| Tube vs. Solid State/ guitar amps. |
ok I did it again.. I played for years through a Randall solid state amp.. everytime I used this amp people would come up to me ...." Hey man what are you playing through" (I replaced 2 hot rodded Marshall JCM 800 with this amp). Proving to me that solid state can and does sound as good as tube amps. Current deal......
I have several tube amps, some quite elaberate midi stuff .. but , last night I did a gig in Wichata Ks. It was gonna be a quick in quick out deal (just stage gear and smaller venue). I used a Hughes &Kettner Matrix 100 for a practice amp.(freaking thing can put out some sounds). Last night was the first time I have mic'd it up live. I was a little worried about how it work sound/react to my live gig playing style. This thing ROCKED.. a little tiny light weight combo amp ... up against Marshall JCM 900's .... at the end of the night... yup , both guitarist up there asking " Hey man what the F are you playing through, your sound is F'n awesome" . I gotta say from what I could tell it sounded like a wall of amps coming out of the front mains. The onboard effects worked perfectly and the 4 channel settings all sounded good......no I am not paid to endorse these amps (wished I was though).
I just remember that somewhere in this thread we were talking about good working man amps ...... The matrix 100 is a steal at the price.... I only have $ 150.00 total in this amp (bought it used).
It worked so well I think I"ll use it from now on............Yes it mic's up and records extrememly well too.
I have several tube amps, some quite elaberate midi stuff .. but , last night I did a gig in Wichata Ks. It was gonna be a quick in quick out deal (just stage gear and smaller venue). I used a Hughes &Kettner Matrix 100 for a practice amp.(freaking thing can put out some sounds). Last night was the first time I have mic'd it up live. I was a little worried about how it work sound/react to my live gig playing style. This thing ROCKED.. a little tiny light weight combo amp ... up against Marshall JCM 900's .... at the end of the night... yup , both guitarist up there asking " Hey man what the F are you playing through, your sound is F'n awesome" . I gotta say from what I could tell it sounded like a wall of amps coming out of the front mains. The onboard effects worked perfectly and the 4 channel settings all sounded good......no I am not paid to endorse these amps (wished I was though).
I just remember that somewhere in this thread we were talking about good working man amps ...... The matrix 100 is a steal at the price.... I only have $ 150.00 total in this amp (bought it used).
It worked so well I think I"ll use it from now on............Yes it mic's up and records extrememly well too.
Man for a solid state amp thats good!!! REALLY GOOD!
I absolutley love the sound of tube amps as they give you that realistic guitar tone. (I own a tube amp), and I never really like solid states sound as much, but yes there have been times when I have been very surprised from the tone that comes out of some solid states.
For $150...Im speechless. Way to freaking go man.
I really like tubes cause they have the analog signals which give you the real tone while solid state are digital signals, which usually sound "digital"...but like, way to go man.
I dont need to tell you how lucky you are in this case. Way to go
I absolutley love the sound of tube amps as they give you that realistic guitar tone. (I own a tube amp), and I never really like solid states sound as much, but yes there have been times when I have been very surprised from the tone that comes out of some solid states.
For $150...Im speechless. Way to freaking go man.
I really like tubes cause they have the analog signals which give you the real tone while solid state are digital signals, which usually sound "digital"...but like, way to go man.
I dont need to tell you how lucky you are in this case. Way to go
love the story, this was my main amp:
http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-Yamaha-VR6000-W0QQAdIdZ79837468
and this one for the stereo spread of my effects:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEAVEY-PACER-GUITAR-AMP-COMBO_W0QQitemZ260306628975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260306628975
both solid states, never owned a tube amp
http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-Yamaha-VR6000-W0QQAdIdZ79837468
and this one for the stereo spread of my effects:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEAVEY-PACER-GUITAR-AMP-COMBO_W0QQitemZ260306628975QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260306628975
both solid states, never owned a tube amp
I too was a tube guy. started out on fender twins, moved on to own an elaborate double marshall stack with a Bob Bradshaw clone effects/amp switching system.. Both marshalls were hot rodded and had great tone.
The problem was 2 to 3 months giggin and a pre amp tube would go bad (microphonic). It got to the point were I alway carried spare parts plus a spare amp.... one was the Randall (very old blue faced rack mount). One night my main amp went down, I used the Randall , I had so many people come up (most had seen us quite a few times) and said something like ... "I don't know what you did but your sound was great tonight".. still a non-believer I did this a few more times I started testing the amps , use one at one gig , change up use the randall at another.. It finally got to the point where I felt more at ease and less worry about the amp (no tubes to go out). Eventually the Randall became my main amp for years (I still have it).
I have an all tube set up now that I was using for my main show rig , fairly elaborate midi set up. I was blown away by the sound I got last night. The amp reacted so well, I use controlled feedback in a couple of songs, It responded perfectly (especially for a little combo amp). I swear this thing reacts just like a hot rodded tube amp. I was not an easy convert at all. It took years to get me to accept the fact the there are a few solid state gems out there.... Oh I must say this though.. The randall... I have had several different ones.. none of the others had the tone or response of the one that I have, It was a special purchase from someone who may have had it tweaked a little.
Anyway the most important thing to remember is .... solid state or tube doesn't matter nearly as much as how good the player is.... you can have a one of a kind boutique amp sitting in your bed room...it won't make you sound any better if you don't have the chops or skills to shine with it.
