• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Just spent $100 retubing my Blues Jr.  This is 2nd time since I modded the amp that I've had to do this.  The amp works fine but its class A and I'm using it in my band basically half volume or more at least 3 to 5 hours 8 nights a month.  I have been thinking that a bigger amp would run cooler and be louder, however I'm also considering the fact if I go solid state I could have already paid that amp off in what I've spent on tubes for this amp.  I used to use a Fender deluxe 90 all the time and felt like I had great tones from it.  It wasn't a tube amp tone but if you weren't a tone hound you wouldn't really tell much of a difference between that amp and my old hot rod deluxe (both of which were sold years ago).  Plus 90% of the places I play people are drunk anyway will it really matter?  I'm seriously looking at a Mustang III right now on Ebay.

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  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Don't.

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

He actually has a good point........Most Drunk folks can't tell the difference in Tube vs soild state...they are just there for a good time & loud music !!!

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Solid State is lighter to carry around too.

To me though, they sound good when nothing else is going on - but in a band setting it's easier to lose the guitar when it's going through a solid state amp.

Why does it need to be retubed so much? Do you have the tube bias kit installed on it? Blues Jr's do run pretty hot, but if you had the microadjusters to bias the tubes they won't cook as much or as quickly. I've had my tubes in my BillM modded BluesJR for two years now and haven't had a problem with the tubes in it.

If I had to get rid of my BluesJR, I would totally get a Peavey Classic 30 from the mid-90's. That amp was really dependable, and not too heavy to carry around... and had a great sound. You can find used ones pretty cheap too.

In an attempt to go solid state, I bought a Line6 Flextone II with 2x12 combo. It sounded awesome for practice on my own or even rehearsals... but it didn't "cut through" like a tube amp. Sold the Line6 and this is the first I've thought about it since I sold it. Just my two cents.

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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

*cough*Axe-FX*cough*... big_smile

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  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

I always, always liked the sound of the peavey bandit amps. They use "trans tube" technology, whatever that is. I don't care if anyone disagrees with me, I think they sound really good. And they're cheap too.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

I don't remember the name, but there was a little Peavey solid state 1x12 combo I always really liked the sound of.  The guitarist in the house band at BLUES Etc in Chicago back in the late 90s used it and was awesome.

IMHO, if you like the amp and like the way it sounds and plays, go for it.  It doesn't matter what's inside.  I have bought solid state amps I really regretted, though, because once I started spending time with it I just didn't like it as much.  The lesson isn't that I shouldn't buy a solid state amps, it's that I should have spent much more time in the store, really putting it through its paces.

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  • From: WV
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 115

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Solid State is lighter to carry around too.

To me though, they sound good when nothing else is going on - but in a band setting it's easier to lose the guitar when it's going through a solid state amp.

Why does it need to be retubed so much? Do you have the tube bias kit installed on it? Blues Jr's do run pretty hot, but if you had the microadjusters to bias the tubes they won't cook as much or as quickly. I've had my tubes in my BillM modded BluesJR for two years now and haven't had a problem with the tubes in it.

If I had to get rid of my BluesJR, I would totally get a Peavey Classic 30 from the mid-90's. That amp was really dependable, and not too heavy to carry around... and had a great sound. You can find used ones pretty cheap too.

In an attempt to go solid state, I bought a Line6 Flextone II with 2x12 combo. It sounded awesome for practice on my own or even rehearsals... but it didn't "cut through" like a tube amp. Sold the Line6 and this is the first I've thought about it since I sold it. Just my two cents.


Id have to agree with the Classic 30's being a very good sounding amp!!

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

It's how you feel...not how to fool the drunks.
If it is an amp that changes the way you play...be it physically...or just psychological...then a performance can be tainted.
Change the amp...or change the attitude.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

For me personally there is nothing like the tone of a tube amp and the way they feel under your fingers. I think you will really notice the difference when you are in a live band situation when it will be difficult to cut through the mix. My bet is if you go solid state you will come back to tubes. But hey to each their own.
I wish you luck
Cheers Ron

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  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

I played a solid state forever until I got my Ibanez Tubescreamer amp. If you like a tone, it doesn't matter what type of amp it is. Do what feels right.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

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  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

AD3THREE wrote:

Just spent $100 retubing my Blues Jr.  This is 2nd time since I modded the amp that I've had to do this.  The amp works fine but its class A and I'm using it in my band basically half volume or more at least 3 to 5 hours 8 nights a month.  I have been thinking that a bigger amp would run cooler and be louder, however I'm also considering the fact if I go solid state I could have already paid that amp off in what I've spent on tubes for this amp.  I used to use a Fender deluxe 90 all the time and felt like I had great tones from it.  It wasn't a tube amp tone but if you weren't a tone hound you wouldn't really tell much of a difference between that amp and my old hot rod deluxe (both of which were sold years ago).  Plus 90% of the places I play people are drunk anyway will it really matter?  I'm seriously looking at a Mustang III right now on Ebay.

Just don't do it!! I'd get the Blues Junior modded so it's easier on tubes.

On the other hand if you really want to try a solid state amp look into an old Marshall 5210 combo from the mid 80's. It's a 1x12 combo with 2 channels, 50 watts and an FET style preamp somewhat like a Dumble. They can be had off Ebay or in most pawn shops for around $150. They're part of the JCM800 line only solid state.

RP

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  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

I love vintage solid state amps especially Lab Series...  They are great value for the price and dont require a lot of love and attention.. Old Peavey's , Vox, Dean Markely, Holmes are among the silent pawn shop finds.. They are not stunning to look at,  and wont win best in show at Arlingtion but sound great...
Joe B

  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

the lab series amps were the amps that ty tabor used on the first 4 king's x albums and that may be some of the best guitar tone ever recorded.......so the argument can be made that there are some nice solid state amps out there.

i've played both and overall i prefer tube amps.......but i've played alot and never experienced the kind of tube replacement issues you mention......that seems to be burning thru the tubes too fast.

masque's Website

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Recently I bought a Tech 21 60 watt power station, and the British Character foot peddle that goes with them. Not bad at all, sounded killer, untill I took it to practice. Would not cut through like my tube amps.

16 Reply by airportdon (edited by airportdon 2012-10-18 15:07:38)

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

I love vintage solid state amps especially Lab Series...  They are great value for the price and dont require a lot of love and attention.. Old Peavey's , Vox, Dean Markely, Holmes are among the silent pawn shop finds.. They are not stunning to look at,  and wont win best in show at Arlingtion but sound great...
Joe B

.

I Agree... have an old Peavy artist 240( Tube output/transistor preamp) with the original Black Widow Speaker in it....
   Found it used in a store for 75.00...It was a steal..:)

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Check the Retro Chanel 1 amp, this thing is so awesome, nobody could tell this is a solid state amp. Played it in a local guitar store and am currently reflecting of getting rid of my JTM45 and buy the RR1. Watch the YouTube vids...

Jimi75's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Talk me out of a Solid State amp

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

I love vintage solid state amps especially Lab Series...
Joe B

These are the solid state amps made by Gibson and B.B. King uses these. There's quite a lot of knobs on them, and look like they'd all drive me crazy.

http://www.coveramp.com/uploads/AmpRang … s%20L5.jpg

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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