Tube Amp Doctor

[n4m3less5]

So I recently re-tubed my amplifier from stock 6L6GCs to TAD 6L6GCs and the results are BRUTAL! My amp sounds more metal than ever before!

Share your thoughts about your experiences while re-tubing your amp!

Edit: The amp is quite new so I suppose the tubes should be new as well, unless the amp was new and the tubes were not. Nevertheless, when I changed the tubes it seems as if the amp came to life; placebo effect or not, it sounds way more BRUTAL than before; heavy, clear, sweet with a kick in the ass!

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I put TAD EL84-STR's in my amp, and they sound vastly superior to the JJ EL84. Much clearer high end and a better mid crunch - less nasally. Slightly more articulate bass. (EDIT) But, to be fair, I didn't try the amp with the same guitar, and I won't ever because it's getting new pickups.

 

[marvar]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

TAD does not make tubes, they are just a vendor-they claim that they came up with the specs, and have them made in China, then slap their logo on it, test and burn them in in Germany.
But you can get the same tubes from almost anywhere that sells tubes.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

You're only partially right.

They are made in the same chinese factory as GT 6L6GE/Ruby 6L6-M-STR/Mesa STR440 etc.

The 6L6GC shares parts with the Mesa 440/Ruby, which ARE the exact same tube, but the TAD has dual getters like an old Sylvania STR387/415 and has black plates.

The WGC shares parts with the 6L6GE, but has the black plates as well.

They are made to a specific design from TAD, and they do sound different than the others.

 

[Guitar-Sam]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

They may use better polish than Aspen Pitman,but I believe they both polish the same turds.

 

[Guitar-Sam]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

They may use better polish than Aspen Pitman,but I believe they both polish the same turds.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Placebo or you simply had well worn tubes that needed replacing. Glad things are sounding better to you.

I hear subtle differences in tubes, but nothing is night and day. While, I like some brands better than others in certain amps, it doesn't make or break what the amp is supposed to do in the first place.

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Changing preamp tubes from one brand new tube to another brand new tube of a different design makes a clear difference. I don't see why a power tube would be different. With my EL84 swap, I changed more than one variable so it's difficult to tell how much better the TAD EL84 tubes are over JJ EL84 tubes.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I just replaced 2 TAD EL34STR in my GH50L. (Thick bottle for an EL34)
The amp sounded thin, fragile and brittle with them.
They very well may have been past their prime, as I bought the amp used recently and it still appeared to have the stock tubes from 2007.

However, I replaced them with 2 EH EL34's that I had lying around and had about 1 1/2 years use on them from a previous amp.

The slimmer EH EL34 bottles made the amp smoother in the highs and gave it more warmth and lowend.

Go figure(?)

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Never heard the 34's, but the 6L6GC's I like better than the Sovtek/relabeled New Sensor stuff.

 

[Gforce9]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I've re-tubed several times. Fortunately, never under a 'failure' scenario, just when it starts getting a little dull sounding. Doug @ Doug's Tubes has a Spidey sense about what tubes sound good in various amps. He really tests his stuff well, too. Most places don't test, match, and document their stuff like he does. Always a good experience in tonal bliss............

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Yeah, I'm not really sure why they even bother making different tubes....they all sound the same. :27::wrf:

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Chinese or not, I don't friggin' care. Probalby most products are from there anyway as you look around you right now, so what.

All my amps are armed with TAD tubes because they are proven to be extremely reliable and durable during years of heavy road abuse. I'm a fan of a TAD 7025 in the 1st stage.

 

[crguti]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I use all JJ tubes in my Engl Thunder. No need to try another tubes.

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I bet an ENGL Thunder with GE / Winged C tubes would sound slightly more beautiful in all the glory of it's designer's executions.

 

[ken361]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Right now in my fireball 100, Matsu****a 12AX7/Japanese mullard (great crunch tube) EI v2 EH v3 LPS v4 JJ are ok but not as smooth!! Props to the Tube Monger for sending me RFT tube for replace of a higher priced tube I bought 2 yrs back, didnt use much and I had it tested a few months back and it was weak so there going to send me a new RFT !

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Yeah, I'm not really sure why they even bother making different tubes....they all sound the same. :27::wrf:

Somewhat true, I haven't found a tube change that will make a Mesa sound like a Marshall!? :sword:

...but I have heard tubes that sound a little brighter than others, or some have a little more defined low end, etc. Once you crank up the band, even those differences become negligable. Either you have a good sounding amp or you don't.

 

[ken361]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Not as much in sound but your amp will respond better with like better pick responce, smoother palm mutes. I can tell easy!

 

[Tom Huff]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

I put a matched set of 12 TAD 6L6's in my Mesa 400+ and it crushed. I didn't have enough time with the older set of Sovteks. to compare the difference though.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Tube Amp Doctor

Right now in my fireball 100, Matsu****a 12AX7/Japanese mullard (great crunch tube) EI v2 EH v3 LPS v4 JJ are ok but not as smooth!! Props to the Tube Monger for sending me RFT tube for replace of a higher priced tube I bought 2 yrs back, didnt use much and I had it tested a few months back and it was weak so there going to send me a new RFT !

i had some matsush1ta el84s and 1 12ax7 that I loved to death! They were a great company and I'm hooked on japanese 12ax7's for life now.