headroom question

[drew_half_empty]

okay, if my amp is equipped with medium-breakup tubes, how much more headroom will i gain from extremely low-gain tubes?

also, which groove tubes have the most headroom? I've perfected my sound with the stock tubes & really don't want to change the tone

which tubes overdrive from high volume anyways? is it certain preamp tubes & power amp tubes, or just the power amp tubes or what?

 

[itbepopples]

Re: headroom question

depends on the amp. in most amps V1 has the most effect on the preamp sound but settings can make a huge difference. are u using a master volume amp? how high are u running the volumes u have? which amp are u using?

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: headroom question

hot rod deluxe

 

[itbepopples]

Re: headroom question

how high are u setting the contols? on which channel are u trying to change the gain characteristics? on that amp i dont really like the drive channels so i would throw some high gain but smooth preamp tubes and some nice hot 6L6s....if ur looking for a nice thick bluesy tone. and keep the master volume as high as u can so the output tubes can really work. if your into overdrive or distortion i would get a pedal and use just the clean channel with the master wide open and use the preamp volume to control overall volume. i realize this would mean massive volume from that amp but i think thats the best way to get a good thick tone. in case u havent noticed, if u jack up the preamp gain and keep the master low then u get a raspy and harsh distortion sound but if u get an overdrive or distortion pedal and keep that gain up and the volume on the master all the way up i think ull have a very easy time getting some fat tones. ask any questions if needed.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: headroom question

well, it doesn't have a master volume, and i use a pedal

but i wouldn't mind getting some nice bluesy tones from the drive channel, but if i understand right that requires a lot of powertube overdrive, which is out of the question, because i love my pedal, and it hates tube OD

I'm also soon gonna be replacing the speaker with an eminence red white & blues, its basically an american version of a celestion v30, but rated at 120 watts, so i think i'm gonna need more headroom to push the speaker into some usable tones. The amp breaks up at about 4 or 5 (out of 12) and i'd like to get it to around 7 before it starts driving

 

[itbepopples]

Re: headroom question

if u want it to break up slower than just put some nice 12au7s or 12at7s in the preamp and get some quality 6L6s. IMO JJ/Tesla tubes are the only way to go. The guy who sells them, Bob, is a great guy. he'll talk amps with u all day until ur satisfied. not only are his tubes the best ones being made today but the customer service is unbelievable. to get in touch with him go to www.eurotubes.com . as for the speaker..i think u have a great choice there but once again i implore you to buy tubes from bob. not because im affiliated with him in any way (and frankly he doesnt necessarily need any one persons business to survive) but the tubes are just amazing, the prices are right and if u somehow wanna throw some EL-34s or KT88s in ur amp...he can get them to u in blue or red. how bitchin is that?

 

[itbepopples]

Re: headroom question

well, it doesn't have a master volume, and i use a pedal

but i wouldn't mind getting some nice bluesy tones from the drive channel, but if i understand right that requires a lot of powertube overdrive, which is out of the question, because i love my pedal, and it hates tube OD

I'm also soon gonna be replacing the speaker with an eminence red white & blues, its basically an american version of a celestion v30, but rated at 120 watts, so i think i'm gonna need more headroom to push the speaker into some usable tones. The amp breaks up at about 4 or 5 (out of 12) and i'd like to get it to around 7 before it starts driving

after reading ur post again im curious as to why you bought a tube amp if u dont find the tube overdrive pleasing. in my opinion, if u need max headroom you should get a good SS amp with the highest wattage you can find or get a twin reverb. ive never been a big fan of the sound of the hot rod deluxe whether cranked or low but thats just me. if ur pedal is going to be doing all of the overdriving then i highly suggest just asking bob for the highest headroom 6L6s you can get or get a twin. :burnout:

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: headroom question

well, i liked the in-amp drive at the time, i was really into 80's punk like bad brains & minor threat, and well, it sounded a lot like them, but my tastes have changed

the clean tone is also definately one of my favorites, and i picked this thing up for less than a stage 160

a twin would just destroy, i do play at bedroom volumes (and gigging volumes). And as far as tube OD I'm thinking about getting a bassman for that, in which case i'll prolly hafta retube as well, if i do get one it'll be a '59 reissue, and well, groove tubes don't exactly sound sweet & warm when cranked

but thanks, I'll talk to bob

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: headroom question

The Phillips 7581a's are a great choice to dramatically improve the headroom on the devilles. I bought a matched set from KCA Nos tubes for about $70 and WOW...what a difference. The groove tubes in the amp just got too gritty down low for me. These 7581a's are incredible. I turned my amp up to TWELVE one day to see how loud 12 really was....and DAMN those tubes hardly even broke up. I later changed the preamp tubes but only noticed a marginal difference. 7581a it is!!


anyone have expirience with these tubes? that was taken from the fender forum, and well, that headroom sounds pretty amazing. But i don't really wanna change my tone a lot, if it does change i'd like to be able to dial it out pretty easily