Tube, Solid State, or Software? - Amp Blind Test Challenge!!

[@KilloughAndSons]

That was crazy. I've heard about the difference between these three, but this is the first time I've actually HEARD the difference. For all 3 tests I picked the tube as my favorite, the solid state as my second, and the modelling one I didn't like. What really amazed me was that I picked that same order for all 3 tests without knowing which was which. The blind test was really, really helpful. Thanks for doing this!

[@_ptkh]

Yeah, definitely most dynamic and delicate ones turned out to be tube

[@AaronBoothe]

Me too..I usually feel like I can’t tell, but I guessed all three correctly and the tube amp did sound best

[@Zalcens]

I chose the tube in the first 2 tests, solid state in the last one.

[@ChipLinck]

I felt the same way.

[@tonid1452]

Agree 👍

[@DarthCiliatus]

Same. I feel that for metal solid state can be just as good as tube amps due to the type of distortion used. For example Dimebag Darrel used solid state amps.

[@August140]

Same

[@simbalage22]

i had a tube amp when i was little. I was like 10 when my uncle gave it to me, he past away years later and I have not been able to aquire the same sound. I have DJ quality amps and setup at home and while I have grown to love the power of this, nuffin compares to the sound of a good powerful tube amp..

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

I ended up liking the solid state all the way through. Wow, that surprises me.

[@iankinzel]

Me too

[@mattpisani6933]

I didn't give much thought to the clean sound since it's not going to break up a tube amp. But I was really surprised when I liked the solid state sound on the dirty and dirtier samples the best. I've always played tubes and wondered about solid state. Getting tired of lugging around my heavy Boogie. Maybe it's time for a change - LOL.

[@zriley7995]

sounds more dynamic to me. what a surpriseXD

[@GAIUSJAKE]

When you think about it solid state is more efficient im any other machine, why would amps be any different.

[@ericlewis7481]

Solid State across the board!

[@BJMifsud]

I actually loved the clean tone of the solid state amp, and the software one was good too but IMO as the distortion went up the tube started to stand out more and more

[@HerrTimsn]

Neck Pickup Clean Amp 1: 1:13 Amp 2: 1:29 Amp 3: 1:43 Results: 2:01 Overdrive Amp 1: 2:10 Amp 2: 2:26 Amp 3: 2:39 Results: 2:54 Distortion Amp 1: 3:03 Amp 2: 3:16 Amp 3: 3:29 Results: 3:44 Above the times for quick navigation. Maybe you could put them in as annotations in the video? Very nice video! More Amp/Guitar/Soundstuff-comparison videos should be done this way.

[@dhruvpendharkar488]

Thanks bruh

[@mrsweetkandy7673]

Through phone i can't tap on the time stamps on the description so i prefer comments; Also thank you a lot you are my hero

[@adammartin8026]

Surprisingly loved the solid state amp

[@cesmcmyth]

me too. surprisingly and fortunately because ..... $$$$! I'm on the hunt for one so.... :-)

[@SergePupko]

Ces McMyth can't go wrong with a Boss Katana 100W. It's not the cheapest but I think it's far better than any tube amp in the same price range.

[@cesmcmyth]

Sergey Pupko thanks. yeah, it's in my list. top of it actually.

[@bryandowdall6851]

Sergey Pupko I'm thinking of getting a boss katanna 50. are they good?

[@Faigh_as]

Bryan Dowdall I own a 100 and it sounds great I'd say the 50 is plenty loud and I know it sounds great. Don't get any of the mustang gt's they don't sound great.

[@colroulette9337]

Tube -Tube - Solid state that was my vote. Thanks for the video !

[@Jlymansackhead]

Having played all three for many years, it was easy for me to pick out the richness of the tube amp each time. Harder to tell between the other two, because depending on which platform, equipment, or solid state amp, they can all be so different anyway. I would only use tube for performing and recording myself, but I like my small, solid state amp for convenience around the house when just jamming a bit.

