Actually, some jazz guitarist have used tube monoblocks for guitar. Yes, I realize they have different purposes. My question is if there should be no difference between tube or solid state, I wish someone would make a solid state amp that sounds great for electric guitar.
These guitarists probably play their amps really loud near the softclipping point.
Guitar amps are purpose made for instruments and are designed to 'colour' the sound and to add richness (the amp sound).
Hifi amps have a totally different goal.
Some SET tube amps also have a different goal to change sound.
This thread isn't about guitar/instrument amps.
As mentioned so many times... tube amps can sound different from SS. Certainly near/at clipping points. It is no myth and certain designs do sound different (on purpose).
A well designed hi-fi tube amp that is driven below its limits probably can not be distinguished in a blind, level matched comparison with a SS amp that also is used below clipping point.
So 'tube sound' depends on the circuit used more so than magic properties tubes are supposed to have.
You can design as good as equal performing amps with SS and tube technology.
One can also design an amp that sounds different on purpose.
Musical instrument amps are not designed with 'hifi rules' as they are designed to differ and add 'house sound'.
Often this house sound is not so tube dependent but more determined by the circuits/components around it.