Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

This is one reason lower-powered amps are great. From Doug's, the most expensive new-production power tubes cost me less than $40. But preamp tubes seem to be where all the difference in the amp lie, and those cost even less. Order a few once every few months until you've tried them all, then mix and match. My amp has three preamp tubes, one of which is the PI, so it didn't take me a whole lot of money or time to get a feel for what works well.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

This guy has a wealth of information about vintage tubes and brands, type numbers , substitutes... and so forth:

http://www.vacuumtubes.com/

 

[VinceT]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

One of the most useful info sources I ever had on tube basics was the manual for my Mesa TA-15. Though the amp didn't end up a keeper, there's tons of info after the amp functionality that really helped me understand what's going on. It's online at:

http://www.mesaboogie.com/media/User Manuals/TA15_110210.pdf


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

I remember reading something written about tubes for tube HI-FI amps once: "If you want to really hear and feel the thunder and thump of a metal band's rhythm section put in KT-88s. If you want to hear the sonic details of a great vocalist or soloist put in EL34s." That about sums that up. EL34s for primarily lead players and 6550s, 6L6GCs, ect for primarily rhythm players... in most cases that is. But there are of course many exceptions. Blues players play mostly 6L6 or 6V6 powered Fenders for example. Soldano SLO 100s use 6L6s as another exception.

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

Back in the 50's and 60's KT88's were considered the best for audio reproduction.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

I find the reviews on "the tube store" to be pretty spot-on with regards to the tubes I have tried.

this is good info! I am leary when reading these kind of listings as to if they are being honest about the tube or trying to push sales.
I agree with the original poster. I hear so much : this tube in that slot and that tube in the other is best.. I find it daunting. Im sure it makes a difference. I DO know that since I retubed my PV Classic 30, it sounds much different. HOWEVER, I made the mistake of changing the speaker at the same time, so I dont know which one made the most difference. Im guessing the speaker. It no longer has the "thud" it had when hitting a chord, before the notes started to ring, but the sound is much darker and "woolier" now.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

Tubes are not speakers...they Do Not have a frequency response.
You changed tubes in your amp and hear a difference...no doubt, you just changed the gain and transconductance. Not to mention, your old tubes Might Have Been "old" or just plain done after only 3 weeks of use.
That Amp Parts link is very vague, not to mention contradictory.....and generated by their salesman.?
What really "matters" is what the tube sounds like when Driven/Overdriven.
User Reviews.?
What amp
What guitar
What guitar cable
What speaker cab
If i take out tube ABC and replace it with another ABC, can you actually identify it in a blind test.?
If i review tube ABC, will your tube ABC even be a close match for gain and trans.?

These worm-hole posts never change anybody's mind, but.......find tubes that have longevity and the right gain you require.
Then use things like Guitar set-up, Speakers and Tone Controls to get more mids or less lows.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

preamp tubes seem to be where all the difference in the amp lie

Overdrive/distortion pedals are "driving" the VI tube, correct? They're not driving power tubes?

 

[mantis]

Re: Anyone else get discouraged learning about tubes?

I've been retuning my amps for decades myself. Never had to adjust the Bias and honestly never knew how.
I recently took my amp in to Jaded Faith Mods in New Jersey and let Rob do the Bias thing and look over my amp. Having a real amp tech do your tube work and bias adjustment I think is the way to go unless you totally know exactly what you are doing. Swapping out tubes is very easy. Know if they are all matched or not you can't unless you have a tube tester.
Rob tested all my matched tubes and put them in the right order for best sound quality and gain. My amp sounds fantastic and better then all the times I have retubed it myself. It sounds now like when I purchased it 10 years ago.

So I suggest yeah go learn all you can about tubes, who makes them who is good , what your amp used when new and why and then still let someone like Jaded Faith Do it for you.