Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

[Myaccount876]

Re: Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

Or just back off on the preamp gain and bump the master volume. That's what I'd do. Usually once the amp is turned up loud enough, a lot of the preamp gain that sounds "unusable" on lower volume settings sounds better when the amp is set loud (louder = fuller sounding, it takes more power to push lower frequencies); however, the extra preamp gain usually isn't even needed because you're already getting power tube distortion.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

Or just back off on the preamp gain and bump the master volume. That's what I'd do. Usually once the amp is turned up loud enough, a lot of the preamp gain that sounds "unusable" on lower volume settings sounds better when the amp is set loud (louder = fuller sounding, it takes more power to push lower frequencies); however, the extra preamp gain usually isn't even needed because you're already getting power tube distortion.

I'm absolutely certain for some people, that IS an/the issue. Wasn't for me, I run mine halfway up, and it doesn't get much louder past that, just more power tube crunch.

That said, Red channel is a common complaint against DSL's. I'm probably going to just void my warranty and clip out/replace C19 at some point to see if it helps. I'm perfectly happy using just green channel, as I'm an old school single channel marshall amp type guy, but for guys who are gigging and buying them to use as a 2 channel head, you probably will need to band aid some things.

That also said, Green Channel actually sounds pretty damn good low on the master..say between 9-11 oclock. And even in the triode 20w mode too.

 

[deeaa]

Re: Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

Hey,

Try what I always did with my JVM and some other amps and worked insanely well;

BOOST the loop. I mean, run the preamp with whatever gain you want, and use an EQ or such in the loop so that you're sending a clearly hotter signal to the power stage than normally. That will nicely give you more power amp response and crunch, even with the master volume lower. Try it - you might love the results.

...that is if your amp has a true loop not just a parallel type for FX mixing?

 

[6p5p]

Re: Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

Hi guys,

as you may or may not know my amplifier of choice at the moment is a Marshall DSL401 combo. This amplifier is very good since it has been upgraded with a vintage 30 speaker, it helped the sound a lot.

I'm looking for any other tubes i can use in it that will lower the gain stage so that I can crank the gain control higher.

right now after "5" on the gain knob, there is way too much distortion to be useable. I figured that some lower gain tubes might be able to clean up the amp so that the control has more usable range.

the amp has 4 EL84 tubes and 4 12ax7 tubes.

any suggestions? My guitar has vintage style humbuckers.

Use 12AU7 as PI (I see it is mentioned already)

In addition, you can use JJ's brand new tube type EL844 as power tubes, they reduce output loudness for some 25%. They sound pretty good, though.
If your amp is self-biasing forget this part as they should be biased also cooler than the EL84 and the amp will bias them like the EL84, which would be too hot.
http://www.jj-electronic.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=47

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Tubes For Lower Gain Sound?

Hey,

Try what I always did with my JVM and some other amps and worked insanely well;

BOOST the loop. I mean, run the preamp with whatever gain you want, and use an EQ or such in the loop so that you're sending a clearly hotter signal to the power stage than normally. That will nicely give you more power amp response and crunch, even with the master volume lower. Try it - you might love the results.

...that is if your amp has a true loop not just a parallel type for FX mixing?

the loop boost works