Class A vs. AB?

[Radioboy950]

Without getting too technical...
Are there any noticable sonic differences between "Class A" and "AB" ?
Is there a general preference for one or the other?

[Tig]

I can point you to an article that generally sums up the differences...
http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/techtips/d--01/12/2005
(http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/techtips/d--01/12/2005)
And a brief yet to the point description from Soldano...
http://www.soldano.com/Soldano_Guitar_Amplifiers_Help/Soldano%20Guitar%20Amp%20Help-Class%20A%20vs.%20Class%20AB.htm

[deeaa]

Great links Tig...especially the Soldano summary is exceptionally understandable.

[MAXIFUNK]

NOW I know why FENDER amps are so LOUD!!!

[gregsguitars]

Class "A" is a fast " amp, very responsive and breaks up as well as gets dirtier faster, Think Marshall or Vox. Class A-B is typical Fender think clean and lots of headroom.

[kiteman]

Do I see a conflict between the two links?

One says class A is louder than AB and the other says the class AB is louder than A.

[Tig]

Do I see a conflict between the two links?

One says class A is louder than AB and the other says the class AB is louder than A.

To me at least, my 5 watt class A EVJ is louder than the 15 watt AB's I've owned or played.

[Eric]

Yeah, from what I've read the consensus generally seems to be that class A will be much louder than a comparable class AB. However, if you're planning on building a louder amp with more tubes, there's a good chance it will be class AB. I think.

Maybe I'm confusing single-ended and push-pull...

[kiteman]

To me at least, my 5 watt class A EVJ is louder than the 15 watt AB's I've owned or played.

I can agree to that. My Kustom Defender 5H head is class A and that's one loud sucker.