BEST SOUNDING SOLID STATE AMPS FOR METAL \m/

[Cygnus X1]

Mark my words, this will happen...(maybe it already has, but I don't know about it):

Old transistors and related components will become more valuable, just as older tube amps have. It has already happened with effects. Look at the different flavors of the TS9, 808, Boss OD-1, etc. If they don't have the "right" vintage chip, they're seen as less desirable.
So certain old SS amps will jump in value when a particular "mojo" is pushed into the equation.

[quiksilver]

Yup. Cyg is right. All it will take is a couple of popular guitarists using them.

I like the Tech 21 Trademark amps, and I also really liked my old Marshall ValveState 8280 (pretty sure I got that number right) twin. With chorus and reverb built in, I had no need for any outboard effects at all. Just plug in and go!

[toejam]

I like the Tech 21 Trademark amps, and I also really liked my old Marshall ValveState 8280 (pretty sure I got that number right) twin. With chorus and reverb built in, I had no need for any outboard effects at all. Just plug in and go!

The original Valvestate line was great. I still use my 40-watt 8240 stereo chorus 2x12 combo in my living room. The 8280 was the 80-watt, bi-chorus version.

[emperor_black]

sarcasm dude...sorry you didnt see that

Shawn, you dirty, rotten... :ROTF::ROTF: Put my big foot in my mouth there didnt I? For a moment, I forgot I was posting in the JCF forum and not the UG forum.

Mark my words, this will happen...(maybe it already has, but I don't know about it):

Old transistors and related components will become more valuable, just as older tube amps have. It has already happened with effects. Look at the different flavors of the TS9, 808, Boss OD-1, etc. If they don't have the "right" vintage chip, they're seen as less desirable.
So certain old SS amps will jump in value when a particular "mojo" is pushed into the equation.

Well, that is one side of the story. While its true, on the other hand, the modeling is getting so good IMO, that in a double blind fold test, vintage gear users might not be able to make out the difference between a real plexi and a modeled one. Preamps boasting with microprocessors more powerful than a computer are hitting the market. there is no sound and feel these things cant replicate. And according to Moore's law, its just going to get better.

[VitaminG]

there is no sound and feel these things cant replicate. And according to Moore's law, its just going to get better.

if there is already no sound these things can't replicate, how can it possibly get better?

[emperor_black]

[Cygnus X1]

Shawn, you dirty, rotten... :ROTF::ROTF: Put my big foot in my mouth there didnt I? For a moment, I forgot I was posting in the JCF forum and not the UG forum.



Well, that is one side of the story. While its true, on the other hand, the modeling is getting so good IMO, that in a double blind fold test, vintage gear users might not be able to make out the difference between a real plexi and a modeled one. Preamps boasting with microprocessors more powerful than a computer are hitting the market. there is no sound and feel these things cant replicate. And according to Moore's law, its just going to get better.

Oh, I know that, and you know that, we both agree.
But there is no denying that the MOJO factor has pushed my 75 dollar 67 Deluxe Reverb up way past the inflation amount to 1,500 dollars. And I love my ugly little stomp box, also. I'm not so sure that is going away...if fact, it has gotten kind of silly. I'm just extending that thought to old solid state.
Those transistors are no longer made. Just an observation. And, I think it's
a bit odd.

[emperor_black]

Its the vintage market hype. Stock brokers and CEO's who cant spend even 5 mins a day playing are buying up all vintage stuff and hoarding them at best to showoff to their friends. But if you ask a working musician...he/she would rather bring a terrific sounding SS plexi modeling amp onstage than drag the real thing and deal with all its hiss/hum, unreliability, thievery, etc.

[zeegler]

I heard some guy using a Randall X3 recently at a show, and it sounded fantastic. I'm not sure how it would hold up with another amp, but by itself, it sounded really great.

[emperor_black]

I heard some guy using a Randall X3 recently at a show, and it sounded fantastic. I'm not sure how it would hold up with another amp, but by itself, it sounded really great.

hmm... 'randall x3' does not bring up any results on google search. Did you mean to say G3 ?

[zeegler]

hmm... 'randall x3' does not bring up any results on google search. Did you mean to say G3 ?

Try X2 maybe. It had an X in the name for sure.

[Jackson-Charvel]

My late 80's Ampeg SS150 was a nice SS Amp head for some thick and heavy distortion. Anyone know the differences between it and the VH140? Seems like they were around at the same time. I guess I always thought the VH140 was that Lee Jackson designed Ampeg, the one that Paul Gilbert played, the tube one that was over a grand new.

[yabba]

My late 80's Ampeg SS150 was a nice SS Amp head for some thick and heavy distortion. Anyone know the differences between it and the VH140? Seems like they were around at the same time. I guess I always thought the VH140 was that Lee Jackson designed Ampeg, the one that Paul Gilbert played, the tube one that was over a grand new.

the ss150 and the vh140c were very similar. same preamp circuit, but the ss150 had a single 150 watt power amp and the vh140 had 2 70 watt power amps (it's a stereo head) and chorus.

I seem to remember there was also a vh150 and/or an ss140, they basically used the ss/vh interchangably.

the lee jackson designed tube ampegs were the VL series

[Firebird V]

oh yeah I forgot about the SS150. those rocked too!

[DonP]

Oh, I forgot my first amp, the Gorilla TC35. Tube Crunch Baby!

And my first tube amp, the Peavy Classic VTX. I didn't know that you can have a power tube back end (pair of 6L6's), but the front end was solid state (so in a sense it's a solid state amp if you just use the preamp).