Distortion: tube vs. Semiconductor - Transformer saturation

[Travis]

I read somewhere that:

Tubes generate odd order harmonic distortion. Semiconductors although produce mostly even order distortion.

Actually i think i have that backwards- Tubes generate EVEN ORDER.

You can read more about it here:
http://www.emusician-digital.com/emusician/sample/?pg=68
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distortion

So why are so many distrortion pedals semicondutor? :roll:

I use Amplitube alot because it is easier to turn on my laptop and not have to worry about wear on my amp or leaving my amp on for a few hours while just practicing. And it sounds fairly decent and is fun to experiment with, i have found it to be a good substitute to hardware modelers.

On that note, how close can software come to emulating tube type harmonic distortion, if it is actually semicondutors that make the distortion? Not really that close to my Mesa but it does the job.

Also, how important is transformer saturation for optimal tone? and will the transformer become saturated only with master volume?

 

[Murphy Slaw]

Whew.

Man, you are not gonna wear out your amp using it a few hours here and there.

There are (many) days a month when my (2000) Blue Angel is ON more hours in a 24 hour day than it is OFF. Many days.

I've got a 1971 Fender Champ that just got a cap job that has the original tubes in it, because they tested good and sound great.

I believe the only way to perfect your tone is to do it with the gear you perform with. You are not gonna wear out an amp. Unless..........

It's a Chinese built Peavey. In which case I'd only turn it on, play a few minutes, then let it rest.

Best of luck.

Murph.

 

[Travis]

I'm not exactly a pro. But i'm getting better, my tone is pretty good though. I have a fender champ also, that is in mint condition...play that less than my LSS...trying to preserve it. :wink: