Are digital modelers killing tube amps?

[Bg]

No

is the wrong answer, fingers on buzzers....

[Bg]

Not entirely on topic but this got me looking at my valve and SS rigs again to see what I thought of the tones (this time round.. )

Valve: Jansen 4-12. NOS Mullard EL84s into Celestion Blue
SS: ZT lunchbox powering THD 2x12.

Short answer: Valve wins hands down for character. I mostly pick with bare fingers and the Jansen offers way more tonal variation and expressiveness. ZT sounds 'generic'.
But:
Grab a Strat and channel Nile Rogers rhythm style and the SS comes into its own. More snap and presence. Way easier to get a toe tapping groove going.

I look forward to the day modelling can give me clean/ light OD tones with all the expressive variation of a good valve amp. Functionally, valves are a PITA and I won't always have my current ability to crank an amp without getting it confiscated.

to be fair, its only recent that you got a touchphone, you can't give modelling a fair whack without at least a little bit of tweaking.

[sizzlingbadger]

Should a really authentic modeler replicate the function of the standby switch even though we know its not really required ?

[Bg]

Should a really authentic modeler replicate the function of the standby switch even though we know its not really required ?

Yep, after 100 presses of the standby, it should blow the mains fuse and a couple of resistors - and delete every preset and every copy of a preset on your PC.

[olegmcnoleg]

Harsh, but fair. I know which technology I'd rather be trying to fix after a fault, that's for sure...

[Conway]

Harsh, but fair. I know which technology I'd rather be trying to fix after a fault, that's for sure...

That's one of the main reasons why I've gone back to valve amps.

[jeremyb]

Apart from turning it off and on again what are you really gonna do without a tech?

[Bg]

Harsh, but fair. I know which technology I'd rather be trying to fix after a fault, that's for sure...

That's one of the main reasons why I've gone back to valve amps.

did clarry tell you where to go?

[Conway]

There are several options for valve amp repair locally. A lot easier than having to send a Kemper back to Germany to be fixed.

[Conway]

I suppose one of those Line 6 things they'd just say throw it away and buy a new one.

[philly]

Once you get past the rhetoric of trolls and zealots the only problem that remains with modellers is that they are normally setup to produce the sound of a miced up amp in another room.

exactly. in a nutshell.

[Lawrence]

Once you get past the rhetoric of trolls and zealots the only problem that remains with modellers is that they are normally setup to produce the sound of a miced up amp in another room.

exactly. in a nutshell.

yup.
Thanks

[Reg18]

found this comparison interesting

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=agSeFo-QrB0

[TmcB]

Apart from turning it off and on again what are you really gonna do without a tech?

Learn how to do it yourself?

I think that with good safety routines and healthy respect of the voltages in there, there's nothing stopping anyone from doing it themselves.
I might be an odd case who is dumb enough to try these things though.


Three Rules:

- Discharge caps and measure it. If can't remember if you discharged the caps, discharge the caps and measure it.
- Don't leave it plugged in the wall
- One hand in your back pocket at all times.

[Olderama]

Apart from turning it off and on again what are you really gonna do without a tech?

Learn how to do it yourself?

I think that with good safety routines and healthy respect of the voltages in there, there's nothing stopping anyone from doing it themselves.
I might be an odd case who is dumb enough to try these things though.


Three Rules:

- Discharge caps and measure it. If can't remember if you discharged the caps, discharge the caps and measure it.
- Don't leave it plugged in the wall
- One hand in your back pocket at all times.

Or best choice give it to a tech