[@Prreinke]

interesting demo. I preferred tube every time (and correctly ID'd it), followed by solid state, with software a distant third. Software sounded compressed and flat to me. But that's just my opinion based on playing

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Paul Reinke Nice! Good ear!

[@marioagostini8726]

Without knowing which modeling amp you picked up I must say the software one was the worst in every situation. My personal choice would be: solid state for clean and light crunch and tube for distortion. Curious to see if such a good solid state clean could take a good distortion stomp box achieving good distortion too.

[@toasted_heretic]

I was shocked to find I went for the solid state every time. Which amp was it?

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Mike Manera The gear used is listed in the video description :)

[@Nitsua_Atayha]

Same here

[@stevejee6377]

Three different sound colors, all usable. No better or worse. It's like green, blue or red.

[@YTOnceAgain]

And still I like yellow the most. ;-) (didn't wanna say "Orange")

[@elsecomojado1]

Steve Jee I concur

[@mattmcneil5750]

Orange is better

[@heinrichsmit2]

I always use VST but if you listening properly there's always something a delayed distortion

[@alessiome6845]

Software is knock out

[@aerosmithfanatik]

I think the Tube amp sounded best on the clean and overdrive, and the solid state amp was the best one for the heavy distortion.

[@mattyduncan4679]

I actually like the sound of solid state vs the rest of them. Guess I’m a heretic

[@johnhmaloney]

For the first two tests, tube and solid state sounded far better to me, though which of the two sounded better was different each time. For the third test, the solid state sounded best, but the tube sounded worst. For some reason, it just sounded like the sound was coming from a tiny, overloaded speaker Although, the software didn't sound much better.

[@peterhamel7542]

Agreed

[@sociald100]

I guess its what your ear prefers as what sounds worse. the solid state sounded cleaner but its but tubes amps have a more full sound and generally a significant more sustain. A lot of this depends on the tubes in your amp though. There are a lot of tube aficionados out there and there is a big market for higher quality tubes.. particularly old tubes from the 60s and 70s as well 'they don't make em like they used to'. A lot of people still pursue those amps from that era and its not because they are just old. pairing the right tubes to amps is a science unto itself.As for software its gotten so much better you can duplicate almost anything very closely with todays software.But it all comes down to the whole combination. its hard to get a good comparison in a brief video. But I love this guys vids as he does a good job with it.

[@johnhmaloney]

sociald100 It's definitely subjective and what you're accustomed to hearing is certainly a big factor as well. I'd be very surprised if much of the metal that I grew up on in the '80s was played through tube amps. Most bands from that era probably used solid state, so that's why the solid state amp sounded best to me with heavy distortion and the tube amp is just too different to what I'm used to hearing in that genre so it sounded the worst to me.

[@grove4mylife]

The first amp in third test was okay, but I consider it as bright distortion that pierce through my ears. I guess, every single of people have different preferences

[@sociald100]

Most of the hard rock/metal bands from the 80s that I listened to were using Marshall JCM800 series .. usually the 2210.. that came out in 1981. the scorpions used it, van halen used it , at least for recording.. and others.

[@akidcalledoutlaw7532]

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. They’ve been very educating and very insightful. They’ve helped me make decisions that I’m completely content with because I knew all the factors,risks, pros cons etc etc. keep up the great work!

[@blakegiroux167]

tube and solid state sounded the best. The software was good, but compared to the other two it lacked in every department.

[@medtherockstar820]

I was really surprised that my rankings were consistent across all three trials: 1. Tube 2. Solid-state 3. Software Software was a distant third each time and Tube was the best by a pretty good margin - this really surprised me. From now on, TUBE ALL THE WAY! This was a really good comparison👏

[@DaveKaplowitz]

The tube amp sounded so much better to me on all three tracks. So much warmer and fuller. There was no comparison to my ears. Great video confirmed what I already knew - I love my Marshall!

