Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7233
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | "....tube amps are and probably always have been preferred among electric players for their tone, warmth, etc."
The difference between tube and solid-state has been discussed, but I think "purpose" is a huge factor and people's individual purposes cloud the explanations to those who have different purposes.
When I play an electric guitar, the purpose of the amp is not just to amplify the sound of the guitar. It in fact is part of the sound. I not only prefer tube amps, but I prefer the sound of EL34 tubes vs 6L6.
When I play an acoustic guitar through an amplifier, I want the amplified signal to sound as close to the sound of the Acoustic guitar unplugged as possible, hence a solid state amp.
Some electric players (self included sometimes) go for the "Hybrid" route. Using a "tube" pre-amp a solid-state power amp. In this scenario, the purpose of the "pre-amp" can be thought of as an "effect". Natural breakup, overdrive, character, whatever. It's assisting in "creating" the final sound or tone, not reproducing one.
For an acoustic player the hybrid setup works much the same. Usually not going for full on distortion, but rather the subtle nuances of using a tube add character to the tone. Again, it's an affect. Warming up the sound, maybe making it more pleasing etc..
Now can you use a tube amp to just "amplify" an acoustic guitar, reproducing its unplugged sound. Yes, sortof, but why bother? A high-end tube amp, will do a pretty good job of reporduction, at least good enough where your ears can't tell the difference. But at what cost. Really.. And I know as someone is reading this they are going to say "well the tubes make it sound warmer".... BINGO!!!! As soon as you want to "sound warmer" you are no longer reproducing the unplugged sound, your producing your unplugged sound warmer.
So... bottom line.
If you want to reproduce the sound of your guitar, as it sounds unplugged. Use a solid-state amp. Less expensive, less fuss, easier to move, less maintenance etc...
If you want to use your guitar to create a big full warm sounding guitar when amplified. A tube or hybrid amp may be what you are looking for.
As I put in another post recently, this is all a rather new observation for me on why I like Ovation guitars. I like the sound unplugged, and want that sound reproduced when amplified, uncolored.
While the Bose L1 system is an amazing amplifier for use with Ovation guitars, I wonder how wood guitar folks feel about it? My guess is they'd rather use their trusty California Blonde which can take $9.99 (ABC Store Hawaii) Ukulele and make it sound amazing, because it's NOT just reproducing the sound.
It's description reads
"with the warmth and ability to reproduce the natural tones and characteristics of electric/acoustic instruments"
but should read,
"with the ability to produce warm natural tones and characteristics from electric/acoustic instruments"
JMHO |
Tube vs SS amps
