"That amp is tube - I can tell, it cuts through!"

[LLL]

Re: "That amp is tube - I can tell, it cuts through!"

Circa approx. 1990 right after party gig walking offstage with guitar in hand; guy walks up to me and:

"Duuuuuude, greaaaat job man! Ever hearrrd of Ing-vay Malm-o-steen? Yeah that ****er can burrrrrrn, mannn. He playssh that Shtraat looksh like a banana color... I got a geeetar jusht like his...and... and... *hic* and I can play Ing-vaaay, mann!" (air guitar and "wheedle-a wheedle-a" noises)

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: "That amp is tube - I can tell, it cuts through!"

When I was in high school, I taught myself the solo to Ain't Talkin Bout Love. I did it on one string because that's what it sounded like to me. A fellow high school "musician" got all over my case in front of everyone saying, "do you think Ed Van Hay-Len plays on one string, man?! You are an idiot!"

That very weekend I went to see Van Halen, front row, 1980 Invasion Tour. Ed played the solo to Ain't Talkin Bout Love on one string.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: "That amp is tube - I can tell, it cuts through!"

When I was starting out, I had someone tell me that you can't play power chords through a small practice amp (read: beginner 8" combo) because "you'd blow it up".

I had someone else tell me that playing power chords would ruin a guitar, and that you shouldn't do it unless you considered the guitar disposable.

And I had a know-it-all relative insist that the trem was properly called the "yoke".

That's the first thing I did when I got an electric guitar and a practice amp. Didn't sound very good but never exploded.