The SIB Belief in Guitar Amps (and other things)

[Sam Joxer]

I have had a belief in guitar tone that started about 2 years ago. Its pretty simple and it goes by SIB, meaning,

S imple

I s

B etter

and I figured one of the best places to discuss this would be a recording forum. Now, my take has always been not to ignore new technology, such as an increased gain, or something like a ring mod(which a lot of guitarists don't really understand, heck most dont understand how their effects work). But extraneous effects(such as preset EQ for rock, pop, jazz, etc.), I will avoid. Even if someone highly regards an amp, if they have silly switches, just there to trick guitarists into buying it, I almost wont buy. For a while, I refused to even look at amps with built in effects(though Ive changed my mind in this regard).

This is not to say I dont like amps, or effects, or guitars with options and tools, but its that I prefer an EQ over something that simply gives me pre-set EQs, or a dedicated distortion section as oposed to a modeling chip that handles 50 different preset tones.

I think this belief has a good history. You have Frank Zappa using a Pignose 7-100(a 70 buck amp nowadays) in the recording studio, and plugged into a a cabinet live for part of his career. Marshall's original amps are prized for their tone, and the circuit is very simple. My favorite amp, an 80's fender Champ, as an amp has stories of horrific use during hardcore punk shows. I was even told a story where at the end of the show it was flung into the audience.

It lasted the entire tour.

How many other people have this belief or leaning? That if given a row of amps, they will pick the one that they understand, rather than the one with an analog modeling circuit, or a super duper gain unit(that the guy selling you it, tells you souds sooooo W A R M).

[Strangedogs]

I have 6 amps right now - 3 Tube (2 are Vintage 60's) and 3 SS (including an old ROLAND 60-watt) but my main practice amp is a lowly (paid $92 for it used on Ebay) V3 Valve Junior Combo. Amazing lil' Sucker and great tone with my Korg Toneworks (using JUST EFFECTS as Reverb, Delay, Chorus, etc.). Crank it up and it's GREAT SOUND for $92!

[harkowitz]

ill second the valve jr. i have the v3 head version, its my main amp at the moment.

[Blindfinger]

How many other people have this belief or leaning? That if given a row of amps, they will pick the one that they understand, rather than the one with an analog modeling circuit, or a super duper gain unit(that the guy selling you it, tells you souds sooooo W A R M).

I am with you. I have gone full circle. Been through the multi effects amp, multi effects pedals, digital this digital that. The analog sound is solid, smooth, **** and nasty when needed. The digital sound has came a long way, but cant capture the true ****th of the vintage analog sound.