Is solid-state dead?

Re: Is solid-state dead?

I'd love to try the new orange crush pro series. One of my all time favorite guitar sounds is crowbar, and up until recently Kirk used SS Randalls I think. I know early on he used Marshalls with a boss metal zone. Now he uses the orange Thunderverb, but I bet the new SS orange amps can get that tone.
 
Last edited:
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I just sold one of my Lab Series L2 heads w/matching 15" cab to a local blues player today.
He was having trouble keeping up with his Blues Jr. vs his other guitarist Super Reverb.
The smile on his face when I plugged my Strat into the L2 told me instantly that
SS is not dead, we just need to explore the design possibilities more, much like Moog/Lab Series.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

The Roland JC has been used by more famous names than you might think..including Metallica as well as pop and Jazz stars...still in production after 40 plus years, so they must have something going for them...
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Taking the pros and cons of SS & Valve, a hybrid with solid state (analogue) clean channel, which they do well and tube driven overdrive-that tubes tend to do better than SS always seemed a good idea. The Marshall Valve State from the' 90 s was one good example..but clearly not everyone thinks so...:question:
 
Last edited:
Re: Is solid-state dead?

While this is an old thread, SS is still, and will remain a good alternative to whatever else is out there.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I have a rig based around the ADA MP-1 preamp. I have two Marshall pre-amps, one solid state (9040) and one tube (9100), and I am this close to selling the latter. It just isn't worth the extra effort, in my opinion. That said, this is a rig that has a very preamp-driven sound.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Sirion said:
I have a rig based around the ADA MP-1 preamp. I have two Marshall pre-amps, one solid state (9040) and one tube (9100), and I am this close to selling the latter. It just isn't worth the extra effort, in my opinion. That said, this is a rig that has a very preamp-driven sound.
Click to expand...

I think you mean power amps, but yes, understood. The MosValve power amps were awesome too.

Not only a threadsurrection, but GS may have set a record for number of individual posts in the same thread in 47 mins.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Bandits have been selling well since the early 80s for a reason

They sound great and are affordable

Some solid states dont sound good
Some tube amps are turds
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

devastone said:
I think you mean power amps, but yes, understood. The MosValve power amps were awesome too.

Not only a threadsurrection, but GS may have set a record for number of individual posts in the same thread in 47 mins.
Click to expand...

Yes, power amps; a bit of a brainfart there!
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

They're more alive today than when this thread was started.....getting better every year. I particularly like the Roland Blues Cubes and specifically, the 'Hot'.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

So many opinions on ss amps are based on crappy speakers. Run a good ss through a mesa cab and it improves a lot IMO.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

IM4Tone said:
They're more alive today than when this thread was started.....getting better every year. I particularly like the Roland Blues Cubes and specifically, the 'Hot'.
Click to expand...

+1.

Solid state has had a bit of a resurgence since 2013...

I have a Mesa bass amp with a hybrid FET/tube preamp into a D class power amp, and I have to admit that this amp really nailed the sound and feel I’m looking for, but at a fraction of the weight/cost of an all tube amp.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

Jacew said:
Exactly. Doesn't need Mesa cab, but anything decent at least.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think solid state would work better if they started designing specific cabs for them.

It’s something I’m seeing in the bass world. Cabs designed for tube amps and MOSFET can be too tight/fast/sterile, lack weight, etc with these new d class amps. Long term, D class guitar amps may gain better acceptance if they’re put through cabs that are designed to produce the correct feel rather than a classic cab that “doesn’t feel right”.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

dave74 said:
So many opinions on ss amps are based on crappy speakers. Run a good ss through a mesa cab and it improves a lot IMO.
Click to expand...

I so agree. I ran my Randell orange stripe through a V4 loaded with vintage G12Hs back in the 80's. It sounded amazing. I use the same speakers (different cab) today with my JC 120 head and I do not think there is a guitarist alive that wouldn't smile playing that rig.

There are much more low-end SS amps than high-end gear on the market. The lower end amps suffer from subar components and speakers. This is where a lot of the SS stigma comes from. If you plug a mid-to-high end SS amp into the right cab the results are stellar.
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

I'm interested in trying the DV Mark Micro heads, 50 - 250W in a small form factor! If Greg Howe is using one (although he may still be using his tube head?), or at least has his name on one, how bad can it be?
 
Re: Is solid-state dead?

misterwhizzy said:
I know we've been having this discussion about modeling versus tube, etc. But are the days of the RG100 and Warhead over? Straight up, balls-to-the-wall, rip-your-face-off transistor-based distortion? Is there anything out there that does NOT intend to sound like a tube amp?

By the way, I have no interest in purchasing or even playing one, if it is in current production. I just meant to discuss the state of guitar amplification.
Click to expand...

Another solid state tradition was the Rockman line. It started with emulating a tube sound but kind of went its own way with the sound:

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Metalman_666
Dime +... SOLID STATE?
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
NT02
NT02
Back
Top