Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
It sound really nice and thanks I’ll take a look at that brand
It sound really nice and thanks I’ll take a look at that brand
I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
- Thread starter Willy25
- Start date
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Convenient is hard to call. But plugins are more powerful, with extreme ease of reamping & effects adjustment.
I like the Helix line, particularly because you can combine the hardware unit as your audio interface with using the plugin for tracking. Plugin gets discounted to $99 if you own Helix hardware. If you have a good audio interface (plugin experience is made or broken by the audio interface and the monitoring system), there's a 15 day trial. Note it's just the plugin, you need a DAW (like Reaper) or other plugin host (like savihost) to use it at all.
A modeler is a great way to figure out what you like. Don't get roped into blindly following amplifier marketing regarding effects. There's an awful lot of very well regarded metal players who use boost, overdrive, distortion and/or EQ in front of the amp, and a parametric or graphic EQ in the loop. Tons of guys using a Tube Screamer to cut bass into their 5150 for tightness (too much bass into preamp tends towards uncontrolled distorted bass flub), then EQ in the loop to give more bass and give a mid notch if they are doing rhythm parts that call for that. There are definitely effects that are best through the loop, particularly with higher gain. Also, a serial loop gives you options like using a different preamp instead of the onboard, so if you use a modeler for effects with 4CM (4 Cable Method), you can use the modeler for effects before your preamp and after, or use amp sims instead of your preamp, all while still using the power amp and speakers that you may well prefer outside recording. Speaker simulations rarely give the same experience as standing offside from a guitar cabinet... Many of them are aimed at sounding like a miked up speaker cabinet, which isn't necessarily what a guitarist used to standing next to a roaring speaker cab wants.
All that said, there's a lot of ability to mod an amp (things like tube swapping to alter tone/compression/distortion character, bias adjustment) even before you get into altering the circuit, that aren't really modeled yet by most modelers. It's all tradeoffs. There aren't tube amps that get new amp channels multiple times a year, either.
Tube amps can be a lot of fun, but there's a lot of things to consider, even beyond maintenance costs. If you want to be able to use it late night, it'd better have a really amazing master volume, power scaling, or a good attenuator. Or a power output switch. Even less than a watt into a single typical highly efficient guitar speaker can be more than conversationally loud when you have a high gain, high compression preamp going into it. I have a Laney IRT Studio with a <1 watt output that I couldn't use for practicing at night with my EVM12L.
I'd tend to go for a head and cabinet over a combo, tube life is generally better, though portability suffers a bit.
Convenient is hard to call. But plugins are more powerful, with extreme ease of reamping & effects adjustment.
I like the Helix line, particularly because you can combine the hardware unit as your audio interface with using the plugin for tracking. Plugin gets discounted to $99 if you own Helix hardware. If you have a good audio interface (plugin experience is made or broken by the audio interface and the monitoring system), there's a 15 day trial. Note it's just the plugin, you need a DAW (like Reaper) or other plugin host (like savihost) to use it at all.
A modeler is a great way to figure out what you like. Don't get roped into blindly following amplifier marketing regarding effects. There's an awful lot of very well regarded metal players who use boost, overdrive, distortion and/or EQ in front of the amp, and a parametric or graphic EQ in the loop. Tons of guys using a Tube Screamer to cut bass into their 5150 for tightness (too much bass into preamp tends towards uncontrolled distorted bass flub), then EQ in the loop to give more bass and give a mid notch if they are doing rhythm parts that call for that. There are definitely effects that are best through the loop, particularly with higher gain. Also, a serial loop gives you options like using a different preamp instead of the onboard, so if you use a modeler for effects with 4CM (4 Cable Method), you can use the modeler for effects before your preamp and after, or use amp sims instead of your preamp, all while still using the power amp and speakers that you may well prefer outside recording. Speaker simulations rarely give the same experience as standing offside from a guitar cabinet... Many of them are aimed at sounding like a miked up speaker cabinet, which isn't necessarily what a guitarist used to standing next to a roaring speaker cab wants.
All that said, there's a lot of ability to mod an amp (things like tube swapping to alter tone/compression/distortion character, bias adjustment) even before you get into altering the circuit, that aren't really modeled yet by most modelers. It's all tradeoffs. There aren't tube amps that get new amp channels multiple times a year, either.
Tube amps can be a lot of fun, but there's a lot of things to consider, even beyond maintenance costs. If you want to be able to use it late night, it'd better have a really amazing master volume, power scaling, or a good attenuator. Or a power output switch. Even less than a watt into a single typical highly efficient guitar speaker can be more than conversationally loud when you have a high gain, high compression preamp going into it. I have a Laney IRT Studio with a <1 watt output that I couldn't use for practicing at night with my EVM12L.
