Real Amps vs. Fake Amps!

zzero

Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
United States

Posted on Sep 29 2014 12:34 PM

I'm not taking the test. I took the tone test and was told I'm tone deaf.
I took the rhythm test and found out I have no sense of time. Done with the tests!!

I'd like to buy a Quilter. Just a little one!

—

Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!

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simoncoil

Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 926
Berlin, Germany
1 News Pin

Posted on Sep 30 2014 03:55 AM

PrestonRice wrote:

Still, he does prove a good point - To most people, one sound from one amp will sound very similar to the same sound from another amp.

That was also what I learned from the test. Of course there are differences in sound between solid state and tube. BUT with quality solid state amps the difference is not that big actually.

The interaction between guitar and amp is a different thing: Many people made their first experiences with cheap solid state amps that actually do sound like crap (won't argue with you here ), later they get a tube amp, like the compressed sound they get and "never look back". But to say from this basis that solid state amps sound "bad" is a misconception: People like their new tube amp better than their old cheapo solid state - I'm totally okay with that. But it doesn't necessarily tell us anything about the sonic value of either technology.

DreadInBabylon wrote:

Compressed audio is NEVER acceptable for comparison. Not to mention the rest of the audio chain at the listener side.
IMHO the real and only test for any equipment would be to play it like it was intended, in the same context that it was meant to be used.
No other way to get the feel of the device, the response to dynamics, the subtle compression/clipping, which in turn affects the emotional impact, the way you approach to playing it, and eventually the liveliness of the result.

Well, I'm divided on this topic: On the one hand the video is available in HD audio, which is better than a lot of the live videos floating around, which evoke comments about the awesome sound of somebody.

On the other hand playing is of course a different thing than just hearing. Everybody should test everything themselves, I agree with you on that. But why would people even consider testing a solid state amp, when you can read everywhere that they totally suck?

The bottom line of the whole discussion for me is: Don't be afraid to try things and make your own judgements. Other guitarists have told me for ages that solid state amps just don't do it: "You NEED a tube amp!" Never the less I have now three solid state amps and whenever I use my Crate instead of my tube amp for a gig the comments about my sound stay pretty much the same. But hey, maybe my tone just always sucks.

—

Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!

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LeeVanCleef

Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
12 Map Pins

Posted on Oct 01 2014 04:56 PM

simoncoil wrote:

The interaction between guitar and amp is a different thing: Many people made their first experiences with cheap solid state amps that actually do sound like crap (won't argue with you here ), later they get a tube amp, like the compressed sound they get and "never look back". But to say from this basis that solid state amps sound "bad" is a misconception: People like their new tube amp better than their old cheapo solid state - I'm totally okay with that. But it doesn't necessarily tell us anything about the sonic value of either technology.

+100

simoncoil wrote:

The bottom line of the whole discussion for me is: Don't be afraid to try things and make your own judgements. Other guitarists have told me for ages that solid state amps just don't do it: "You NEED a tube amp!" Never the less I have now three solid state amps and whenever I use my Crate instead of my tube amp for a gig the comments about my sound stay pretty much the same.

+1000

—

Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.

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zzero

Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
United States

Posted on Oct 01 2014 07:39 PM

The audience really can't tell much difference between SS and tube.
I'm sure a few people hear the difference but most audience members probably don't.

—

Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!

Top

BJB

Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 413
United States

Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:47 PM

You are assuming everyone here is in a band and plays live gigs. Some people do that but others are bedroom players. Then there are people who do a lot of recording and their needs are quite different.

I mainly play live and I built up my Fender tube amp collection 20 years ago when they were still affordable. I already have a lot of tube amps, there is no reason for me to go out and spend money on something that at best mimics what I already have!

But if I only played at home then I'd get a cheap solid-state amp with a headphone output, and if I did more recording I'd get one of those magical digital preamps that models every amp and cabinet ever made. No one's opinion can apply to all of us because there is no one best solution for everybody.

—

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:51 PM

BJB wrote:

No one's opinion can apply to all of us because there is no one best solution for everybody.

This is the best amp for you.

