How important is a valved amp?
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Posted on Jan 25, 2003 08:50 am
Bruno
The Quiet Minded
Member Since: Jan 01, 2003
Hello folks,
I was wondering, my band's guitar player asked me if it was realy worth having a valved amp. He has some money to spend but he is divided between buying a better amplifier or some effects pedals. He currently has a marshall 15w and is looking foward to buy some 25 or 30w valved amp. I know we here almost always talk about recording technics, but now my question is if a valved amp is really that better and important for a great guitar sound. is it worth its price?
Thank you all in advance!
*god bless this community*
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Jan 25, 2003 09:07 am valved? DO you mean "tube" amp? If so, yes it can make a big difference when pushing an amp (as any 25-30 watt amp will HAVE to do) tube heat up and give a sound that solid state amps have a hard time matching. However, current amp emulators like the POD, VAmp, J Station and others are getting better and better at getting that sound...
I dunno if that helps or not...
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Jan 25, 2003 09:14 am yes thank you very much.
i meant tube, cause here in brasil we call it valvulado=valved.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 26, 2003 11:35 am Bruno,
You are actually correct. Valve is the original label. It is an electric valve. Here in Ameraland we have to be idiomatic and make up things like tube? But yes we call it that. Personally there is no substitute for playing the equipment before buying. Every manufacturer has a different twist on "tube" sound. Some use only tubes, some use a hybrid combination, some use circuits that "sound like" tube. There are pedals and pre-amps that are tube as well and will provide a "warm" tube distortion when pushed. Prior to buying my last amp, I listened to a lot of live performances, read a lot, and then tried the rigs myself at stores. I ended up with a rig that I have been in love with for about ten years so far.
Jan 26, 2003 12:53 pm Quote:
You are actually correct. Valve is the original label. It is an electric valve.
Only an old dude like Walt would know that ;-)
hehehehe
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Jan 26, 2003 01:24 pm what was the one you felt in love with walt?
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Jan 26, 2003 01:25 pm Yeah, Valve amps make a hell of a lot of difference. I can remember when our guitarist ditched his 100W Marshal Solid State Head for a 200W Valve Head, I know there is a huge leap in power output there, but the actual sound was so much smoother and warmer.
But then I'm not a guitarist, so i guess I wouldn't know :D
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 27, 2003 03:27 pm Tell me it was a VOX AC30 Walt!!!! I would be guessing but 10 year's ago he probably heard Carlos playing through the Boogie and had to have one.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 27, 2003 11:21 pm Ah yes alas Db, I am that old. I even studied tube (we did call them that as well as valve) flip flops. The latest thing since rotating magnets. No Noise sorry, nothing that exotic. I am using an SWR 750 head and a goliath sr 6 pack. (This is bass now....remember). Real good punch. I can fill a room with 1000 people in it (we occasionaly have gigs that size) but it is a monster to haul. Sorry Bruno for not mentioning it earlier, however being a bass rig and my genre is different than most here, swing era, I thought it best not to influence. The other thing about the SWR is that it has very high impedience inputs and can handle Pieazo (sp) pickups for upright very well. I also love the ballanced pre out for recording. It does have a tube in the pre amp with a wed dry adjustment.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 27, 2003 11:32 pm By the way noise, where have you been? Missed you around here. Still getting over the birthday? Come on! You yourself said you are only as old.......
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 28, 2003 08:14 pm I've been in and out. And no it wasn't the birthday beer with dB. Just to much in the fire right now. And my apologies for fogetting you da bass man. I would have guessed SWR if my brain had been working. Anyway, nice choice of avatar there, it does suit you.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 29, 2003 10:39 am Actually Steve grabbed the avitar. But you are right it does fit! And God don't appologize about forgetting the bass thing. You and Db do an icreadable job of keeping this forum personalized and welcoming new members etc. I have never seen the "beat of it" in any other forum regardless of scope.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 29, 2003 10:33 pm Thanx Walt, you just made my night and probly dB's if he's still up.
