Guitar Amplifiers: Solid State Advantages
This article is in response to the previous article posted claiming that tube amplifiers dominate over solid state amplifiers in achieving best sounding tone. Solid state amplifiers need not be short-changed in order to tout the greatness of the tube. Solid state amplifiers do possess many advantages and remain a viable choice for many guitarists and bassists alike.
Solid state amplifiers are almost always less expensive than tube amplifiers, both at time of purchase and in terms of maintenance. This makes them a very attractive alternative for the beginning as well as seasoned guitarist alike. Tubes must be replaced, depending on the load put on them and the frequency of playing. If a guitarist plays at loud volumes several times a week, especially without allowing adequate time for the tubes to warm up before cranking the volume up, tubes might need replacing within 3 months. With the usual 3-4 times a week performing or practice sessions, with proper adherence to warm up times, tubes still must be replaced anywhere from 6 months to once a year for optimum performance. This yearly maintenance can cost a guitarist approximately $10-$15 per tube on the low end, with most tube amplifiers utilizing 4 or more tubes. For example, the coveted sound produced by the popular Fender Deville amplifier uses two Groove Tube output tubes ($70 - $130 for a matched pair) and 3 Fender preamp tubes ($10 a piece). That’s quite a hefty price tag if all tubes need replacing at once!
Another advantage the solid state amplifier has over its tube counterpart is portability and ease of transport. Because tube amplifiers employ glass vacuum tubes at the heart of their power, they need much more space for these glass cylinders and require much more care when hefting their heavy weight to and from the trusty band van. One misstep could result in a trip to the guitar store immediately if replacement tubes aren’t part of a band’s gear box; the show must go on, but won’t go on if tubes are damaged because a sticky fingered roadie had an unfortunate accident with the guitarist’s boutique tube powered amplifier. Because solid state amplifiers employ transistors instead of tubes, they are much lighter, more durable, and need much smaller cabinets to hold a higher rated power plant than their portly, tube-powered cousins.
New advances in solid state amplifiers allow for guitarists to dial in the precise tone they’re looking for without breaking the bank in the process. Well informed and friendly sales associates at local guitar shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company can help guitarists of any and all skill levels find the solid state powerhouse they need to keep on rockin!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of electric guitars and guitar amplifiers to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
Solid state amplifiers are almost always less expensive than tube amplifiers, both at time of purchase and in terms of maintenance. This makes them a very attractive alternative for the beginning as well as seasoned guitarist alike. Tubes must be replaced, depending on the load put on them and the frequency of playing. If a guitarist plays at loud volumes several times a week, especially without allowing adequate time for the tubes to warm up before cranking the volume up, tubes might need replacing within 3 months. With the usual 3-4 times a week performing or practice sessions, with proper adherence to warm up times, tubes still must be replaced anywhere from 6 months to once a year for optimum performance. This yearly maintenance can cost a guitarist approximately $10-$15 per tube on the low end, with most tube amplifiers utilizing 4 or more tubes. For example, the coveted sound produced by the popular Fender Deville amplifier uses two Groove Tube output tubes ($70 - $130 for a matched pair) and 3 Fender preamp tubes ($10 a piece). That’s quite a hefty price tag if all tubes need replacing at once!
Another advantage the solid state amplifier has over its tube counterpart is portability and ease of transport. Because tube amplifiers employ glass vacuum tubes at the heart of their power, they need much more space for these glass cylinders and require much more care when hefting their heavy weight to and from the trusty band van. One misstep could result in a trip to the guitar store immediately if replacement tubes aren’t part of a band’s gear box; the show must go on, but won’t go on if tubes are damaged because a sticky fingered roadie had an unfortunate accident with the guitarist’s boutique tube powered amplifier. Because solid state amplifiers employ transistors instead of tubes, they are much lighter, more durable, and need much smaller cabinets to hold a higher rated power plant than their portly, tube-powered cousins.
New advances in solid state amplifiers allow for guitarists to dial in the precise tone they’re looking for without breaking the bank in the process. Well informed and friendly sales associates at local guitar shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company can help guitarists of any and all skill levels find the solid state powerhouse they need to keep on rockin!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of electric guitars and guitar amplifiers to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
Labels: austin electric guitars, austin music stores, electric guitars austin tx
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