Another tube recommendation thread?
- Thread starter Kam
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ACH91332
New member
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Svets and SED EL34s are recommended a lot because they do sound very good and have the best reliability. Marshall uses SED EL34s. But anyways whoever said JJs are dark is correct but I'd put it as "darker" than most EL34s. Its not overly dark and nasty which was just my experience. I also had a set of JJ EL34s where they failed after barely using them, a set of E34Ls where one tube shorted out weeks after having the new quartet, then my KT77s ran out on me after about a year. I will say that I did used to play my amp almost 5 hours everyday on average so maybe a year makes sense? But still I wasn't very satisfied.
Honestly I'd shell out the cash and get some SED EL34s. They are the EL34 sound with great reliability. The SED EL34s that came stock with my JVM 4 years ago still sound totally awesome. After my JJs failed all the time I'd put them back in there and theyd sound great in comparison. EL34s just ended up not being my thing. They sound awesome but I dont like the compressed mids ALL EL34s have. I know the SEDs are expensive off the bat but if you get JJs you will probably spend more money maintaining those tubes than if you just bought a solid reliable set.
Svets and SED EL34s are recommended a lot because they do sound very good and have the best reliability. Marshall uses SED EL34s. But anyways whoever said JJs are dark is correct but I'd put it as "darker" than most EL34s. Its not overly dark and nasty which was just my experience. I also had a set of JJ EL34s where they failed after barely using them, a set of E34Ls where one tube shorted out weeks after having the new quartet, then my KT77s ran out on me after about a year. I will say that I did used to play my amp almost 5 hours everyday on average so maybe a year makes sense? But still I wasn't very satisfied.
Honestly I'd shell out the cash and get some SED EL34s. They are the EL34 sound with great reliability. The SED EL34s that came stock with my JVM 4 years ago still sound totally awesome. After my JJs failed all the time I'd put them back in there and theyd sound great in comparison. EL34s just ended up not being my thing. They sound awesome but I dont like the compressed mids ALL EL34s have. I know the SEDs are expensive off the bat but if you get JJs you will probably spend more money maintaining those tubes than if you just bought a solid reliable set.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Glassman,
what would you say of this glass set up for a six knobber AOR,
V1 = JJ12AX7, V2,V3,V4 = JJ Gold pin, hi gain ECC83s, JJ KT77s ?
Thanks.
Glassman,
what would you say of this glass set up for a six knobber AOR,
V1 = JJ12AX7, V2,V3,V4 = JJ Gold pin, hi gain ECC83s, JJ KT77s ?
Thanks.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I'd say it's worth a shot! What works for me or the next guy may or may not work for you...and vise versa.
How an amp responds to different tubes has a lot to do with: your playing style, your guitar, your string gauge, the effects you use, the number of effects in the chain, the cables you use...the list goes on. In essence, nobody can decide if that combination will work for you, except you. All I can really provide (which is essentially useless information) is to confirm that you can safely use those tubes in that amp.
I'd say it's worth a shot! What works for me or the next guy may or may not work for you...and vise versa.
How an amp responds to different tubes has a lot to do with: your playing style, your guitar, your string gauge, the effects you use, the number of effects in the chain, the cables you use...the list goes on. In essence, nobody can decide if that combination will work for you, except you. All I can really provide (which is essentially useless information) is to confirm that you can safely use those tubes in that amp.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Fair enough, over all if you had the time to spent with them how would describe JJ KT77s vs JJ EL34Ls?
Fair enough, over all if you had the time to spent with them how would describe JJ KT77s vs JJ EL34Ls?
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I have zero experience with the JJ KT77 so I really can't add anything useful.
I'm not much help these days am I?
I have zero experience with the JJ KT77 so I really can't add anything useful.
I'm not much help these days am I?
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
What cab are you using for your AOR?
How do you think an X of Emi's Swamp Thangs with V30 will go in AOR?
Do you have any experience with RFT glass in your AOR ?
I dont give up easily:
What cab are you using for your AOR?
How do you think an X of Emi's Swamp Thangs with V30 will go in AOR?
Do you have any experience with RFT glass in your AOR ?
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I have a really old and beat up Ampeg 4x12 loaded with greenbacks...highs are articulate, mids are punchy and the bass thumps pretty hard. It's a bit smaller in internal volume than a typical Marshall cab.
