Single Channel vs Multi Channel tube amps

[Nicky B]

Whats better or worse about single channel tube amps vs multi (2-4) channel tube amps?
Ive seen a lot of people around here say that they much prefer the sound of a single channel amp in comparison to a similar multi channel amp.
Wouldn't a multi channel amp allow you to save settings easier and get better/more sounds?

 

[tiktok]

Multi-channel amps often involved shared EQ controls between the two channels. Sometimes this works for the player, but a lot of the times people find themselves wanting a little more or less of something between their clean and dirty sound. Some multi-channel amps have no shared controls--they tend to cost more and some people don't like a lot of knobs on the amp. Often the channels are voiced differently, with say a Blackface approach on the clean channel and maybe a Marshall type sound on the lead. If you like one, but not the other (maybe you want a tweed or Vox vibe), you're sort of stuck, so some people prefer to find an amp that does clean the way they like it, and then use pedals to get their distortion. It's easier to swap out a distortion box than to revoice an amp circuit.

 

[red57strat]

I like both single channel and multi channel amps. There is usually a compromise with multi channel amps.

My Boogie is all tube and has separate EQ controls for each channel, though many multi channel amps use shared EQ and most use diodes for clipping on the lead channel. In this case, you're often better of with a nice single channel and an overdrive pedal or two. You'll end up with better control over your sounds.

 

[Colin Johnston]

I've finally accepted that the best approach for me is a single channel amp and a good overdrive pedal. DRRI & Zendrive sounds good to me.

 

[Martin R]

I've got a 65 BF Deluxe, (no reverb), with an A/B pedal to switch channels.

I set the tremelo channel about one notch lower than the first channel, and add a little treble to that first channel. It makes for an easy transition from rhythm to lead.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

I prefer a single-channel amp, mostly because I don't like complicated stuff! I get 90% of the tones I want with a nice little tube amp cranked, and my guitar volume knob turned down. A flick of the wrist and I get snarl. I have a Boss distortion pedal that sounds good if I want more than that...

Tim

 

[Telenator]

I have to cover music from the 60's to the 90's and I just can't do a convincing job without a channel switching amp.

I use a Rivera Chubster 40 that has a British/Marshall voiced channel with it's own EQ section and an American voiced channel with a seperate EQ section. You cannot mix the two channels.

Most two channel amps I've tried have been pretty lame but for me anyway, the Rivera delivers.

I carry two very different guitars to my gigs and have 4 stages of gain set up in my pedal board along with a few select effects.

In my opinion it's very important to change up the guitar sound a lot. I find that using the same sound all night becomes a real grind on the audience regardless of how good that sound is. Besides, just look at the variety of guitar sounds in the span of music we play. From dead clean to raging Over Drive. From Creedence to Stone Temple Pilots. You're not going to get all that from a single channel tube amp and an overdrive pedal. You can try but it's not very convincing.

Then again, it all depends on how far you want to take it.

 

[Nicky B]

Well, the reason i asked is im currently researching a way to save settings on an all-tube amp without changing any of the great tone (an easy addition without mucking up the works).
It would make most sense for single channel tube amps (blues jr, etc) where you need to adjust to get to different gain/tone, or multi channel amps where you need to adjust the settings when of gain settings or clean 2. A 4-channel marshall or egnater probaly wont need it.

This could allow for all analog switching without the unexpected changes a lead channel has, or without having to adjust a single channel amp or put a pedal in front. Also, since it would adjust master volume and tone along with gain, you can make sure your volume and tone stays on course throughout a song
Live or at home, it would be fast and convenient.
Thoughts?

 

[tazzboy]

I like both as well.

 

[e-merlin]

Well, the reason i asked is im currently researching a way to save settings on an all-tube amp without changing any of the great tone (an easy addition without mucking up the works).
It would make most sense for single channel tube amps (blues jr, etc) where you need to adjust to get to different gain/tone, or multi channel amps where you need to adjust the settings when of gain settings or clean 2. A 4-channel marshall or egnater probaly wont need it.

This could allow for all analog switching without the unexpected changes a lead channel has, or without having to adjust a single channel amp or put a pedal in front. Also, since it would adjust master volume and tone along with gain, you can make sure your volume and tone stays on course throughout a song
Live or at home, it would be fast and convenient.
Thoughts?

Yes, it's called the Peavey Rockmaster preamp.

 

[tiktok]

This could allow for all analog switching without the unexpected changes a lead channel has, or without having to adjust a single channel amp or put a pedal in front. Also, since it would adjust master volume and tone along with gain, you can make sure your volume and tone stays on course throughout a song
Live or at home, it would be fast and convenient.
Thoughts?

You should google "Neil Young Whizzer". Or that Soldano preamp that had motorized knobs but an all analog/tube audio path.

 

[franchelB]

I'd like to try a single channel amp. I've only had experiences with a 2-channel amp.

 

[mad dog]

All but one of my amps now are two channel, pre-reverb types, brite and normal, or similar. The advantage there is the ability to jumper inputs, and/or use higher gain vs. padded inputs on a specific channel. (IMO, jumpering is one of the great joys in ampdom.) My only one channel amp is one input, one channel, the Sewell Wampus Cat. It's my number one, and constantly impresses me with its sound, so clearly Doug Sewell utilized that simplicity in working his magic. I'm not so sure you can generalize the virtues of either scheme. It's more about a particular circuit design and how well it was built.