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Jakedog · April 28th, 2008, 11:38 AM

I usually would not gig a solid state amp. Not that I think they can't handle it, I just prefer tube tone, and like the way a tube amp reacts to dynamics far better. I have an old SS Marshall head from the 80's, and a late 60's Kustom 200 head (in gold sparkle tuck and roll! Yee-Haw!) that I pull out from time to time to get unique sounds for recording projects, but they don't get gigged.

I just dig the sound of tubes. As far as the audience goes, you are spot on. Unless they are guitar players (and even the majority of US don't have the ears we THINK we do), 99% of them will not know the difference. They will form opinions as to whether you sound good, or bad, but won't know why, and truthfully, I have heard plenty of good players sound good with SS amps, and plenty of not so good players sound terrible with some pretty expensive tube amps.

I have not personally found a solid state amp that I would be happy with the sound from if I had to gig with it full time, but I don't knock anybody who digs 'em. Different strokes you know... Who knows, I may stumble onto one someday that I just go nuts over, but for now, I'll gig tubes.

Jake

April 28th, 2008, 11:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TE Posts: 2,975	I usually would not gig a solid state amp. Not that I think they can't handle it, I just prefer tube tone, and like the way a tube amp reacts to dynamics far better. I have an old SS Marshall head from the 80's, and a late 60's Kustom 200 head (in gold sparkle tuck and roll! Yee-Haw!) that I pull out from time to time to get unique sounds for recording projects, but they don't get gigged. I just dig the sound of tubes. As far as the audience goes, you are spot on. Unless they are guitar players (and even the majority of US don't have the ears we THINK we do), 99% of them will not know the difference. They will form opinions as to whether you sound good, or bad, but won't know why, and truthfully, I have heard plenty of good players sound good with SS amps, and plenty of not so good players sound terrible with some pretty expensive tube amps. I have not personally found a solid state amp that I would be happy with the sound from if I had to gig with it full time, but I don't knock anybody who digs 'em. Different strokes you know... Who knows, I may stumble onto one someday that I just go nuts over, but for now, I'll gig tubes. Jake __________________ "Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him..."