Top

CrazyAces

Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
3 News Pins

Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:58 PM

"This is the best amp for you."

Guitar playing has been known to be hazardous to your health
Mental health that is............LOL

—

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

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BJB

Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 413
United States

Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:29 PM

No way! I prefer metal Switchcraft jacks to those plastic abominations. Besides, those are Class A cigarettes and everyone knows Class AB is more efficient.

—

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

Top

JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:35 PM

BJB wrote:

No way! I prefer metal Switchcraft jacks to those plastic abominations. Besides, those are Class A cigarettes and everyone knows Class AB is more efficient.

Do not worry! We just need to get a hotplate on that amp, then you can really play the blues.

Top

CrazyAces

Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
3 News Pins

Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:43 PM

Do they come in Menthol?

I much prefer the tone from menthol these days

—

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

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dboomer

Joined: Jan 05, 2009
Posts: 262
Port Hueneme, CA
1 POTD Pin

Posted on Oct 02 2014 05:47 PM

Funny ... I used to sell a bunch of those little Zinky amps. You had to take whatever boxes he had. I assumed they cruzed by the back alleys of bowling alleys every night to make the next days run

Anyway I complained to Bruce one day, don't send me any more Virginia Slims boxes, nobody wants them. He told me that that was the one the Dimebag Darrel used. After that it became my best seller.

Top

DonKiyote

Joined: Aug 26, 2014
Posts: 138
Kent
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 03 2014 04:26 AM

I have no idea what any of you are talking about... —

Wherever you go, there you are

http://rogerfowles.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Oct 03 2014 09:13 AM

DonKiyote wrote:

I have no idea what any of you are talking about...

Antidisestablishmentarianism

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DonKiyote

Joined: Aug 26, 2014
Posts: 138
Kent
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 03 2014 09:22 AM

