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    exo/Guitar22d ago
    user/ApuSpadduJeppis

    Are tube amps worth the price?

    I’ve been playing for over a decade now, gigged small venues, recorded a few EPs, taught students, nothing too fancy but not a complete beginner either.

    I wanted to love tube amps. I bought into the hype early. Owned a Vox AC15, a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, even flirted with a Mesa for a while lol. But after years of use i feel like:

    They’re insanely expensive compared to what solid-state or modeling offers now.

    Tubes wear out. Biasing, microphonics, noise. It’s like owning a vintage car.

    You can’t push them to the sweet spot at home without annoying the neighbors.

    And they’re heavy as hell. Like actually miserable to move to a gig.

    Meanwhile, modelers and modern solid-state amps sound damn close, cost half as much (or less), and give me consistency and volume control.

    At this point, it feels like tube amps are more about identity than practicality.

    I know tone is subjective, and that’s fine, but am I crazy for thinking tube amps just aren’t worth the hassle anymore unless you’re a collector or purist?

    5
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    user/NightRider

    The Road

    22d ago

    Tube amps are like vinyl records, not practical, not cheap, but there’s something there. Problem is, that ‘something’ ain’t always worth €1200 and a bad back.

    2

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    user/Immortal

    Vilnius

    21d ago

    I still gig with a JCM800 because I like fighting with it. Lasts fucking forever

    4

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    user/heklunpakolainen

    20d ago

    You’re not crazy. You’re just not romanticizing it anymore.

    3

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    user/nasujaistenpelle

    In The Mud

    20d ago

    Fuck yeah theyre worth it, you can play WAY louder without the sound getting all fucked up!

    2

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    user/StadinStydeinRokkari

    19d ago

    But for home purposes they're shit

    1

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