Amp Transistor

What’s sounds better, a tube guitar amp or a transistor amp?

There us a lot of debate about this around me lately, i just wanted to hear some other opinions. is it the clean tone, the distortion and overdrive? maybe even tell me what brand of tube you recommend in a 12ax7 or a 6v6. (if you don’t understand the last part, i just have a lot of time on my hands.)LOL

I’ve heard some great sounding solid state amps (Roland JC-120), and I heard some tube amps that sound like you plugged your guitar into a wood chipper.

It really comes down to what style of music you want to play, and what sounds good to you. I’d say that 80% of the guitarists (semi pro and pro level) play tube amps (and conversely, probably 80% of bass players use solid state).

And yes, while the majority of guitarists use tubes, there are a few notable exeptions:

B.B. King – his favorite amp for the past few decades is an old Gibson L-5 solid state.

Ty Tabor (King’s X) – He had what I consider his best tones on the first 3 albums. He was very secretive about his rig. It finally came out that he used a preamp out of a Gibson amp, throug his effects, and then to a PA amp. Solid state all the way.

The Edge (U2) – Uses a multiple amp set up, and usually has a Roland JC-120 and a small solid state Randall amp in the mix.

The other thing to consider…there will be maintainance costs associated with a tube amp. They do wear out after a while and must be replaced. How often depends on how often and how loud you play.

You didn’t mention anything about what I consider the third type of amp, and that’s the digital modeling amp. It’s not tube, but it’s not a linear amp either. The signal gets digitized, and the tone and distortion is derived in software. And I know that most tube purists will tell you that they wouldn’t touch one of these amps if you gave it to them. But, I’ll share this and then shut up about that debate.

Kendrick Amplifiers is a small boutique amp manufacturer and repair/mod company north of Austin. It’s owned by a guy named Gerald Weber. Gerald builts some really amazing (and expensive) amps, and can fix anything out there that glows. More than once, he’s sat 10 feet from me at a club gig while I’m playing a Line 6 Vetta, and more than once he’s shaken his head and stated he didn’t know how they did it but he would swear there’s a tube in that amp somewhere. I think part of it is Gerald is being nice, but when I hear that amp on playback, I have to shake my head a little as well.

The bottom line is that you need to go out, plug in, and listen to as many amps as you can. Don’t get too hung up on what’s behind the panel. It you like what you hear, and it’s in your budget, then you’re good.

For tube types, I’m really liking the tubes that Electro-Harmonix is selling these days. I haven’t tried their 6V6, but their preamp tubes are very good.

Good luck.

Greetings from Austin, TX

Ken

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A guitar amplifier is one of the accessories to be acquired, if you are serious about your playing an electric guitar. A guitar amplifier increases the volume of his guitar and is a must have if you are making public appearances. Guitar Amps also lets you change the tone by emphasizing or emphasize frequencies and add special effects electronics.

The amplifier operates in two stages. The first is the pre-amplifier stage that amplifies the voltage signal of the guitar. The preamp stage allows electronic effects such as distortion, reverb, and chorus and controls, such as graphic equalizers. The second stage power amplifier is producing a current higher for the speaker.

There are certain things that should be considered when buying a guitar amplifier, particularly a type of sound.

• Construction: guitar amps or you can use tubes or transistors. Transistor amplifiers are cheaper and is likely to last more time. Tube amplifiers to produce better sound. But they tend to run out and needs replacement. Tube guitar amplifiers can also distort the signal when pushed too far.
• Noise: When you buy a guitar amp, one of the things you have to look for is the sound production. A clear sound is desirable. There should be no hiss or crackle. Guitar amplifiers should not produce sounds when not in use. They should also have controls as basic bass, treble and volume, function, reverb and an auxiliary input. This auxiliary input allows you to connect a CD or an mp3 player to the amplifier.
• Speakers: Speakers are separated or combined. The combined design contains the amplifier and speakers in one cabinet and therefore is favorable for transport. You can also choose a type that has separated the amplifier placed at the top of the speaker box. This design is favorable if there are many speakers. You can also choose to acoustic guitar amps have headphone outputs. This lets you hear the guitar without disturbing others.

You can choose from a wide range of range of amplifiers include style hard rock guitar amplifier and acoustic amplifiers. Your choice of amplifier depend their personal needs, however, always make sure you are well informed. You can always buy amps through the network, and several websites are designed to help buyers choose the right amplifier.

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