Tube amp head and cab's

[Uncle Grandfather]

I have thought about it, but honestly I think some of those vibrations are what make tube amps sound like tube amps

some of those things that technically don't make sense are what make music awesome

but, .....external vibration is distorting the signal. Any amp is designed to amplify the signal as accurately as possible with as little distortion as possible. I think tube amps sound like tube amps because tubes rule in general , and how they soft clip when overdriven with even-order harmonics that are pleasing to the ear. but you're right, there's some mojo in there.

[hbombgraphics]

don't we want to distort the signal?

[greyscales]

Also I doubt most of us here use NOS tubes or dial in pristine cleans at high volumes.

And if you wanted super hi-fi cleans at high volumes, why not use a solid state amp? Not trying to be a dick. It is the whole point of solid state, being less temperamental and consistent.
Isn't the whole greatness in tubes that they overdrive really well? A lot of us just push the tubes with pedals anyways. That would wear tubes down just like vibration I would think. So there really isn't any winning in a lot of cases.



Eh, really I am just a luddite with amps.

[Uncle Grandfather]

sonic degradation from vibrations getting into the tubes and causing unwanted mechanical vibrations, just like microphonics, thus distorting the original signal.

there's also that thing about playing loud and for a good % of people here distorted sounds through them so it's had to say if noticing would happen

but yes I've thought about it but… meh..

I know, and playing gigs in different venues etc. with the sound going through the PA etc changes everything too and its hard to get the same sound twice. But still I try. I've spent many many years and many many monies buying gear for the way it sounds to me. And when I record, what I end up with well its never quite what's in my head but it does sound like my gear. So I always try to get it as close as possible, and I found this was a variable. And I've carried it on to playing live. If its not about getting as close to the sound of our gear as possible, then why bother with fancy anything. I'm blowing that way out of proportion, but do you see my point.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Also I doubt most of us here use NOS tubes or dial in pristine cleans at high volumes.

And if you wanted super hi-fi cleans at high volumes, why not use a solid state amp? Not trying to be a dick. It is the whole point of solid state, being less temperamental and consistent.
Isn't the whole greatness in tubes that they overdrive really well? A lot of us just push the tubes with pedals anyways. That would wear tubes down just like vibration I would think. So there really isn't any winning in a lot of cases.



Eh, really I am just a luddite with amps.

That's a good point. I prefer the sound of a loud clean tube amp over any solid state amp. And yeah, overdriven they are superior to solid state, i'm just wondering/interested about keeping the signal that I'm putting into my amp, even at loud overdriven volumes, and taking into account the coloration of the amp, the same as what comes out of the amp.

[Uncle Grandfather]

don't we want to distort the signal?

I do. And i use fuzz pedals etc. with a particular sound that I want reproduced as truthfully as possible, I guess. And just thinking about variables that might have an effect on this. I'm sure it's far more convoluted than interesting to most.

[Mudfuzz]

I prefer the sound of a loud clean tube amp over any solid state amp. And yeah, overdriven they are superior to solid state, i'm just wondering/interested about keeping the signal that I'm putting into my amp, even at loud overdriven volumes, and taking into account the coloration of the amp, the same as what comes out of the amp.

I actually halfway agree. For bass and synths anyway, I've always tried to have a amp way more powerful then most places call for [or end up being mixed of di-ed through the pa] so I can get a lot of clean power which for lie tubes do very well [and I use pedals for dirt most of the time on bass], on the other hand I am not interested in uncoloration in a amp for playing a instrument through, I want color, and yeah I have played the whole this tube sounds thus before.. and will again but no I don't want my amps to sound like studio gear, while I like tube studio gear that is that and amps are amps I change tubes in amps when lows start to distort or they start ringing But if super clean is what you want and need for what you do then do just that and don't let anyone tell you different

[chillerthanmost]

I love cleans from a tube amp over cleans from a solid state amp. I use loud, ballsy, clean, tube driven amps. If there's any saturation from the amp, it's from power tube break up but I usually set my amps right before they break up. On the verge of break up, though I would still consider it "clean" since I'm getting all drive, gain, and fuzz, through pedals. Which is also why I pick out good quality power tubes whenever I can. (A)NOS is usually that route.

