2 Questions: Tube Amps and Where to find Trem parts

[captaintaco]

Hi. I've had a solid state Crate practice Amp for the last 15 years. It has served me well and continues to serve me well. I don't play out or anything so I don't need much. Then I built a Tele at my friend's house. He has a tube amp (I don't remember the make). When that guitar was finished, I plugged it into his tube amp and was blown away by the sound of this Tele. Now maybe it was because it was the first guitar I ever built, but when I got home and plugged it into my Crate amp, it sounded like a completely different guitar. Ever since then, I've been kind of wishing I had a tube amp. Sometimes I go to the music store and plug into one of their tube amps. Major difference in tone between tube amps and solid state amps. Now I've built 3 more guitars and am starting to think that I need a tube amp.

So my question is: What kind of price range am I looking at for a good tube amp? Can anyone recommend any names? It doesn't have to fill a concert hall, it just has to sound creamy and good and crunchy too.

Also, does anyone know where I can score a black baseplate for Strat Plus Trem?

Thanks.

[jaytee]

im not sure if they have what you need...but it seemed to me allparts.com was the goto people on parts....
also try
stewmac.com they have lotsa cool stuff...

--jt



not sure but...is this what you mean?

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=60950634&action=SERVE&ITEM=catalog/p.html&A=%2BNAME_LINK%3DStrat_Style_Spring_Cavity_Covers

[ESP_Viper]

Well good brands to look into are Mesa/Boogie, Marshall, Crate, and Fender. A tube amp can range from 200 bucks (used or a cheap, small new one) to many thousands of dollars for a custom marshall or boogie. 20 to 50 watts is enough for playing small shows, having band practice, bedroom playing, etc. A 1x12" combo or a bigger combo will probably be the most practical.

The mesa/boogie Nomad combos are very nice. I have heard rumours that they aren't building anything that costs less than a thousand bucks, but used ones can be found for much less.

Marshall has lots of tube amp combos, they are going to be over 500 bucks new, possibly less used.

Crate has some pretty sweet tube amps, like the vintage series and the blue voodoo series. I'm not sure about the price, but crate is generally less than other brands of the same size.

Fender is probably most guitarist's choice for smooth, bluesy tube amp tone. They were pretty much the original in everything with guitars and amps. They will be over 500 bucks as well and obviously less used.

Tube amps are going to be fairly expensive new, and not cheap used. If you want another alternative try the Line 6 amps and see what you think. I know they have a new model amp, I haven't had the chance to play one. The specs and features sound like it's a pretty sweet amp. Line 6s are solid state, but they are software amps. Meaning they aren't like traditional solid state amps. They litterally emulate the wave form of the tube amp it is modeling. Hence giving it a more convincing and pure tone. I have the line 6 POD and I love it.

I would say plug into an amp and see if you like the sound. The only thing that matters is what it sounds like to you. If it makes you happy, well then it's perfect for you :).

Fender parts should be available at most fender dealers. I know the sam ash near me carries them. Musicans friend might also carry the part(s) you need.

Good luck.