Preamp tube tones

LesStrat

LesStrat

Reining PunLowered
I've seen this addressed in passing in different threads. But I'd like to consolidate the information into one location ('cause I'm too lazy to search that much).

What preamp tube brands produce which tones?

Brighter?

Darker?

Warmer?

Crisper (cleaner)?

etc.

Satisfy the curiosity of a tube amp :newbie:
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

12 AT7's are great for improving the headroom on a tubeamp, I wish I could help you with the brands, but I use the trial and error approach with my amps.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

It would be easier if told us what you are looking for, or trying to achive, what type amp, speakers, guitars etc. tone is so subjective- it's taken me about 2yrs and at least 20 different preamp tubes to find what I was looking for- and there is differences between the same brand and types of tubes too- for me preamp tubes are used to 'fine tune' your sound, most of the time they can be subtle at best. read everything you can get your hands on- try as many as possible- here is one good place to start-
http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/Primers.html
 
Last edited:
Re: Preamp tube tones

greendy123 said:
When I click that link program accesses my computer for something, it seems like spyware or something like that. My anti-virus gets something about a file called ebay scam. So beware guys when you click it.
Click to expand...

God, it's just like Terry to post a link that wants to make someone's computer crash or download a virus. Will someone please ban him?:smack:




































:chairfall :laugh2: :fing25:
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

If I wanted to read all that, I wouldn't have asked you guys.:smack::doh:

I'm too lazy.:D

In a nutshell, I MIGHT try another preamp tube or two in the Franklin. No real problems, but I might want to darken the tone slightly.

I'm still tinkering with the eq (that interactive eq is the shizznit). I can dial it in pretty quickly with LesStrat, but the Parker Fly Deluxe is a bit brighter by nature.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

I heard JJ's have warm/clean tones. Personally I'm into the Tung sol and chinese 12ax7s right now. Both are great for crunch, but the chinese ones have a warmer tone. The tung sols should work great clean or distorted. I would just buy some that people recommend and see what you like in the V1 spot. Thats what I did, but its hard tell differences between the good pre-amp tubes. I still haven't determined what tubes I like but the Tung sol is in my V1 right now and it sounds great.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

From my own experience, I don't think a preamp tube is going to make a big difference in your sound, unless you have really cheap tubes in there now.

Speakers make a lot more difference in tone. If you want darker tone in an open back cabinet, I suggest getting a celestion g12t-75. You can buy them cheap because many people (like me :D ) replace them in their Marshall 412 cabinets. I don't like them in a closed back cabinet but I like them in open back cabinets - and they do sound darker than other British style speakers that emphasize the guitar midrange spectrum.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

Right now it's the JJ-ECC803S.

I emailed a tube retailer to ask about the Tungsol 12AX7. I wanted to know if they were warmer/darker than the JJ. This is what he said:

"They have a warmer more bassy feel to them but they are not darker. They are a much more musical tube and with the gain they have, will if anything brighten up and make more full the sound of your amp. We like both of these long plate tubes, but the Tungsol is a lot more detailed and bigger in the sounds it produces. Not sure if that helps or not but thanks for asking and let us know if you have any further questions,"

Apparently I need to redefine "darker." I would have thought that "more bassy" would be "darker." :doh:

Ah, but what do I know. That's why I am asking you folks.

FTR, after playing today, I am not making any changes without playing a few more times. I rearranged the pedals, tried playing with and without them, and I got much closer to the tone I was seeking.

I love Franklin.
 
Last edited:
Re: Preamp tube tones

FWIW, I am using the new tung Sol reissues and I like them a lot but they are not darker than the JJ's, in fact the JJ's I have heard were already somewahat dark sounding and the TS's are gonna be a bit brighter.

There are some NOS RFT 12AX7's to be had right now that have a great tone are are somwhat dark sounding but those are not cheep (around $35 each which is great for a NOS tube but still high compared to any current production tube).

Another thing is that almost all EL84 amps have a character in the top end that is almost impossible to dial out no matter what tubes/speakers/etc you use...love it or hate it thats one of the parts of te tone in an EL34 amp...if you are talking about that part of the tone there is no way to EQ it out if you want it darker then play the preamp tube swaping game, or maybe as Steveo suggested a new/different speaker.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

I agree with Stevo about revoicing an amp with speakers, rather than with pre tubes. They usually serve to tighten up a preamp section, but won't necessarily shift the bass or treble frequencies much. I'd leave the JJ ECC803S because it's a great tube. I'd use a Celestion H30 or see if a resistor or cap value could be changed in the EQ section of the circuit board, to get the desired EQ sound. The fastest way to find it is to play with the treble and presence on the amp.......like treble 3 and presence 7.
 
Re: Preamp tube tones

He's running the same JJ ECC803S preamp tubes that have been in there when it went to both coasts. Same tubes when it went to Houston.

Speakers can do wonders for changing the tone a lot. It has a Mojo G12H30 in it right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

hamerfan
Groove Tubes Trio Preamp
Replies
0
Views
1K
hamerfan
hamerfan
G
A comparison and review of 20 small/low-wattage/lunchbox amps
2
Replies
21
Views
2K
St_Genesius
St_Genesius
FluffChop
Seymour Duncan Twin Tube CLASSIC - Still loving it after 9 months
Replies
2
Views
1K
Stratman
Stratman
mrpinter
My top picks... in picks
2
Replies
29
Views
5K
Evan Skopp
Evan Skopp
mwalluk
Favorite Preamp Tube Combos...
Replies
6
Views
2K
robertkoa
R
Back
Top