Re: OT: Tube vs. DSP Amps, Mid Range Vs. Boutique, etc

[stanitarium@earthlink.net]

didnt read ALL the verbiage but i think you are praising the sound of a 
tube amp...compared to anything else.
welcome to the club
s


>I apologize in advance, as this is off topic, but I needed to resolve 
>this here. Once again, I contradict my past observations and comments 
>based on new experiences. 
>
>Point #1: A few weeks ago I had bought the Fender FM65 DSP amp, because 
>it has really good effect combinations and it was reasonably good at 
>emulating a variety of tube amps.  I played it at a few gigs, was alright 
>with it (not blown away), but then out of curiosity decided to buy the 
>well respected (by amp purists, based on my research) and highly 
>applauded Fender Pro Junior 1X10" all tube amp. This is one of the most 
>basic, pure tube amps on the market. It is small, light, and simple.  I 
>used it for a jazz gig last night and was almost giddy because of the 
>tone....unbelievable...warm, smooth, spongy, milky, highlighted those 
>sweet spots of jazz tone, all that stuff. Of course, the amp has only a 
>tone and volume knob...nothing else! So I ran my Boss VF1 into it for 
>reverb and delay....it sounded wonderful, just out of this world. Hence, 
>I wasn't able to maintain my do-it-all-with-one-amp goal, but the 
>tradeoff was worth it. This little amp is a amazing. I would recommend it 
>for any style of music, looping or not. I'm still in awe. 
>
>Point #2: I slept on it for several week, and I'm buying the Schertle 
>"David" acoustic guitar amp. Yes, it's a boutique amp and high priced, 
>but it delivered an amazing sound out of such a small package...plus, I 
>will run my VF1 into it for effects. Hence, I put my Crate Gunnison up 
>for sale tonight on eBay.
>
>Basically, I've given up on finding a DSP amp that will delivery both a 
>good tube amp simulation, plus good effects and combinations. Perhaps it 
>is possible or even highly probable to get one or another in one DSP amp 
>or another, but I couldn't seem to find both based on my tests and needs. 
>My ultimate decision is to focus on just a good amp with great tone, and 
>then worry about the effects later...meaning get them with my VF1.  It is 
>a reasonable tradeoff until sometime in the future when they start 
>building rack amount effect quality effects into boutique guitar 
>amps...that will be the day, eh?  I still think they can make a DSP amp 
>that emulates a tube amp to the "T", but I don't think they've done it 
>yet. Perhaps the R&D is too costly to make the investment worth it...but 
>I have to believe that someone could design and manufacture a botique DSP 
>amp that had both great tube emulation and pro quality digital effects. 
>
>Kris
>
>