Please help--class A or class AB amp??

wyomingrocks · 08-08-2007, 04:59 AM

Hi group, I am looking to buy my first tube amp. I researched it down to one amp and ordered. It is a class A, 30 watt with 2x12's. It really sounds great to my ears, I like bad company, nugent, older rock music, like to play "some" country/rock. Like most music just don't get into the really heavy metal.

I was snooping around today and saw the same brand amp at another dealer but it was a class AB, 50 watt with 2x12's. It normally cost two hundred dollars more than the class A amp I ordered, but I can get it for the same price.

My question is what is the tone difference between a class A and class AB, will one suit my style of music better than the other.

I live about a hunderd miles from a dealer so going in and hearing the difference is really out the question for now.

Thanks for you help, the amp is getting close to shipping if I get some quick feedback I can change my order.

Thanks again

Enzo · 08-08-2007, 09:50 AM

What if I asked you to describe the difference in flavor between Buffalo and Beef? Without me tasting it in person.

WHy not tell us the brand and models of amp, and we might be better able to answer.

bob p · 08-08-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enzo

What if I asked you to describe the difference in flavor between Buffalo and Beef? Without me tasting it in person.

not that this will help much, but I've always thought that the "tastes like chicken" expression wasn't very helpful either.

Steve Conner · 08-08-2007, 12:24 PM

If someone gave you beef and told you it was buffalo, would you notice?

Have you heard either amp before? Is a 200 mile drive really too much if you care about tone?

bob p · 08-08-2007, 03:08 PM

200 mile round trip in Wyoming:
10 mpg in a pickup truck = 20 gallons
gas at $3 gallon = $60.

oh, if it were possible to just ride the tube!

hasserl · 08-08-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob p

200 mile round trip:
10 mpg in a pickup truck = 20 gallons
gas at $3 gallon = $60.
oh, if it were possible to just ride the tube!

You need a more fuel efficient vehicle!

bob p · 08-08-2007, 03:14 PM

no doubt. but in wyoming lots of people NEED trucks, and owning multiple vehicles doesn't work for everyone.

wyomingrocks · 08-08-2007, 05:02 PM

I didn't bring it up but they are both crate amps, I know they are historically not really popular and didn't want the grief associated by mentioning that. I really like the tone of the V32 2X12, and think I will stay with that. But didn't know if I was missing out on something by not going with the class AB, I thougt maybe a class A was only half of an AB amp sound wise not biasing the tube wise. And anything achieved in a class A amp could also be achieved in a class AB amp.

Thanks for your responses

Earl · 08-09-2007, 01:49 AM

Crate - I'm 52 now (( yikes )) and Crate has been around since I was a teenager. If they were truely "crap", I doubt they'd still be selling amps.

Buffalo - not bad, but a little dry for my taste.

Sound - MPO is that "rock" tone is more or less Class AB to my ears (( giant Marshalls, etc )). However, there's so many other factors involved, aside from Class of operation...If you dig the tone of what you have, then it's a cool thing.

Satamax · 08-09-2007, 02:27 AM

Withe a diesel land cruiser, on teh road, i'm doing 19.7 mpg and i can tell you one thing real calss A amps are quite rare!

Steve Conner · 08-09-2007, 11:37 AM

Seriously, I doubt it will really make that much of a difference between the Class-A and the Class-AB. The Class-A will probably be a hot cathode biased amp while the AB is fixed bias. So I expect the A will sound somewhat smoother and bluesier when you crank it up. The AB would probably have a bit more attack and bite.

Enzo · 08-10-2007, 01:18 AM

Frankly I think the class of operation should be down your list of things further. it is a lot more subtle than something like "half an amp."

08-08-2007, 04:59 AM	#1
wyomingrocks Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 53	Please help--class A or class AB amp?? Hi group, I am looking to buy my first tube amp. I researched it down to one amp and ordered. It is a class A, 30 watt with 2x12's. It really sounds great to my ears, I like bad company, nugent, older rock music, like to play "some" country/rock. Like most music just don't get into the really heavy metal. I was snooping around today and saw the same brand amp at another dealer but it was a class AB, 50 watt with 2x12's. It normally cost two hundred dollars more than the class A amp I ordered, but I can get it for the same price. My question is what is the tone difference between a class A and class AB, will one suit my style of music better than the other. I live about a hunderd miles from a dealer so going in and hearing the difference is really out the question for now. Thanks for you help, the amp is getting close to shipping if I get some quick feedback I can change my order. Thanks again

08-08-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
Steve Conner Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 3,005	If someone gave you beef and told you it was buffalo, would you notice? Have you heard either amp before? Is a 200 mile drive really too much if you care about tone? __________________ "Ohhhh miracle bulb shines feebly"

08-08-2007, 03:08 PM	#5
bob p Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: What's left of NW Indiana Posts: 1,072	200 mile round trip in Wyoming: 10 mpg in a pickup truck = 20 gallons gas at $3 gallon = $60. oh, if it were possible to just ride the tube! __________________ "I know nothing." - Schultz, Hogan's Heroes

08-08-2007, 03:14 PM	#7
bob p Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: What's left of NW Indiana Posts: 1,072	no doubt. but in wyoming lots of people NEED trucks, and owning multiple vehicles doesn't work for everyone. __________________ "I know nothing." - Schultz, Hogan's Heroes

08-08-2007, 05:02 PM	#8
wyomingrocks Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 53	palomino v32 vs v50 I didn't bring it up but they are both crate amps, I know they are historically not really popular and didn't want the grief associated by mentioning that. I really like the tone of the V32 2X12, and think I will stay with that. But didn't know if I was missing out on something by not going with the class AB, I thougt maybe a class A was only half of an AB amp sound wise not biasing the tube wise. And anything achieved in a class A amp could also be achieved in a class AB amp. Thanks for your responses

08-08-2007, 09:50 AM	#2
Enzo Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA Posts: 10,366	What if I asked you to describe the difference in flavor between Buffalo and Beef? Without me tasting it in person. WHy not tell us the brand and models of amp, and we might be better able to answer.

08-09-2007, 01:49 AM	#9
Earl Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 100	Crate - I'm 52 now (( yikes )) and Crate has been around since I was a teenager. If they were truely "crap", I doubt they'd still be selling amps. Buffalo - not bad, but a little dry for my taste. Sound - MPO is that "rock" tone is more or less Class AB to my ears (( giant Marshalls, etc )). However, there's so many other factors involved, aside from Class of operation...If you dig the tone of what you have, then it's a cool thing.

08-09-2007, 02:27 AM	#10
Satamax Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern french alps, right by the Italian border Posts: 752	Withe a diesel land cruiser, on teh road, i'm doing 19.7 mpg and i can tell you one thing real calss A amps are quite rare!

08-09-2007, 11:37 AM	#11
Steve Conner Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 3,005	Seriously, I doubt it will really make that much of a difference between the Class-A and the Class-AB. The Class-A will probably be a hot cathode biased amp while the AB is fixed bias. So I expect the A will sound somewhat smoother and bluesier when you crank it up. The AB would probably have a bit more attack and bite. __________________ "Ohhhh miracle bulb shines feebly" Last edited by Steve Conner; 08-09-2007 at 11:44 AM.

08-10-2007, 01:18 AM	#12
Enzo Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA Posts: 10,366	Frankly I think the class of operation should be down your list of things further. it is a lot more subtle than something like "half an amp."

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