A quick comparison of valve and transistor guitar amplifiers
Guitarists are always looking for ultimate tone. There's a split between those who prefer tube amplifiers and those who prefer solid-state transistor amplifiers.
Tube amplifiers are also known as valve amplifiers, I'll use the two interchangeably.
Analog is Warmer I image by country_boy_shane
Tube amplifiers are also known as valve amplifiers, I'll use the two interchangeably.
Analog is Warmer I image by country_boy_shane
1) The Basic Tone
Valve amplifiers technically aren't the best reproducers of the tone that comes from the guitar. However, we're used to valve tone being a good tone. One argument is that we've become accustomed to hearing that valve tone and so now that's what we expect.
The majority of guitarists prefer the tone that results from a tube amplifier over that from a solid-state amp. There are a few exceptions to that and we'll come across them.
Valve amplifiers typically have a warmer tone, less harsh, less clinical than solid-state amplifiers.
The majority of guitarists prefer the tone that results from a tube amplifier over that from a solid-state amp. There are a few exceptions to that and we'll come across them.
Valve amplifiers typically have a warmer tone, less harsh, less clinical than solid-state amplifiers.
2) Overdrive and Clipping
Most overdrive pedals are designed to emulate the sound of a valve amp with the pre-amp gain near to saturation.
On transistor amplifiers, the higher gain sounds are generally raspy and harsh compared to valve amplifiers.
On a valve amp, the overdrive is often part of the circuit resulting in a natural overdriven tone. The clipping that results from the overdriven pre-amp is a desired effect and a characteristic of using valve amps. So much so that a lot of solid-state amps are built to emulate this.
With a valve amplifier, there are two tricks to exaggerate the tone:
1) The pre-amp volume up high and the master volume down low
This results in a bluesy, warm, clipped tone
2) The pre-amp volume low and the master volume high
This results in a cleaner, trebly, chimy sound.
Transistor amplifiers tend to produce a cleaner tone whatever the case. However, transistor amps are less flexible when it comes to the output volume from the guitar's pickups. Put a pickup that's too hot and the amp will saturate in a bad way.
On transistor amplifiers, the higher gain sounds are generally raspy and harsh compared to valve amplifiers.
On a valve amp, the overdrive is often part of the circuit resulting in a natural overdriven tone. The clipping that results from the overdriven pre-amp is a desired effect and a characteristic of using valve amps. So much so that a lot of solid-state amps are built to emulate this.
With a valve amplifier, there are two tricks to exaggerate the tone:
1) The pre-amp volume up high and the master volume down low
This results in a bluesy, warm, clipped tone
2) The pre-amp volume low and the master volume high
This results in a cleaner, trebly, chimy sound.
Transistor amplifiers tend to produce a cleaner tone whatever the case. However, transistor amps are less flexible when it comes to the output volume from the guitar's pickups. Put a pickup that's too hot and the amp will saturate in a bad way.
3) Power amp saturation
Most people concentrate on the amplifiers pre-amp when thinking about the tone they want to achieve. There are some tones that can only really be achieved by maxing out the power amp stage of a valve amplifier. Think of the creamy saturation from heavy rock albums, that's the power amp working.
Solid-state amplifiers don't do this unless through modelling.
Solid-state amplifiers don't do this unless through modelling.
4) Reverb
Just as the preamp and the power amp can be valve or solidstate, so can the reverb.
The standard reverb in a lot of amplifiers is a spring, however some more upmarket (read retro) designs have a valve reverb. It's meant to be a sound to behold, but I've always been happy with no reverb or a good spring.
The standard reverb in a lot of amplifiers is a spring, however some more upmarket (read retro) designs have a valve reverb. It's meant to be a sound to behold, but I've always been happy with no reverb or a good spring.
Big Reduction on a Valve Amp
VOX AC50CP2 50 Watt Tube Classic Plus Combo Guitar Amp
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
List Price:
5) Dynamics and playability
This is one of the biggest differences for me. As much as I may be happy with the tone from a particular solid-state amp, I won't play guitar through it as well as I would through a valve amp.
There's some interaction between me and the amplifier, resulting in me modifying how I play. It's a better end result.
The dynamics are a result of the pre-amp clipping and the negative feedback. Play an amp without the compression from the feedback and you have to change your playing style.
This is complicated by the fact that many manufacturers allow the user to select different contours on both their solid-state and tube amplifiers.
There's some interaction between me and the amplifier, resulting in me modifying how I play. It's a better end result.
The dynamics are a result of the pre-amp clipping and the negative feedback. Play an amp without the compression from the feedback and you have to change your playing style.
This is complicated by the fact that many manufacturers allow the user to select different contours on both their solid-state and tube amplifiers.
