Not loving my tone...
- Thread starter punchlinechar
- Start date
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Here are some pics of the tubes. Maybe some people with more experience can spot something wrong with them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Here are some pics of the tubes. Maybe some people with more experience can spot something wrong with them.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Not loving my tone...
The thing is, unless a tube is obviously blown, or red plating while it's running, you can't really tell much by what they look like. They could be biased cold and if so, just not sound right.
In the end, I would suggest trying some of the suggestions here cheapest first. If one doesn't work, try the next least expensive etc.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
The thing is, unless a tube is obviously blown, or red plating while it's running, you can't really tell much by what they look like. They could be biased cold and if so, just not sound right.
In the end, I would suggest trying some of the suggestions here cheapest first. If one doesn't work, try the next least expensive etc.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Here's some more with it on. Is that red spot on the preamp tube concerning?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Here's some more with it on. Is that red spot on the preamp tube concerning?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Is that preamp tube on the right red plating?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
No. Red plating means that a tube is running so hot that the entire visible plate structure is glowing red.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
punchlinechar
New member
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on this set, thought?
https://www.thetubestore.com/marshall-dsl40c-value-package
I found a luthier in my area who will bias amps, so I can take it to him to have it worked on
I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on this set, thought?
https://www.thetubestore.com/marshall-dsl40c-value-package
I found a luthier in my area who will bias amps, so I can take it to him to have it worked on
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
They're lightbulbs with more stuff in them. But old school lightbulbs. Although I've heard of these new tubes called Nanotubes. It's the 21st century now, after all.
Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
I tried running the clean channel loud and that made this awful electronic noise. Every once in a while when I take it off standby it screeches really loud too. I don't know if I need new tubes or if they just need biasing.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Don’t buy that...,
Here’s the thing.
Power tubes (the 2 larger ones) need to be replaced and biased on a regular basis depending on how often and how hard you drive your amp. A gigging player can expect to get about a year or so out of a set.
Preamp tubes, on the other hand can and often do last YEARS. I’m talking decades. I have preamp tubes in my Marshall from the 60’s.
Don’t spend $ on preamp tubes just yet.
Also, this is just me but I’d recommend buying from tubedepot.com. They have more brands/variety and they ship really fast. Plus as a bonus, a week or so after you get the tubes they will email you asking to write a review. Once you do they send a 10% code for your next purchase.
If you ask, you’ll get all sorts of recommendations on what brand tubes to get. Ultimately, in the end is a personal preference.
I personally prefer the Chinese EL34B for my Splawn. It’s just my preference.
In my Marshall, I’ve used the JJ tubes you linked to and I liked them just fine too. They are priced right and they sound good and are pretty rugged.
https://tubedepot.com/
Search through the site and read some reviews. I think you’ll do fine with the JJ’s for your first time buying tubes.
Don’t buy that...,
Here’s the thing.
Power tubes (the 2 larger ones) need to be replaced and biased on a regular basis depending on how often and how hard you drive your amp. A gigging player can expect to get about a year or so out of a set.
Preamp tubes, on the other hand can and often do last YEARS. I’m talking decades. I have preamp tubes in my Marshall from the 60’s.
Don’t spend $ on preamp tubes just yet.
Also, this is just me but I’d recommend buying from tubedepot.com. They have more brands/variety and they ship really fast. Plus as a bonus, a week or so after you get the tubes they will email you asking to write a review. Once you do they send a 10% code for your next purchase.
If you ask, you’ll get all sorts of recommendations on what brand tubes to get. Ultimately, in the end is a personal preference.
I personally prefer the Chinese EL34B for my Splawn. It’s just my preference.
In my Marshall, I’ve used the JJ tubes you linked to and I liked them just fine too. They are priced right and they sound good and are pretty rugged.
https://tubedepot.com/
Search through the site and read some reviews. I think you’ll do fine with the JJ’s for your first time buying tubes.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
Edit:
Also, do what demanic said too...exhaust all of the possibilities and if you’re still not happy with what you hear grab a set of tubes. It probably needs them anyway.
And that glow inside the tubes is the heater. It’s normal. And just for knowledge sake even if the tube glows it doesn’t mean that the tube is good...it only means that the heater is working.
Edit:
Also, do what demanic said too...exhaust all of the possibilities and if you’re still not happy with what you hear grab a set of tubes. It probably needs them anyway.
And that glow inside the tubes is the heater. It’s normal. And just for knowledge sake even if the tube glows it doesn’t mean that the tube is good...it only means that the heater is working.
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
I'll do some looking around for sure. It's nice to know that I don't need to pay that much for all the tubes
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
That's super helpful, thank you!
I'll do some looking around for sure. It's nice to know that I don't need to pay that much for all the tubes
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
For the type sounds your looking for, if you do get tubes, try the Electro Harmonix 6CA7 power tubes.
The tubes that are in the photos are Marshall branded Chinese EL34Bs. Pretty good tubes, but they are probably the original tubes-several years old with probably many hours on them.
For the type sounds your looking for, if you do get tubes, try the Electro Harmonix 6CA7 power tubes.
The tubes that are in the photos are Marshall branded Chinese EL34Bs. Pretty good tubes, but they are probably the original tubes-several years old with probably many hours on them.
allbutromeo
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
I would still suggest setting a couple of preamp tubes. The screeching noises could be from a bad pre tube, so if you change the power tubes and it still makes noise, change the pre amp tubes one at a time until it stops,. Plus it never hurts to have a couple of spares playing around.
I would still suggest setting a couple of preamp tubes. The screeching noises could be from a bad pre tube, so if you change the power tubes and it still makes noise, change the pre amp tubes one at a time until it stops,. Plus it never hurts to have a couple of spares playing around.
punchlinechar
New member
Re: Not loving my tone...
I just ordered some JJ EL34's, and also a Mesa 12AX7. Which preamp slot in my amp would have the most impact on the gain?
I just ordered some JJ EL34's, and also a Mesa 12AX7. Which preamp slot in my amp would have the most impact on the gain?
