Solid State / Modeler / Tube shootout!

  • Thread starter Thread starter metalhead28
  • Start date Start date
Metalhead28.....You rock. :cool:

I just LOVE it when people are forced to re-evaluate their own preconcieved ideas and are suprized with the truth. Thank you. :D

You have proven that people just believe things without any real foundation of fact, and you have given the band wagon jumpers a reason to start making their own desicions about what they think sounds good. You have proven that an open mind is required if anyone is going to find what really does sound best to them. Fukin awesome. :cool:
 
metalhead28 said:
Okay folks.

#1 is a 5150 II tube amp

#2 is a Marshall VS100 solid state amp

#3 is a V-Amp pro modeler.

When I recorded the 5150 I wanted to showcase the fat midrange and the tightness that the others will not achieve. I really don't think it's a great sound by itself, but the other two amps are absolutely not capable of sounding anything like that. That's my point. This sound would work great if it was doubled up with another more saturated tone.

Feel free to continue the debate. :D
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Here's a point....why not showcase the positive sonic characteristics of the modeler and the SS amp that the tube amp cannot acheive? Why not put equal affort into making each one sound the best it can sound....."best" of course being subjective, but still.......each one has it's strenghts and weaknesses.
 
Zed10R said:
Here's a point....why not showcase the positive sonic characteristics of the modeler and the SS amp that the tube amp cannot acheive? Why not put equal affort into making each one sound the best it can sound....."best" of course being subjective, but still.......each one has it's strenghts and weaknesses.
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Well, I really didn't make an effort to make any of them sound the best that they could. I was simply trying to showcase the rather extreme differences.
I certainly don't think that is the best sound you can get from the 5150 either.
 
metalhead28 said:
Well, I really didn't make an effort to make any of them sound the best that they could. I was simply trying to showcase the rather extreme differences.
I certainly don't think that is the best sound you can get from the 5150 either.
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Ahh....I gotcha... ;) Well done.
 
Without reading if the answer has been posted:

1) Tube
2) SS
3) Modeler
 
It seems this test was a little too easy, which proves a point right there.....
I have no idea how some people can say that #3 is their favorite. I'm a little worried what their idea of good music sounds like.

The clip does make me want to go out and pick up a 5150 (to match the 5150 cab I have). I'd forgotten how cool they sound since the last time I played around on one. Do you have a preference between the 5150 vs. 5150 II, metalhead?
 
metalhead28 said:
#1 is a 5150 II tube amp.......
I figured alot of people would like the modeler best because it seems more like a finished sound but to me it's all about what works better in a mix and what would mix the best with other sounds. I can listen to 5 seconds of the tube amp and be quite sure that it would work better, but that's just my opinion.
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Well, I dont know much, but I picked that tube sound out the moment I heard it. I played it first and I told myself, "That is the tube!"

But I got the modeller and the ss mixed up, one of them sounds ok to me (the solid state) but theother one just sounds lame (modeller)....
 
Reggie said:
It seems this test was a little too easy, which proves a point right there.....
I have no idea how some people can say that #3 is their favorite. I'm a little worried what their idea of good music sounds like.

The clip does make me want to go out and pick up a 5150 (to match the 5150 cab I have). I'd forgotten how cool they sound since the last time I played around on one. Do you have a preference between the 5150 vs. 5150 II, metalhead?
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Well, the 5150 has more gain than I would ever need, so I can't really justify needing the extra gain that the 5150 II has. I picked up the II myself because it was a closeout when they changed the model number (to 6505+) and I got a deal. I've heard plenty of both of them, but never with the same guitar/cab/player etc. I've heard people say that the 5150 has a smoother top end, but I can't say that I've witnessed that personally. I think it's more dependant on other factors like the speakers it's played through. You can't go wrong with either of them, and generally the mk1 (6505) is cheaper so I'd recommend that one.
 
Reggie said:
It seems this test was a little too easy, which proves a point right there.....
I have no idea how some people can say that #3 is their favorite. I'm a little worried what their idea of good music sounds like.
Click to expand...

Nah I can see their point. Number three has more low end, which a lot of metal guys like. And it sounds good in comparison to 2. At least everyone can agree that number 2 is crap.

My first thought upon hearing the clips was that, if I were recording I'd want number one. That's a perfect tone for sitting in a mix. Especially if you layer the guitar parts, you could get a massive sound.

And if I were playing live, number one would also be just fine, but I might've gone with number three. I do like a little more low end when playing live.

And um, if I were just plain dumb I'd want to use number 2.
 
yes I thought the same. Number three just sounds the best on its own I think. I learned a lot from this thread. If a guitar tone sounds good alone, it does not mean it'll sound good in a mix.
 
Continuing the "shootout" idea, I did a head to head comparison of the SM57 and the Audix i5 on a distorted guitar....over in the mic forum. :D

(didn't want to double post, but I thought some of you in here might want to give them a listen) :D
 
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