Guitar Gear Forum

Guitarbilly wrote: ↑Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:13 pm Yeah I think tube amps have been a niche item for a long time. Even back when I started playing in the 80s, SA amps like Peavey Bandits, Crates outsold tube amps by a lot.

And yeah man, prices are still crazy for a lot of used gear. And supply is low too. Taking the Laney GH for example, I remember when they were 500 and easy to find in the used market. Now they're like 800-1000 and hard to come across even at those prices. Which probably means people that own them are not letting them go.

I also agree that tube amps are geared towards gigging musicians. If I was retired from gigging I'd be more than fine using some kind of SS or digital device for home playing.

Guitarbilly wrote: ↑Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:35 pm I'd want an 100w.
But don't sell that amp. There's not a lot you can get for 750 that would be better or even as good

DFGrueban wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:24 pm
True, but that is just the gigging musicians which is not the entirety of musicians. Producers, bed room guitar heros, and people that play more than one instrument are moving to other forms of tone generation. Even people that own tube amps have tubeless travel rigs since they are less cumbersome to travel. I see tube amps as slowly becoming a more luxury item. Remember 10 years ago when 5150's, laney's and a majority of mesa boogies were under a grand in good shape? I just saw a laney GL50 for 1200 dollars in music go round. Since 2020 having a good amp and a decent backup is a lot more cost prohibitive.

I don't see guitar amps going away completely, but I do see them as becoming more of a niche item. Sort of like analog synthesizers in the synth world. Which I think is great because there are a tone of different options, and if you want one sound and for it to be loud and you have the space for it great! If you need more then there are options for that as well. Besides the good ol days when a jcm800 was under a grand I think we are in a great place as far is tone is considered. Tons of options for every budget and need. No more having to buy a plexi and a attenuator to play hack EVH riffs at whisper quiet levels like a majority of middle aged guys. Unless that is something someone enjoys and wants to spend their money doing that then no judgement from me.

screamingdaisy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:10 am

DFGrueban wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:24 pm
True, but that is just the gigging musicians which is not the entirety of musicians. Producers, bed room guitar heros, and people that play more than one instrument are moving to other forms of tone generation. Even people that own tube amps have tubeless travel rigs since they are less cumbersome to travel. I see tube amps as slowly becoming a more luxury item. Remember 10 years ago when 5150's, laney's and a majority of mesa boogies were under a grand in good shape? I just saw a laney GL50 for 1200 dollars in music go round. Since 2020 having a good amp and a decent backup is a lot more cost prohibitive.

I don't see guitar amps going away completely, but I do see them as becoming more of a niche item. Sort of like analog synthesizers in the synth world. Which I think is great because there are a tone of different options, and if you want one sound and for it to be loud and you have the space for it great! If you need more then there are options for that as well. Besides the good ol days when a jcm800 was under a grand I think we are in a great place as far is tone is considered. Tons of options for every budget and need. No more having to buy a plexi and a attenuator to play hack EVH riffs at whisper quiet levels like a majority of middle aged guys. Unless that is something someone enjoys and wants to spend their money doing that then no judgement from me.

If anything, it's easier to find tube amps now than it was 20-30 years ago. I don't think they're dying off, I do think manufacturers are being smart and updating their products for the modern consumer. 20 years ago anything under 100w was a stripped down budget model and sub-30 watts was a glorified practice amp. Now I can get full featured top of the line heads in that power range.

What digital has succeed at is killing off the old solid state amps. Lower end amps is where they seem to have made most of their headway, by the time you get into the good modelling it's cheaper to buy a tube amp and cab.