The problem was 2 to 3 months giggin and a pre amp tube would go bad (microphonic). It got to the point were I alway carried spare parts plus a spare amp.... one was the Randall (very old blue faced rack mount). One night my main amp went down, I used the Randall , I had so many people come up (most had seen us quite a few times) and said something like ... "I don't know what you did but your sound was great tonight".. still a non-believer I did this a few more times I started testing the amps , use one at one gig , change up use the randall at another.. It finally got to the point where I felt more at ease and less worry about the amp (no tubes to go out). Eventually the Randall became my main amp for years (I still have it).
I have an all tube set up now that I was using for my main show rig , fairly elaborate midi set up. I was blown away by the sound I got last night. The amp reacted so well, I use controlled feedback in a couple of songs, It responded perfectly (especially for a little combo amp). I swear this thing reacts just like a hot rodded tube amp. I was not an easy convert at all. It took years to get me to accept the fact the there are a few solid state gems out there.... Oh I must say this though.. The randall... I have had several different ones.. none of the others had the tone or response of the one that I have, It was a special purchase from someone who may have had it tweaked a little.
Anyway the most important thing to remember is .... solid state or tube doesn't matter nearly as much as how good the player is.... you can have a one of a kind boutique amp sitting in your bed room...it won't make you sound any better if you don't have the chops or skills to shine with it.
I used to have a Kelly 100W head with a Laney 4x12; very smooth tones, hardly needed any effects as the overdrive was just about all I wanted. The thing went on for years, and did sound great - but then we were only playing about 5 times a month. The biggest downside for me was the size and weight!
I sold all my stuff in the early 80s and didn't really start getting back into playing until the mid 90s. At that point I just got a 2nd hand 30W ss Peavey. I still have it, and have used it a few times in rehearsal (it's there just in case my main rig lets me down). The punch that this combo has is pretty amazing - but it does have to be set up right for the tones I like.
But my main rig is very simple indeed; I have an amp and effects modeling pedal and split the signal between a 120W solid state monitor (yup, no names here - I wanted a clean unaffected sound that wouldn't colour the effects pedal) and the mixer (giving a very low ambient sound, similar to having a mic on the amp). This works really well for me. That said, when we play it's only ever in small venues - and we do the mix ourselves from the stage.... I don't see it working so well for a large venue where having a decent FOH sound-guy is a must.
BTW, the 2nd amp that MaxdB is showing is a) the big brother to my Peavey, and b) is being sold by someone that lives a few miles from me!!!
I sold all my stuff in the early 80s and didn't really start getting back into playing until the mid 90s. At that point I just got a 2nd hand 30W ss Peavey. I still have it, and have used it a few times in rehearsal (it's there just in case my main rig lets me down). The punch that this combo has is pretty amazing - but it does have to be set up right for the tones I like.
But my main rig is very simple indeed; I have an amp and effects modeling pedal and split the signal between a 120W solid state monitor (yup, no names here - I wanted a clean unaffected sound that wouldn't colour the effects pedal) and the mixer (giving a very low ambient sound, similar to having a mic on the amp). This works really well for me. That said, when we play it's only ever in small venues - and we do the mix ourselves from the stage.... I don't see it working so well for a large venue where having a decent FOH sound-guy is a must.
BTW, the 2nd amp that MaxdB is showing is a) the big brother to my Peavey, and b) is being sold by someone that lives a few miles from me!!!
i think the only reason i wanted a tube is to have more gain control by the guitar pot.., 15 years ago processors weren't as sensitive as now, and still there is a difference (even in my boss gt-6), but i have found my way with presets for clean, crunch and distorted sounds.
i always made an amp setting to get the best clean sound as possible, and tune my distortions in a way that they sound good through that too, so i never used the second amp channel, but just the effects on my floor board.
once we were doing the warming up for another band, so i had to put my gear just in front of theirs, imagine my tiny amps in front of the big marshall cabinets,
but some ppl ánd both guitarists of the headliner came to me to compliment my sound, and think of the advantages for your back and transporting the gear..
( i got more comps for my sound then for my playing as i remember lol)
for an impression how it sounded you can listen to this live recording, both amps are used there, only didnt have the gt-6 by then (but a gt-4 and some boss pedals)
https://forum.bandamp.org/Audio_Review/2426.html
and yes Goat, sound is in the fingers and the heart
i always made an amp setting to get the best clean sound as possible, and tune my distortions in a way that they sound good through that too, so i never used the second amp channel, but just the effects on my floor board.
once we were doing the warming up for another band, so i had to put my gear just in front of theirs, imagine my tiny amps in front of the big marshall cabinets,
but some ppl ánd both guitarists of the headliner came to me to compliment my sound, and think of the advantages for your back and transporting the gear..( i got more comps for my sound then for my playing as i remember lol)
for an impression how it sounded you can listen to this live recording, both amps are used there, only didnt have the gt-6 by then (but a gt-4 and some boss pedals)
https://forum.bandamp.org/Audio_Review/2426.html
and yes Goat, sound is in the fingers and the heart
Sometimes theres only one in a million solid states that sound good, but if you can find one, then use it use it use it.
I still perfer tube (Class A Tube), but I havent found that golden solid state yet. Marshall and things like that are pretty good though...(even the solid state versions)
But it can totally sound like crap if you are using the best amp the best guitar the billion dollar set up if you dont know how to use it, and if you cant play!
What really makes me mad though is ive got these friends who have these really terrible sounding solid state amps (one of them has the Line 6 Spider III 75watt) and I mean sure they have billions of different features, but they break really easily cause of all the techno crap thats in them, and they just dont ssound real, you know? And then they keep saying like "OH Man your amp sucks" (to me about my Crate Palamino V16 Class A tube amp)just cause my tube overdrive on my amp isnt as death metallish as theirs.
