What makes a tube amp better?

[clintj]

Its interesting how many modelers all the way back to the Line6 Pods and earlier all advertise "sounds like a tube amp". Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an imitation when a well maintained tube amp gets you the real thing and is quite reliable to boot?

[KevWind]

This is interesting also .....Here is one perspective (as far as big live performances and modeling amps vs tube ) from a renowned FOH for big name Rock shows .

Spoiler: while stating he prefers tube especially In the mix , he does mention that in isolation the modeled sounded amazingly good ( and he is talking high end modeling amps)

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by clintj

It's interesting how many modelers all the way back to the Line 6 Pods and earlier all advertise "sounds like a tube amp." Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an imitation when a well maintained tube amp gets you the real thing and is quite reliable to boot?

What he said...

[aknow]

Originally Posted by clintj

Its interesting how many modelers all the way back to the Line6 Pods and earlier all advertise "sounds like a tube amp". Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an imitation when a well maintained tube amp gets you the real thing and is quite reliable to boot?

When your modeling amp breaks, let me know where you can get a reliable, reasonable repair. I'm usually told to discard the amp.

[Beakybird]

Originally Posted by clintj

Its interesting how many modelers all the way back to the Line6 Pods and earlier all advertise "sounds like a tube amp". Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an imitation when a well maintained tube amp gets you the real thing and is quite reliable to boot?

1. Weight.
2. Many tube and solid state models in one amp.
3. The ability to get a saturated tube sound at low volume.
4. DSPs and some amps offer the ability to go directly into a computer's sound card and the ability to change and edit the amp after the recording.

But I understand where you purists are coming from. Tubes are beautiful, and there's something satisfying about hearing the real thing, like playing a real Fender Rhodes with real tines and pickups as opposed to a keyboard patch.

[printer2]

The light weight and low volume are the main reasons I can see. Also say if you want a Marshall sound or a Fender in the same box. As far as light weight goes up to 30W there is not much penalty for a tube amp if a switching power supply is used. Somebody should come out with one.

[perttime]

Originally Posted by clintj

Its interesting how many modelers all the way back to the Line6 Pods and earlier all advertise "sounds like a tube amp". Why spend hundreds, if not thousands, on an imitation when a well maintained tube amp gets you the real thing and is quite reliable to boot?

Because it is a pain to replace tubes on the reliable tube amp in the middle of a gig? Tubes are also another fragile item to transport. The ones on the amp and the ones you are carrying just in case.

Besides, you don't have to buy a modeler. There's some great analog solid state amps out there.

[Steel and wood]

Originally Posted by Beakybird

1. Weight.
2. Many tube and solid state models in one amp.
3. The ability to get a saturated tube sound at low volume.
4. DSPs and some amps offer the ability to go directly into a computer's sound card and the ability to change and edit the amp after the recording.

But I understand where you purists are coming from. Tubes are beautiful, and there's something satisfying about hearing the real thing, like playing a real Fender Rhodes with real tines and pickups as opposed to a keyboard patch.

This for me also more or less. (You could also add cost because solid state amps are substantially cheaper than their tube equivalents … and then there's the cost of pedals).

Again, I love the idea of owning both. (But if I had to own just one amp for home playing purposes, it would most likely be a solid state amp, as much as I like tube amps).

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by numb fingertips

From reading on here, I got the impression that tube amps are better or there is a preference for tube amps. Am I mistaken? What makes them better? How about a low watt tube amp for home?

At this time I have three small Fender amplifiers, all have EL84 power tubes, and all for home use around 9 o’clock on the volume dial at maximum so I’m never getting creamy true output overdrive.

All are extremely picky with regard to amplifying my mistakes so they reward perfect touch and control. A Yamaha mini amp like the THR10 (may have the name incorrect) or a modeling amp like the Fender Mustang may make me sound like a better player but it may be artificial.

I’m all for turning back the clock and living a simpler life too.

[paulp1960]

I'm old school and love the sound of valve amps and I like the setup of a cleanish valve amp fed by pedals to get your tone palette.

I used to have a Marshal lead and bass 20 head (2061x model) in the early 80s and never realised at the time what a gem of an amp that was.

I've tried a Fender Mustang 1 and quite liked it for practicing. I borrowed a Yamaha THR10 for a week and thought it was a joke. It had very little clean headroom and volume but what can you expect with those diddy speakers?
The THR100 though is quite a beast.

I'm not convinced at all by the tone from the Boss Katana series and good luck using those built-in FX during a gig when you need to quickly change an FX setting.

I do presently own a Marshall Code 25 modelling amp which is ok for practicing but it has many shortcomings as well.

I do really like my Scuffham Amps S-Gear plugin though and use that for headphone playing. I wish I could have that sound in a real SS amp.

[Trevor B.]

Originally Posted by numb fingertips

From reading on here, I got the impression that tube amps are better or there is a preference for tube amps. Am I mistaken? What makes them better? How about a low watt tube amp for home?

My understanding is this:
Overdriven tube = even harmonics
Overdriven transistor = odd harmonics

[perttime]

Originally Posted by Trevor B.

My understanding is this:
Overdriven tube = even harmonics
Overdriven transistor = odd harmonics

And then you hear people using solid state pedals for overdrive.

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by perttime

And then you hear people using solid state pedals for overdrive.

Not the same thing. Using an SS pedal is not the same as overdriving an SS amp.

[perttime]

Originally Posted by Paleolith54

Not the same thing. Using an SS pedal is not the same as overdriving an SS amp.

An SS cirquit in a large box is inferior to an SS cirquit in a small box?

Or are you thinking distortion in the power amp? That should not be happening with a SS amp. If it is, you need a bigger one.

[printer2]

Originally Posted by Trevor B.

My understanding is this:
Overdriven tube = even harmonics
Overdriven transistor = odd harmonics

When you clip one side more than the other you get more odd harmonics. When you clip them evenly you get more even. You can do the same with SS circuits where you have a diode clipper on one side and not clip the other side of the waveform.