I know what you mean about tube gitfiddle amps. I used SS for a while and then bought my first tube amp when I started playing gigs 6 years ago--a Peavey 5150 combo. I still have that amp, but haven't used it much cause since we moved to TX. I usually use an old early 70's Fender Vibrochamp I picked up from an 80 year old man at church for $25. Best buy I ever made. Couldn't get him to part with his old Bandmaster head or Leslie speaker.