Poll - Solid State vs Tube Amps for Jazz Guitar

[jaymen]

All tubes are non-linear and have much higher total harmonic distortion be they in the pre-amp, phase inverter, reverb/effects loop, or the final power amp stages. They all change and color the sound, and add a richness of tone that everyone loves. So even when you are playing "clean" on a tube amp, your sound is getting colored and tonally modified by the tubes themselves. For sound reproduction (radio, stereo, public s address system) this would be bad, but for musical instrument amplifiers it is a good thing. That is the mojo , explained, albeit a very simplified version, the sound is fabulously complex.

It takes a lot of solid state electronics to emulate/model what tube amps do naturally, and with many fewer components. And tube amps are pure analog, no digital processing, which all modeleing amps have, so they lose fidelity as a result.

[jaymen]

All tubes are non-linear and have much higher total harmonic distortion be they in the pre-amp, phase inverter, reverb/effects loop, or the final power amp stages. They all change and color the sound, and add a richness of tone that everyone loves. So even when you are playing "clean" on a tube amp, your sound is getting colored and tonally modified by the tubes themselves. For sound reproduction (radio, stereo, public s address system) this would be bad, but for musical instrument amplifiers it is a good thing. That is the mojo , explained, albeit a very simplified version, the sound is fabulously complex.

It takes a lot of solid state electronics to emulate/model what tube amps do naturally, and with many fewer components. And tube amps are pure analog, no digital processing, which all modeling amps have, so they lose fidelity as a result.

Then there is Class A single ended tube amps and push pull Class AB amps,, the first produces non symmetrical distortion, the other, crossover distortion, and depending on the tube types, and how they are biased, yields all kinds of wonderful tones. The end result is when you plug in to a good tube amp, you are not just playing the guitar, you are also playing the amp, and you can get it to do many things without a single pedal or effect.

[gitman]

All theory and science and "mojo" aside : on stage I ALWAYS use my solid state amps (a LOUD Evans or a tiny BUD6) , at home/while recording I sometimes use both at the same time or play through my Tone King "Falcon Grande". Regardless which model/type guitar I play I get the sound, the volume and the ease of use I need and want. There's just no way I could transport a useable tube amp + my cable-bag plus a gigbag on my bike ....

[garybaldy]

All tubes are non-linear and have much higher total harmonic distortion be they in the pre-amp, phase inverter, reverb/effects loop, or the final power amp stages. They all change and color the sound, and add a richness of tone that everyone loves. So even when you are playing "clean" on a tube amp, your sound is getting colored and tonally modified by the tubes themselves. For sound reproduction (radio, stereo, public s address system) this would be bad, but for musical instrument amplifiers it is a good thing. That is the mojo , explained, albeit a very simplified version, the sound is fabulously complex.

It takes a lot of solid state electronics to emulate/model what tube amps do naturally, and with many fewer components. And tube amps are pure analog, no digital processing, which all modeling amps have, so they lose fidelity as a result.

Then there is Class A single ended tube amps and push pull Class AB amps,, the first produces non symmetrical distortion, the other, crossover distortion, and depending on the tube types, and how they are biased, yields all kinds of wonderful tones. The end result is when you plug in to a good tube amp, you are not just playing the guitar, you are also playing the amp, and you can get it to do many things without a single pedal or effect.

Does that mean tube radios, stereos and PAs were bad?

[gvurrdon]

I answered "tube" but it's one of these:

MVX150C1 - Vox Amps

...i.e. Nutube.

For me it's great (excellent tone and no need to change valves), though I would prefer it to be a bit lighter.
They're no longer in production. My guess is that there wasn't much overlap between people wanting what is essentially a traditional heavy valve amp and people wanting unusual modern technology.

[Njt3]

I’m using a hybrid setup; Milkman 100 with a nos Mullard 12ax7 in place of the stock JJ tube into a Mojotone 1x12 cabinet. Previously I’d use a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb.

[Little Jay]

Just for fun: the inside of my vintage Framus Strato 345 tube amp.






To me it’s a form of art!

[garybaldy]

Just for fun: the inside of my vintage Framus Strato 345 tube amp.






To me it’s a form of art!

And to me!

[garybaldy]

Just for fun: the inside of my vintage Framus Strato 345 tube amp.






To me it’s a form of art!

And to me!

[Mick-7]

the inside of my vintage Framus Strato 345 tube amp. To me it’s a form of art!

= Cubism

[Bob_Ross]

I'd be curious to see how significantly the poll results would change if instead of asking about our "main" amp it asked about our "preferred" amp.

[Mick-7]

I'd be curious to see how significantly the poll results would change if instead of asking about our "main" amp it asked about our "preferred" amp.

I suspect he meant the two terms to be synonymous, if you prefer not to use your main amp, then it's mainly not your main amp.

[Bob_Ross]

I suspect he meant the two terms to be synonymous, if you prefer not to use your main amp, then it's mainly not your main amp.

Not if you don't own your "preferred" amp.

