Where does the sound of an amp come from ?

IMHO, Amp tone comes from the entire chain. Hands to speaker and all in between.

Quote from V8guitar

Its really interesting isn't, because both leave loads of questions:

1) Jim's vid he used a looper to take out variability. That in itself makes sense but also takes out any interaction

2) Jim never tried different tubes (if I remember) - I can imagine a worn tube will sound different to a new one. In other words, the tubes themselves must have a reasonably significant affect on the sound as when old or failing we can definitely hear it. I do wonder whether the switchable part of the amps are really mimicing changes in bias. Therefore I'm not surprised when AOT actually changed the valves that they sound different. They didn't answer why just that it did.

3) Jim's video didn't answer - why do the same amp, particularly vintage ones, sound different anyway. Same circuit, same tubes but still do sound different, some sweeter than others...I can guess but...

I go back to what I said. I don't think anyone is saying it has no impact...the debate is how big...I think it's the law of diminishing returns. For some people it will mean everything (Eric Johnson springs to mind) to others it's how you feel - which can be why one day you think your amp sounds amazing and the following day duff.

The only thing that changed is how you felt...

Curious!

I still think there are little gremlins in each amp, messing around with some parameters to just screw us over...it's how I explain I don't sound like Van Halen...

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Same amps from the same series sound different. with the same cab/speakers..

Same guitars from the same series sound different..with same woods and same hardware..

So where does the sound come from;

Steel,wire,wood,speakers..room..rust,dirt,attrition,cables,heat,cold,malfunctions,tubes,humidity,batteries,voltage...fingers,ears,muscles,daily condition,taste,smell,drugs,booze,adrenaline and a lots of testosterone if you're a young lad..bad karma good karma.. positive vibes,negative vibes.. jing & Jang.. I could go on for ever..

So where does the sound come from;;;

The answer is very simple:

Τά πάντα ρεΐ.. or as you would say: No man ever steps in the same river twice..for it's not the same river and he's not the same man..

If we accept that we will play more and tweak & talk less.