[@brittanyambrose1137]

I couldn't really tell the difference between software and solid state in the first two. They both sounded similar, but still reasonably good. Tubes sounded more warm and "full", but it didn't do very well when distorted.

[@davidepannone6021]

Got tubes on all three. Mistaken software with ss amps on ex 2 and 3. But tubes to me were clear to hear. Now, i dunno in a full mix, but when played in "stems" if you are accustomed on how tubes reacts to pick attack and that sort of stuff you easely can guess it.

[@TheArgus1000]

solid state sounded like line 6 spider... loved the video man :D

[@Monacomaverick]

The tube amp and software sounded surprisingly similar. The solid state amp was identifiable due to it's much flatter sound.

[@Mark-zi6nt]

Give it 10 more years and digital stuff will take over. We will be simulating tubes going bad / speakers breaking. It's already very accurate.

[@beslemeto]

@@Mark-zi6nt Solid state is already better!

[@clintondavis3363]

Thank you Darrell. I was a little surprised that I picked solid state each time. At home, I use a Fender Princeton and a Fender Mustang iii v.2., running both at the same time. I just take one out, ... usually the Mustang. Running both gives me a warmth from the tubes and some clarity and tweakable tones for songs. This helped confirm some thoughts in my mind.

[@georgedeblasio3636]

Can 100% tell the tube amp, for me anyway the clarity and overall tune of each test was an easy tube amp pick, cool video

[@simplygreg17ify]

I'm actually suprised, but I picked the solid state for better punch & times overall. I would of naturally thought the tube would win, but I listened to this using Monster headphones & the solid state was the clear winner for me.

[@RobCmusic]

The amp's response to the player while playing, something that cannot be heard by the listener is probably more of an issue than the sound. An audience at a gig won't really care what amp it is, but the player will! Also a good test to compare is how each amp type responds to a pedals like clean boost in front of it because that will really expose the strengths/weaknesses of the amp's natural overdrive characteristics. In that case a tube amp is normally superior. I now use solid state myself (Quilter Tone Block) after decades of tube amp use. initially because I needed something lightweight and low maintenance, but it doesn't feel like the compromise I was ready to accept. The Quilter, to me at least, feels like a tube amp in its response to both my playing and pedals and sounds hardly any different to what I've used for years previous. I sttill sound like me! Thanks for the demo.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+RobC Good points! Glad you enjoyed the comparison :)

[@JVMC_ZR1]

For the first and third riff I picked the tube, and for the second I picked the solid state. I was surprised that I liked the solid state amp for the crunch setting. I think if you get a tube combo amp just for the cleans, and have a decent analog pedalboard, you can have a great affordable package.

[@dariocarrasco7936]

for the distortion I was dead wrong I actually preferred solid state , the overdrive was obvious but the cleans got me mixed a bit overall great video loving the work!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks Dario :)

[@dariocarrasco7936]

would you say using a solid state amp like the orange cr120 or marshall hdfx work in a live situation?

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

I played on a solid-state amp for many years, no shame in that at all :)

[@dariocarrasco7936]

thanks! was looking into gigging and cant really afford tubes and tube maintenance have any recommendations for stuff like medium to large bars

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

It depends what style of music you play, but I have always had good luck with Fender SS amps. The amp used in this video is listed in the video description - I was impressed by how good it sounded :)

[@Take-the-Ticket]

I got them all correct. I definitely prefer tubes...but sometimes, lately, software tube emulations have been adding something I really like.

[@AndiKravljaca]

The first test was relatively easy for me. In the second, I got the tube amp, but flipped the software and solid state amps. In the third test, I couldn't tell the tube and solid state apart, but I immediately got the modeling software, because of this weird white noise region which always seems to plague these things. Overall, I'm very impressed with the test, and would like to hear more of these!

