So what do should I expect when switching to tube amp?
Any good tube amps suggestions that can be bought locally?
I like Warm Round sounding amps
Hmm, what to expect...
As someone who owns a tube amp, and a solid state amp, both of comparable power and volume capabilities, here are some of my observations:
1. A tube amp will almost always "receive" your pedals "better" than solid state amps - in other words, more pedal-friendly, due to the softer treble and natural tendency of the circuit to compress "misbehaving" frequencies
2. A tube amp will 99.9% of the time sound louder than a solid state one, despite similar wattage ratings. Even a 30 watt Ibanez TS tube head was capable of drowning out my Marshall MG100 amp, despite the latter's volume controls being set to 10.
3. You will feel more satisfied with the sound of the tube amp. It's an experience that's hard to describe in words, but whether you plug your guitar in directly without pedals, or with a full pedalboard of effects, you can count on a loud tube amplifier to "embrace" you with a sound that makes you want to keep playing.
4. You will have to know the numbers and names of people who can service your amp, in case it's time to change out the tubes. I personally trust Mang Raul Quesada for repairs and technical stuff, but I have successfully added some bias points to my amp so I can change out the tubes myself if ever the need arises.
Good luck bro. You are taking part in a decades-long tradition of playing through the original definitions (definers?) of great electric guitar tone. I'm sure you'll like it a lot.