Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

[mikedgmikedgolf40505]

I just purchased a Vox ACTV 4 Mini All Tube Combo Amplifier. First I really like it and the gain is sufficient, but I would really like to know if I can add more gain. It has a 12AX7 preamp and an EL84 in the power section. This being my first all tube amp, I'm a novice. I believe the power section tube is where you draw your gain? If that's the case is there a hotter tube than the EL84 I could switch out with to add some more gain??

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[allbutromeo]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

A higher gain 12ax7 will help alot and the current Mullards El84s has relatively low headroom so it will begin breaking up sooner

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

If you want more gain you pretty much need to buy an amp that is designed for it. Swapping tubes will change the sound/tone more than anything else. You can swap lower gain tubes to clean it up and give it more headroom, but you can't go the other way and put more gain than the amp was designed for (without getting in there and modifying the amp.)

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

If you want more gain you pretty much need to buy an amp that is designed for it. Swapping tubes will change the sound/tone more than anything else. You can swap lower gain tubes to clean it up and give it more headroom, but you can't go the other way and put more gain than the amp was designed for (without getting in there and modifying the amp.)

Yeah buddy, it's a VOX & a small one @ that? That amp is basically made to be played on 10 all the time! They don't really have any headroom, that soft breakup is the VOX distortion. It's not for everyone but I'd suggest playing with it for a while and see if you like it in a month or so? They're not really hard rock or metal amps, although with the right tools you can get some heavier tones? Try a treble booster to start, it will do a lot more for you & your gain section then some new valves....

I've got a AC-15C2 Twin (AC-15 chassis in a AC-30 cabinet, extra Greenback & larger reverb tank) & a AC-30 CC2 Top Boost. When I bought my first VOX I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get a ton of gain & that it was so picky about dirt pedals but after a little use you start to focus on the positive things & the negative ones disappear? At the end of the day AC's are like the Grateful Dead, you either love them & can't live without one or you can't stand the thought of them?

 

[mikedgmikedgolf40505]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

Yeah buddy, it's a VOX & a small one @ that? That amp is basically made to be played on 10 all the time! They don't really have any headroom, that soft breakup is the VOX distortion. It's not for everyone but I'd suggest playing with it for a while and see if you like it in a month or so? They're not really hard rock or metal amps, although with the right tools you can get some heavier tones? Try a treble booster to start, it will do a lot more for you & your gain section then some new valves....

I've got a AC-15C2 Twin (AC-15 chassis in a AC-30 cabinet, extra Greenback & larger reverb tank) & a AC-30 CC2 Top Boost. When I bought my first VOX I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get a ton of gain & that it was so picky about dirt pedals but after a little use you start to focus on the positive things & the negative ones disappear? At the end of the day AC's are like the Grateful Dead, you either love them & can't live without one or you can't stand the thought of them?

Actually can dial in a great deal of gain for 80s style metal. I don't play death metal or any of the harder styles. I'm seriously thinking about buying a 9X12 cab to plug it into.

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[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

Actually can dial in a great deal of gain for 80s style metal. I don't play death metal or any of the harder styles. I'm seriously thinking about buying a 9X12 cab to plug it into.

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A 9x12 cabinet? That'd be a pretty big cab, LOL!!! :9:They do sound much better when run through a 1X12, 2X12, or a 4X12 loaded with lower wattage speakers. I think a 2X12 would be more than adequate for 4 watts though? Just my opinion but I'd rather have a good 1X12 or 2X12 loaded with some very nice speakers than a 4X12 loaded with Rocket 50's or something along those lines? That amp pushing a nice 1X12 with a single Celestion Blue would sound amazing!!!

 

[mikedgmikedgolf40505]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

Actually can dial in a great deal of gain for 80s style metal. I don't play death metal or any of the harder styles. I'm seriously thinking about buying a 9X12 cab to plug it into.

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A 9x12 cabinet? That'd be a pretty big cab, LOL!!! :9:They do sound much better when run through a 1X12, 2X12, or a 4X12 loaded with lower wattage speakers. I think a 2X12 would be more than adequate for 4 watts though? Just my opinion but I'd rather have a good 1X12 or 2X12 loaded with some very nice speakers than a 4X12 loaded with Rocket 50's or something along those lines? That amp pushing a nice 1X12 with a single Celestion Blue would sound amazing!!!

I agree, 1X12. I'm not sure how typed the 4. Thank you.

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[Shooter.556]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

I just purchased a Vox ACTV 4 Mini All Tube Combo Amplifier. First I really like it and the gain is sufficient, but I would really like to know if I can add more gain. It has a 12AX7 preamp and an EL84 in the power section. This being my first all tube amp, I'm a novice. I believe the power section tube is where you draw your gain? If that's the case is there a hotter tube than the EL84 I could switch out with to add some more gain??

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You believe wrong, you'll draw your gain from the 12ax7 in the pre amp. If you want higher gain check out the Tun Sol 12ax7 Gold Pin.
I've used them in HT5 Blackstar amps with great success, it tames the fizzy gain and make it much smoother.
You could also find a Mullard reissue and go lower gain with the amp then smack the front end with a dirt pedal.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

I would use a JJ in the power section, I currently have them in my AC30. I've used JJ 6l6gcs (spelling?) and 6v6s in the past, all very reliable in my experience.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Possible Tube Replacement on Vox Amp

I would use a JJ in the power section, I currently have them in my AC30. I've used JJ 6l6gcs (spelling?) and 6v6s in the past, all very reliable in my experience.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread but you do like J.J.'s in your AC-30??? I'm only asking because I'm going to be re-tubing mine sometime this week & I'm looking @ tubes now, I was going to go with Mullards in the power section but I've heard a few people say that they love the way their J.J's sound in them now. Given the difference in price if J.J.'s sound good that's the way I'll go. Their pre-ordained tube compliments are a nice feature too...