LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 12:36 AM
The question I wrestle with lately is whether traditional rock and roll music, played live and in the context of a four- or five-piece instrumental combo matters. I mean, it matters to me, but to most? Not really that much these days. The amps used matter less, I would submit. If it matters to you then it matters, is my point. No reason to get all existential.
I have tons of great amps. Old brownface Showman 15, handwired tube stuff like Twin Reverb and all that. I dig my Quilter Steelaire. Know what? I also like almost all the others, too. The weird-ass Polytone 2×15, Roland JC-40, the Peavey Session 400, the trashpile Peavey Bandit 65 (killer bedroom amp that took totally me by surprise.) Now I play through a Boss Katana 1×12 100 mkII. Thing is they all sound fine with a 6G15 reverb or Surfybear in front.
Not that any of this matters, mind you.
— SSIV
Last edited: Mar 13, 2023 00:38:27
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jtrollmann
Joined: Jun 24, 2021
Posts: 135
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 03:52 PM
It seems we are in a transition period. The Tonemaster amps debuted in 2019. I bought my Fender Deluxe Reverb RI in the summer of 2021 along with my Fender Strat. I was new to electric guitar and surf/instrumental playing. When I bought the DRRI, I wasn't aware of the Tonemaster amps being an available alternative to the tube driven Fender amps.
The DRRI has been a great amp for playing at home and jamming with friends, despite lugging the 42 lbs when I take it on the road, which for my 63 year old bones, is quite heavy.
If I were to buy a second amp, I would seriously consider a Tonemaster, especially for road trips. It is one way for me to own a Fender Twin Tonemaster without the Fender Twin weight.
I wonder if there will be a day when tube amps will disappear from the market or a halt in their manufacture, replaced exclusively by modeling amps.
— -John
"...enjoy every sandwich." -Warren Zevon
Fender Stratocaster American Pro II
Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 05:38 PM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:04:18
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4555
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 06:27 PM
The death of tube amps has been greatly exaggerated.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 801
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 10:42 PM
Just because some types of old technology makes a comeback doesn't mean all of them will or should. And for every example you mention, there are plenty more counter-examples. 8 track tapes, payphones, black & white TVs, silent films, slide projectors. Manual transmissions in cars are getting very rare and I will miss them, but the newer transmissions are becoming more efficient and way better to drive in stop and go traffic.
I just built 2 tube amps in the past few months, so it's not like I'm looking for them to go away or expecting their imminent passing. But there is a time for every technology under the sun, and most likely they will become more and more niche, like film cameras.
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 801
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Posted on Mar 13 2023 10:48 PM
To come back to some of the original points, as I mentioned, I'd rather see more good work done on developing better sounding analog solid state amps. There are some good ones out there. The thing about digital modeling is it's all about replicating the sound of existing amps (whether focused on one or 50) rather than creating things that actually stand out as different. Maybe that doesn't really matter, since you can just throw a combo of pedals in front and get a different sound.
Maybe this is too much late night rambling...
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Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
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Posted on Mar 14 2023 02:57 AM
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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:03:59
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Mar 14 2023 03:22 AM
I have solid state amp, tube amp and modelling amp and love to have this variety, I may practice silently, make quality home or studio records or gig in a club with these. Although I would probably change all of these for one vintage Brownface Showman if I have my own studio and enough money) I don’t really care of the weight, I weightlift enough in gym for it))) But giging with Quilter is really convenient.
I find that it’s a good flexible budget setup and happy that now we have so much choice in gear.
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1428
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 14 2023 03:55 PM
I have a SF Princeton, a Quilter, and a boutique 6G14 Showman. The Princeton and Quilter are great, I play them here and there. However, nothing sounds as gorgeous to my ears as my Brownface Showman replica. It has nailed the exact tone I am going for. The louder I crank that amp, the better it sounds. I have become a one guitar, one amp kind of guy.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website.
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