Tube Amps For Metal & Blues

[fret70]

Where are they? I was considering a V-Series all-tube amp but most reviews I read say that the tube amp isn't good for metal. I'm not trying to spend an arm and leg for this either. I want Tool & Hendrix in the same box. Any Ideas:cool:

[oscardoo]

solid state = + versatility, durability, value for your $$
- tinny at high volume (i think), kinda thin

tube = + warm sounding, better feedback, classic sound
- more delicate, more expensive, not as versatile.

I've owned several tube and solid state amps over the years but I still love the sound of my Marshall JCM800 the best. Played thru a Mesa/Boogie Dual rectifier (not bad but WAY overpriced), a line 6 pod (cool for practicing). If Jimi's your thing Marshalls are the only way to go. I've heard Tool studio sound comes from many types of amps (including a bass amp!) but live he uses Boogies. I caught Zakk Wylde last year and his plexi (i think) Marshalls with a Les Paul sounded FREAKING INCREDIBLE! I'd go with tube but thats only my (most humble) opinion. Is this a great site er what?

[LarryJ]

It depends what type of metal. But every band ever up until like 1995 probably used tube amps. It wasn't until around then solid state got decent, but even today I'm willing to bet almost all major bands use tube amps. Tube amp technology has also improved. It used to be you had a hotrodded marshall that was modified to get more gain...new tube amps like the 5150/XXX/Mesas etc have more than enough gain for any metal head out there, and the heaviness to match. Thats not to say solid state or digital isn't good either. They have great distortion, but I find I can't get the warmth and 'soulful' tone on one (like vai or satch or whoever gets) on my SS head, so I'm in the market for a tube amp.

Theres some good deals out there for the money, but tube amps will be more expensive. Depends if your getting 2x12, a halfstack 4x12 or what. Tubes also have to be replaced, and thats costly, but unless you play 8 hours a day every day it should take you a long while before you have to do that, and thats if you want killer tone all the time.

[fret70]

Thanks fellas, i appreciate your responses. I think I'm going to go with the Behringer V-ampire modeling amp. Its multidimentional, can recreate 32 amp models, 16 effects, & 15 cabinets. Its versitility can only be reached using a Spider II which has only 12 or 16 amp models. I figure that once i get "good" at my instrument i'd spend 1000 or more on a nice mesa, or marshall tube amp.

Do think I'm headed in the right direction?

[metaljustice83]

I definatly think your going in the right direction, I really like behringer stuff