Solid state amp with Tube (valve) module

[RPJ]

In the late 80 or early 90s I worked with a guitarist who used a solid state amp which had a tube (valve) module to provide a bit of the live, slightly ringing sound us old folk like. I seem to remember the valve was visible from the front of the amp, but that may be an overactive imagination. Mesa Boogie assure me is is not one of theirs and I can't find it on Trace Elliot or Music Master. Anyone have any idea what it might have been? Thanks. RPJ

[martin manning]

In the late 80 or early 90s I worked with a guitarist who used a solid state amp which had a tube (valve) module to provide a bit of the live, slightly ringing sound us old folk like. I seem to remember the valve was visible from the front of the amp, but that may be an overactive imagination.

Marshall "Valvestate" was Introduced in 1991:

"The Valvestate technique was to put a single 12AX7 valve into the pre-amp section of the amplifier while retaining the solid-state technology in the rest of the amp. This in effect created a hybrid, valve-state amplifier that delivered traditional Marshall tone in a more robust format."

[teemuk]

It could be practically anything. There were hybrid amps long before the Valvestates even appeared. Probably not a Mesa though since, AFAIK, they never manufactured a -guitar- amp with solid-state output section.

[xtian]

Music Man

[RPJ]

Thanks y'all. Seems there were several brands doing this. I am fairly sure the one I was looking for is the Vox Valvetronix as the valve was visible from the front of the amp. Cheers. RPJ

[pdf64]

Alternatively, given the era, may be thinking of a rack fx unit, eg Digitech 2101. I think others used LEDs to make the valve seem to glow brighter.