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To Tube Or Not To TubeMay 07 '01 (Updated May 13 '01) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Solid state amplifiers are more practical, but tube amplifiers have a better sound. Which amplifier is right for you is a decision to be made by evaluating your personal situation.
The debate between solid state amplifiers and tube amplifiers has been discussed amongst guitarists for years. But contrary to what you will be told, neither amp is right for everyone. The correct amplifier for you will depend on your skill level, style of music played, volume of the music that will be played, and the amount of maintenance you are willing to put in. The first consideration when choosing which amplifier to buy should be skill level. If you are just beginning to play guitar, solid state amplifiers are the way to go, no questions asked. They not only provide less hassle in maintenance, but are much easier to manipulate. The settings on a tube amplifier are very difficult to control, and even more difficult to set to get the sound one desires. For someone just learning guitar, their focus must be put on the actual playing of the instrument, not the amplifier. For middle to advanced players, tube amplifiers should be considered. They offer a much warmer sound, and can greatly enhance the feel of the music. A second consideration is the style of music played. For example, an individual playing blues music would be foolhardy to buy a solid state amplifier. Solid state amplifiers tend to have a colder, icy sound, while tube amplifiers have the warm, bleeding sound desired by blues guitarists. For a jazz guitarist, a solid state amplifier would be plausible. Jazz guitarists typically desire a clean sound, which can be provided by either tube amplifiers or solid state amplifiers. The style of music is one of the most important factors of the choice between tube amplifiers and solid state amplifiers. The volume of the music is a much overlooked factor in the decision. Tube amplifiers typically sound poor at low volumes, and can only truly shine when blasted at full volume. If you are a guitarist who only plays in your house or garage, perhaps the solid state amplifier would be a better choice, because the tube amplifier will sound colder at a lower volume than a solid state amplifier would. Maintenance of the amplifier is also a key issue. While the maintenance required for a tube amp is often exaggerated, it must not be overlooked. To maintain a truly good sound, the tubes should be replaced periodically, and they will occasionally blow if they are overloaded. Solid state amplifiers will have the occasional problem, but if taken even marginal care of, should go years before needing a fix-up. The choice between tube and solid state amplifiers cannot be applied to all guitarists, but by looking at your personal style and needs, the choice you must make can be easy. The most important thing to remember is, legendary guitar sounds don't come from the gear, they come from the guitarist.  |
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