I'd tend to go for a head and cabinet over a combo, tube life is generally better, though portability suffers a bit.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
See - I believe the opposite of this, especially if playing for an audience. Your “Tone” ears are something the audience doesn’t have. What they care about is the lyrics/melody, and that the music has a good mix, and is played with good energy.
They expect you to be MORE than any tone that you find inspiring or crappy. The audience does not give a crap about “Tone”. And if you play out enough, you have to learn to get over meh tone or stay home.
See - I believe the opposite of this, especially if playing for an audience. Your “Tone” ears are something the audience doesn’t have. What they care about is the lyrics/melody, and that the music has a good mix, and is played with good energy.
They expect you to be MORE than any tone that you find inspiring or crappy. The audience does not give a crap about “Tone”. And if you play out enough, you have to learn to get over meh tone or stay home.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
The DSL20 is cathode biased and uses EL34s same as the DSL40 he liked. Less features and modes than the 40, but less maintenance for the beginner, and it should do the music styles he wants to do .
The DSL20 is cathode biased and uses EL34s same as the DSL40 he liked. Less features and modes than the 40, but less maintenance for the beginner, and it should do the music styles he wants to do .
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
I’m with auto_tune on that one. If I don’t like how it sounds I lose interest in playing So when I played the Marshall the other day It felt different. Maybe when I get more experience down the road probably won’t care if the tone is not ok when playing live because I will then have more experience with modelers, tube amps , guitar playing.
I’m with auto_tune on that one. If I don’t like how it sounds I lose interest in playing So when I played the Marshall the other day It felt different. Maybe when I get more experience down the road probably won’t care if the tone is not ok when playing live because I will then have more experience with modelers, tube amps , guitar playing.
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Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
What is cathode biased? Do Bugera amps have that feature?
Im probably going with an amp that has a master volume.
So the g5 doesn’t have one. only an attenuator.
What is cathode biased? Do Bugera amps have that feature?
Im probably going with an amp that has a master volume.
So the g5 doesn’t have one. only an attenuator.
BenPerkins
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Cathode biased is when you can swap tubes easily by pulling one out and putting another one in. Egnater, Orange, Hughes & Kettner and Bugera are some of the companies that have cathode biased amps.
Amps that are Fixed bias require an amp tech to adjust the amp when new tubes are installed.
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Cathode biased is when you can swap tubes easily by pulling one out and putting another one in. Egnater, Orange, Hughes & Kettner and Bugera are some of the companies that have cathode biased amps.
Amps that are Fixed bias require an amp tech to adjust the amp when new tubes are installed.
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BenPerkins
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Here’s another video that explains the features of the Tweaker 15. Essentially it’s like having 3 amps in one.
https://youtu.be/_iEB5CYeqBg
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Here’s another video that explains the features of the Tweaker 15. Essentially it’s like having 3 amps in one.
https://youtu.be/_iEB5CYeqBg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Thanks I’ll take a look at the dsl20
Thanks I’ll take a look at the dsl20
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Thanks for explanation and I’ll take a look at the video.
Thanks for everyone’s help. I’ll go back to the store and put an OD infront of the V22
And see what happens.
I’ll be getting an amp with master volume and I’ll be thinking about getting a combo or head+cab.
I’ll post pics when I get something
Thanks for explanation and I’ll take a look at the video.
Thanks for everyone’s help. I’ll go back to the store and put an OD infront of the V22
And see what happens.
I’ll be getting an amp with master volume and I’ll be thinking about getting a combo or head+cab.
I’ll post pics when I get something
BenPerkins
New member
I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
One thing to consider. Replacing tubes in a combo can be difficult due to limited room, versus replacing them in a head where there’s more room. The Bugera V22 looks like a nice amp - maybe check the back where the tubes are located to see how much room there is.
On one of my combos, I can easily swap out the tubes by turning the amp upside down. You might need to do this with the V22?
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One thing to consider. Replacing tubes in a combo can be difficult due to limited room, versus replacing them in a head where there’s more room. The Bugera V22 looks like a nice amp - maybe check the back where the tubes are located to see how much room there is.
On one of my combos, I can easily swap out the tubes by turning the amp upside down. You might need to do this with the V22?
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Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Thanks I’ll take a look at that when I purchase the amp that I will want. ( don’t know yet)
Hey that Egnater amp can give vintage tones to modern ones. I didn’t know a tube amp had those features. I was already thinking of getting two amps. One now and another one on Christmas. it seems like this might be it but will keep looking.
You said you play carcass on it how do you find the low end?
