Smoothest distorting power tube

[Quencho092]

What power tubes do you guys like for really smooth even distortion when cranked?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

I love the tone of v6's when they are getting pushed hard, EL-84's are hard to beat too...depending on the amp!

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

IMHO, 6L6's. Think Warren Haynes with his SLO100, SMOOOOOTH with a bit of growl to the tone.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

To me it really depends on the amp. I like 6V6's in my Deluxes but they sound like poo in my MKIV. I think its hard to just say this tube is the best when even among 6L6's there can be quite a difference in tone and response.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

I'm a huge EL 34 fan, I like that midrange breakup. To me, 6L6's or the like sound too brittle....but to each his own. EL 84's are also really nice in the right amp....I like em' in my Blues Jr.

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

my weeping widow, has 6l6 and up to about 3/4 volume they sound briillianly wonderfull after that their a bit on the rought side, kinda like their passed their "sweet spot".

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

anybody like 5881's or other low power 6l6 types?

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

6l6gc hands down. I got to play a 5150II at 4 on post gain and the distortion was heaven in an amp. (IMO)

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

post gain at 4 is like having a master volume at 4 isn't it? That's not too much for driving power tubes, especially in a high gain amp like the 5150 that has over 100 watts of power....

 

[aleclee]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

None of the above. For me it's 6CA7s.

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

The dude wouldnt let me put it any louder. And I would have been in deep **** if i did crank it up any more cause that dude is the mayor of my town. But I did tell a difference after it was around 4 for 10 minutes then when i just turn it to 4. (that means something right) Maybe I'm bust being an idiot now..............

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

where do 6CA7's lie in the power range/tone range?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

I've had good experiences with EL-84s. I prefer them to EL-34s and 6L6s for my taste. 34s are too midrangey and "honky". EL-84s seem to have a smoother character with earlier breakup. I love Vox type amps and it's no wonder why I love my current amp so much. I haven't tried 6ca7's, but I know what I like and EL-84s are it.

 

[Jeff Seal]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

.....I'm going to "tread" real lightly here.......one of the biggest misconceptions currently around is mistaking PI "saturation" for output tube distortion.....and the misunderstanding about operating parameters in which output tubes are subject to.....
....without getting overly technical, there are too many "other factors" than just the tube itself that contribute to how they will "distort" or breakup and true output tube distortion is almost unheard of.....rather the power supply has met it's maxed reserve or the voltage applied to the plate is low enough to enable the onset of "saturation"......which is not exactly the same if this voltage is increased.....all with the same tube.

Jeff Seal

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

what about the blue label groove tube 6l6's that are supposed to have a way early breakup?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

.....I'm going to "tread" real lightly here.......one of the biggest misconceptions currently around is mistaking PI "saturation" for output tube distortion.....and the misunderstanding about operating parameters in which output tubes are subject to.....
....without getting overly technical, there are too many "other factors" than just the tube itself that contribute to how they will "distort" or breakup and true output tube distortion is almost unheard of.....rather the power supply has met it's maxed reserve or the voltage applied to the plate is low enough to enable the onset of "saturation"......which is not exactly the same if this voltage is increased.....all with the same tube.

Jeff Seal

Thanks Jeff that sheds some light on some suspicions I had regarding the subject.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=1163

like these, for example

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

.....I'm going to "tread" real lightly here.......one of the biggest misconceptions currently around is mistaking PI "saturation" for output tube distortion.....and the misunderstanding about operating parameters in which output tubes are subject to.....
....without getting overly technical, there are too many "other factors" than just the tube itself that contribute to how they will "distort" or breakup and true output tube distortion is almost unheard of.....rather the power supply has met it's maxed reserve or the voltage applied to the plate is low enough to enable the onset of "saturation"......which is not exactly the same if this voltage is increased.....all with the same tube.

Jeff Seal

This is Exactly what I was thinking. Although certain tubes have their own
charataristics Unique to them selfs. Overall it's the circuit that determends
how they will behave.

 

[Jeff Seal]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=1163

like these, for example

Drew, go get a set and let us know.... it would make sense for fixed bias amps..but I haven't really noticed a "night and day" difference for most of the amps I service....

Jeff Seal

 

[casblah]

Re: Smoothest distorting power tube

where do 6CA7's lie in the power range/tone range?

I think 6CA7's are the American counterpart to the EL34, if I'm not mistaken.