[@demodeiowa]

yeah i got them swapped on the second test n the rest all correct. the modeling has a very masked sound of an applied freq response.. you can always tell since there's hardly any life in it

[@FosterTheBullet1]

I could tell which one was tube in all 3 test. It was always 2 crap sounding tones and one that was nice and I just listened on my phone speaker! I’ve never owned a tube amp, but now I’m gonna have to invest in a good one

[@nancreations]

It just goes to show how it is better to have all the options. I hear more headroom in the tube always, but I like the sound of the solid-state better clean and with distortion. For gain, liked the tube better. I am not that convinced about the software. Really enjoy your vids!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Nan Rivera Thanks :)

[@memil32]

I work a lot with clean tones, slightly driven but nothing over the top. First test, I had no questions in mind on what I like best. It was the tube. However on the 2nd and 3rd I chose the SS. It just sounded better to my ears. Interesting! Thanks for the time you put in this video. It's a great example of how we have preconceived notions of what sounds best.

[@poltergeist.7]

Clean- Solid-State Overdrive- Solid-State Distortion- Tube

[@tycholorenzo]

I just love the warm sound the tube produces, it's such a pleasant sound to listen to that I think for almost every purpose I'd go for a tube instead of a solid state,

[@mdhj67]

They're all solid state because I'm listening through headphones on my computer.

[@kingkasma4660]

defently not u can still hear the difference

[@indrajithak47]

@King Kasma that difference is due to the recording equipment and KZbin's audio processing functions which are all digital in nature. To hear its true sound you would have to try it physically in the same room.

[@zuckeraffen7803]

Sound generation is not the same as sound reproduction. The way a tone is generated by tubes can be captured with solid state devices. Come on its not that hard to understand.

[@nothingintheclouds]

Zuckeraffen r/whoooossshh

[@zuckeraffen7803]

@@nothingintheclouds After looking up what that means I think you refer to not getting the sarcasm in the first place. May it be sarcasm ot not, the opinion of Morris Homewell is very common and one argues a lot on that topic so I thought it might help to state the difference.

[@golfhound]

for clean sound, all 3 sounded excellent. Amazing how all 3 sounded almost the same in test 2. test 3 distortion: I was pleasantly surprised. I thought #1 amp (solid state) sounded the best, #2 amp (solid state) came in second and the tube amp sounded terrible. Narrowing it down in the distortion test, I thought the SOLID STATE amp sounded the best. It had better/more high end. VERY GOOD TEST VIDEO DARRELL. TWO THUMBS UP!!!

[@EverydayStruggles]

Did anybody else get all of these wrong & feel like a total newb after watching this?

[@cassius969]

How are you supposed to get it right if you never heard that particular tube amp before. Its total guessing. Also with modelling you can do whatever, so you can actually get a sound that is "warmer" than that of the actual tube amp. Yes it will be not the same, but your ear does not hear those tiny differences, I doubt the speaker picks them up there is just no way. Assuming you get the setting right though and if you really want an ENGL sound but can't just find the right settings then there go your 2000 bucks.

[@andrewdrummer]

Feel a little concerned if you couldn't felt the difference between the tube amp vs. the rest, from heaven to earth difference!

[@HighlanderNorth1]

I got the first non distorted test right(as far as which one was the tube amp), because the 2nd and 3rd non distorted examples contained a lot of obvious reverb, whereas the tube amp did not. But I was wrong on the 2nd test involving overdrive, because they all seemed to have reverb. The 3rd test I picked the tube amp right again, but it was mainly because the other 2 examples sounded very similar, and the tube one was more raw and punchy(That's the best way I can describe it right now). But in reality, the whole reason I listened to this video, was because I wasn't 'clear' on the difference in sound between tube and solid state amps(couldn't care less about the software one). I have listened to musicians over the years say that tube amps sound better and more natural, but I wasn't sure what "better and more natural" actually means. Lol

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Waters Well of course. I can tell which species of hummingbird flew by, based on the harmonic frequency of each individual species' wing-beats, and the actual number of beats per second. Can't everyone do that? Lol

[@matenorth]

Im a drummer, dealing with amp sims all the time and i can tell which the tube amp is only in comparison to something else. Always the attack of the pick is present though a tube amp while digital and software usually sound muddy and less crispy. I cannot hear the difference between solid state and amp modelling though.

