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Started By
Message
Bought My First Tube Amp This Week!
Posted on 8/29/26 at 8:21 am
Posted on 8/29/26 at 8:21 am
I was using a Fender Mustang GTX 50 modeling amp which was great at the time (and will still be useful), but my weekly jam pal told me I could use his Blues Deluxe Reissue rather than toting my GTX back and forth all the time. Needless to say my learning ears were opened. It was like hearing in color vs. black and white or seeing in three dimensions vs. two. The tubes give it a presence like a living, breathing being.
My pal is also a luthier and he has a customer with severe GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) and he had purchased a Blues Deluxe Reissue a few months ago in his never ending search for a tone he'll never find. When he gets the next piece of eye candy in his sights, he starts selling and I told my boy if he ever wants to sell that amp I'll give him $400 for it.
Sure enough his eyes lit on a high dollar Les Paul and the sell-off started. My friend asked about the amp and he immediately said no. Then as no started to become maybe he said he's let it go for $500. Meanwhile he mentioned he was going to sell it to Guitar Center for about $350 in a lot with a couple of guitars and my friend said, "my guy is offering you $400 cash". Then he started waffling on even selling it again.
Anyway, long story short, after a little more arm twisting he settled on $425. Probably less than 20 hours on it.
My pal is also a luthier and he has a customer with severe GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome) and he had purchased a Blues Deluxe Reissue a few months ago in his never ending search for a tone he'll never find. When he gets the next piece of eye candy in his sights, he starts selling and I told my boy if he ever wants to sell that amp I'll give him $400 for it.
Sure enough his eyes lit on a high dollar Les Paul and the sell-off started. My friend asked about the amp and he immediately said no. Then as no started to become maybe he said he's let it go for $500. Meanwhile he mentioned he was going to sell it to Guitar Center for about $350 in a lot with a couple of guitars and my friend said, "my guy is offering you $400 cash". Then he started waffling on even selling it again.
Anyway, long story short, after a little more arm twisting he settled on $425. Probably less than 20 hours on it.
6
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:28 am to Mizz-SEC
I'm sure modeling is getting better, but tubes have character that I can't see reproducing digitally. All my favorite tones are from tube amps. They're "alive' if that makes sense
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:32 am to Mizz-SEC
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:33 am to Mizz-SEC
I could have sold you mine.
Bugera 333xl
Havent played it in years.
Worked great. Sounds great. Its a beautiful amp.
I just didnt have the ear or apprecaition for it.
One of the greatest ever made too.
Bugera 333xl
Havent played it in years.
Worked great. Sounds great. Its a beautiful amp.
I just didnt have the ear or apprecaition for it.
One of the greatest ever made too.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 11:05 am to Jef75
quote:
I'm sure modeling is getting better
Obviously, modelling provides about a 90% solution in 2026 - particularly in a bang for buck standpoint, it is a no brainer.
quote:
but tubes have character that I can't see reproducing digitally.
What tubes? What sort of sound? The problem with tube purists is that they've largely convinced themselves - there is both a somatic component AND a placebo effect going on at the same time.
And even then, you can spend out the wazoo for a specific tube sound and you've got that single sound. A good modelling setup for about half the price can provide dozens if not hundreds of "good enough sounds". So, it just depends on how you want to spend your money.
As a reminder, some of these wealthy amateurs insist on paying $3500 to $5k (or more) on a single guitar when they could have an entire collection of decent guitars that might scratch a lot of itches.
Tryhardism is expensive (not saying that's what you did, OP, but just talking about tube purists in general).
Posted on 8/29/26 at 2:31 pm to Ace Midnight
Not sure about tryharderism, tube powered amps respond a certain way when cranked, move air in the cabinet differently than a digital, precisely regulated signal.
There's something distinct in the sound. That's what's being 'modeled' digitally.
If 'close enough' or good enough works for you, excellent. It's not snobbery to dig deeper into sound and playability dynamics. Strange thing to be in opposition of.
There's something distinct in the sound. That's what's being 'modeled' digitally.
If 'close enough' or good enough works for you, excellent. It's not snobbery to dig deeper into sound and playability dynamics. Strange thing to be in opposition of.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 6:54 pm to Mizz-SEC
I just picked up my second VOX AC10. I fricking love them. I’ll never go to a modeling or solid-state again.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 7:56 pm to Jef75
quote:
tube powered amps respond a certain way when cranked, move air in the cabinet differently than a digital, precisely regulated signal.
There's something distinct in the sound. That's what's being 'modeled' digitally.
I don't disagree with any of this.
quote:
If 'close enough' or good enough works for you, excellent.
quote:
It's not snobbery to dig deeper into sound and playability dynamics.
quote:
Strange thing to be in opposition of.
Spend your money the way you want, baw. #Seriously
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:20 pm to Mizz-SEC
quote:
Bought My First Tube Amp This Week!
I thought you were near my age. 1st tube amp?
Posted on 8/29/26 at 9:27 pm to Ace Midnight
I think what I meant to say is i like my tube amp, lol.
Posted on 8/29/26 at 11:35 pm to Mizz-SEC
you have new amp high.
Posted on 8/30/26 at 9:30 am to auggie
quote:
I thought you were near my age. 1st tube amp?
Pretty sure we are, yes.
I'm pragmatic when it comes to my gear. I've resisted getting a tube amp because I'm frankly not that good, so essentially I put a self-restriction on what I would spend on things. Not that I can't afford them, but if my playing caliber isn't top of the line I refused to overbuy my ability - Yamaha instead of Martin on acoustic. Squier instead of Fender on guitar.
So once I finally heard the difference between tube and modeling, I put a limit of around $400 and started looking while being patient. I'm glad the deal finally came around, but if it never did that would have been okay since I know my chops aren't really at that level to begin with. Hope that makes sense. lol
Posted on 8/30/26 at 11:51 am to Mizz-SEC
quote:
So once I finally heard the difference between tube and modeling, I put a limit of around $400 and started looking while being patient. I'm glad the deal finally came around, but if it never did that would have been okay since I know my chops aren't really at that level to begin with. Hope that makes sense. lol
It does, I get it man. Sometimes though, that better gear will help you get to that next step, maybe because you just love it and play it more.
Posted on 8/30/26 at 2:30 pm to Ace Midnight
Modeling had come such a long way.
Friend brought over his Boss Katana to practice recently and I was impressed, it sounds great.
However, it doesnt get anywhere near my MESA Rectoverb in any way whatsoever.
Tube purism isnt placebo laced snobbery. If you cant distinguish the sound of tubes, I dont really know what to say. It may be hard to define the sound, but it certainly isnt hard to hear it.
I love that people can just buy a Helix and not have to carry around an amp, I think its awesome. I think its great that modeling tech has gotten so great and you can get cheap modeling amps that sound wonderful. Im all about it. It ain't as good as a quality tube amp though.
Friend brought over his Boss Katana to practice recently and I was impressed, it sounds great.
However, it doesnt get anywhere near my MESA Rectoverb in any way whatsoever.
Tube purism isnt placebo laced snobbery. If you cant distinguish the sound of tubes, I dont really know what to say. It may be hard to define the sound, but it certainly isnt hard to hear it.
I love that people can just buy a Helix and not have to carry around an amp, I think its awesome. I think its great that modeling tech has gotten so great and you can get cheap modeling amps that sound wonderful. Im all about it. It ain't as good as a quality tube amp though.
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