Tube Amps

Joe H.

Welcome to Guitar Noise and thanks for the excellent explanation.

The compression vs. clipping is something you can hear. It is the difference. I've always thought SS amps sound harsh or "jagged", where tube amps sound warmer and "round". Tubes amps have a smoother type overdrive or distortion. It is far more pleasant to the ear IMHO.

And even playing clean I think tube amps just sound more alive and warmer.

But truth is, I have heard some solid-state amps that sounded fantastic. I have been fooled by a few and thought they were tube amps.