Tube amps?

Phil_321

Anyone own or got any advice on tube amps. I'm thinking of a Vox AC30 or a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe in particular. I tried out a load of (non-tube)amps a few weeks ago and wasn't really happy with any of them. From what I've heard you can't beat the tone of a tube amp.

And is there anywhere in town where can you get a an Ibanez tubescreamer pedal?

Al Pinionpants

I've owned a few tube amps and am currently the extremely happy owner of a 60w ENGL Fireball stack, and you can't beat tubes for tone. Just make sure you use them correctly (things like not moving the amp while it's still hot and not turning it on without speakers connected, it should all be in the manual)

Tube amps are very expensive though and if you don't want to shell out too much I'd have to say that the line6 amps sound an awful lot better than solid state or semi-tube amps (marshall valvestate, laney tube-fusion etc).

the Ibanez tubescreamer pedal is not tube-driven. It's designed to push the tone of a tube amp, it's a great pedal but it won't give you a tube sound on it's own. for that you need a Mesa Boogie Bottle Rocket pedal or the likes.

If you do want a tubescreamer go to Musician Inc. and talk to Roger, he uses them for bass and guitar and will tell you anything you want to know about the pedal.

D!ve^Bomb!

how the **** does anyone afford this ****!!?? i want new gear but the fact i already have a loan outstanding plus bills its near impossible!! as soon as i have this loan paid off i have to get another one straight away just for the 2nd year of the course im doin!!

Al Pinionpants

don't you have grandparents you can sponge off/sell? how about kidneys? you have two right?

PersonalJesus

Go for the fender hot rod deluxe. Thats what i use and you can get them up north for around £400(stg) new when shops have sales on. I bought mine for £300 2nd hand with refitted tubes and speaker. Easily the best purchase i have made in many years.Down mexico way however you may pay close to a grand. Well thats what they were looking in music maker anyways. Bear in mind they are heavy as hell and dont have wheels so arent the most portable of yokes.

AC-30's are lovely and all but they are pretty frigging expensive for what ure getting and sometimes i find ppl i know that own AC-30's are more impressed with the fact they own an AC rather than the way it could be used.

If you really wanna push the boat out just get a twin reverb (comes with wheels and everything). They are easily the best value/tone/sound ratio in an amp. IMHO better than dual rectifiers et all.

But if you are on a budget Line 6 are quality and you can get near any sound you want out of the damn thing which is excellent for studio purposes and if you play live and use a range of sounds they are very useful, but i prefer having a nice big chain of stomp boxes.

At the end of the day if you have the moolah to spend go in to a respected retailler with helpful staff and play all of them. After all its a serious ammount of dough and it depends on the type of music that you play.

fitz

Recently got a Fender Blues Junior for €519 from Musicstorekoeln.de
Fantastic little amp.
Check it out...

Phil_321

I like the price of the Blues Junior but I take it it's just for practise, not suitable for gigging?

It's looking like I'll be getting either a Fender Hot Rod Deville or a 1970's Fender Twin Silverface. Any thoughts on either of these amps?

And where can you get tube amps serviced? I've heard that the tubes burn out every so often and you need new ones.

gzdamien

there's this guy Alladin (alladin's amps) who does the job, dont have his number but look him up or check out the boards in guitar shops..
FYI i got a 78 marshall tube head a few months ago for €850 up in beat it music in blackrock and it sounds ****ing amazing, blows the **** out of any other amps i've played through even just running a standard boss distortion pedal into it. solid as **** as well, its taken a few knocks since then and is still fine.

Phil_321

Ah well, so much for the tubes. I bought a Line 6 Flextone III today. Sounds much better than the Spiders and didn't cost a small fortune. Won't need to shell out loads on pedals either.

fitz

Originally posted by Phil_321
I like the price of the Blues Junior but I take it it's just for practise, not suitable for gigging?

You'd think that, but no. Thing is loud as hell and well able for stage work.