Tubemeister 18 users - tip about preamp tubes

[CTN]

I have an old NOS JAN General Electric 12au7/6189W.

Stuck it in V2 with a new production Tung Sol 12ax7 in V1 (I previously had Tung sols in V1 and V2). And the 12au7 made a huge difference to the tightness and crunchiness of the amp, specifically on the lead boost channel thingy. It also lowered the gain of the OD/Lead channel a wee bit.

Whereas previously, It tracked tightly but flubbed out a bit on the low end, now it is surgically tight but with a strong, punchy low end. The mids are crunchier and less grainy and the treble is just a hair more present. The fizz present on the lead boost channel is still there unfortunately (I've been searching high and low for mods or tweaks to be able to get it under control, to no avail, except for recommendations to swap V1 to a JJ ecc83), but in general, the amp feels a lot more responsive and like it wants to be played. Previously, I always found myself fighting a little bit to get it where I wanted, but the 12au7 made a heap of difference.

FYI, I also tried it in V1 with the tung sol in V2, but it seemed to make virtually no difference.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Tubemeister 18 users - tip about preamp tubes

Yeah V2 is key to getting the gainy sounds to be at their best. I have rolled a bunch in mine, and I have found a clean/clearer sounding tube in V1 like the shugangs bs it came with, a tungsol, or svetlana mixed with a thicker/raunchier/gainier tube in V2 like a JJ 83s or Mullard ri has the best results on all 3 modes.

You might try a Mullard ri in V2 to help smooth out the lead boost..worked in mine..but crunch channel got too modern and tight for my tastes. You might like it though.

 

[CTN]

Re: Tubemeister 18 users - tip about preamp tubes

I was thinking of putting a JJ in V1 to help smooth out the amp's grainy gain quality and fizzy high end. I quite like the 12au7 in V2. I guess it also depends a lot on speakers though... What are you running through, Jeff?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Tubemeister 18 users - tip about preamp tubes

I suspect we both are going for different tones, so that can make tube choice vary widely too!


I have used the V30, the WGS green beret, and now a g12h30. So far the H30 has worked best for my tastes.