Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

[Detroitblues]

I've been a tube amp snob for quite some time. I've tried various solid state analog and digital amps. I found nothing that I really liked (Fender, Line6, Peavey, etc). I have found I prefer low wattage tube amps going into larger cabinets, but even then, they can be a bit loud before they sound full and natural.

But then I discovered Quilter.

I need to apologize to those who don't believe Tube amps are the only amp to have.

I bought a Quilter MicroPro Mach II 8" combo. Tiny, lightweight, loud, full, and packed with features. Solid state, analog amp that sounds fantastic. Ran it side by side with my Jet City 20HV amp w/ matching V20 loaded 2x12 and it sounded just as good.

So good in fact, I decided to buy the Quilter Microblock 45 amp pedal. Freaking loud, pedal sized amp that also sounds just as good as any tube amp I've ever heard plugged straight into another Jet City 2x12 amp I have.

I'm just amazed a solid state amp can sound so good.

You may not want to spend $700 on up for a MicroPro (Head cabinet up to 8", 10", 12" combos...)

But $150 on the Microblock 45? That is really a no brainer. Cheaper than may guitar pedals out there and worth the piece of mind when gigging with a tube amp as either a backup or primary.

Here I thought it was tube amps or nothing... I'm am swallowing my pride and admitting I was wrong. For that ladies and gents, I do apologize.

 

[Jeffblue]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

If I ever play solid state.......Quilter or right back to tubes. I am also a bit of a tube snob and my ears tell me Quilter is as close as you will ever get to what tubes can do. I will always play through tubes but I sure wouldn't mind owning a Quilter.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

ive played quilter amps and they sound very good, feel decent too. i have some friends that love theirs but ill keep my tube amps for now. they are close, but not close enough just yet

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Oh Boy. Wait until you get a hold of what's coming from the Seymour Duncan factory next month. The Power Stage 170 has enough power to run a 4x12 as loud as a rocking band needs. It sounds and feels like a tube head. It fits right on your pedal board. http://www.seymourduncan.com/power-amp/powerstage-170

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

oh really ?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Quilter is the Q in QSC power amps, and he's the most notable pioneer in SS technology. Read about his life. It's pretty interesting.

I've tried several Quilter models, and it's surprising how loud and versatile they are.

However, at the LA Amp Shows, I can tell you that the SS/modeling rooms had the least amount of traffic.

 

[EAProwlerB]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

I am fortunate having a music store connection and am able to take home and try anything they get that may be interesting. So, at this point I believe I have sampled the SS contenders. My ears say they are certainly improving steadily but not there yet. Tube amps rule as far as clean and light to medium overdrive. Someday, maybe soon, I have no doubt someone will find a SS formula that may equal or surpass tubes but it hasn't happened yet.

From the lowly little 6V6 Champ type to the King of all amps Twin Reverb tubes have the best tone.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

My ears say they are certainly improving steadily but not there yet. Someday, maybe soon, I have no doubt someone will find a SS formula that may equal or surpass tubes but it hasn't happened yet.

There's a few types of snobbery I'm willing to accept and admit to.
Tube amp snobbery
Fresh prepared food
People with class
Good music vs. garbage

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Congrats on the new amp(s) ..have'nt played a Quilter but they do sound great :bigthumb:

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

I have a professor that swears by them.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

I have heard the new Powerstage amps in person, and man, they sound amazing. Wonderful if you get your main sound from pedals.:

PowerStage 170
PowerStage 700

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

I think the PowerStage injection might be a thread derail, but I have 2 questions about it/them:

1. It seems to have a possible borderline heat management issue in that it says keep a 6" clearance around the chassis, yet the photos show a laptop sitting on the 700. So how is the 700 heat management different that you can do that?
2. How and why did they come up with those values for the EQ points and gain - specifically the odd numbers: Gain 47 dB, TREBLE CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @6.61 kHz, MID CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @712 Hz, BASS CONTROL: +/- 13 dB @87 Hz

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

More importantly, what is Q for each band?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Good sound is good sound. It can be achieved in myriad ways; Tube/Solid state, Digital/analog, Cheap/Expensive.

If you think there is one formula, you are a doomed and damned fool.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Is this really something one could use as their main amp for basement playing and an occasional gig?
My mind is blown. Tomorrow I'm gonna be all over youtube, that's for sure!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Really just comes down to personal preference. My dad had a Gallien-Krueger 250 ML with monstrous power for such a tiny amp and the drive tone was killer. Many country steel guitarists use SS for the cleans while others use Tubes for the cleans...I'm not gonna say either is right or wrong.

For my style and playing, I jive with Fender tube amps followed by Mesa...but that is just my personal consensus after trying so many amps (both SS and Tube.)

I think if we completely right off something that doesn't fit our narrative, we can be missing out on some incredible gear.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Is this really something one could use as their main amp for basement playing and an occasional gig?
My mind is blown. Tomorrow I'm gonna be all over youtube, that's for sure!

These types of 'pedalboard power amps' are absolutely made to replace your regular amp. There is nothing 'basement' about them- they are professional pieces of gear. I wouldn't hesitate to use them live.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

These types of 'pedalboard power amps' are absolutely made to replace your regular amp. There is nothing 'basement' about them- they are professional pieces of gear. I wouldn't hesitate to use them live.

Okay, I just watched some YouTube demos and I'm a little less excited - it seems like everyone is turning the volume all the way up and it doesn't sound very loud. Detroitblues: you said it was "loud." How loud? Loud enough to play on a stage with a full band and still hear yourself clearly?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

im sure i will get one of the power stage amps. 170w should be plenty loud through a 4ohm cab with a decently efficient speaker. remember at 8 ohms itll probably only put out 90w or so, 16 ohms maybe 50w.

 

[EAProwlerB]

Re: Tube Amp Snobbery Apology

Curious where Duncan found the resources to develop an amp that would be competitive with amps such as Quilter who have been in the business for fifty years?