Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Blackstar HT-5R vs Fender 68 Vibro Champ Reverb
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by Ewizard View PostFender
Why?: It's a better amp in the long run.
The Blackstar does have solid-state parts in it which is no big deal, but it will be more prone to failure over time.
EHD
Just here surfing Guitar Pron
RG2EX1 w/ SD hot-rodded pickups / RG4EXFM1 w/ Carvin S22j/b + FVN middle
SR500 / Martin 000CE-1/Epiphone Hummingbird
Epiphone Florentine with OEM Probuckers
Ehdwuld branded Blue semi hollow custom with JB/Jazz
Reptile Green Gibson Custom Studio / Aqua Dean Shire semi hollow with piezo
Carvin Belair / Laney GC80A Acoustic Amp (a gift from Guitar Player Mag)
GNX3000 (yea I'm a modeler)
- Likes 1
Comment
-
-
For me, the Blackstar would get more variety in tone, and I really dig the XLR out for performing. While I love Fender amps, I would love them more if they modernize some of their designs with usable master volumes and XLR direct outs.Administrator of the SDUGF
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Originally posted by ehdwuld View Post
Please explain how solid state is more prone to failure.
Now let's look at the difference in robustness of the different design types. If one amp has 5 transistors, and two or three IC chips, there are now that many more resistors, diodes, and capacitors to integrate all of them. Looking at the more old school Fender design, it has tubes, resistors, and very few if any other supporting electronics to make it work. Tubes are very reliable, and much easier to swap, troubleshoot or replace. Resistors are expendable and the fewer there are, the easier it is to troubleshoot. and then there is the actual troubleshooting of the two amp if one does break. IC's, and transistors ( especially if there are many of them ) are not as easy to troubleshoot and in some cases not easy to replace. There are more of them too, oftentimes.
Solid state amps have more parts and use more run-of-the-mill parts. Heck, many of these newer SS amps use SMT technology. What is wrong with SMT you ask? Nothing....Until it breaks. A real tube amp is less likely to be miniaturized and will be MUCH easier to fix if it does break. They are often more robust just from the design alone. Perhaps using the word " prone " was a little harsh, but truthfully, over time, it will be more prone to fail. There are more parts, often less robust, and if it does make it 20-30 years, will you be able to find the replacement IC or transistor that was used?
Comment
-
Uhm, yeah, I would buy the amp that fits your needs best, either will most likely last longer than you need. The old electrolytic capacitors in vintage tube amps (which weren't mentioned) fail with age, so I'm not buying "tube amps work longer than SS amps". The Blackstars are tube with SS support (for lack of a better way to put it) and the Fender is a new RI, both are PCB amps and will probably last a long time and only need tube replacements, caps and other components have improved a lot since the 50s/60s/70s. As far as SMT components, you might want to consider giving up driving and flying if you are that concerned about them failing, they are used everywhere now.
Comment
-
I would think the Fender may sound more bright american
and the Blackstar may have a more midrange British sound
of course the blackstar probably has that voicing knob that lets you choose between the two tone stacks
oh and Ewizard
I would think your analogy is similar to saying a longer stick is more prone to breaking than a shorter stick
but that only becomes true with age
old sticks break much easier than fresh green sticks or roasted sticks
you are welcome to your opinion
I do not share itEHD
Just here surfing Guitar Pron
RG2EX1 w/ SD hot-rodded pickups / RG4EXFM1 w/ Carvin S22j/b + FVN middle
SR500 / Martin 000CE-1/Epiphone Hummingbird
Epiphone Florentine with OEM Probuckers
Ehdwuld branded Blue semi hollow custom with JB/Jazz
Reptile Green Gibson Custom Studio / Aqua Dean Shire semi hollow with piezo
Carvin Belair / Laney GC80A Acoustic Amp (a gift from Guitar Player Mag)
GNX3000 (yea I'm a modeler)
Comment
-
I guess I don't buy or build amps with the intention of it being expendable or in need of repair prematurely, before any ROI is made back, or simply because I don't care if it makes it through two gigs. I buy and build amps I and others want to keep. I buy them because I like them, so I want them to stay around for a while. I build them to last 30+ years without any major servicing.
I don't buy an amp thinking about having to fix it, because if I have to worry about fixing it I don't want to buy it. I buy investments, not toys. It doesn't matter if a Peavey XXX will be worth twice what it was when I bought it, what does matter is that I have never had to fix the amp and it is now close to 30 years of age. It will need repair at some point, but in nearly 30 years, it has only required tube replacements.
As to which type of design will last longer? it's a crap shot. Anything with SMT is not something that I am interested in. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong PCB designs. BUUUUUTTTTT is not as robust, does not do well with modifying or regular repair, among other things. If a PCB board gets too hot ( which it can over time ) it will start to burn. This burned phenolic material, believe it or not, can become conductive and it will start to cause issues with traces that are nearby the burn spot. A well-designed PCB and layout will reduce this risk, making for a longer-lasting device. Fender is not known for having the best-designed PCB boards, but I would trust the Fender stuff over the Blackstar crap any day of the week. I have seen more failed Blackstar amps than I have Fender amps.
That said, Blackstar does make cool amps, they sound decent, but they are not lifetime amps. I want to buy and make amps that last a lifetime. I don't buy amps that are expendable.
Comment
Comment