube amps... high output ones like a Dimarzio X2N can drive the tube amp to total overdrive without having to adjust the gain on the amplifier

Those are some quick ones I've realized from my experience... I'm sure someone who has been playing more than a year (I've only played a year so far) can tell you a lot more about the technical aspects of it.

you forgot one....


tube amps look cooler on stage hahaha....a marshall half-stack is hard to beat for stage effect.

 

[violation]

A glowing Genz Benz El Diablo looks cooler, haha.

 

[kat_]

Not sure how newbie you are, but tube amps (also called Valve amps if you're talking to a Brit) contain vaccuum tubes, like old radios did once upon a time. Solid state amps don't.

 

[jimmy peters]

TUBES vs SOLID STATE

tubes give you a very soft natural distortion, which can NOT be duplicated by a ss amp.
if your intonation is slightly out it will not be as noticeble as on ss , which puts out exactly what gos in.
player preference varies greatly as you will note.

good luck
jimmy peters