TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: Is solid-state dead?
Nah mang...
Nah.
Nah mang...
Nah.
Is solid-state dead?
- Thread starter misterwhizzy
- Start date
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I actually think that solid state is taking over from tubes, as evidenced by the modeling products such as the POD HD and the AxeFx.
I actually think that solid state is taking over from tubes, as evidenced by the modeling products such as the POD HD and the AxeFx.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Is solid-state dead?
Back in the day I had a 100 watt Sunn Beta Lead - 100 watts 2x12 combo, as I recall. That mo fo was loud and kicked a lot of ass. I like tube amps myself, but a well made SS amp can be great too. A lot of those old Sunn and Acoustic amps were pretty amazing.
Back in the day I had a 100 watt Sunn Beta Lead - 100 watts 2x12 combo, as I recall. That mo fo was loud and kicked a lot of ass. I like tube amps myself, but a well made SS amp can be great too. A lot of those old Sunn and Acoustic amps were pretty amazing.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I went and reread my original post, and I am not sure I was entirely clear. If I was, then you missed the point entirely.
I'm not talking about amps like the Blackstar ID series. They have knobs to switch between different virtual tube types. And I'm not talking about modeling, which is designed to sound like a tube. I'm talking about amps that unapologetically say, "No, there aren't any tubes in here. It's not supposed to sound like that. You gotta problem? Hit the bricks." And the only amps in the past twenty years or so that I can think of off the top of my head are the ones Randall built.
Now, I don't think there are any, at least not in the main stream.
I went and reread my original post, and I am not sure I was entirely clear. If I was, then you missed the point entirely.
I'm not talking about amps like the Blackstar ID series. They have knobs to switch between different virtual tube types. And I'm not talking about modeling, which is designed to sound like a tube. I'm talking about amps that unapologetically say, "No, there aren't any tubes in here. It's not supposed to sound like that. You gotta problem? Hit the bricks." And the only amps in the past twenty years or so that I can think of off the top of my head are the ones Randall built.
Now, I don't think there are any, at least not in the main stream.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I'd say solid state is ACTUALLY getting stronger. Technology is getting closer and closer to replicating tubes, might even surpass them one day. And hybrids exist that can give you the best of both worlds. My opinion is it's a growing trend. If it sounds good it sounds good, be it made in china, india, korea, solid state, digital, etc.
I'd say solid state is ACTUALLY getting stronger. Technology is getting closer and closer to replicating tubes, might even surpass them one day. And hybrids exist that can give you the best of both worlds. My opinion is it's a growing trend. If it sounds good it sounds good, be it made in china, india, korea, solid state, digital, etc.
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Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I'd say the Orange Crush series. They've been pretty up front about the fact that they aren't tube or modeling amps. They've also just made a 60 watt solid state version of the Rockerverb. Those, or the Marshall MG series. Those are my best guesses.
I'd say the Orange Crush series. They've been pretty up front about the fact that they aren't tube or modeling amps. They've also just made a 60 watt solid state version of the Rockerverb. Those, or the Marshall MG series. Those are my best guesses.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I certainly hope so.
I want a digital watch with tubes in it instead of silicon.
I certainly hope so.
I want a digital watch with tubes in it instead of silicon.
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Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
This.
We went from high-dollar pedals with tubes through solid-state amplification to high-dollar solid-state pedals with tube amplification.
This.
We went from high-dollar pedals with tubes through solid-state amplification to high-dollar solid-state pedals with tube amplification.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I loved the distortion in my jazz chorus. Granted I needed a stomp box for my more saturated stuff but for blues and classic rock it was great. You are on point though that is not the main reason someone would buy that amp. I also used an analog distortion with a tube preamp with mine to warm it up. Damn I miss that setup.
I loved the distortion in my jazz chorus. Granted I needed a stomp box for my more saturated stuff but for blues and classic rock it was great. You are on point though that is not the main reason someone would buy that amp. I also used an analog distortion with a tube preamp with mine to warm it up. Damn I miss that setup.
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I most certainly have, we have them at the store as well. Unless your talking about the old ones or the 15xl I don't see how this strengthens your point as all the rest are modelling. The cubes do sound pretty good, but I will say one of those goes out the door for every 20 mustangs that do.
