Author Topic: To Tube or not to Tube... (Read 734 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** April 16, 2016, 09:57:03 AM »

I have never owned anything but tube amps. I currently have:

2 Fender Twin Reverb Reissues
Fender Hot Rod DeVille
50W Hiwatt combo
Vintage Hiwatt DR103 and 4x12 cab
PRS Original Sewell and two 4x12 cabs

I'm considering a new amp - at least for taking to practice and possibly gigging as well. While I love my tube amps for their tone, they are heavy as hell. Considering the fact that I am getting all delay and modulation effects from my Fractal FX8, as well as all overdrive and distortion, do I really need a tube amp? Their obvious advantage is the warm, natural overdrive...but I don't use them for that. So...if I rely on my amp solely as a clean platform from which to let the FX8 work its tonal magic, would I be happy with solid state?

I know that Bill's been very happy with his Pritchard. Unfortunately, shy of flying out to see him, I won't be able to test drive my guitar and board with one. Any other guitarists using solid state amps. If so...which ones?

gtrguy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2016, 10:21:54 AM »

I have owned Lab Series amps (like BB King used) and Polytone (jazz) and many other transistor amps and I always end up selling them.

There are several great tube amps that don't weigh all that much.

I gig a lot with a Blue Velvet Zinky and I have replaced the speaker with a neo lightweight speaker and it will eat anything up alive for great tone and power output. Mesa subway amps are small. Old Fender Tweed amps are light with great tone. The 80's Fender Champ is a classic with lots of power (the distortion channel is not so great).

However, I have a couple of small fender solid state amps for the occasional gig out where carrying a big amp would be too much (at a marina) I have a Squire Champ that I stuck a very 'big' 8 replacement speaker in and it gets loud. I record a lot with a Line 6 POD XT Pro and it sounds great.

All in all though, I love that tube sound too much.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2016, 11:32:14 AM »

Problem with the Champs and smaller Tweeds is that they don't seem to have the clean headroom I need. I think we rehearse too loud.

Hahahahaha!

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2016, 01:26:44 PM »

I seem to recall that Bill also put together a rig with an Alembic preamp and a solid state power amp. That might work for what you are wanting to do. A lightweight single space power amp should be fine for guitar.

rv_bass · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2016, 02:08:57 PM »

A two space rack containing a power amp and F-1X pre amp, and a Tone Tubby speaker cab would sound pretty nice, and splitting the cab from rack would make it portable (each component lighter than if combined).

https://tonetubby.com/product-category/speaker-cabinets/guitar-speaker-cabinets/

elwoodblue · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2016, 04:22:13 PM »

I would try that with just a stereo power amp, probably a two space unit so you have good ventilation
and decent power. You could always play with speakers after that to hone your tone more.

I get a very satisfying sound at home with just a GT Trio pre and a lexicon Mx400 into the home stereo.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2016, 09:44:14 PM »

I have a two-space rack with an F-2B and a Carvin DCM200L stereo power amp. Love it. You might also want to check out the Sarno SMS Classic Tube Preamp as an alternative to the F-2B. The Sarno has reverb, which the F-2B lacks, but isn't stereo, but that may not be important to you.

Bill, tgo

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2016, 09:52:15 PM »

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2016, 07:57:16 AM »

Hey, Jonathan, why don't you come out for the upcoming NorCal Gathering? You can check out both my Pritchard and my new little rig.

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2016, 11:12:26 AM »

Bill,

I wish I could. Gotta stay with my youngest (7 yrs) while my wife and other two are out of town for a soccer tournament.

As for your rig there, I'm not sure what I'd be gaining in portability and weight savings over a traditional 1x12 tube combo amp. What made you go this route?

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2016, 04:47:11 PM »

I used to have a rack system with an F-2B through a Mesa 50/50 power amp, SF-2, through two 2x12s. Sounded great in the studio, royal PITA to move. I played with a guy that had a 2U rack with the SMS pre and the Carvin 1U power amp. I had the F-2B laying around, so I thought I'd pair it with the Carvin power amp - and I really wanted the tie-dye speakers. So I put together a light, adaptable, stereo rig. I still think the Pritchard kicks ass, but right now I'm having fun with the fullness of stereo.

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2016, 05:32:54 PM »

Bill,

Who made your speaker cabs?

rv_bass · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2016, 05:45:54 PM »

Accugroove makes some nice light weight (31 lb) guitar cabs. I use their bass cabs and like them.

http://www.accugroovellc.com/#!latte/c3n4

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2016, 05:55:07 PM »

Jonathan, a local guy I found through craigslist made them. I supplied the tie-dye fabric. They have wood covers that snap on for travel. I loaded them with JBL K-120s, one with a hemp cone. The hemp cone makes it a little darker. I use that one on the side I have tweaked for a bassier tone, and use a regular K-120 on the side tweaked to accentuate treble.

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2016, 06:07:38 PM »

Rob...I've contacted Accugroove. The Hammer is the lightest weight cab I've come across.

Bill...Sorry I'm missing the Gathering. Any chance you'll be in Chicago this summer?