Thanks I’ll take a look at that when I purchase the amp that I will want. ( don’t know yet)
Hey that Egnater amp can give vintage tones to modern ones. I didn’t know a tube amp had those features. I was already thinking of getting two amps. One now and another one on Christmas. it seems like this might be it but will keep looking.
You said you play carcass on it how do you find the low end?
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Diego
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
I play some metal with my Tweaker 15. I've got the head version with a closed back 2x12 with great speakers (a Vintage 30 and a K100) and it sounds good for heavier styles, but I don't think it's truly meant for those tones specifically.
It's a bit more Marshall-esque than Carcass, but it can be worked out. It doesn't have huge booming low-end.
You also have the benefit that, if your tonal preferences do change in the future, it's an excellent clean-ish sounding amp that excels at what you'd call "70s" overdriven tones.
I play some metal with my Tweaker 15. I've got the head version with a closed back 2x12 with great speakers (a Vintage 30 and a K100) and it sounds good for heavier styles, but I don't think it's truly meant for those tones specifically.
It's a bit more Marshall-esque than Carcass, but it can be worked out. It doesn't have huge booming low-end.
You also have the benefit that, if your tonal preferences do change in the future, it's an excellent clean-ish sounding amp that excels at what you'd call "70s" overdriven tones.
BenPerkins
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
If you don’t care for the British (Marshall) mode in Hot mode with full Gain, you can also use a boost (EP, Tumnus, etc) or back off the gain and use a Distortion pedal to tighten it up. The stock tubes are fine, being 6V6’s. I put KT66’s in mine and it sounds bad ass.
The American (Fender) mode is great. Also a good platform to use pedals. The effects loop is great with modulation pedals. As far as the low end - ultimately it’s all about the cabinet and speakers in them. I have an Orange PPC112 and Laney IRT112 that I run the amp through. The Laney honestly has better bass response, is built more rugged, and cost like $75 less than the Orange cabinet.
Overall, the Tweaker 15 is a great amp capable of a bunch of different sounds. I love my other amps, but if I could only keep one I’d probably keep my Tweaker 15 due to its versatility and being easy to maintain.
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If you don’t care for the British (Marshall) mode in Hot mode with full Gain, you can also use a boost (EP, Tumnus, etc) or back off the gain and use a Distortion pedal to tighten it up. The stock tubes are fine, being 6V6’s. I put KT66’s in mine and it sounds bad ass.
The American (Fender) mode is great. Also a good platform to use pedals. The effects loop is great with modulation pedals. As far as the low end - ultimately it’s all about the cabinet and speakers in them. I have an Orange PPC112 and Laney IRT112 that I run the amp through. The Laney honestly has better bass response, is built more rugged, and cost like $75 less than the Orange cabinet.
Overall, the Tweaker 15 is a great amp capable of a bunch of different sounds. I love my other amps, but if I could only keep one I’d probably keep my Tweaker 15 due to its versatility and being easy to maintain.
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Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
Yes that’s what I’m looking for, boost to tighten it up and have low end.
Looking at videos the tweaker is not convincing for modern metal tones.
Just learned that every amp has its own specific sound/tone and that’s why
Some people own different amps. And also why people chose a modelers to play
Live. To have all the tones known to man kind lol.
I’ll get two amps instead I’ll go with the Bugera V22 or the tweaker for the cleans,
Bluesy stuff and hard rock and for the high gain brutal I will keep looking maybe the g20 will see.
But till Christmas. I’ll be using my modeler for that stuff.
The reason I’m going for one of those amps first instead of a high gain amp ( metal head myself lol)
Is because I have never heard the most beautiful clean sound and that crunch is perfect.
Yes that’s what I’m looking for, boost to tighten it up and have low end.
Looking at videos the tweaker is not convincing for modern metal tones.
Just learned that every amp has its own specific sound/tone and that’s why
Some people own different amps. And also why people chose a modelers to play
Live. To have all the tones known to man kind lol.
I’ll get two amps instead
I’ll go with the Bugera V22 or the tweaker for the cleans, Bluesy stuff and hard rock and for the high gain brutal I will keep looking maybe the g20 will see.
But till Christmas. I’ll be using my modeler for that stuff.
The reason I’m going for one of those amps first instead of a high gain amp ( metal head myself lol)
Is because I have never heard the most beautiful clean sound and that crunch is perfect.
BenPerkins
New member
Re: I just played a tube amp for the first time! ( newbie)
https://www.musiciansfriend.com//stupid?source=3TP5DNB&mscr=2144660_68310
Tweaker 15 combo is on sale today. Just FYI
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https://www.musiciansfriend.com//stupid?source=3TP5DNB&mscr=2144660_68310
Tweaker 15 combo is on sale today. Just FYI
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