[@IrontMesdent]

On the clean, I liked the solid state amp the best for the vory bassy tones. On the slight overdrive, I instantly loved the tube amp. As for the distorted amp, I prefered solidstate too.

[@jagmaster89]

Surprisinly, the software makes a pretty good job. I liked it better than tube's distortion, at least the way you set them.

[@kristofkovacs1742]

Yeah I nailed the first two, and I was pretty surprised that at the distortions the best one was the software

[@mmhcreates]

Overall my ears preferred the solid state tone and tube amp marginally more than software. Not sure if this is down to youtube compression or EQ or perhaps neither and just my preference. Thanks for doing the comparison

[@Madmart54]

I’m a tube fan regarding Hi Fi. I felt this test to some degree is a matter of personal taste but for the most I preferred the clean tight sound of the Solid State. A Hi Fi stereo would be a different test with many instruments in the mix/dynamics/ and imaging etc to take into account. I was amazed though at the differences of the sound.

[@kylefafnis]

I really like the solid state sound. Everyone talks about the tubes sounding "fuller" and "warmer", but to me the solid state is by far the fullest and warmest. Especially in the clean test.

[@zehekofficial]

Well, I usually play with Software, the thing that i like is the control u got, but.. and is really a point to tube amps, every amp sounds unique, and just by moving the mic you get a different tone, recording is easier with software but the whole process is way more entertaining with tube amps

[@kfl611]

I could tell which ones were tube, but the ss and software I couldn't always tell. The last example, that sure was a pretty guitar, love the finish on the guitar.

[@zoso107]

I could spot the tube amp every time. Much warmer. Not better or worse. Just warmer. What surprised me is that the solid state sounded much harsher to my ears than the modeling. Great vid!

[@gatorgrass3]

The solid state amp was very easy to find the tube had just a tiny bit of a lighter sound, but I was amazed at how the modeling effects had the touch sensitivity and also the high harmonic tones that matched the tube amp it was hard to tell them apart just the effects was more mid toned but wow, I would have loved it if you would have done a clean low distortion comparison that would be the real test , tube like Roland amps really give you a lot of room to have very clean to heavy distortion on call your hand is the volume knob. Great video you’re the best man

[@starchild692]

I got everything right until distortion. It got me confused.

[@nelsonlacoste9397]

Reverb messed with the distortion of the tubes otherwise it was far better each time

[@davolthe1261]

I got all right, software one is a no brainer to guess, other ones was somewhat similar but still tube has that much more open sound but also speaker size can also determine how open sound it is, but yeah solid state has compressed sound no matter what amp it is while tube amp doesn't at all usually or very little and it let's more air out.

[@DirtyAncom]

No preferences for the first two tests, but I actually way preferred the sound of the solid state for high gain sound, way clearer than the other two with a delectable little touch of fluffiness on top, perfect! Though the three were ok and usable depending on what you wanna do with them

[@GHmasterlord342]

Test 1: tube amp Test 2: either solid state or software Test 3: solid state

[@ThisMoth]

This was me as well

[@MrQuickly]

Wow.... I would've never thought it but I thought the SS really sounded great... even better than the tubes in some tests. You could see how easy it is to allow our other senses to play a part in their decision making. thanks for the tests :D

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+MrQuickly Glad you enjoyed the comparison :)

[@phil36310]

Interesting test Darell ! To my ears: For clean sound amp 3 = solid state Light overdrive amp 2 = tube Distortion amp 1 = solid state Not a difficult choice to make since I prefer clean sounds - full - dynamic - rich - but clear. To hear the subtilities of the playing on the guitar - not just the sound out of the box / amp. As you perfectly demonstrated ! Thanks ---- ones more !!

