U2start.com | U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Me too. I'd rather stick with my cheap transistor guitar and get another beautiful six-string machine, than "wasting" (I know it's not the right verb, because a good amp is neccesary, etc.) my money in an expensive amp. I know I'm wrong in this, but that's how I feel.

thechicken

14 years

Originally posted by EyesWithPrideB3:Do tube amps sound "better" or just "different"?

Better is always subjective, but I would say that 99% of the great distortion tones you hear are from valve amps. That being said, you can get away with a decent external unit that emulates the "valve sound".

RattleandHum1988

14 years

Let's just say this.

Edge uses AC30's-tube amps
John Mayer uses his Two Rock amps-tube amps
SRV used his dumble-tube amp
Hendrix used the old Marshall JCM-tube amps (I think, I don't know Hendrix's gear too well)

Nuff said.

RattleandHum1988

14 years

Sweet, just scored myself an older Deluxe Memory Man off of the bay. The mini-rig quest has begun! Next on the list:

Boss SD-1
Maxon CP101
Behringer Reverb Machine (still thinking about this one, essentially it's a cheaper altertanative to the line 6 verbzilla, and apparently it's one of the better behringer pedals)

LikeASong

14 years

I was slightly drunk when I finished my final exams today evening, and it seems I've bought a 12-strings accoustic guitar. I don't remember doing it properly, although I had played this same guitar in a shop near the university so it might be the reason. If I'm not right it was 180€ but the seller offered me for 150€ + a few accesories... Finally I've recounted and only 135€ have left my wallet so EPIC WIN for me. I think I will get drunk more often hahahahaha

RattleandHum1988

14 years

Good stuff man. I love twelve strings. It's like an automatic reverb/chorus on a regular acoustic 6 string. I love them. Takes a bit of practise to get used to them, but once you do it's FULLY worth it.

thechicken

14 years

That's great. 12 strings sound so full. You actually do the job of two.

NLOTH_Victor

14 years

Can anyone help me finish?

Every Breaking Wave Tabs

Verse: A C#m E Bm or B?
Pre Chorus: A Bm (?) F#m
A Bm F#m F#m
Chorus: Bm Em D A
Bridge: ????

Every breaking wave on the shore tells the next one there’ll be one more
Every gambler knows that to lose is what you’re really there for
Somewhere else I was fearlessness, now I’m speaking to an answer phone
Every silent leaf on the breeze winter wouldn’t leave it alone

Hey hey now
Hey hey now

I don’t know if I’m that strong
I don’t know if I’m that strong
I don’t know if I’m that strong
To be somebody and to love someone

Every sailor knows that the sea is a friend made enemy
Every shipwrecked soul knows what it is to live without intimacy
I thought I heard the master’s voice but it’s hard to listen while you preach
Like every broken wave on the shore this world’s as far as I can reach

Hey hey now
Hey hey now

I don’t know if I’m that strong
I don’t know if I’m that strong
I don’t know if I’m that strong
Got to be somebody to love someone

The waves know we’re on the rocks
Where drowning is no sin
And you know that my heart is
The same place yours has been
We know the fear of winning
Should we end before we begin

Oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh

LikeASong

14 years

I had a try at EBW the other day but any of the chords I was playing sounded really right. I will have another attempt this evening or whenever, I'll let you know.

anstratdubh1979

14 years

Originally posted by EyesWithPrideB3:Do tube amps sound "better" or just "different"?

Better. Warmer. Fuller tone. Richer tone.

Transister / Solid-State can be a bit sterile sounding. They can be good for Metal sort of stuff. But on the whole... not so much.

I'd much rather play my AC15 (tubes) vs. my Pathfinder (solid-state). Pathfinder is great for what it is... a small - portable - practice amp... but the tone of teh AC15 is miles better.

Sometimes (most times) it's worth waiting and saving for something 'better' instead of just taking the economy way and buying the solid state amp now, so you can have it NOW. Keep that in mind.

anstratdubh1979

14 years

Cool show of how you can layer with the loop function of the M13.

And yes, Mick from Unforgettable Fire is AMAZING. And he's got TONS of gear! But I've seen clips of him playing NYD piano part on an iPAD! And U2 tunes on a Ukelele - with effects - and sound Edge-worthy. Amazing.

Blues Jr. is a fine amp indeed. Rachel and I bought one for her hubby (Chas) for his birthday. Chas being the guitar player in Joshua Tree [Los Angeles based u2 tribute].

I work as his tech. We bought the rarer Limited Edition Emerald Blues Jr. Use? We are using it primarly as Edge used his Blues Jr., for shimmer... and it sounds amazing.

This idea that a tube amp is sooooooooo expensive is bullshit. Blues Jr. is affordable. You might have to save and wait 'a bit' but if one is working, one can get a Blues Jr. in a short period of time. They are in the $500-$600 range depending on the exact Blues Jr. (There are a few minor variations).

Same can be said for the Vox AC15CC. $500-600 range. Then one could have a decent amp. Save a bit more and add Celestion Blues later.

All of that seems to be better than buying an amp that is cheaper and one can afford NOW... that ultimiately you will not love and will want to get rid of. Buyers remorse is not a fun nor cheap thing.

Patience is not only a virtue but can assure you get the best bang for your money and better tone.

T'is my two cents on the matter

Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]

Haha, go for it. Big amps are best (get it?) when it's the right amp. I'd never get rid of my AC30 Not in a million years. It's basically my dream amp, and I have it! Saved up for a long time for it. Although it's a bit unnecessary, meaning that I don't play to huge audiences and normally I don't play it louder than a quarter way up (the master volume knob that is) but the tone is freakin' great nonetheless. Never heard anything better.

My suggestion, look into tube amps. My blues JR is small, light. but it's loud as hell and has a wicked tone. Mick has a bunch of clips with that amp as well if you want to check it out.

For example: [YouTube Video]

These amps work in other situations other than U2 as well My band plays mostly classic rock kind of stuff, and it sounds phenom. for that. It breaks up really nicely (well yeah, it's a tube amp!) and the natural overdrive on it when turned up is great. They're discontinued (I believe...) but you can find em' on ebay for around 300-400 bucks.

Tube amps are more expensive so it all depends on your budget. Solid State amps are GREAT as well! The lunchbox is solid state and has a wicked tone (apparently, I'll post clips when I get it). My suggestion, bring your gear to a music store and try it on different amps.

Alex