I most certainly have, we have them at the store as well. Unless your talking about the old ones or the 15xl I don't see how this strengthens your point as all the rest are modelling. The cubes do sound pretty good, but I will say one of those goes out the door for every 20 mustangs that do.
david kornblatt
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
I think computers and lack of repair men are making this dilemma irrelevant
I think computers and lack of repair men are making this dilemma irrelevant
Inkstained
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
This. My Mustang III sounds pretty good. No, I wouldn't want it as my only amp, but it's fun.
Even when I'm in a "tube mood," I have solid-state pedals in front of my "tube" amp. A lot of players do. Pure tubedom is pretty rare.
This. My Mustang III sounds pretty good. No, I wouldn't want it as my only amp, but it's fun.
Even when I'm in a "tube mood," I have solid-state pedals in front of my "tube" amp. A lot of players do. Pure tubedom is pretty rare.
vinta9e
New member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
The HT series Blackstars are partial solid state. So is the Hughes & Kettner Statesman. The marketing department calls them "all tube amps". Most players can't tell anyway so everybody wins. Sort of.
Some "real" Marshalls have solid state clippers. Some have come like that from the factory, some not. Some sound godly, some sound godawful. Randall makes a lot of solid state amps laced with tube stages here and there. Rocktron makes solid state poweramps which are very popular among the amp modelling crowd.
Active pickups use transistors and so do wireless systems. The idea of a tube based onboard preamp makes me giggle a bit. Imagine an ammo belt style strap loaded with batteries all hooked up in series in order to supply high voltage.
There are tubes operating at lower voltages though they have not caught on for some reason. Then there are starved plate designs, like most tube stomp boxes, there's the Takamine Cool Tube, running an ECC81 off batteries in an acoustic guitar preamp. A tube in such conditions works nothing like in a 'proper' amp, so most of the hard work is done by solidstate and the little tube is just a clipper run in parallel and mixed at a low level into the output signal for that teeny tiny bit of wooly saggy flavour to the tone.
Then it becomes a "tube preamp" in the mouths of salesmen, and is assumed to sound superior "because tubes are better". Well, at least in this case, the tube is connected somewhere besides the heaters, so it's a little more than just a glowing gadget placebo.
Tech 21 makes everything solid state without a hint of shame. The Sansamp is a classic in my book, though it sounds its best through a tube power amp. Yes, that's my opinion.
AMT electronics seems to follow the same route.
Most bass amps use solid state output stage because a high power, broad bandwidth tube poweramp not only is expensive to build and maintain, but it also weighs a ton.
Solid state is alive and kicking, it's just not being told to guitar players.
The HT series Blackstars are partial solid state. So is the Hughes & Kettner Statesman. The marketing department calls them "all tube amps". Most players can't tell anyway so everybody wins. Sort of.
Some "real" Marshalls have solid state clippers. Some have come like that from the factory, some not. Some sound godly, some sound godawful. Randall makes a lot of solid state amps laced with tube stages here and there. Rocktron makes solid state poweramps which are very popular among the amp modelling crowd.
Active pickups use transistors and so do wireless systems. The idea of a tube based onboard preamp makes me giggle a bit. Imagine an ammo belt style strap loaded with batteries all hooked up in series in order to supply high voltage.
There are tubes operating at lower voltages though they have not caught on for some reason. Then there are starved plate designs, like most tube stomp boxes, there's the Takamine Cool Tube, running an ECC81 off batteries in an acoustic guitar preamp. A tube in such conditions works nothing like in a 'proper' amp, so most of the hard work is done by solidstate and the little tube is just a clipper run in parallel and mixed at a low level into the output signal for that teeny tiny bit of wooly saggy flavour to the tone.
Then it becomes a "tube preamp" in the mouths of salesmen, and is assumed to sound superior "because tubes are better". Well, at least in this case, the tube is connected somewhere besides the heaters, so it's a little more than just a glowing gadget placebo.
Tech 21 makes everything solid state without a hint of shame. The Sansamp is a classic in my book, though it sounds its best through a tube power amp. Yes, that's my opinion.
AMT electronics seems to follow the same route.
Most bass amps use solid state output stage because a high power, broad bandwidth tube poweramp not only is expensive to build and maintain, but it also weighs a ton.
Solid state is alive and kicking, it's just not being told to guitar players.
lewisstorer89
New member
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Is solid-state dead?
...as a doornail.
...as a doornail.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Is solid-state dead?
Wasn't the original question about analog solid state stuff? Digital modeling might be solid state but most if not all of the meaningful tone shaping is done in the digital realm.