[@jbennett8000]

Clean - tube Overdrive - tube Distortion - tube Didn't expect that! I must be oldschool

[@natesandback5816]

Bud your guitar and equipment channel is my favorite, your videos are awesome, thanks for all the hard work you put in for us!!!!

[@mooremarriott2841]

I found this video by complete accident and know nothing whatsoever about the technical side of music and have zero musical ability. I picked the tube amp 3 out 3 so there must be something in it

[@Chrisalchin]

I picked the solid state correct every time, but had trouble distinguishing between the tube and software amps. Solid states just have a spike in their sound, and a thinness that can never be eq'd out. I am surprised at how well the software did though.

[@basgerritsen9669]

I actually liked the solid state more, it just seemed more clean and neutral even on the high gain setting.

[@dg1234ify]

I also liked the distortion of #1 the best.

[@scottparker7918]

Darrell I have been looking fro a video like this. I think your channel is one of the best out there and I subscribed couple weeks ago. Even though I have owned a guitar forever, it's collected dust in the case at least, but now I am trying to have more patience with myself. I wish KZbin was around when I bought my first guitar. Anyway, I have a hard time discerning which was which in some aspects, even though I got the last two right. I know now that I don't think I would want the modeling. It almost felt digital. Even if I did get to the point if playing with others and at the most doing tavern/bar gigs, I personally don't think anyone at the bars could really tell the difference. Either because they are intoxicated or really just don't know or care. I feel like you have to have been a long time musician to hear the subtle differences. Thanks again Darrell

[@jasoncheshire6153]

Remember everyone- you’re hearing this on a phone or stereo and NOT live. Live is what makes all the difference. A tube amp will move air and will move you emotionally

[@skularatna8136]

I grow tired of these nonsense blind tests over KZbin. Most people listening on their phone are not in anyway shape or form going to be able to discern any difference. Even with good speakers wag they are hearing is compressed sound coming from KZbin.

[@yasyasmarangoz3577]

fisiks

[@prestonwoods8197]

Darrell, you should do this again. From what I'm hearing both solid state and software have made some progress. Order of preference was tube, solid state, modeling for all three. It wasn't even close. Saying this as a someone who without music background picked up a Squire two years ago. I don't I have a good ear, so this is saying something. I hear bigger difference when listening in person. Listened using a mediocre headphone (Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone). Saw every video since 2017. Really enjoy your channel.

[@playstorepj2788]

I cud easily spot the tube amp on all the 3 test's, thanks for the test bro...... tube's are always appealing. My ears crave for tube sound.....

[@andyglamrock]

I often confused valve with software but never with solid state which turned out to be my favorite across the board

[@divineangelplace]

All the way Solid State for me😉 I’m surprised by this test. My least favorite was the tube amp all 3 of the blind test. 😮 thank you for this comparison video. I was considering to buy a tube amp but now changed my mind totally. 🙏🏼😂

[@RijuChatterjee]

You should definitely also try actually playing through different amps. Tube tends to have a better _feel_ (micro dynamics).

[@Bmorgan1220]

Solid state sounds the best clean software on the 2nd and the tube sounded the best on the overdrive. I have a solid state amp and it pays pretty well but it's making me think about getting a different one. The software did way better than I expected.

[@skularatna8136]

How does a blind test work in KZbin when sound is compressed ??

[@pietro6227]

Regardless of compression these sound wildly different

[@Skinny_Karlos]

After the first test, the SS sound (heavy and full, surprisingly to me anyway) was the easiest to pick again in the following two. Interestingly I had trouble with the Valve/Tube amps and the software each time. Oh well, we live and learn. I'll be having a look/play of the Fender Deluxe 90 (Thanks Brandon lol), I really liked that sound and until this I was a dogmatic Valve/Tubeophile, SSophobe. I should remember my own motto of keeping one's mind OPEN. Thanks for the lesson.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+Epi Phone I'm glad you found the video helpful 😀👍

[@thomasmachado686]

Solid state everytime!