I use that with a lineup of MXR pedals cause they keep your amp and your guitars tone without changing the signal to digital which makes it sound a bit lifeless...
Do you guys like MXR? They are probably my favorite.
Heres my setup for anyone who cares. (Not trying to brag just wanna show you guys my stuff)
Washburn X25 With Floyd Rose Bridge electric guitar (discontinued)
Crate Palomino V16 15watt Class A Tube Amp 1x12 Celestion speaker (discontinued)
Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah
MXR Phase 90
MXR Double Shot Distortion (discontinued)
Lots of my stuff is discontinued cause I get it really cheap and it sounds amazing.
I still perfer tube (Class A Tube), but I havent found that golden solid state yet. Marshall and things like that are pretty good though...(even the solid state versions)
But it can totally sound like crap if you are using the best amp the best guitar the billion dollar set up if you dont know how to use it, and if you cant play!
What really makes me mad though is ive got these friends who have these really terrible sounding solid state amps (one of them has the Line 6 Spider III 75watt) and I mean sure they have billions of different features, but they break really easily cause of all the techno crap thats in them, and they just dont ssound real, you know? And then they keep saying like "OH Man your amp sucks" (to me about my Crate Palamino V16 Class A tube amp)just cause my tube overdrive on my amp isnt as death metallish as theirs.
I use that with a lineup of MXR pedals cause they keep your amp and your guitars tone without changing the signal to digital which makes it sound a bit lifeless...
Do you guys like MXR? They are probably my favorite.
Heres my setup for anyone who cares. (Not trying to brag just wanna show you guys my stuff)
Washburn X25 With Floyd Rose Bridge electric guitar (discontinued)
Crate Palomino V16 15watt Class A Tube Amp 1x12 Celestion speaker (discontinued)
Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah
MXR Phase 90
MXR Double Shot Distortion (discontinued)
Lots of my stuff is discontinued cause I get it really cheap and it sounds amazing.
I am gonna wait till I make any comments on the spider thing , I happen to know that there is someone here on the amp that used one.. I think you would be surprised at the sounds he is getting. I have heard a lot of bands using the pods and line 6 amps... seems like only a select few know how to get decent tones out of em .. I have stuff posted on here that is nothing more that a pod 2, and or the cheap tone port (line 6). I also have stuff posted one here that was recorded with Jcm 900 and fender bassman 70 (old amp) . I think a lot of people would be surprised at some of the tones that came from the solid state stuff. I hear it all the time about tubes but sooner or later (unless your using tape) the signal is gonna go digital, unless you know that your pedals are analog, your sending your guitar signals through solid state electronics.
kunadian, nice rig,
I don't use any pedals anymore unless it's my mdi controller (tube rig) or the foot switch pedal that comes with the H&K amp. guitar goes straight into the amps , nothing to color the sound of the guitar other than amp, signal processors, wireless, microphone, eq setting at the board, the room I'm in at the time ect, ect, ect.
kunadian, nice rig,
I don't use any pedals anymore unless it's my mdi controller (tube rig) or the foot switch pedal that comes with the H&K amp. guitar goes straight into the amps , nothing to color the sound of the guitar other than amp, signal processors, wireless, microphone, eq setting at the board, the room I'm in at the time ect, ect, ect.
Jiminuk wrote…
I used to have a Kelly 100W head with a Laney 4x12; very smooth tones, hardly needed any effects as the overdrive was just about all I wanted. The thing went on for years, and did sound great - but then we were only playing about 5 times a month. The biggest downside for me was the size and weight!
I sold all my stuff in the early 80s and didn't really start getting back into playing until the mid 90s. At that point I just got a 2nd hand 30W ss Peavey. I still have it, and have used it a few times in rehearsal (it's there just in case my main rig lets me down). The punch that this combo has is pretty amazing - but it does have to be set up right for the tones I like.
But my main rig is very simple indeed; I have an amp and effects modeling pedal and split the signal between a 120W solid state monitor (yup, no names here - I wanted a clean unaffected sound that wouldn't colour the effects pedal) and the mixer (giving a very low ambient sound, similar to having a mic on the amp). This works really well for me. That said, when we play it's only ever in small venues - and we do the mix ourselves from the stage.... I don't see it working so well for a large venue where having a decent FOH sound-guy is a must.
BTW, the 2nd amp that MaxdB is showing is a) the big brother to my Peavey, and b) is being sold by someone that lives a few miles from me!!!
what a coincedence Jim! great! the price they offer him aint to great though lol
(50 bucks!!)
btw. at home i use a small peavey backstage 110(1x10inch speaker), its great at low volume, and again i only use a nice clean sound channel to amp my effects.
works perfect for me.
while recording i use it as monitor(never any latency) while the signal goes from the boss gt-6 straigt into my soundcard(s/pdif)
Hey toastedgot: yeah I like the setup, and as of right now, I really like pedals. Eventually ill probably get something like you have, but for now its working fine.
I guess there are a few that know how to get some good tones out of the Line 6 Spiders...and i know guitarwizard (zach) has one but hes trying to sell it...
I mean if you know how to use it you could make it sound great, but most people dont...
Exactly if you are using tubes and stuff but then have like digitech and boss or pods and that stuff thrown in your signal gets turned digital anyway. Thats part of the reason i like MXR.
But man, even with a digital signal you can get some really nice sounds.
