harmonics vs. partials

[jolly roger]

>         If not, the distorted third harmonic of an xsistor, being the 
>musical fifth, falls nicely into most of the simple chords that loud 
>players use, so their preference for tube amps would remain unexplained.
>************************************
>Ron Newman
Hi Ron,
            Commercial tube amps exhibit, a much higher signal to noise
ratio. Plus there is usually some 60Hz Carrier caused by the heater's.
Heat in the circuitry also pushed capacitor's close to practical working
limits, in those days. With the much higher currents involved, radiation
and pick up was also a big concern. The Germanium transistor was an
improvement, but generally quite noisy.  The advent of silicon saw a big
improvement.   At this time, many big improvements in power supply design
also happened.
Noise and 60Hz combined to alter the tone quality.  The sound of the old
Hammond B3 Organ is still unique. In an electronic sense. It was one of the
dirtyest sounds ever created.  Never the less, Ebb Tide does not sound the
same on any thing else.
No clear answer, just some thoughts.
Roger