[@WingWong]

Hmm... listened with the intent of figuring out “which of the three sounded best to me”. In the first one, I found I liked the tube amp better. The sound was cleaner and stronger. Though not necessarily “brighter”. In the second, I found I preferred the solid state more. The over driven bits sounded better with silicon’s faster response processing. In the third, I found I didn’t care for any of them. Guess I’m not into distortion. :) It’s just that the software seems to emphasize some freq bands and not others, giving it a very choppy feel. The silicon did a good job overall, and the tube kinda blurred some of the high freq distortion. Just my 2 cents. Seems like for each role, there is the right tool or the right compromises that one can make.

[@brianjigins]

I´ve seen a lot of videos and discussions about solid-state vs tubes vs software, I used all of them depending the situation, but tube are, for me, the greatest, is not about the resulting sound that you can achieve, it´s about the feel, the dynamic range, when you push the amp off limits and when you play hard or soft, I think that feeling in your fingers trough the amp is what makes tubes so great.

[@dinitroacetylen]

I watched this with one question in mind: will I be able to distinguish a tube amp? In all cases, I was never too sure, and only had a vague hunch. Which turned out correct in all three cases! Still, it is curious to see that semiconductor circuits and software are getting good enough that you have to pay attention to detect the difference from real tubes.

[@Ashton351]

Wow, first video where I could really hear the difference. Plus found myself liking tube the best.

[@sajinahmed6553]

first round winner software 2nd software 3rd solid state what software did u use?

[@Kels364]

Strange enough, I've been trying to get my head around solid state or tube amp. To my surprise, according to the blind tests, I came to love the tube amp sound waayyyy more than the solid state. Tube amp sounds more natural and more towards what I'm actually looking for or longing to. Really satisfying to my ears, all the way!

[@SCFick318]

I feel like all 3 work if they fit the scenario. Having generic, vacuum situations doesn’t really sway me one way or the other. I just kept on thinking “well, if the song works better with this tone, then it’s superior here”

[@gottastayfocused]

So easy to know The Tubes outshines them both! Thanks for the video.

[@mikeferguson4816]

They all sound fine. After the 1st test, I nailed the rest because the tube amp had the least low end and the solid state had the most. But it's a good reaffirmation that guitar amp sounds (from "real" to amp sims or impulse responses) are increasingly indistinguishable...you could have EQ'd each track to try to match EQ to make it more difficult, and I'd bet that most folks would be hard pressed to say that one is significantly "better" than another. I currently have a hybrid, Two Notes tube pre with a Two Notes Torpedo C.A.B. sim. I'm confident that any new modeler would sound just as good. ...what I can't stand is replacing or mixing in drum samples that kill the human feel of drums. Though I'm sure someone could program great drum samples to fool me... But too often it's just consistent, robotic drums...

[@mjthrillergn]

I singled out the TUBE every single time. I just listened for the sound that sounded most lifelike and concert like. I always picked the tube!

[@arthurwatts1680]

I dont play a guitar nor do I have any particular interest in guitar amps, but this was great - much better than most of the 'audiophile' attempts at comparing tube and solid-state gear, even allowing for YT compression and my playback chain. Thanks for the video.

[@SunnySharma-jr8ri]

I felt tube amp is separating each strings well and give a wide sound stage, though it was very easy to find out which one is tube amp in the vide. 😊 thanks for the video

[@christophercloudstrider5877]

Hmm. I picked the tube amp every time. I am surprised as I have liked modeling amps more and more over the last several years. Cool test, thanks for your work.

[@countblue]

The modelling software had me everytime. No wonder, I use a british mosfet amp on totally clean with a digitech RP 350 in front of it.