I guess there are a few that know how to get some good tones out of the Line 6 Spiders...and i know guitarwizard (zach) has one but hes trying to sell it...
I mean if you know how to use it you could make it sound great, but most people dont...
Exactly if you are using tubes and stuff but then have like digitech and boss or pods and that stuff thrown in your signal gets turned digital anyway. Thats part of the reason i like MXR.
But man, even with a digital signal you can get some really nice sounds.
man played thru tube amps for years ..once the tubes get hot man! i picked up a little traynor at agarage sale $20.00 50 watts 1- 12 in cab it screams and like you toast this aint my first bbq! ..didnt sun make the first solid stae amps?..back then didnt like them..actualy played thru great peavey classic with 4 10s hot tubes..for a long time i giged with this amp. for those who remember me ..havent posted in a while,,,the digital world will win.
but for this player just turn on that tube amp an hour early....i gotta stay tubal
but im an old dog
btw gl ..always liked your tunage
buzz
but for this player just turn on that tube amp an hour early....i gotta stay tubal
but im an old dog
btw gl ..always liked your tunage
buzz
I don't give a shit about any set up.
I just have my Line 6 POD xt Live were I can get any sound I want. Actually, I don't understand so much about amps, effects and that stuff; I just play, and if I can sound at the same level of drums and the rest of the band, then it's OK. For rehearsals I have a Peave 65 watts ( no idea of the model... it just sounds). I've just noticed that sometimes the sound lack a bit of "weight" or "body" so I was thinking about buying a tube amp to fix that, but it's OK anyway.
But, as I said, I don't give a shit about playing with any amp, while I can get a sound and the note and effects I use can sound properly, it's all good for me.
> Iszil
I just have my Line 6 POD xt Live were I can get any sound I want. Actually, I don't understand so much about amps, effects and that stuff; I just play, and if I can sound at the same level of drums and the rest of the band, then it's OK. For rehearsals I have a Peave 65 watts ( no idea of the model... it just sounds). I've just noticed that sometimes the sound lack a bit of "weight" or "body" so I was thinking about buying a tube amp to fix that, but it's OK anyway.
But, as I said, I don't give a shit about playing with any amp, while I can get a sound and the note and effects I use can sound properly, it's all good for me.
> Iszil
I just got a Fender Frontman 15g at a yard sale for $20 (its regularly $90 new)
and it was in perfect condition.
This thing has AMAZING tone for the price, and for a solid state amp.
I still love my tube amp, but this is great for practicing and traveling
and it was in perfect condition.
This thing has AMAZING tone for the price, and for a solid state amp.
I still love my tube amp, but this is great for practicing and traveling
Yeah... I liked the spider III but i thought i'd take it up a notch and buy a tube amp because some weird canadian or should i say Kunadiun convinced me to. so i ended up selling the spider 3 ( Good ol' eBay) And then my bad luck began. As soon as the guy got it, he freaked out because it was all damaged somehow...luckily i had it insured....then i tried to buy the tube amp i was looking at before....COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE. I thought it was discontinued and i was like oh crap. since it was the only tube amp i could afford at a whopping 200 dollars for a 50W 1,12 crate with 3 12ax7's and 2 6l6. I eventually found it at one online store and bought it. THENNNN................1 week later..... it breaks...How? i dont know...so i had to send it back to crate and then they sent me another one..which took almost 1 month. some of the plates on the corners were not fully screwed in and all this other stuff... i ended up fixing it myself. and now it works fine.....and im content for the time being but i cant say i don't see myself switching to a marshall or a mesa boogie in the next two years.
lol, man your amp stuff is totally dramatic. youve had problems with everything.
get a mesa boogie or a marshall defintely when you get enough money.
get a mesa boogie or a marshall defintely when you get enough money.
lol yeah...unfortunate....i do like my tube though..sounds great.....just wish it didnt have so much problems 
Don't be surprised if you still have troubles even after you buy the Marshall or Boogie..
Personally for me I don't like the sound of the new boogies. The last one they made that I liked the tone on was the tolex covered Mark IVs ..I'm not really into that Nickel Back , tone thing. The new 4 channel all tube Marshalls sound pretty good though. ( we had one cranked way up at the store the other day and I had a blast).
I would still put my Randall up against it though. For some reason it gives out the prefect amount of gain with out being overly distorted. All the notes just jump out at you.
If I was gonna go spend the big $$$$$ on a hi wattage tube amp .. I do believe I would have to get the Hughes & Kettner amps.. I fell in love with this little combo amp, used it again at Sunday's gig (hosting an open jam on Sundays). This thing sounds great , players of all levels in there jamming with us, nothing but compliments on the tone.. again they couldn't believe it was SS.
I do have my eye on the little wattage Budda boutique amp though, they sound very nice.
Reality though , We are doing a big show Saturday , Playing on a big stage with DSS running a JBL Vertech line array set up.. I am gonna dust off the big guns and bring down all the Marshall 4/12 boxes and stereo tube amp set up. Ted is going to bring his SVT heads and 8/10 bass cabs .. He know the sound engineer . Their guy knows how to run it with the loud stuff on stage.. I am looking forwards to this weekend , it's been a bit since I CRANKED it up and just rocked out.
Personally for me I don't like the sound of the new boogies. The last one they made that I liked the tone on was the tolex covered Mark IVs ..I'm not really into that Nickel Back , tone thing. The new 4 channel all tube Marshalls sound pretty good though. ( we had one cranked way up at the store the other day and I had a blast).
