Solid state or tube for testing?

I use my iPhone to play some tunes into the circuit, then into an ehx headphone amp, to verify that all knobs do something. Then I take it to the Tube amp(s) to noodle and twiddle knobs, to verify the all knobs are doing what they're suppose to do. I box it up later. And usually do three or four enclosures at a time. I currently have 7?!? circuits waiting for enclosures.
 
i stopped using my valve amps to test pedals when half of them didn’t work the first time… still mentally damaged from all my errors, so i just use this quick lightweight solution
7811DC27-3488-44FC-B744-47544802C962.jpeg
(all running on the same 9v supply - doesn’t appear to have ever caused an issue, incl. high gain & LFO builds)
 
Yeah it depends on what kind of testing you're talking about. I just plug 'em into my regular rig, which isn't very complicated. It's just a 1x12 tube combo usually with a tuner, delay and reverb inline. Most of the pedals I build are dirt pedals so I test them how I would use them. If it doesn't work then it normally doesn't take long to work out why. It's usually something idiotic like forgetting to install the ICs or a resistor.
 
I use whatever I’m using. Test rig is my rig rig. My two amps are a modded Blues Jr and an Acoustic Control Corp 134, which I use with a foundation pedal of some sort. Some pedals sound best through one amp, and shit through the other, and vice-versa…
I’ve had my eye on an Acoustic Control Corp 134 at a local shop for a while now. Really cool amp … just don’t think my neighbours would appreciate it. My wife would probably kill me.

I sometimes use a OBNE headphone amp for initial “is this thing on?” testing.

Might sound controversial, but I prefer Orange amps and test pedals with either a Rocker 15 Terror (tube) or my trusty old Terror Stamp (12ax7 pre, SS power).
 
I put in the post about microwave ovens being tube (klystron) amps, not that I have any proof or anything but wiki does https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klystron lol.... But I forgot about Neon lights, they're also vacuum tubes that operate at high voltage.

I use my self built Hiwatt DR504 which is a VERY clean amp extremely low distortion, often refereed to as a 'pedal amp' as opposed to Marshalls or Fenders which operate with natural compression and distortion. David Gilmour uses one, as well as many other amps, but the Hiwatt is his main amp.

I use a 4x12 cab with 2x G12H and 2x G12M Celestions and a 4x10 cab with 4x Jensen C10Q's. Uber awesome tone that goes right through walls like they weren't even there :cool:

1677906452908.png
 
I’ve got a fender super champ x2 I currently use since my kid stole my little Marshall solid state for his e drums. I’d prefer the solid state as waiting for tube warm up annoys me.
 
I’ve got a fender super champ x2 I currently use since my kid stole my little Marshall solid state for his e drums. I’d prefer the solid state as waiting for tube warm up annoys me.
I flip on the power, but leave standby off while I get the guitar out and hook up the cable, the tubes are always ready before I am!
 
I flip on the power, but leave standby off while I get the guitar out and hook up the cable, the tubes are always ready before I am!
I got no standby. Often times I’ll flip it on and pull the cable slightly out til I’m ready, but I don’t always remember. I suppose I could use my little valve jr which has the modded standby by but then I’d have to move my cab etc. I have every intention of building a little amp at some point. Just not sure when I’ll get to some point lol.
 
I put in the post about microwave ovens being tube (klystron) amps, not that I have any proof or anything but wiki does https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klystron lol.... But I forgot about Neon lights, they're also vacuum tubes that operate at high voltage.

I use my self built Hiwatt DR504 which is a VERY clean amp extremely low distortion, often refereed to as a 'pedal amp' as opposed to Marshalls or Fenders which operate with natural compression and distortion. David Gilmour uses one, as well as many other amps, but the Hiwatt is his main amp.

I use a 4x12 cab with 2x G12H and 2x G12M Celestions and a 4x10 cab with 4x Jensen C10Q's. Uber awesome tone that goes right through walls like they weren't even there :cool:

View attachment 43275
I’ve been seriously considering a Hiwatt to add to the collection,cause Gulmour.
 
I guess I’ll follow up. I use my Scarlett 2i2 for proof of sound, then I use a Blackstar HT40 (for heavy RAWK pedals), a reissue blues deluxe and a tweed blues jr. I have a Vox ac12n that I’ve turned on maybe once. My bass head is a Hartke 350 Head, but I haven’t powered it on since I quit gigging years ago.
 
I guess I’ll follow up. I use my Scarlett 2i2 for proof of sound, then I use a Blackstar HT40 (for heavy RAWK pedals), a reissue blues deluxe and a tweed blues jr. I have a Vox ac12n that I’ve turned on maybe once. My bass head is a Hartke 350 Head, but I haven’t powered it on since I quit gigging years ago.
For Bass I have the Harke KB15 kickback, I rarely use it either.
 
I forgot about my bass amp: an early 2000’s Fender Rumble 100. This was before they made the Rumble series actually look like Fender’s. Mine is covered in itchy black carpet, and has an orange light on the bottom that pulses with the speaker…
 
For Bass I have the Harke KB15 kickback, I rarely use it either.
The cabs are 4x10 and 1x15. The apt building I live in will shake. Nobody needs that. It’s a great head, though. I never cared for the Hartke combos, the never sounded the same, to me anyway.
 
I forgot about my bass amp: an early 2000’s Fender Rumble 100. This was before they made the Rumble series actually look like Fender’s. Mine is covered in itchy black carpet, and has an orange light on the bottom that pulses with the speaker…
I think I have a little Rumble 25 around here somewhere with that same covering!
 
The cabs are 4x10 and 1x15. The apt building I live in will shake. Nobody needs that. It’s a great head, though. I never cared for the Hartke combos, the never sounded the same, to me anyway.
I'm not enough of a Bass player to know the difference, it does ok for my needs.
 
Back
Top