Tube Amps - Which one?

[Beavis]

Hi there, i am currently using a Roland GP100 preamp/processor into a velocity 120 power amp, now this is the only amp i own and i am getting a bit tired of the tweeking, and i want some tubes, now i love this unit very versitile BUT, i have grown bored of the distortions, they just don't do it for me anymore, the effects are great. I want an amp i can plug in turn on and have a good sound, nice distortion.

See the thing is there are lots of amps out there and i don't know which one to go for, now i can hear you all shouting "go try them" well i would love to but the only shop in Norwich where i live stocks Mesa boogie (excepts the rectifiers ), marshall and lots and lots of line 6, peavey and electrical stuff. Other shops are a long way away.

Now i just want some ideas of amps so i can venture out to the other areas of the UK and head straight for the selection of amps i want to try out.

If it helps i am a big paul gilbert harsh guitar sound but i also like Steve Vai's creamy distortion, what do you guys suggest, can i have an amp that does something close to both or has the ability to go vai or gilbert, no reverb or effects needed (if reverb is included then thats ok) but it has to be tube and be in head form, channels, at least 2 and not something really expensive like a Cornford.

Could you give me some of suggestions with a vague price guide.

Cheers

Beavis

[rgr]

You might check out some Laney GH or GL (don't remember) tube heads, Paul Gilbert has used them and you should be able to get the sounds you want from them. *I don't know what they cost but since they are made in the UK you will probably get a better deal than us Yanks.

Roger

[jeffrey]

Rivera TBR-1SL (or 2SL)

But hey, I'm biased.

[littlegreenman]

I'm biased too, I say screw the tubes, go solid state! LOL

[Two hands31]

Wait...all those awesome tones of yours are non-tube!?! *Woah. *I suddenly feel better about my Line6. *:biggrin: *Although now I've been drooling over Mesa's and Les Pauls, I think there's something wrong with me. *lol *

[littlegreenman]

Not a tube in my rig, none, zip, zero, nadda, nuttin, hehehe, all solid state my friend, all solid state.

[gkelm]

Being in the UK, I'd especially recommend checking out Laney amps. *Teh distortion in the combos I have LC50 & LC30 is fairly harsh, buy you can get a smoother tone with pedals.
Greg

[JESTER700]

IMO there are some great solid state makers out there. *Randall, G-K, Carvin... *Even the $150 practice amps these days are much better than they were 15 years ago. *And the digital modeling is getting REALLY good.

Seems to me that the difference when you're playing live in front of a 4x12 is greater than the difference when you listen back to recorded tracks, too. *More "feel" than "sound". *Besdides, of course, the "feel" of lugging around a friggin' 100 lb. combo... ;-)

[Given to Fly]

For a great ,loud, Vai sounding amp, go with the Carvin Legacy. It has a real creamy smooth distortion. I love it so much. However if you I must admit that tube is not the only way to go these days to get a good sound. It is the way I owuld choose, but I was at Guitar Center trying out amps for Gutarmagedden to see which one to use. I could use a Marshall JCM 2000, Crate Blue Voodoo, and a Line 6. I'm going with the Line 6 because it is smoother than the Marshall and I just like it better. So tube or soild state, which ever you go, you can get good tones out of both.

[Kevan]

jeffrey on 4:11 pm on Mar. 22, 2002
But hey, I'm biased.

Is that a tube amp joke?

To my ears, the Marsh*ll may sound like an electric pepper grinder, but you may think it's creamier than...ummm...ok, I'll leave that metaphor up to you guys. *I may fall like a blind roofer for the Line 6 tone, but you may think it's closer to a police siren. *
Every ear "hears" differently, and picks up different things/tones. *
*

My suggestion: *
• Take a full day and go to the shop with all that gear. *
• ALWAYS take *your* guitar. *
• Play thru as many amps as you can in one day.
• Let your ears make the final decision for you.

[Two hands31]

Kevan on 11:26 am on Mar. 24, 2002

Is that a tube amp joke?

:lame::laugh::loco::rotf:

[littlegreenman]

Anyone who thinks Tube amps are heavier than solid state hasn't lugged my rig around LOL, the cab's weigh the same amount anyway. *But my damn rack is a ton! I'd love a simple combo that gave me that sound, but I haven't found it yet!

[Two hands31]

littlegreenman on 12:50 pm on Mar. 24, 2002
Anyone who thinks Tube amps are heavier than solid state hasn't lugged my rig around LOL, the cab's weigh the same amount anyway. *But my damn rack is a ton! I'd love a simple combo that gave me that sound, but I haven't found it yet!

Just become famous and start asking around for companies to build you custom amps that re-create your tone. *:biggrin:

[littlegreenman]

If I get famous I get something better!!! ROADIES!!!!!

[Kevan]

Jeffrey- I think Jeremy wants to lug around our TBR's! *
I mean, he thinks they're LIGHTER than his rig. *:-)
BTW- my TBR-2 weighs *a lot* more than the TBR-1 I have here. *A LOT more.