I actually think that would be a good mix.
Mines an 8 knobber and I have done a lot of mods to it so I doubt there would be any comparison. Back when it was stock, I tried some NOS glass in it (preamp only) and really didn't gel with it; modern tubes seem to have more edge to them and that's kinda what I use this amp for. This amp doesn't do "polite" very well...it's very much a school yard bully.
I have a really old and beat up Ampeg 4x12 loaded with greenbacks...highs are articulate, mids are punchy and the bass thumps pretty hard. It's a bit smaller in internal volume than a typical Marshall cab.
I actually think that would be a good mix.
Mines an 8 knobber and I have done a lot of mods to it so I doubt there would be any comparison. Back when it was stock, I tried some NOS glass in it (preamp only) and really didn't gel with it; modern tubes seem to have more edge to them and that's kinda what I use this amp for. This amp doesn't do "polite" very well...it's very much a school yard bully.
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Here are some good reviews:
http://thetubestore.com/accessories.html
Here are some good reviews:
http://thetubestore.com/accessories.html
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I just modded mine, V1 A+B activated, 4 stages. Now it sounds like darker (think Iommi 70s) cross between hot rodded JMP and 2203 800, Lovit it!!!, I agree its definitely a rough boy, its everything between Accept's Balls to the Walls and Motorhead's Killed by death. The more i think about the more I think that I cant get any better than EL24LS, its just the pre-amp glass I wanna experiment with ...
I just modded mine, V1 A+B activated, 4 stages. Now it sounds like darker (think Iommi 70s) cross between hot rodded JMP and 2203 800, Lovit it!!!, I agree its definitely a rough boy, its everything between Accept's Balls to the Walls and Motorhead's Killed by death. The more i think about the more I think that I cant get any better than EL24LS, its just the pre-amp glass I wanna experiment with ...
IanBallard
New member
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I'm considering selling my yet unused EH EL34's for a pair of 6CA7's. Now that JJ and EH offer replicas of the legendary Phillips versions, I'm sold! They are like a cross between a 6L6 and an EL34 with all the good of both and none of the bad. Tighter bass, better cleans and better response than a typical EL34 and more midrange presence than a typical 6L6.
As far as preamp, I think running a higher-gain, yet linear tube like a Tung-Sol in V1 with slightly milder, equally linear tubes like Mullards would give you a smoother gain range, depending on the structure of your tone stack. At least, that's the route I think I'll take.
I'm considering selling my yet unused EH EL34's for a pair of 6CA7's. Now that JJ and EH offer replicas of the legendary Phillips versions, I'm sold! They are like a cross between a 6L6 and an EL34 with all the good of both and none of the bad. Tighter bass, better cleans and better response than a typical EL34 and more midrange presence than a typical 6L6.
As far as preamp, I think running a higher-gain, yet linear tube like a Tung-Sol in V1 with slightly milder, equally linear tubes like Mullards would give you a smoother gain range, depending on the structure of your tone stack. At least, that's the route I think I'll take.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I checked mine yesterday just out of curiosity to see what was in the preamp. I keep it at the shop...no internet service there. I'm running a (no longer produced) Ruby Silver Special 12AX7 (nickel plated plates with a raunchy midrange character) in V1 and V2, V3 and V4 all have JJ 12AX7's in them.
Mine has 6L6 power tubes in it and I have added a switchable rectifier with beefed up filtering on the SS one and significantly reduced filtering on the tube one (5U4) so it's not exactly a good baseline for tube decisions on a stock amp.
I checked mine yesterday just out of curiosity to see what was in the preamp. I keep it at the shop...no internet service there. I'm running a (no longer produced) Ruby Silver Special 12AX7 (nickel plated plates with a raunchy midrange character) in V1 and V2, V3 and V4 all have JJ 12AX7's in them.
Mine has 6L6 power tubes in it and I have added a switchable rectifier with beefed up filtering on the SS one and significantly reduced filtering on the tube one (5U4) so it's not exactly a good baseline for tube decisions on a stock amp.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Thanks.
So let me get this right, you have to rectifiers? one tube and one stock SS? How does the tube rec sound? and what exactly is the rectifier filtering ?
Thanks.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Yes, with a switch where V7 would be in a 100w amp and a tube socket where V8 would be. Laney used the same chassis for both so there were blanks where the tubes would have been. I added a separate 5v supply to power the rectifier filament.