[Little Jay]

I'd be curious to see how significantly the poll results would change if instead of asking about our "main" amp it asked about our "preferred" amp.

Good point. I love tube amps and still prefer them over solid state or digital modelling amps but for practical reasons I find myself playing solid state amps more often, in my case my Henriksen Blu 6 or my Quilter Superblock US. Which is no punishment, because those sound good. I did not read all 239 posts but I suspect this might be the general concensus amongst jazz guitarists.

It’s always a treat however if I play a venue and I find a good tube amp on stage!

[garybaldy]

I love tube amps ( or as we say over here, valve amps) but I've yet to try my 175 through my JCM 800 2x12 combo.

[Rolf Field]

hybrid for me. play a Koch Jupiter 12ax7 in the pre amp ... and a solid stae poweramp with an integrated 12ax7 tube. Tubes make the difference. Tried JJ's, TAD's but stick with Tung-sol. Swapped the speaker for a wgs g12cs. I quickly find a tube amp too loud.

[KRosser]

I have tube amps but my favorite small group jazz amp is the Henriksen Bud 6. I think I'll get an extension speaker for it at some point just in case I need to move more air but this little thing holds up surprisingly well in 4tet/5tet settings.

Just a couple weeks ago I had a chance to sit down with a DV Mark Little Jazz for the first time and I really, really liked it. For the price I feel like I should get one just to have it.

[Gitterbug]

If somebody won an election today with an 11-point margin (55.6% SS vs 44.4% tubes), it would be called a landslide. I wonder what happened to Dirk's amp survey from last October. Perhaps not enough responses to yield conclusive results.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Just a couple weeks ago I had a chance to sit down with a DV Mark Little Jazz for the first time and I really, really liked it. For the price I feel like I should get one just to have it.

I loved mine and only sold it because my Blu 6 finally arrived (back when there were shortages during Covid). But the LJ is now selling for $400, which is more than twice what they cost from MF when on frequent sale not that long ago. It’s still good value, but it’s not as big a bargain as it used to be.

[Sushi313]

I loved mine and only sold it because my Blu 6 finally arrived (back when there were shortages during Covid). But the LJ is now selling for $400, which is more than twice what they cost from MF when on frequent sale not that long ago. It’s still good value, but it’s not as big a bargain as it used to be.

Which amp do you prefer with your 7-string guitars?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Which amp do you prefer with your 7-string guitars?

The Blu 6 really lets the 7th sound just like the rest of the strings. There’s no boom or thump, but even the low A is clear and plenty strong. It has enough power for solo and trio dates, and has held its own even with a small horn section. I suspect the 10” Blu/Bud is equally fine and a bit louder, although the bass EQ would probably need a slight cut from neutral.

I think the speaker and cabinet are more important for a 7 than the amplifier, in most cases. A Toob Metro BG+ does a remarkable job with 7s. It sounds fantastic and I use it on small gigs. It won’t hang with louder bands or in big rooms even at its power limit (Quilter 202, BAM200 etc).

My RE 10 and my RevSound 8RS cabinets are among the best I’ve ever heard for a 7 (or a 6). Driven by a Quilter 202, TC BQ500, DV Mark EG250 or similar amp with no gross coloration of its own, either of these will handle any jazz gig I’ve ever had. The Quilter Aviator Mach 3 is a perfect combo amp for a 7, and the head would work well with any cab.

The 10” and 12” Quilter Block Docks also work well for a 7, but only with their big heads (202s - I don’t like the 101s nearly as much). I also loved my Phil Jones amps, but when we downsized to an apartment I couldn’t keep everything.

[Sushi313]

The Blu 6 really lets the 7th sound just like the rest of the strings. There’s no boom or thump, but even the low A is clear and plenty strong. It has enough power for solo and trio dates, and has held its own even with a small horn section. I suspect the 10” Blu/Bud is equally fine and a bit louder, although the bass EQ would probably need a slight cut from neutral.

I think the speaker and cabinet are more important for a 7 than the amplifier, in most cases. A Toob Metro BG+ does a remarkable job with 7s. It sounds fantastic and I use it on small gigs. It won’t hang with louder bands or in big rooms even at its power limit (Quilter 202, BAM200 etc).

My RE 10 and my RevSound 8RS cabinets are among the best I’ve ever heard for a 7 (or a 6). Driven by a Quilter 202, TC BQ500, DV Mark EG250 or similar amp with no gross coloration of its own, either of these will handle any jazz gig I’ve ever had. The Quilter Aviator Mach 3 is a perfect combo amp for a 7, and the head would work well with any cab.

The 10” and 12” Quilter Block Docks also work well for a 7, but only with their big heads (202s - I don’t like the 101s nearly as much). I also loved my Phil Jones amps, but when we downsized to an apartment I couldn’t keep everything.

Awesome info!!! Thank you so much! I tried a Henriksen Bud 6 but not with my 7-string. Seems so clear and cuts through well. I am going to look into the other amps you shared. I am currently using a DV Mark Little Jazz.