why valve amps are great

nick_D01

hey guys

not to sound all high and mighty, but i wanted to post this up.

if anyone knows of somebody who keeps asking "what all the fuss is about valve amps" then tell them to have a peek and a listen at this video:

=

amazing, glassy tone, that can only be had really from a valve amp.

SnapcaseZA

Wow, I've just bought a new amp...now I want that one too!

epictring

Played on one of those before. Better tube amps for the price in my opinion, I don't know.. I just don't like the onboard effects and it sounds a bit too digital on some sounds.

Just my 2c, but that's some great tone and great playing.

Tokai-SA

It's interesting you picked this example, because it's a digital modelling pre-amp into two 12AX7s and then into a Bogner designed valve poweramp...what we're hearing is digital modelling. ?

Actually, it's a miked version of the sound of the amp, in other words what the amp would sound like if it was miked and coming through a PA system (what we hear at most gigs or live shows), or in this Youtube video, a recording of the amp.

Having said that, it sounds great and the guitarist is brilliant. ?

SnapcaseZA

Tokai SA wrote: It's interesting you picked this example, because it's a digital modelling pre-amp into two 12AX7s and then into a Bogner designed valve poweramp...what we're hearing is digital modelling. ?

Actually, it's a miked version of the sound of the amp, in other words what the amp would sound like if it was miked and coming through a PA system (what we hear at most gigs or live shows), or in this Youtube video, a recording of the amp.

Having said that, it sounds great and the guitarist is brilliant. ?

The example was also not what I expected, as I initially thought all the Spiders were solid state with digital modelling. Its an interesting hybrid though, having digital going into a tube preamp and poweramp. Sounds amazing imo. Almost like having a digital effects loop going into a regular tube amp.

But then again, I also like the Flextone series amps too ever since a mate of mine got one about 9 years back. So I've always been keen on what Line6 do.

Tokai-SA

SnapcaseZA wrote:
Tokai SA wrote: It's interesting you picked this example, because it's a digital modelling pre-amp into two 12AX7s and then into a Bogner designed valve poweramp...what we're hearing is digital modelling. ?

Actually, it's a miked version of the sound of the amp, in other words what the amp would sound like if it was miked and coming through a PA system (what we hear at most gigs or live shows), or in this Youtube video, a recording of the amp.

Having said that, it sounds great and the guitarist is brilliant. ?
The example was also not what I expected, as I initially thought all the Spiders were solid state with digital modelling. Its an interesting hybrid though, having digital going into a tube preamp and poweramp. Sounds amazing imo. Almost like having a digital effects loop going into a regular tube amp.

But then again, I also like the Flextone series amps too ever since a mate of mine got one about 9 years back. So I've always been keen on what Line6 do.

A lot of guys "hate" Line 6, personally I think they're a brilliant company...I have great respect for them.
I agree, the original Flextone was a killer amp, and the first Pod 1 is still a legend.
The new HD series modellers are excellent, and at a great price.

The best valve amp demos for me are done by Greg V.
=

nick_D01

Tokai SA wrote:what we're hearing is digital modelling

actually hey, with the spider valves what we're hearing is digital modelling AND traditional valve goodness. from a valve design no-less from the only person on the planet eddie would trust to repair his beloved 'brown sound' marshall plexi. if its good enough for ed...

ZarK

The L6 Spider Valves are probably the most versatile and excellent sounding valve amps (for the price) I've ever played... Period. If you tweak them correctly they can produce tones scarily close the Cleans of my Fender Hot Rod, the crunch of a Vox, brown sound of a Marshall and the high gain of the Mesa Dual Rectifier I used to own. All in one package and at a great price for all you're getting. The fx are also very usable... (especially the MKII) I've owned 1x MkI SV 112 and 2x MKII SV 112's in the past. Just a huge pity that all of them (more-so the MKII's) ended up having reliability issues... Otherwise I'd still be playing one without a doubt... (Maybe I just had bad-luck or examples from a bad batch...)

SnapcaseZA

ZarK wrote: The L6 Spider Valves are probably the most versatile and excellent sounding valve amps (for the price) I've ever played... Period. If you tweak them correctly they can produce tones scarily close the Cleans of my Fender Hot Rod, the crunch of a Vox, brown sound of a Marshall and the high gain of the Mesa Dual Rectifier I used to own. All in one package and at a great price for all you're getting. The fx are also very usable... (especially the MKII) I've owned 1x MkI SV 112 and 2x MKII SV 112's in the past. Just a huge pity that all of them (more-so the MKII's) ended up having reliability issues... Otherwise I'd still be playing one without a doubt... (Maybe I just had bad-luck or examples from a bad batch...)

I presume when they go wrong, its a serious issue with all that digital electronics onboard. Its not just a simple case of tracking down your nearest amp tech.

ZarK

In my experience, when they go wrong, they needed to be replaced... It's usually the 'computer' that goes bonkers, not the amp side (again, in my experience...) I've had very bad luck with mine. Pity 'cause they really sound great and can do so much so very well...

Malkav

Oh look another one of these threads... :?

epictring

I had a Line 6 Spider III Solid State amp as my first amp, those are bad.

I agree Line 6 is a great company, I'm especially interested in their wireless units.

ZarK

Chad Adam Browne wrote: Oh look another one of these threads... :?

.....

Tokai-SA

epictring wrote:

I agree Line 6 is a great company, I'm especially interested in their wireless units.

Very very good wireless units.
Phone Stuart at Marshall Music Woodmead, he'll sort you out with a great price.

guidothepimmp

Chad Adam Browne wrote: Oh look another one of these threads... :?

deefstes

Not only do I find these threads funny, I'm also starting to find them a tad annoying.

For one, there is actually nothing about this video that blew me away as the preamble suggested it would. I've seen videos featuring solid state Roland Cube amps that were equally impressive. Secondly, even if the amp in question was an all valve amp with the kind of tone that would leave you with no doubt that valve amps are the alpha and the omega, do you really think a Youtube video with it's lossy codecs would have captured that?

guidothepimmp

And cue the roland jc120 for great glassy cleans and awesomeness and all those cool adjectives that induce toneboner moments