SOUND ON SOUND

[thefruitfarmer]

One of these:



or one of these https://www.andertons.co.uk/cool-stuff/epic-deals/roland-blues-cube-artist-80-watt-guitar-amp-in-black?utm_campaign=11-06-19-roland-blues-cube&utm_source=emarsysemail&utm_medium=email&sc_src=email_5571165&sc_lid=272068588&sc_uid=MT9mfaSV0c&sc_llid=65367&sc_eh=69570f6848d374791recently reduced

I already have the blues baby but I reckon the Roland is worth a look.

[Wonks]

Probably depends on what sounds you want. I recently repaired the reverb circuit on a Sessionette 75 for Ronnie Wibberly and was surprised just how good the clean sound was. The distortion sound was OK as well, though wasn't particularly valve-like, but very useable.

The Roland will do better valve-like overdriven sounds and just breaking up sounds, but it's a heavy amp, only a few pounds lighter than a Hot Rod Deluxe. So you lose the lightness advantage.

[BigRedX]

The only way you'll know for sure is to try them out yourself.

If I was looking for a transistor amp for clean sounds it would be a Roland Jazz Chorus.

[thefruitfarmer]

Probably depends on what sounds you want. I recently repaired the reverb circuit on a Sessionette 75 for Ronnie Wibberly and was surprised just how good the clean sound was. The distortion sound was OK as well, though wasn't particularly valve-like, but very useable.

The Roland will do better valve-like overdriven sounds and just breaking up sounds, but it's a heavy amp, only a few pounds lighter than a Hot Rod Deluxe. So you lose the lightness advantage.

The crunch and distortion on the blues baby is fine to my ear, not rough like the 80's versions. I can get a variety of cleans to distorted sounds out of it.

What I like about the Roland Blues Cube Artist is that it is a dual channel amp so you can blend the clean and distorted. I expect it sounds pretty good but there is a footswitch as well and those tone capsules so the dollars could mount up fairly quickly.

[thefruitfarmer]

Roland Jazz Chorus.

Someone always says that ... :clap: :clap: ;)

[IvanSC]

Sorry but I just cant get on with any "transistor" amp I have ever used.

Hot glass and lots of iron.
I am now down to two guitar amps, both valve, and a fishman Artist acoustic which is solid state and works oK for my acoustic.

Oddly enough I have no issues with solid state for bass amps, despite my early love affairs with Phillips (really!!) and Orange valve amps.

[BigRedX]

Roland Jazz Chorus.

Someone always says that ... :clap: :clap: ;)

There's a reason for that.

[thefruitfarmer]

Sorry but I just cant get on with any "transistor" amp I have ever used.

Hot glass and lots of iron.
I am now down to two guitar amps, both valve, and a fishman Artist acoustic which is solid state and works oK for my acoustic.

Oddly enough I have no issues with solid state for bass amps, despite my early love affairs with Phillips (really!!) and Orange valve amps.

Fair enough mate. :D :D :angel: :D :D

I am with you that solid state is fine for bass, used to have an Orange valve amp which was great until it went wrong, Now I have a Peavey Tour 700w and an old 100W Trace Combo, don't need more bass amps and I am not playing bass much at the moment anyway. I reckon bottom end clean tone is necessary for bass, for me at least, and transistors deliver that. I figured that if I ever need dirt in my bass sound I can always find a good pedal.....

I like transistor amps for guitar TBH. They have an instant response and a good one has nice sounding grind to it. Very useable and I think the Award Session tricks the ear to make you think you are hearing a valve amp. The speaker makes plenty difference too.

I should really get a valve amp but that's for another day. Got the builders in over summer so everything gets packed away for a few weeks.

[thefruitfarmer]

Roland Jazz Chorus.

Someone always says that ... :clap: :clap: ;)

There's a reason for that.

I know, classic sound.

[Sam Spoons]

Horses for courses, I love my valve combo (hand wired by my own hands) but TBH a decent solid state amp like the Tech21/Session/Blues Cube will get the job done and the audience won't hear the difference.

But, buy something that makes you want to switch it on and play guitar. If that's 'cos it's so small and light that getting it out of the closet takes 20 seconds or that you sold a kidney to buy it and it's tone makes you want to weep with happiness it doesn't matter...... If it makes you want to make music it's good.......

[CS70]

But, buy something that makes you want to switch it on and play guitar.

This!

There's some difference in response and feel between transistor and tube amps (but then there's also between two different tube circuits).. but as of the sound, so long you don't exceed the headroom you're fine with a transistor amp. You can get a nice distortion from pedals if you need. As much as people chime about power stage overdrive, I find that not so many actually use it in practice. A good tube preamp pedal that you can overdrive, with a distortion on top if you so like, a transistor amp with dollops of headroom and you're all set. After all, it's nothing different than listening to your fave guitar line on a hi-fi or a PA!

[thefruitfarmer]

Valve amps do smell nice though.

[Folderol]

:thumbup: :bouncy:

Valve amps do smell nice though.