I would still put my Randall up against it though. For some reason it gives out the prefect amount of gain with out being overly distorted. All the notes just jump out at you.
If I was gonna go spend the big $$$$$ on a hi wattage tube amp .. I do believe I would have to get the Hughes & Kettner amps.. I fell in love with this little combo amp, used it again at Sunday's gig (hosting an open jam on Sundays). This thing sounds great , players of all levels in there jamming with us, nothing but compliments on the tone.. again they couldn't believe it was SS.
I do have my eye on the little wattage Budda boutique amp though, they sound very nice.
Reality though , We are doing a big show Saturday , Playing on a big stage with DSS running a JBL Vertech line array set up.. I am gonna dust off the big guns and bring down all the Marshall 4/12 boxes and stereo tube amp set up. Ted is going to bring his SVT heads and 8/10 bass cabs .. He know the sound engineer . Their guy knows how to run it with the loud stuff on stage.. I am looking forwards to this weekend , it's been a bit since I CRANKED it up and just rocked out.
Nice. Yeah, no matter what amp you get, it could always have problems. Personally i like hi-gain stuff. I love the dual and triple rectifiers. I also like the new JCM 2000 Dual Lead. I like the H&K Switchblade too. Either way i still love all types of amps and brands, Just feel like my SS side is being neglected lol.
(by SS you mean solid-state right?) psshhh neglect solid state as much as possible lol
That was the freaking fastest response ever lol. By neglected i mean, i miss the hi-gain of solid state stuff.
lol i replied like one second after you posted....but yeah hi-gain solid state produces LOTS of hiss and buzz and crackling
TheKunadiun wrote…
lol i replied like one second after you posted....but yeah hi-gain solid state produces LOTS of hiss and buzz and crackling
Sorry not trying to flame here but that statement is not true. My Hughes and Kettner.= no noise .. one of the quietest amps with some of the best clean and distorted tones around for a small combo.
oh no trouble...i like these kind of debates.. you can figure out what other people like and everything.
in my experience with a crappy almost hi-gain line 6...i wasnt very amused. in my view of solid-state..im thinking of the Line 6 solid-state. some of their stuff is good, but their modeling pretty much sucks, and when you turn up the volume it just sounds fake. sounds great and quiet volumes though.
in my experience with a crappy almost hi-gain line 6...i wasnt very amused. in my view of solid-state..im thinking of the Line 6 solid-state. some of their stuff is good, but their modeling pretty much sucks, and when you turn up the volume it just sounds fake. sounds great and quiet volumes though.
TheKunadiun wrote…
oh no trouble...i like these kind of debates.. you can figure out what other people like and everything.
in my experience with a crappy almost hi-gain line 6...i wasnt very amused. in my view of solid-state..im thinking of the Line 6 solid-state. some of their stuff is good, but their modeling pretty much sucks, and when you turn up the volume it just sounds fake. sounds great and quiet volumes though.
your judgment is just off of that one amp ? I know two guitar players here in KC that use the flextone III's and get great tones , both playing in good bands around here. The other guitar player in one of the bands (I'll plug them here "No Big Deal" ) that one plays on the line 6 vetta combo. I have seen this band several times and they always sound good...
The spider is there worst amp(line6) they ever made imo.
The thing about line 6 is it seems like the presets suck. You really have to tweak your tones out of them according to the guitars you use, and your playing style/technique.. But I will agree with you , the spiders tone is not very good imo. Go try the flextone III's they sound very good..
Durability? Andy from No Big Deal used a Flextone amp with they first came out, gigged on it for almost 10 yrs. it still works today, he just like the tones of the vetta amp better. ..
Quite honestly...if my amp were to break again.....no doubt i would sell my multi effect pedal and go for a spider valve. only thing that killed me about my spider 3 in the past was that it didnt have tube like clarity...and ...well.....getting a tube spider would pretty much solve that. lol. (Not saying i hope my amp breaks). I like the vetta more than the flextone but at the same time the vetta is way too expensive. and to me....the spider valve is the inbetweeny model of both....except.....its an actual tube amp.
lol your amp just broke again
I was lazy at Saturday's gig.. used the Pod x3 live pedal sim thing.. Sounded freakin great out front. 2,500 people in the place.. It was jumping!!!
sweet man! sounds cool. maannn when you have got over 2,000 people somewhere...THATS a gig
Heya all,
I was out today shopping for a stereo power guitar amp head. I tried the newest Line6... it had just an ok sound...... but what scared me was because I am more interested in recording then gigging nowadays, One small push or bump of one of those little push buttons and BANG, you're sending 200 watts without notice lol
I like manual and none of this database save your preset stuff.... another thing about the line 6 was when you go to turn on any of the effect knobs, they don't come in gently and gracefully render more of the effect.... again it was like Wham.... you want chorus..... well you got it and WAY too much I must say..... actually sounded like Sh*t. I am personally just looking for a light weight , very quiet (STEREO) power head. I just need the volume and quality,,,,, none of these fancy modern computerized database modules... And of course I want to keep price down....... no need for a Marshall, seeing its just for recording. I looked up on a few sites about the Crate powerblock 150 watt stereo amp, but all the dealers are out of stock (discontinued).... but I'm interested in something along that idea.... * was going to go with a Mixer/Amp combo the Behringer PMP 2000...... but seriously..... the mixing is nice, but 800 watts to record with is a lil redundant, dont you think? lol
Anyways....... does TGoat or anyone have any ideas what I should be looking for?? I'm pretty sure I explained what and why I want something like this for an amp *Must be stereo and quiet and pack a punch.