[@mountainman8775]

Man I love these comparisons. The tube amp sounded like my Vox vt40x each time...it‘s a digital amp with a tube in it

[@kingwillbisthebest]

Kind of proves they all have their place! Thanks for the video legend👍

[@grantswift]

I could always identify the tube amp. I love that sound, and something about it is embedded in my cultural DNA (it probably helped that some amp noise was audible through the microphone, haha). But, when it came to solid state vs the S-gear software, I shocked myself. I consistently preferred the software, and was genuinely surprised every time. The solid state sounded so tinny and flat compared to both the Tube and the S-gear. I might have to explore the S-gear for my live setup...

[@chrispatrick414]

Definitely thought I wouldn't get any of these right but damn near got all of em! Haha very cool video!

[@Spacedraptor]

I picked out the tube Everytime, my ear got confused between software & solid state. Great idea for a video. 👍

[@honesttyourself3523]

Thanks for making informative videos about guitars. I've been learning a lot from your comparison videos. You're a godsend for a self-learner like me

[@zoidelux]

Props for putting in one of my favorite mayer songs!!, I remember that took me a while to get down that riff

[@michaelray5023]

Dimebag Darrell used a Solid State amp up until DAMAGEPLAN.

[@Engylizium]

For the clean, software sounding was much better than others, but i ended up with mind blow because all my answers was wrong. But Overdrive and Distortion was too easy to differentiate because software is crap like it's always was and Tube is much warmer, cleaner than Solid State. Thank you for video!

[@DarrellW_UK]

Having used tube amps for around 50 years I didn’t find it difficult to pick them out, they to me have a ‘fuller’ sound. Great comparison though - just out of interest, I now use a Blackstar BEAM and love it - it’s great for my Uke bass!

[@f1amezof]

I’m using solid state amps for around 70 years and I found their sound more warm and full.

[@stratosphere835]

Hi and thanx for another super Video! Well I'm surprised...Sometimes the Tube sounds better and sometimes the Solid State...i Like both :-) Software sounds....dead...after 25 Years Guitar Playing I play only Marshall Solid State..sold all my Tube Amps.

[@markfuller6464]

Got it first time round. Tube is so easy to spot, too easy almost. I own both SS and Tubes amps so maybe my ear is trained well. SS and modelling are getting better for sure, but for me it’s still night and day.. Tube always wins, it’s that organic tone that you cannot ignore. That said, tubes can be grumpy and don’t always hold their consistency, so all three have their merits.

[@CE-22]

Yeah, i said; tube, solid, solid. But then you pranked me with the 2nd one that is was software haha i didn't know there was a third option

[@faustorodriguez4136]

test :1 tube amp: every string is so a appreciable. The 6th string it is so appreciable, and distinguishable from others.. the others amps sound so fuzzy. test 2: tube amp test 3: solid state amp.

[@akutan_no_ubercat]

For me round 1: Tube round 2: solid state round 3: Tube However software can give me favorable price and save my home space. Therefore I'd like to try software.

[@daveryan2407]

I'm a big fan of tube amps and was surprised to prefer solid state in every test.

[@matthewvaden3909]

This is very informative. I chose tube for the first two and was torn on the final one. Tubes sounded the warmest and most vibrant. Solid-state sounded pretty sharp and well rounded. Software, while not bad, sounded pretty even.

[@otoasatiani9820]

On the clean and overdrived tones I think solid state was much better then others, but on distortion I felt like Tube was way better than others

[@musixmylyfe]

That was awesome! I pride myself in being an engineer and pretty good guitar player and I don't care what anyone says, I couldn't tell one from the other at all. I could tell that they all had different timbres but My favorite one changed from test to test. I think its really all about just finding the sound that you like rather than sticking with gear that is said to sound "superior" to the rest. I'm looking at you tube amp! :) Awesome video as always and I'll see ya next monday! Cheers! -Aaron

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

+musixmylyfe Great point! See you then!