Drop by and say hi
Have I missed another difference between valve and solid-state guitar amplifiers, let me know.
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Apr 16, 2009 @ 7:32 am
- I agree with Spirituality & I am also blessing your lens. Have you looked for some music groups on Squidoo to join -- you just need to get some people commenting. Obviously, Katinka and I do not know anything about Tube or Transistor Amplifiers!
Brenda
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- spirituality spirituality Apr 8, 2009 @ 4:32 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
6) Portability
Solid-state amps are less prone to damage when being transported, there are no glass parts (unlike the valves in a tube amp).
Valve amplifiers are heavier than solid-state amps due to needing weighty transformers for the valves.
That said, valve amplifiers should cope with being transported by car every week between home, rehearsal and gigs. Just don't expect it to cope too well with being dropped.
Valve amplifiers are heavier than solid-state amps due to needing weighty transformers for the valves.
That said, valve amplifiers should cope with being transported by car every week between home, rehearsal and gigs. Just don't expect it to cope too well with being dropped.
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7) Maintenance
There's little maintenance to do with solid-state amps. I've never had one serviced. Maybe I should. I guess that some of the solder joints and tracks may go dry over time, but that's consistent with valve amps as well.
With tube amps, expect to change the valves on a regular basis. If you're gigging, you should always have a backup (whether it's a set of valves or another amplifier) since valves can blow or deteriorate at any point.
Depending on the amp, you may need a matched pair or quad of valves.
It's expected that you get a valve amp serviced at regular intervals (e.g. once a year if you're playing once a week). If you're buying a used amp, then it's very important to get it serviced before you play it. You never know what state it's in.
With tube amps, expect to change the valves on a regular basis. If you're gigging, you should always have a backup (whether it's a set of valves or another amplifier) since valves can blow or deteriorate at any point.
Depending on the amp, you may need a matched pair or quad of valves.
It's expected that you get a valve amp serviced at regular intervals (e.g. once a year if you're playing once a week). If you're buying a used amp, then it's very important to get it serviced before you play it. You never know what state it's in.
Tube guitar amps
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
8) Long-Term Reliability
I've always found that transistor guitar amps have a limited lifespan. Look on ebay and there aren't many solid state amps from the early 80s being sold. However there are lots of valve amps available from that date.
However it's not as clear-cut as that. Recent valve amps often have built-in PCBs making me wonder about the long-term reliability of these amps.
However it's not as clear-cut as that. Recent valve amps often have built-in PCBs making me wonder about the long-term reliability of these amps.
My Other Lenses
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGuitar Amplifiers, valve and solid-state
Blackheart BH5-112 Little Giant Guitar Amp Combo, 5W All Tube with Attitude
5W, Single-Ended, Class A powered by an EL84 and v more...0 points
Fender G-DEC 30 Guitar Digital Entertainment Center
An upgraded version of Fender's top-selling, award more...0 points
Line 6 Spider III 30-Watt Guitar Combo Amplifier
Spider III delivers detailed amp models based on s more...0 points
Behringer 2 x 30-Watt Stereo Guitar Amp GMX210
The V-Tone GMX210 is the middle-sized offering amo more...0 points
9) Price
Since the 80s, solid-state amplifiers have been considerably cheaper than valve amplifiers.
Since 2007, there has been an increase in smaller, more affordable valve amplifiers which are now narrowing the gap.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Paying more for a better amp will go a long way.
Since 2007, there has been an increase in smaller, more affordable valve amplifiers which are now narrowing the gap.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Paying more for a better amp will go a long way.
Next Steps
More info at: How to choose your next guitar amp
Information on Search for Tone
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10) When is an all-tube amplifier all-tube?
Manufacturers and guitarists use the term all-tube (or all-valve) very loosely. Guitarists can be forgiven for that, assuming that they don't know the extra details. Manufacturers would just be pulling the wool over your eyes.
There seem to be three definitions:
So when you're next looking at product brochures, see what they say about the amp being all-tube. The general rule is that if it's not mentioned (e.g. no mention of tube rectifier), then it's solid-state, otherwise the manufacturers would tell you.
There seem to be three definitions:
- Pre-amp and power-amp should incorporate tubes (valves)
- Pre-amp and power-amp should incorporate tubes (valves) AND no transistors
- Pre-amp and power-amp should incorporate tubes (valves) AND no transistors AND the rectifier and reverb units should also be tube only. There should be no transistors in the signal chain
So when you're next looking at product brochures, see what they say about the amp being all-tube. The general rule is that if it's not mentioned (e.g. no mention of tube rectifier), then it's solid-state, otherwise the manufacturers would tell you.
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