would appreciate any responses...... thanks all
Fid *s
oh yea...... of course the more inputs and outputs i.e xml, rca, etc etc etc the better.... but thats secondary
I was out today shopping for a stereo power guitar amp head. I tried the newest Line6... it had just an ok sound...... but what scared me was because I am more interested in recording then gigging nowadays, One small push or bump of one of those little push buttons and BANG, you're sending 200 watts without notice lol
I like manual and none of this database save your preset stuff.... another thing about the line 6 was when you go to turn on any of the effect knobs, they don't come in gently and gracefully render more of the effect.... again it was like Wham.... you want chorus..... well you got it and WAY too much I must say..... actually sounded like Sh*t. I am personally just looking for a light weight , very quiet (STEREO) power head. I just need the volume and quality,,,,, none of these fancy modern computerized database modules... And of course I want to keep price down....... no need for a Marshall, seeing its just for recording. I looked up on a few sites about the Crate powerblock 150 watt stereo amp, but all the dealers are out of stock (discontinued).... but I'm interested in something along that idea.... * was going to go with a Mixer/Amp combo the Behringer PMP 2000...... but seriously..... the mixing is nice, but 800 watts to record with is a lil redundant, dont you think? lol
Anyways....... does TGoat or anyone have any ideas what I should be looking for?? I'm pretty sure I explained what and why I want something like this for an amp *Must be stereo and quiet and pack a punch.
would appreciate any responses...... thanks all
Fid *s
oh yea...... of course the more inputs and outputs i.e xml, rca, etc etc etc the better.... but thats secondary
Fiddlah wrote…
Heya all,
I was out today shopping for a stereo power guitar amp head. I tried the newest Line6... it had just an ok sound...... but what scared me was because I am more interested in recording then gigging nowadays, One small push or bump of one of those little push buttons and BANG, you're sending 200 watts without notice lol
I like manual and none of this database save your preset stuff.... another thing about the line 6 was when you go to turn on any of the effect knobs, they don't come in gently and gracefully render more of the effect.... again it was like Wham.... you want chorus..... well you got it and WAY too much I must say..... actually sounded like Sh*t. I am personally just looking for a light weight , very quiet (STEREO) power head. I just need the volume and quality,,,,, none of these fancy modern computerized database modules... And of course I want to keep price down....... no need for a Marshall, seeing its just for recording. I looked up on a few sites about the Crate powerblock 150 watt stereo amp, but all the dealers are out of stock (discontinued).... but I'm interested in something along that idea.... * was going to go with a Mixer/Amp combo the Behringer PMP 2000...... but seriously..... the mixing is nice, but 800 watts to record with is a lil redundant, dont you think? lol
Anyways....... does TGoat or anyone have any ideas what I should be looking for?? I'm pretty sure I explained what and why I want something like this for an amp *Must be stereo and quiet and pack a punch.
would appreciate any responses...... thanks all
Fid *s
oh yea...... of course the more inputs and outputs i.e xml, rca, etc etc etc the better.... but thats secondary
Not sure exactly what you are running into it.. pre-amp or something? A very nice all tube stereo amplifier for guitars.. Peavey 50/50 or the 60/60 .. I have one . I run an ADA MP1 guitar pre-amp into it.. Then into a couple of very old Marshall 4/12 boxes .. This rig sounds fantastic. mics up great. It's just more rig than I want to haul right now..
Dude about the line 6 .. you have to spend some time tweaking out every aspect of it.. the tones , the effects., you can dial them in any way you want. guys go into the store hit a couple of crappy presets and go that is crap.. I bet you would be very surprised to find out all of the players that have done albums running tones through these things. They just take a little time to get em adjusted to your playing style and none of the effects presets are worth a crap.. You have to adjust all the levels on everything.
I play 3,4, 5 maybe more nights a week now.. I use the line 6 because it is very very light weight..... small and compact.. and I have dialed in some very nice sounds. Our whole band is direct. inputs.. Roland V drums full electronic set. Bass is direct, I am direct.. We use no stage amplification. Monitors are all "IN EAR" wireless rigs. We have spent some time (Ted has) tweaking our PA mixes and monitor mixes for us.. Comments from bar owners........No exaggeration ... ... " best band I have had in my bar in over two years". Fathead @ Fathead & Braindeads bar.. ,.........."Best band I have ever hired"........Bear @ ..Tonahill's South Nightclub. I could go on but that is enough... We go up nightly against bands with conventional set ups... So far everyone has said .. We have the best sound out. Rocked the freakin house down last Saturday.. 2000 + people screaming and yelling. jumping up and down. Dancing too. I figure that is not to bad for 3 old guys just out trying to have fun.
Hiya TGoat bud,
dont get me wrong...... I know the amp is a decent amp and it needs one to save the sounds you prefer compared to its presets. I just meant that I do not need that. I am running a GK CPL 2000 pre-amp and a digitech TSR 24 effects rack. This is why I am only looking for a basic stereo amp head.... a decent one!
