Let's talk about solid state amplifiers!

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Spaceboy

Spaceboy

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You never see enough talk about solid states on gear websites, and it seems like the amps that get the most talk are out of production or older models. I personally only own solid states at the moment, not a single power tube to be found in my collection (there's one 12AX7 in my VS100, but that's it)! What's going on with modern solid states that we should be keeping an eye out on? It seems like the technology for tube amplifiers is being pushed to new limits every year, but solid states are getting minimal attention and may be left behind. We've recently been seeing some progress with digital modelers with the new PODs and Axe FXs, so the technology for great sounding digital tones is out there, or at least on the horizon, which could be incorporated into solid state amplifiers much like the Line 6 Vetta. There's also the elusive ISP Theta which I've never heard a bad word about, but not often seen/heard in action. There's probably some good things coming from Randall that I haven't paid enough attention to, judging by their past work with RH series, Warheads etc. Who else here digs solid states and wants to see the envelope pushed further for them?

My amps:
Ampeg VH140C
Marshall VS100
Randall RH200

I really want to grab a Warhead sometime.
 
I always thought the earlier Randall's sounded pretty good. I have an RG80 head, has that sound to it. I think the biggest problem has to do with the feel vs. tone. Tubes just have that "feel" or sag you don't get from solid state. Think black & white (solid state) vs. color (tube) television. There's just more going on.

Giving you an example would be Kamelot's guitar player. Love his playing, but I never could figure out what it was about his tone I didn't like, until he said in an interview that he was playing a solid state Ampeg. Might even be the same one you have. Solid state when pushed hard will strain the ears, not pleasant for long term listening.
 
i love em.



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digital modeling is not the same as transistors replacing the amplification purpose of tubes. digital modeler's are running complex programmable algorithms. all three have positives and negatives.

colour tube televisions still have black and white in the pictures. the modulation before being sent to the screen is where the colours come into play on top of the black and white which is what is used for tint. the motion picture is made by bending the waves internally which are filtered by the pixels on the screen.

the RH100 (?), and peavey bravo are all amplifiers i have played that sounded pretty damn good for metal considering they were SS.

the RH100 was cool to play because dimebag's tone is as simple as plugging in and turning up. pretty inspiring to play for pantera jam's if you are a dime fan.

another one that does not get mentioned much is gus-G's signature randall model which is a SS preamp with a tubed poweramp?

the other one that does not get alot of mentioning here was the marshall mode 4. i believe it was one of marshalls worst flops? never heard one, never played one? :dunno:
 
I'm a fan... still NEED to try out a VH140C, but LOVE my Randalls, the X2 is AMAZING!!!! and the new Dime D-100 kicks all kinds of ass.
 
While waiting for my Amp to be done modded from FJA.....
I been playing the Dean Dime amp. Solid state 120 watts.
Its struggling to push two 4x12's...
sounds better at lower volumes for high gain but when LOUD.....gain about 1/2 it sounds pretty good for rock tones.
But I still cant wait to get my tube amp back.
 
i tried to make some clips but i gotta do them at whisper volumes cause my cam clips


boosted with a metalzone ampeg into randall 2x12 and crate bv w/v30s






strait in Crate to randall 4x12

 
ISP Theta 300w Head is hands down the best solid state amp I have played and owned. They are expensive as fuck! I bought mine used for $800 and was worth every penny. It has 2 built in ISP Decimators. Great tone. Really should have kept mine. It did not suffer the problem most SS amps have pushing mass amounts of air. I agree with Mailman in that aspect, my Madison gets burried at high volume compared to my tube amps but I still love gettin down on it.

I need to find another someday. A guy would be hard pressed to find a better SS amp than the ISP.

I would like to try a Warhead someday. Heard they had some issues but willing to try one.
 
Lance Keltner Retro Channel Retro Wreck. Check it out on his youtube channel.
 
Gsxrbusa":26y7odwh said:
ISP Theta 300w Head is hands down the best solid state amp I have played and owned. They are expensive as fuck! I bought mine used for $800 and was worth every penny. It has 2 built in ISP Decimators. Great tone. Really should have kept mine. It did not suffer the problem most SS amps have pushing mass amounts of air. I agree with Mailman in that aspect, my Madison gets burried at high volume compared to my tube amps but I still love gettin down on it.

I need to find another someday. A guy would be hard pressed to find a better SS amp than the ISP.

I would like to try a Warhead someday. Heard they had some issues but willing to try one.
Click to expand...

Interesting, Rottingcorpse said those were the worst amps he's tried.... I was always intrigued by them until I talked to him, if you get a chance to try an X2, (there's one on ebay right now AND in colorado), I HIGHLY recommend it. AMAZING amp.
 
Juggernaut":3g754k2r said:
Gsxrbusa":3g754k2r said:
ISP Theta 300w Head is hands down the best solid state amp I have played and owned. They are expensive as fuck! I bought mine used for $800 and was worth every penny. It has 2 built in ISP Decimators. Great tone. Really should have kept mine. It did not suffer the problem most SS amps have pushing mass amounts of air. I agree with Mailman in that aspect, my Madison gets burried at high volume compared to my tube amps but I still love gettin down on it.

I need to find another someday. A guy would be hard pressed to find a better SS amp than the ISP.

I would like to try a Warhead someday. Heard they had some issues but willing to try one.
Click to expand...

Interesting, Rottingcorpse said those were the worst amps he's tried.... I was always intrigued by them until I talked to him, if you get a chance to try an X2, (there's one on ebay right now AND in colorado), I HIGHLY recommend it. AMAZING amp.
Click to expand...


That is interesting. :confused: I can tell you that the combo version of the Theta was not very good. I sold that one pretty quick. The head version slayed. IDK maybe I got a good one or maybe he got a bad one. :dunno:

Cool on the X2 but I am saving for a large purchase right now. :doh: Thanks for the heads up!
 
Juggernaut":1dfw6fw5 said:
so, whats this "large purchase" you speak of? ;)
Click to expand...

I may take a crapload of shit for it but I want another Engl. I am getting an EL34 quipped SE. The Ultra Lead is on the chopping block. :aww:
 
oh man, tough choice... The UL is the one VHT I haven't had the pleasure to play yet, wasn't impressed with the CL, but LOVED my Deliverance and Sig:X....

I'm not a big ENGL fan, but I'd love to try out a Savage120. If for any other reason, I'm a Gary Holt fanboy. :D


sorry for the hi-jack, back to the SS love/hate. :D
 
OMG--is that a Crate GX130-C in that stack? The Crate GX130-C was my first stage half-stack and had some of the best chorus I have ever heard. The distortion was punishing (and yes, shrill at high volumes) but just great mic'ed at normal volumes, and the CHORUS---OMG!!! SO GOOD!

One of my favorite pieces of solid-state gear is the Marshall Valvestate 80/80 power amp. Has two modes: Linear/Valvestate. The Valvestate model emulates tubes. This is a great power amp to use in Linear mode with SS pieces (Rockman, e.g.), or tube preamps (JMP-1, MP-1, etc.). At one point I think I had three of them, now I'm down to two. Great for P.A. applications/home studio as well.

Cheers,
 
racerevlon":2r489r47 said:
OMG--is that a Crate GX130-C in that stack? The Crate GX130-C was my first stage half-stack and had some of the best chorus I have ever heard. The distortion was punishing (and yes, shrill at high volumes) but just great mic'ed at normal volumes, and the CHORUS---OMG!!! SO GOOD!
Click to expand...




that clip is the gx130c and yeah the chorus never comes off :thumbsup:
 
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