Anyways, I just remembered that they make tube holders to reduce vibration issues as well as little rubber o-rings that go in between the screws that hold the tube holders in place to the chassis, for vibration issues as well. I've never tried them. I don't know if it's all bogus or not, but like I previously posted, I've never heard or noticed an issue with my amps and we play loud, loud, loud.

[Uncle Grandfather]

[quote="Mudfuzz" no I don't want my amps to sound like studio gear,[/quote]

No, me neither, for instance I want my 64 jtm 45 to sound like my 64 jtm 45. I mostly play alot of noise as well with alot of synth gear in tandem. And I want that amp to sound like that amp at all volumes and all situations, all things considered. And that includes when using all the effect pedals I use...and that's alot of fuzz too etc. i want these pedals to sound like they sound like. And I've got a small stable of tube amps specifically for their individual unique colors, or distortions if you will,..and that's what I want them to sound like. So I don't know, I guess I'm alone, but I put tube dampers on all my tubes to help with vibrations, and put my amp heads on an isolation base next to me or the cabs. When recording with combo's sometimes I'll pull the amp and place it on an isolation base next to the cabinet. Sounds better...could be placebo? I enjoy it regardless

[Uncle Grandfather]

Anyways, I just remembered that they make tube holders to reduce vibration issues as well as little rubber o-rings that go in between the screws that hold the tube holders in place to the chassis, for vibration issues as well. I've never tried them. I don't know if it's all bogus or not, but like I previously posted, I've never heard or noticed an issue with my amps and we play loud, loud, loud.

i believe I know what you're talking about, and I believe those act as heat sinks, but we could be talking about two different things. There are also tube dampers, I use these on ALL of my tubes. Herbies tube dampers I think....been a long time. They are to help with internal vibrations as well as external.

[higain617]

I think, and this may just be me, but this might be a case of overthinking things?

Or, I'm a luddite that doesn't care about his gear.

The luddite model seems to be the standard, as most every tube head I see is perched atop its corresponding cab. I also do this because it looks cool and shit.

[GardenoftheDead]

Unless your tubes are shit I can't imagine this being a problem at all. Your tubes are basically immobilized inside the casing. Also most heads I've ever seen have rubber feet on them, in addition to a lot of other stuff in the head that will absorb vibrations.

[Uncle Grandfather]

I think, and this may just be me, but this might be a case of overthinking things?

Or, I'm a luddite that doesn't care about his gear.

The luddite model seems to be the standard, as most every tube head I see is perched atop its corresponding cab. I also do this because it looks cool and shit.

I believe you're right. And it does look cool. And there's nothing wrong with it at all. It's almost always the norm for live show's too where the sound is going to be at the mercy of the PA, room, and soundman. Even the other musicians I play with go with the flow. I thought that now I'm on a board that specializes in our shared love, I'd see some more musicians that take whatever measure necessary to get the most out of their gear. And I'm pretty certain all of you are. But still, with all the pics on here I've been looking at, I sort of hoped people were just "posing" their amps for their pictures...them sexy sexy pics

[Ancient Astronaught]

I fell asleep in ILF and woke up in TGP....

I thought that now I'm on a board that specializes in our shared love, I'd see some more musicians that take whatever measure necessary to get the most out of their gear. And I'm pretty certain all of you are.

If its free maybe... we're a board full of low budget (for the most part) musicians more interested in how to make new and innovative tones that are abstract in comparison to what the brain wants to perceive as guitar due to years of conditioning thanks to radio. I'm fairly certain most of us could care less if it does actually make any freaking difference if the head is on top of the cab or next to it. Everyone's opinion is different, everyone's needs are different. You spend more on tubes then some people have in their entire pedalboard entirely apparently, so cool put your head on the floor if it makes you feel better! I will keep mine on top of my cabs, been doing it for years and never had problems with vibrating my tubes into being microphonic, and I'm down tuned through a 4x12 and 2x15 with the bass maxxed and volume often cranked at live shows.

[aen]

Actually, tube amps color the FUCK out of your sound. Plug your guitar direct into an audio interface, or hi-fi stereo and you will hear what an electric guitar actually sounds like. Shit. That's why we have tube amps. To make guitars sound good.