As far as the Line 6 goes, If I wanted an amp to play out with,, I might consider that, but as I mentioned,,,, the chorus/flange and the delay knobs were too much effect, even with the slightest of turn. I know that can be adjusted, and I tweaked on it for over 2 hours yesterday at the store. Like I said,,,, it's a decent amp, but Ive heard much better amps along the same line..... *probably just a personal preference choice on my part. The more technology changes the chintzier the hardware is made these days imo. Just looking for a basic quiet stereo amp. It's so difficult to find just that these days. I dont need effects,, I dont need pre-amps built in etc etc... just power,, basically something with about 100 watts/side and that's it. *hope this makes sense *s
Peace *s
Fid
dont get me wrong...... I know the amp is a decent amp and it needs one to save the sounds you prefer compared to its presets. I just meant that I do not need that. I am running a GK CPL 2000 pre-amp and a digitech TSR 24 effects rack. This is why I am only looking for a basic stereo amp head.... a decent one!
As far as the Line 6 goes, If I wanted an amp to play out with,, I might consider that, but as I mentioned,,,, the chorus/flange and the delay knobs were too much effect, even with the slightest of turn. I know that can be adjusted, and I tweaked on it for over 2 hours yesterday at the store. Like I said,,,, it's a decent amp, but Ive heard much better amps along the same line..... *probably just a personal preference choice on my part. The more technology changes the chintzier the hardware is made these days imo. Just looking for a basic quiet stereo amp. It's so difficult to find just that these days. I dont need effects,, I dont need pre-amps built in etc etc... just power,, basically something with about 100 watts/side and that's it. *hope this makes sense *s
Peace *s
Fid
toastedgoat wrote…
I was lazy at Saturday's gig.. used the Pod x3 live pedal sim thing.. Sounded freakin great out front. 2,500 people in the place.. It was jumping!!!
I have one of those things....I must confess I'm not crazy about the preset sounds (particularly the high-gain sounds - some of the low-gain sounds have been useable as far as I'm concerned).....but I've been sorta lazy about really tweaking sounds. I'd be interested in how you "dialed in" your sound on this thing...care to share? By the way...this thing has the option to play two instruments through it at the same time...are you and Ted sharing the same pod? If so...does that ever get awkward?
battlecat wrote…
toastedgoat wrote…
I was lazy at Saturday's gig.. used the Pod x3 live pedal sim thing.. Sounded freakin great out front. 2,500 people in the place.. It was jumping!!!
I have one of those things....I must confess I'm not crazy about the preset sounds (particularly the high-gain sounds - some of the low-gain sounds have been useable as far as I'm concerned).....but I've been sorta lazy about really tweaking sounds. I'd be interested in how you "dialed in" your sound on this thing...care to share? By the way...this thing has the option to play two instruments through it at the same time...are you and Ted sharing the same pod? If so...does that ever get awkward?
What? Share the same pod...that just sounds wrong...NO.. we do not share the same pod.. I use either the x3 live or the pod 2.0 with full floor board. He uses the pod xt.
Fiddlah..... Mesa Boogie makes a great 90/90 all tube stereo amp rack mount that sounds great.
Marshall makes a several great stereo tube amps
Peavey makes some very good all tube stereo tube amps.. I have one and it sound great.(with mod)
toastedgoat wrote…
What? Share the same pod...that just sounds wrong...NO.. we do not share the same pod..
LOL....well...I just figured...you know...like you guys are pretty close and evrrything......oh, NEVERMIND!
This is the Amp I bought today.... and I have to say its awesome... extremely quiet with a huge punch 300 watt stereo A QSC GX3 http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/gx/gx_image_gallery.htm
*very happy with this puppy!
Fid *s
*very happy with this puppy!
Fid *s
Fiddlah wrote…
This is the Amp I bought today.... and I have to say its awesome... extremely quiet with a huge punch 300 watt stereo A QSC GX3 http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/gx/gx_image_gallery.htm
*very happy with this puppy!
Fid *s
cool amp multi uses... I put the tube ones up their thinking your wanted one for your guitar rig. QSC is very very good gear. I put it up there with crown xti's amps .. they provide very clean power and are bullet proof.
what do you guys think about the VOX Valvetronix series? they actually have some pretty great sounds because they use the tube preamp and everything. I don't think its like a "true" tube amp...its more of a hi-brid...but they still sound pretty good.
I like the tones of the vox valvtronics but. the only one that I thougth usable for me is the one that is over 1000.00 . The others are all very limited in how many tones you can access.
Well.... i kind of have to disagree there. I was looking into the new Valvetronix VT50, i actually played it a few times at GC, and it can give you sound upon sound upon sound. It goes extremely loud. And the presets didnt sound bad for the most part (Although i would use those the least out of everything on it). Although i know lots of people are not fond at all of "modeling" i keep reading reviews online of how people take a modeling amp and put it next to amps it actually models and how it sounds very similar to them. Personally, i think anything that gets "Modeled" is not going to sound exactly like the original....EVER. But apparently modeling is advancing pretty far....well at least enough for the amps to sound similar, Which is good enough for me. BTW, Its only 400 bucks! What a steal!
BTW, Its only 400 bucks! What a steal!I haven't looked at the vox's since last year but . last year you could access plenty of sounds but not from the floor board controller.(unless you bought the very expensive one) I should have clarified that.. For me and what I have to use live.. accessing several kinds of sounds.. The one that was above 1000.00 was the only one that you could set up "banks of tones " and access with the floor board controller.. I even bought one of the heads last year.. I returned it when I found out I could only save and use 2 tones with the controller..
It would be wise for vox to have set up at least 4 or 6 possible tonal changes on the fly with the foot controllers.
It would be wise for vox to have set up at least 4 or 6 possible tonal changes on the fly with the foot controllers.
