to tube or not to tube

  • Thread starter Thread starter getuhgrip
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getuhgrip

getuhgrip

Bring Back Transfat!
I'm getting ready to park a Peavy Bandit out in the garage, and am looking at Marshalls cuz they've got a really slick lookin' logo right on the front. I was checking out the VS265 when musician's friend dropped them down to $499. I guess I waited too long...they're all gone and apparently Marshall discontinued them. Anyway, what's up with they're MG line? These are not tube units, right? Any recommendations for a peice that can be had for $400 or less? The VS265 was impressive but I dont really need more than 50watts or the second 12 incher in my 12X12 room.
 
Stay far away from the Valvestate junk. I made the mistake of buying a VS100R. They sound decent at lower volume. The tone gets thin and wimpy when you up the volume.

I heard lots people with nothing good to say about valvestates, I thought it was just "Tube Snob" propaganda. I had to try it myself, and I was quite disappointed after a few days of tweaking. I won't doubt the tube guys again.
 
Buy an all tube amp, preamp and out stages or you will be sorry. You better listen to them tube dudes.
 
Yeah, tubes rule!
I own 6 amps, only 1 is s/s, and it is a Cybertwin...kind of a hybrid. Tube really is the best.
H2H
 
It's not really magic.By listening close,we can all hear the obvious differences tween tubes and SS.Kind of ironic that "cutting edge" tone technology is really old.
One small suggestion on tube amp repairs that my amp-guru turned me onto.Commercial capacitors,resistors etc. are something like 3-6% manufacturing tolerences whereas military specifications for the same part will be about 1%.So when you put it in the shop,instead of repairing with a 30 cent commercial capicitor or whatever,spend a whole dollar on the mil spec equivalent.It make a BIG difference in tone.Also,with this understanding,older tube amps can be selectively "re-voiced" by swapping out for better value parts (typically the filter caps in the preamp section).

Tom
 
I agree with Guitard, the Valvestates are crap. I've owned one for 3 years or something, and as soon as I can afford a new amp i'm getting one. I just can't get the sound I want out of the valvestate.
I've been looking into Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifiers, Mesa Nomads, Line 6 Flextone head, POD pro w/ Mesa Boogie 20/20 tube power amp. I'll decide while i'm saving up for one I guess.
Anyway, I doubt that you'll be satisfied with a Valvestate.
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I just bought a Peavey Heritage on Ebay. Tube preamp and power, 2 twelves and on board phaser. Would like to have scored a Marshall but I'm also trying to fit a new mixer into the budget right now. Shhhhh....here comes my wife!
 
hey getuhgrip, YOU have done well by acquiring the Heritage--very loud, very quiet, nice tone....YOU have done especially well if is has the Black-Widow speakers w/circuit-breakers built in.....does it?...mind if I ask what value the bidding created?.....I bought one new in 82' or 83' for around 6-7 hundred $ and used it for over 10 yrs without a mishap....then, around 94' I sold it to a friend for $250--what I thought was a very attractive price...If I were selling it today, with the BWs, I'd definitely ask for a lot more....I hope you gotta a strong back and maybe some coasters, but the WEIGHT is worth it.....let US know how YOU do with feedback on this one, if YOU don't mind.....yup, tubes are IT.
 
Marshall gear

Hmm. I have been using a JMP1 preamp with an 8008 valvestate power amp for a while now. (and some FX stuff.. yada yada yada..)

I would gladly buy a Marshall all valve power amp, but they are fairly pricey, and I really don't need the power.

The JMP-1 is great, and isn't that a mixture between s/s and valve?
 
The JMP-1 is great... Well...

It's certainly better than the valvestate stuff, which is just plain bad. Doesn't sound good, and crappy as hell. About everyone I know with a vs has had troubles. I had one for a few years, about once a year it broke down.

Then I moved on to the JMP1. The overdrive is, euh, typical marshall. You like it or you don't. Crunchy it ain't all that bad... And the clean... Marshall too. Just sucks. Can't get any worse than that...

Then I just sold it. Don't play in a band no more, actually hardly ever play... and I'm happy with my V-twin and Roland Jazz Chorus when I do.

But more on the JMP-1. My guitar-buddy got one too, sold it even before I did, other guy that bought it from him is now looking into other stuff too. This just ain't the thing...
 
Had my Marshall (JCM 800 4104) basically mothballed - intended on selling it.

Was out trying out a bunch of amps (tube and ss) and had it narrowed down to a couple of smaller tube amps.

Then I decided to drag out the Marshall to make sure it still worked fine at higher volumes, etc. Obviously my audio reference point got screwed up because the Marshall seemed to sound a million times better than it ever had. I'M KEEPING IT.

Unfortunately, I still need a smaller, quieter tube 1x12. Anyone feel charitable?
 
I read a couple posts on Harmony Central (that purported this amp to be "all tube") before pushin' the Buy button on Ebay only to find out about the preamp after the deal was done. I don't think I'll trade it at this point, but I'm looking at an Ultra Plus head this weekend. The Heritage makes alot of power and the phase circuit is kind of cool, but the preamp sounds a little harsh.
 
dragonworks said:
Getugrip,
The Heritage is ss preamp and tube output.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I had one of those once. I never understood why they built 'em like that, though. I loved the phaser, but I needed an outboard EQ cuz the tone controls on the amp just didn't quite cut it for me. It sounded a little sterile to me, but boy was it LOUD!!! Anyway, it got me through a year of gigging around town. I don't care much for Peaveys, but the Heritage definately kicks the Bandit in the pooper.
 
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