That's like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious right? —

Wherever you go, there you are

http://rogerfowles.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8

Top

zzero Joined: Jul 09, 2010 Posts: 1153 Lillian Alabama	Posted on Sep 29 2014 12:34 PM I'm not taking the test. I took the tone test and was told I'm tone deaf. I took the rhythm test and found out I have no sense of time. Done with the tests!! I'd like to buy a Quilter. Just a little one! — Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!! Top
simoncoil Joined: Sep 28, 2012 Posts: 926 Berlin, Germany	Posted on Sep 30 2014 03:55 AM PrestonRice wrote: Still, he does prove a good point - To most people, one sound from one amp will sound very similar to the same sound from another amp. That was also what I learned from the test. Of course there are differences in sound between solid state and tube. BUT with quality solid state amps the difference is not that big actually. The interaction between guitar and amp is a different thing: Many people made their first experiences with cheap solid state amps that actually do sound like crap (won't argue with you here ), later they get a tube amp, like the compressed sound they get and "never look back". But to say from this basis that solid state amps sound "bad" is a misconception: People like their new tube amp better than their old cheapo solid state - I'm totally okay with that. But it doesn't necessarily tell us anything about the sonic value of either technology. DreadInBabylon wrote: Compressed audio is NEVER acceptable for comparison. Not to mention the rest of the audio chain at the listener side. IMHO the real and only test for any equipment would be to play it like it was intended, in the same context that it was meant to be used. No other way to get the feel of the device, the response to dynamics, the subtle compression/clipping, which in turn affects the emotional impact, the way you approach to playing it, and eventually the liveliness of the result. Well, I'm divided on this topic: On the one hand the video is available in HD audio, which is better than a lot of the live videos floating around, which evoke comments about the awesome sound of somebody. On the other hand playing is of course a different thing than just hearing. Everybody should test everything themselves, I agree with you on that. But why would people even consider testing a solid state amp, when you can read everywhere that they totally suck? The bottom line of the whole discussion for me is: Don't be afraid to try things and make your own judgements. Other guitarists have told me for ages that solid state amps just don't do it: "You NEED a tube amp!" Never the less I have now three solid state amps and whenever I use my Crate instead of my tube amp for a gig the comments about my sound stay pretty much the same. But hey, maybe my tone just always sucks. — Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin) "Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms! "Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records! Top
LeeVanCleef Joined: Oct 05, 2011 Posts: 744 France	Posted on Oct 01 2014 04:56 PM simoncoil wrote: The interaction between guitar and amp is a different thing: Many people made their first experiences with cheap solid state amps that actually do sound like crap (won't argue with you here ), later they get a tube amp, like the compressed sound they get and "never look back". But to say from this basis that solid state amps sound "bad" is a misconception: People like their new tube amp better than their old cheapo solid state - I'm totally okay with that. But it doesn't necessarily tell us anything about the sonic value of either technology. +100 simoncoil wrote: The bottom line of the whole discussion for me is: Don't be afraid to try things and make your own judgements. Other guitarists have told me for ages that solid state amps just don't do it: "You NEED a tube amp!" Never the less I have now three solid state amps and whenever I use my Crate instead of my tube amp for a gig the comments about my sound stay pretty much the same. +1000 — Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers. Top
zzero Joined: Jul 09, 2010 Posts: 1153 Lillian Alabama	Posted on Oct 01 2014 07:39 PM The audience really can't tell much difference between SS and tube. I'm sure a few people hear the difference but most audience members probably don't. — Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!! Top
BJB Joined: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 413	Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:47 PM You are assuming everyone here is in a band and plays live gigs. Some people do that but others are bedroom players. Then there are people who do a lot of recording and their needs are quite different. I mainly play live and I built up my Fender tube amp collection 20 years ago when they were still affordable. I already have a lot of tube amps, there is no reason for me to go out and spend money on something that at best mimics what I already have! But if I only played at home then I'd get a cheap solid-state amp with a headphone output, and if I did more recording I'd get one of those magical digital preamps that models every amp and cabinet ever made. No one's opinion can apply to all of us because there is no one best solution for everybody. — If it ain't broke, fix it until it is. Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:51 PM BJB wrote: No one's opinion can apply to all of us because there is no one best solution for everybody. This is the best amp for you. Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4054 Buffalo, N.Y.	Posted on Oct 02 2014 03:58 PM "This is the best amp for you." Guitar playing has been known to be hazardous to your health Mental health that is............LOL — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Top
BJB Joined: Jul 28, 2008 Posts: 413	Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:29 PM No way! I prefer metal Switchcraft jacks to those plastic abominations. Besides, those are Class A cigarettes and everyone knows Class AB is more efficient. — If it ain't broke, fix it until it is. Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:35 PM BJB wrote: No way! I prefer metal Switchcraft jacks to those plastic abominations. Besides, those are Class A cigarettes and everyone knows Class AB is more efficient. Do not worry! We just need to get a hotplate on that amp, then you can really play the blues. Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4054 Buffalo, N.Y.	Posted on Oct 02 2014 04:43 PM Do they come in Menthol? I much prefer the tone from menthol these days — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Top
dboomer Joined: Jan 05, 2009 Posts: 262 Port Hueneme, CA	Posted on Oct 02 2014 05:47 PM Funny ... I used to sell a bunch of those little Zinky amps. You had to take whatever boxes he had. I assumed they cruzed by the back alleys of bowling alleys every night to make the next days run Anyway I complained to Bruce one day, don't send me any more Virginia Slims boxes, nobody wants them. He told me that that was the one the Dimebag Darrel used. After that it became my best seller. Top
DonKiyote Joined: Aug 26, 2014 Posts: 138 Kent	Posted on Oct 03 2014 04:26 AM I have no idea what any of you are talking about... — Wherever you go, there you are http://rogerfowles.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8 Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Oct 03 2014 09:13 AM DonKiyote wrote: I have no idea what any of you are talking about... Antidisestablishmentarianism Top
DonKiyote Joined: Aug 26, 2014 Posts: 138 Kent	Posted on Oct 03 2014 09:22 AM That's like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious right? — Wherever you go, there you are http://rogerfowles.co.uk/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKUsTNis44w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKauwombaC8 Top

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Real Amps vs. Fake Amps!