Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

waltschwarzkopf

waltschwarzkopf

New member
Hi guys,

I play guitar at home for fun and don’t need loads of volume. I also run a very simple setup: Guitar -> cable -> Amp. I have a Marshall G15RCD (15W solid state) that came with a starter pack about 20 years ago, it is still in good shape and I like its sound, so I’m not looking into selling or getting rid of it for now. The reason of this post is that I saw a “good offer” on the classifieds for a Marshall Valvestate 2000 AVT20 (20W single-tube in the pre-amp) for 60CHF, which I might be able to get down to about 50 bucks. I think it is a pretty good deal (is it?) and my question is if I will be able to notice a difference in the sound in order to consider it an upgrade, or if I should stick with mine. Both amps have similar controls, 3-band EQ, spring reverb and comparable input/output jacks. The main difference (in the controls) is that mine has two gains and the other has one gain and a channel switch (which I see as a benefit).

What do you think?

Here are the links for the manuals of each amp:

G15RCD https://www.manualslib.com/manual/99221/Marshall-Amplification-G15rcd.html

AVT20 https://www.manualslib.com/manual/524784/Marshall-Amplification-Valvestate-2000-Avt-Series.html

Also, are tube amps more fragile? I don’t move them nor will they leave my house, so that should not be a problem. But do the tubes need maintenance or something? This one has a 12XA7 (ECC83) which means nothing to me… But I have seen tube replacements online from different brands and prices.

Cheers!
Walter

P.S. If you live in Zürich and want to get together and jam, send me a PM.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Amps with just a 12AX7 in the preamp are pretty maintenance-free compared to a full tube amp. That tube usually lasts for years without needing a thought. They tend not to fail suddenly or take out other parts of the amp.
 
Last edited:
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

thats not really a tube amp. its a hybrid, so very similar to a ss as far as maintenance. that tube should be fine for years. the valvestate amps are usually decent sounding amps for the money though
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

It depends on how much you want a tube amp. If you want an amp that probably sounds better than what you have now, $50 is a good deal for the AVT20. Of course, if you're content with what you have for the time being, you could save that $50 to put towards a nicer amp.

Provided everything works properly, $50 does sound like a pretty good deal for that, though.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

In my opinion it's not worth the upgrade. Your amp is fine for quiet home playing. Buy a tube amp when you want to be loud.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Since volume isn't needed, I'd keep the amp.

Here is a suggestion. Do you maybe want to improve the bass response or maybe smooth out the highs? If so, you might think about replacing the speaker. That is all you might need to make that small amp a solid keeper.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Well, there are things in life that are needs and then there are things in life that you don't need and make no sense, but are worth it.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Hi guys!

Thank you all for your comments and advise, I'll try to say as much as I can briefly.

I'm not looking for a new amp as I like the one I have. I created this post because I saw the other one as a "good deal" and thought that it may be worth the upgrade. But as some of you have advise, it may be better to save for a "real" one in the future, if I ever need it.

I am aware the VALVESTATEs are not "real tube amps" but actually hybrids. I only play at home with my 15W volume tuned to 2-3, so volume is not what I'm after.

I think the AVT20 was sold, because the ad is no longer there and the person does not reply to me... I did find a VALVESTATE VS30R for 150CHF which I think is expensive for what it is and a VALVESTATE 80V 8080 for 120CHF which I think is overkill!

I guess I'll keep my current one as gives me everything I need from an amp and enjoy it while it lasts.

Thanks again guys, you're the best!
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Some years ago I bought a Carvin Belair to replace my Laney GC80A
The Laney being SS, I figured the Belair would be much better
I was wrong
Not only was it not better, but now I had two great sounding amps
Each with a unique voice

If you get another amp
Find one with a complimentary tone
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Why would anyone need more than one amp and one guitar? I don't understand you people.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

I am playing a hybrid amp now, and had a different one ages ago.
They're OK, but to my ear they're closer to a solid state amp than an all-tube amp.
Again, this is just my ear - but my take is that hybrids and solid state do better on highly overdriven/distorted sounds than they do toward the clean end of the spectrum.
I'm personally looking to find an affordable all-tube amp - I don't need louder either, but prefer the tone. I play mostly clean-ish and I really like the tones of Vox tube amps played clean or clean with a slight edge.
Or maybe it's all in my imagination and I'm just looking to waste money on all-tube vanity.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Scott_F said:
Why would anyone need more than one amp and one guitar? I don't understand you people.
Click to expand...
I don't need any. I don't need to play music. I want to play. I want to have as many decent amp's and guitars as I can afford.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

If it's near you it can't hurt to try it out and decide for yourself if you feel it's an improvement.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

waltschwarzkopf said:
Hi guys!

Thank you all for your comments and advise, I'll try to say as much as I can briefly.

I'm not looking for a new amp as I like the one I have. I created this post because I saw the other one as a "good deal" and thought that it may be worth the upgrade. But as some of you have advise, it may be better to save for a "real" one in the future, if I ever need it.

I am aware the VALVESTATEs are not "real tube amps" but actually hybrids. I only play at home with my 15W volume tuned to 2-3, so volume is not what I'm after.

I think the AVT20 was sold, because the ad is no longer there and the person does not reply to me... I did find a VALVESTATE VS30R for 150CHF which I think is expensive for what it is and a VALVESTATE 80V 8080 for 120CHF which I think is overkill!

I guess I'll keep my current one as gives me everything I need from an amp and enjoy it while it lasts.

Thanks again guys, you're the best!
Click to expand...

My advice would be to keep the amp you have, and go straight to full tube when ugrading. Not saying there isn't good alternatives, but real tube amp is certainly something you has to at least try out.

I had Fender Mustang for years, and tried couple of hybrids as well. When I finally just went and bought real tube amp, it was probably the best gear improvement I've ever made. Thought I should have done it far earlier.

They're not by any means fragile, unreliable or expensive to keep, what people tend to say. At least if you stay away from real vintage amps...
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Scott_F said:
Why would anyone need more than one amp and one guitar? I don't understand you people.
Click to expand...

Different tools for different jobs. My metal amp doesn't do country; my clean amps don't really do heavy. Then there's my amp with the perfect 70s riff rock tone. Variety is the spice of life.
 
Re: Is a tube amp worth the upgrade?

Scott_F said:
Why would anyone need more than one amp and one guitar? I don't understand you people.
Click to expand...

Same reason people cheat in relationships
Buy expensive cars and jewelry
Or play guitar in the first place

Because they can
 
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