So I've always been a bit of a die-hard SS amp proponent. An HH, Peavey and latterly, Carlsbro fan. I never ever wanted a valve amp, based on an afternoon I spent with a Marshall JCM 800 many years ago.
However, I now find myself in possession of not one, but two valve amps, namely an old Selmer T'n'B 50R SV and a Laney Cub 15 head. And I think I have been seduced over to the glowing glass bottles side.
I won a Laney VC30 off Ebay, (which I was unable to buy as the seller failed to verify his paypal account - I suspect he didn't want to let the amp go for what I have to say was a pretty low amount), an amp I fancied for some time due to their supposed similarity to an AC30. In hindsight I am relieved as I don't relish lifting one in and out of the boot of my car. So I sought a replacement.
Now, I've had the Selmer for a couple of years after finding it abandoned in a store cupboard at work (I know!), but had never used it having had no cab and never having bothered my arse to get one! So I finally decided to utilise a couple of bust 2x12 combos I had lying around and have de-amped them and bingo! A cab for the Selmer! And there it was- a sense of depth and dynamic to the sound that I had always thought was just something that valve-fans talked about to knock SS amps!
So, still having my VC30 money burning a hole in my Paypal pockets, I sought a small valve amp for home use and recording, and ended up with the Cub 15 head and matching 2x12 cab. I'm wondering about it's viability for smaller gigs too as it is just so light!
I've been through all my guitars and without exception they all sound better than they do through my SS amps. All that guff about 'detail'. 'definition', 'character' etc etc.I have been left rubbing my chin wondering why I never tried earlier. Definitely a 'DUH!' feeling. I
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I now quite often play in stereo - one SS amp and a small valve combo.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Is it that obvious?!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein