In Conversation with Driftwood Amps
- Thread starter Brian Johnston
- Start date
Tube amps are relatively new to me, what makes you choose it over solid state amps.
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The notes bloom or flower... they sound fuller and more organic to my ears. Having said that, I have a few solid state preamps, including the KSR VESTA. The Nightmare is fatter sounding... it has that 'amp' sound more so than the VESTA, but the VESTA is very tight and cuts nicely. I had a Pritchard solid state, and amp was incredible. But it was loud and did not have a direct recording input, which I use exclusively. Later I got a load box and could kick myself for not having that amp still. Now, if you want your solid state to really come alive, I highly recommend Amp Rescue by Lounsberry Pedals. You set it and leave it on. Excellent pedal to make a solid state sound warmer and more like a tube amp.
I see. Thank you for sharing your experience. Now I understand why some people prefer tube amps over solid state amps.
OP
OP
I find the cleaner the music, the more it makes a difference. With really heavy stuff, and particularly in a mix, you can get away with modeling, solid-state, etc., which some groups do (Fractal, etc.). I suspect that's more important in concert (less gear to lug around), particularly with all the cheering, live sound, etc. In the studio, there's a difference. However, now you can get power amp plug-ins/pedal, things like the Amp Rescue, etc., and all those things bring you real close. I'm not a gear or tone snob, so a few points from someone with modest experience.
I use 3 amps - a Carvin Nomad for clean tube sounds, a Boss Katana Artist MkII for everything else, and a Crate GX-60 in my workshop for testing guitars I'm working on.
OP
OP
Have you ever tried disconnecting an amp/cab sim from your Katana, and then going from there into your Carvin (or through its FX return)? Maybe you don't have to disconnect the amp part... use it as a preamp from the Katana, but the amp sag, etc., from the Carvin. Could sound like shit... curious.