Yeah. My brother has the older valvetronix. I also hate how you can only save two presets. This new one i believe says you can save up to either 16 or 22 through banks, somewhere around those two numbers.....i cant remember. Nevertheless, the new one has a seperate controller as well , (i think its about 60 bucks extra....kinda pricey compared to the last model) but it DOES have one which i think is good. Im not sure if the new VT Valvetronix comes in a stack variant but it does go up to a 212 which to me, when i played it, was loud enough for most gigs. Although i think i recall you saying you played in front of thousands before or something like that......i honestly dont know if the 212 would be loud enough or not. I think the new series has made great leaps over the past model. If you like the sounds of the past but didnt like how it lacked many prests, maybe you should take a look into them.
GuitarWizard wrote…
Yeah. My brother has the older valvetronix. I also hate how you can only save two presets. This new one i believe says you can save up to either 16 or 22 through banks, somewhere around those two numbers.....i cant remember. Nevertheless, the new one has a seperate controller as well , (i think its about 60 bucks extra....kinda pricey compared to the last model) but it DOES have one which i think is good. Im not sure if the new VT Valvetronix comes in a stack variant but it does go up to a 212 which to me, when i played it, was loud enough for most gigs. Although i think i recall you saying you played in front of thousands before or something like that......i honestly dont know if the 212 would be loud enough or not. I think the new series has made great leaps over the past model. If you like the sounds of the past but didnt like how it lacked many prests, maybe you should take a look into them.
Dude.. I did play at a gig on the 16th there was over 2000 people there.. I used the line 6 X3 live floor board.. no guitar amps on stage of any kind. County road 5 opened up.. The guitar player had a little 1/12 combo that sounded real good. .. With mics and monitors you don't need walls of amps.
I ran that show direct. no amps.
Yeah thats usually how most professionals do it i guess. Although i did see joe satriani live and mountain, and they both used like 3 or 4 half stacks and just didnt mic anything. Man......to me its just hard to believe when you see this little teeny amp on stage sounding so loud lol. But....i guess thats just how it works.
oh yeah i was there. he had like 4 halfstacks. that was a cool show man.
yeah yeah...i saw ummmm rush at R30....and i think if i remember right he used like........4 amp heads and like 6 or 7 cabinets.....and no micing.....that must've been pretty loud in person. and it still sounded good....and man...did it look cool lol. H&K's too TG!
yeah but if he didn't have mic's . I would bet money on it that he was running into some kind of speaker sampling direct box... The real nice H&K's have direct outs that get sent to the PA and Monitors.. H&K was known for their red box speaker sim.
changing the subject ever so slightly however sticking to the main topic. I am looking at buying some new equipment since joining a post-hardcore screamo band a few months ago. I bet you guys are like hardcore! Screamo! What a freaaakk! But whatever I have a pretty broad music taste and its a fun band with mad guys and heaps fun.
Anyway I've been shopping around testing out amps and I'm a bit unsure of what i'm doing to be honest hahahaha bit of a noob I know. At the moment I use a line 6 spider something that gets some alright sounds for the genre I'm in but its too small and sounds like farts when I turn up loud and pretty much just gets drowned out. I don't mind the line 6 I think its good for the value and they're pretty versatile but I have some money so I wanna spend it!
I tested out some big marshall stacks a triple super lead or something i think the head was called? It was pretty sweet but it was definitely too rocky and not heavy enough for what I want and I don't wanna have to spend heaps on pedals either. I tested out some shitty fender which didn't impress me, I tried another line 6 which was way too similar to what I already have but alas I tried this 75W (if i remember correctly that is) 2x12inch mesa combo amp. It was easily as loud and had a mad sound! It seemed really good though and probably more what im looking for in tone and a nice clean sound too.
I was thinking of getting a cabinet and stuff cos they look cool and heaps of power but I really don't think I need it and they're really expensive. So I'm thinking if I spend some good money on this mesa it will do the job and i might have some money to spend on a new guitar (Y)
I can't remember the model type of this mesa amp but if anyone has any feedback that would be awesome
Anyway I've been shopping around testing out amps and I'm a bit unsure of what i'm doing to be honest hahahaha bit of a noob I know. At the moment I use a line 6 spider something that gets some alright sounds for the genre I'm in but its too small and sounds like farts when I turn up loud and pretty much just gets drowned out. I don't mind the line 6 I think its good for the value and they're pretty versatile but I have some money so I wanna spend it!
I tested out some big marshall stacks a triple super lead or something i think the head was called? It was pretty sweet but it was definitely too rocky and not heavy enough for what I want and I don't wanna have to spend heaps on pedals either. I tested out some shitty fender which didn't impress me, I tried another line 6 which was way too similar to what I already have but alas I tried this 75W (if i remember correctly that is) 2x12inch mesa combo amp. It was easily as loud and had a mad sound! It seemed really good though and probably more what im looking for in tone and a nice clean sound too.
I was thinking of getting a cabinet and stuff cos they look cool and heaps of power but I really don't think I need it and they're really expensive. So I'm thinking if I spend some good money on this mesa it will do the job and i might have some money to spend on a new guitar (Y)
I can't remember the model type of this mesa amp but if anyone has any feedback that would be awesome
get a mesa boogie dual rectifier. that amp gets mean distortion
line 6 amps suck when you turn em up loud.
line 6 amps suck when you turn em up loud.
Mesa at least a duel probably a triple rectifier amp would be better or ... just spend the beans and get a Hughes and Kettner Switchblade with effects built in.. or really hit the hardcore with a KRANK amp.
Ended up buying an ENGL Screamer head and cab. Pretty awesome little thing. Perfect for my sound plus really good for alternative rock.
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