Filtering is 150uF on the SS rectifier and 33uF on the tube rectifier.
The tube rectifier has less bass impact and more compression at volume...more of a vintage tone overall. It works best with the low gain input and I really don't use it much in high gain though it does add some warmth at lower master settings.
I built this amp up as a loaner...just in case.
Yes, with a switch where V7 would be in a 100w amp and a tube socket where V8 would be. Laney used the same chassis for both so there were blanks where the tubes would have been. I added a separate 5v supply to power the rectifier filament.
Filtering is 150uF on the SS rectifier and 33uF on the tube rectifier.
The tube rectifier has less bass impact and more compression at volume...more of a vintage tone overall. It works best with the low gain input and I really don't use it much in high gain though it does add some warmth at lower master settings.
I built this amp up as a loaner...just in case.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Thanks again.
Hmmm, I thought its the 6L6s and tube rectifiers that make the bass in Mesas and Fenders tighter and more precise than in Marshalls ..... and from what I understand classic British voicing has SS rectifiers ala Marshalls, or am I getting this wrong ? What brand is your rectifier tube ?
Thanks again.
Davidandrew
New member
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
I know i might catch **** for this but I kind of like groove tubes which is odd cause I thought i hated them for a long time but they have a nice vintage sound too me. I had used JJ's for a long time love them too also had Ruby's I didnt really care for them though.
I know i might catch **** for this but I kind of like groove tubes which is odd cause I thought i hated them for a long time but they have a nice vintage sound too me. I had used JJ's for a long time love them too also had Ruby's I didnt really care for them though.
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone so far...even if Ihaven't understood half of it.
You've all been a tonne of help and this thread has been an interesting read. :beerchug:
That's a really good link. Thanks man, that was a lot of help.
As far as I know, the tubes in there at the minute are Rubys. Decent enough to my ears but they're on their way out and I can't really compare them to anything else so I dunno. Thanks for the input.
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone so far...even if Ihaven't understood half of it.
You've all been a tonne of help and this thread has been an interesting read. :beerchug:That's a really good link. Thanks man, that was a lot of help.
As far as I know, the tubes in there at the minute are Rubys. Decent enough to my ears but they're on their way out and I can't really compare them to anything else so I dunno. Thanks for the input.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
You're not wrong in that those are typical of the topography of those amps, but, it's not the actual reason they sound the way they do. In the case of my AOR, there is little difference between EL34's and 6L6s aside from the midrange voice at higher levels. As far as the rectifier goes, the filtering has more impact on behavior than the rectifier itself. Every amp is different and reacts differently to different tubes AND how those tubes are set up.
Short answer; it depends.
Ruby branded, Chinese made 5U4G
You're not wrong in that those are typical of the topography of those amps, but, it's not the actual reason they sound the way they do. In the case of my AOR, there is little difference between EL34's and 6L6s aside from the midrange voice at higher levels. As far as the rectifier goes, the filtering has more impact on behavior than the rectifier itself. Every amp is different and reacts differently to different tubes AND how those tubes are set up.
Short answer; it depends.
Ruby branded, Chinese made 5U4G
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Oh, one more question for you dudes with AORs, since you're here. It seems increasingly likely that I've misplaced the Laney channel-switching footswitch that came with it. Do I need to get in contact with Laney or try to source a specific replacement? Or do any companies offer similar things that will work?
I remember that it connects into the amp with what looks like a standard 1/4" jack.
Thanks.
Oh, one more question for you dudes with AORs, since you're here. It seems increasingly likely that I've misplaced the Laney channel-switching footswitch that came with it. Do I need to get in contact with Laney or try to source a specific replacement? Or do any companies offer similar things that will work?
I remember that it connects into the amp with what looks like a standard 1/4" jack.
Thanks.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Another tube recommendation thread?
Any standard replacement, single footswitch with a mono 1/4" jack will work.
Oh, one more question for you dudes with AORs, since you're here. It seems increasingly likely that I've misplaced the Laney channel-switching footswitch that came with it. Do I need to get in contact with Laney or try to source a specific replacement? Or do any companies offer similar things that will work?
I remember that it connects into the amp with what looks like a standard 1/4" jack.
Thanks.
Any standard replacement, single footswitch with a mono 1/4" jack will work.
