Solid State – Solid state amps use transistors instead of tubes and are more consistent across the board as a result, meaning that any 2 of the same amp should sound the same. The main differences between solid state amps and tube amps are that solid state amps are much more reliable, much less expensive per watt, and generate less heat, which is important as heat is the enemy of all electronics. Most good quality solid state amps have clean, overdrive, and distorted channels built in.

Modeling Amps - Modeling amps are typically solid state amps designed to emulate the sound of a tube amp. That means that they are designed to sound something like a tube amp, but not identical!

Tube Amps – Preferred by professionals. Most notably, the right tube amps can be driven so that they produce a natural warm overdrive sound that is favored by many guitarists. Tube amps tend to respond better to the subtle nuances of guitar playing and tube amps are described by most as having a rich warm sound that allows more harmonics to be heard. That being said, tube amps are much more expensive per watt and require regular maintenance that can also be expensive. Maintenance will depend on how often you use the amp and how you take care of it. Tube amps tend to be a bit varied across the board as their components have different characteristics from amp to amp. Lastly, most tube amps tend to be one-sided as they are usually good for clean and overdrive, or distortion, with the exception of amps like Mesa Boogie.

I personally own at least one of each type and can say from experience they all serve a purpose. I mainly use a tube amp (Fender Twin) for most gigs I play, however I'll switch to a small solid state amp sometimes for really small gigs since it's easier to control my volume that way. Lastly, I use my modelling amp (POD xt Pro) for practice and recording ideas as it's quick to dial in sounds and it goes direct into my interface. I've occasionally used it on wedding gigs when playing staright through a P.A. made more sense; usually in a case like this I'd be playing solo jazz or some light duo stuff.