February Music Blog
Dean Cutinelli here from the Colorado School of Music. Remember we are just a call away to start your private music lessons. We offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, Violin lessons, vocal lessons as well orchestral instruments. Now on to our discussion about amplifiers.
Today I will be discussing the difference and pros and cons of a solid state amplifier verse a tube amplifier. A solid-state amplifier uses transistor circuits to convert an electrical signal into an audio wave. Tube amplifier is a type of electronic amplifier that uses vacuum tubes to increase the amplitude or power of a signal. The physical difference between a solid-state amp and a tube amp is that a solid-state machine derives amplification from electronic transistors, while a tube amp uses vacuum tubes.
For me there is no substitute for the warm sound of a tube amplifier. There are many different kinds of tube amps. They differ in the type of tubes that are used and the circuitry. Tube amps usually have two stages for tubes. There is a preamp stage and a power tube stage. For example in the power tube stage you could have EL34s, EL84 or 6L6. Each of these options has a different sound and feel. The best way to know the difference is to hear if for yourself. In the preamp stage there are many different types of preamp tubes. The tube amp you choose will determine the type of tubes you will be using in the preamp stage in your amplifier as well as the power tubes. The most common preamp tube is an 12AX7. Each different tube amp creates its sound based on this difference in the tubes that its uses and this is just the start, but a very important component that determines the sound you will get out of the amplifier. There are many different makes and models when looking for a tube amp. There are great vintage amplifiers as well as new models that will rock your socks off. Pros regarding a tube amplifier is going to be tone and feel. Tube amplifiers are know for a warm, colorful and lively tone. Tube amplifiers are usually more touch responsive and dynamic. Cons are that tube amps tend to be finicky and temperamental. They need more maintenance and care. The actual tubes are like light bulbs. They can go bad, get weak and can be come microphonic. They are fragile and need a little TLC, but its can be worth it once you hear that wonderful tone!
Your solid state amplifiers are going to be very reliable and give you a consistently good tone. Again there are as many solid state amplifier makers as there are guitar makers. If you’re gigging a lot and don’t want to be concerned with the possibility of having to trouble shoot your tube amp the solid state amp is the way to go. There are no moving parts in a solid state amp so there is very little that can go wrong with them. You can find some great tones as well. I’m a big fan of the clean tones you can get out of a solid state amp. Seems a little more challenging to get that warm natural breakup you might find in a tube amp. Now a days there is so much out board gear that you can build a pretty great sound out of a solid state amplifier.
If reliability and consistency and important to you, you probably want to go with a solid state amp. If tone is most important than you can’t beet a tube amplifier.
If you’re gigging with a tube amp remember to bring backup tubes and possibly even a back up amplifier. Better safe than sorry. (Also make sure you have back up fuses if you’re using either type of amp.)
Feel free to come in to the Colorado School of Music and take a lesson from me. We offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons and vocal lessons as wells as orchestral instruments.
Thank you for reading!
Dean Cutinelli
