SuperBee
390 posts
Jul 10, 2012
7:08 PM
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I haven't done any experimenting with tubes in terms of different manufacturers. I understand they vary in terms of Quality of construction, but how does this effect the quality of sound? Are there really noticeable differences or is it in the realm of things which the user might convince himself it's different and no-one else would notice?
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Willspear
180 posts
Jul 10, 2012
8:04 PM
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There is a distinct difference from cheap Chinese tubes to something better and another change to vintage
Bottle size and bias make the most considerable difference
So getting the amp biased for power tubes makes a massive difference. Jj 6v6 sound a lot like 6l6 tubes for example
The largest change is just changing gain factor of pre amp tubes. Going to something like a 12ay7 from a 12ax7 in many amps warms tone and helps get more volume before feedback. It also makes the line where feedback occurs much easier to control. Less touchy and spastic much easier to find the threshold.
I use mostly jjs or new tungsols unless using an amp that requires hard to find tubes.
The tone of vintage can be better but I doubt anyone in a live setting without a/bing would know what you are using.
I think vintage tubes are a waste of effort unless like me you are using an amp where vintage tubes are cheaper than new production. My ampeg is full of 6sl7s which are cheap as dirt on the vintage market. But the 2 6l6s in it are jjs the rectifier is vintage. In my bassman and Princeton I use new production tubes. The Princeton has had vintage tubes but changing out the Jensen c10r for a better speaker really made it much better than any tube swap.
Other people will disagree but honestly it will be your ears that matter. If you think something is better then it is atleast to you.
Last Edited by on Jul 10, 2012 8:35 PM
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Rick Davis
503 posts
Jul 10, 2012
8:22 PM
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I agree with Willspear.
In my opinion, much money is wasted on high-dollar vintage tubes. The online ads make the most glorious (and absurd) promises. Whatever sonic improvements there may be in exotic tubes are very small. Good mid-priced tubes will almost always sound just as nice.
My favorite place to buy tubes is Tube Depot in Memphis. They are online at www.tubedepot.com. They are knowledgeable and helpful, and they never blow smoke up yer butt about this tube or that one making you sound like Little Walter. I've been doing business with them since 2006.
Specifically, I like the new production Tung Sol power tubes for their warm tone and musical quality. The NOS JAN Phillips 5751 is my favorite harp preamp tube, for $30.00. The JJ Tesla 6V6 sounds great in some amps.
My advice is save your money, buy good mid-priced tubes, and spend your money on better speakers for your amp. Speaker swaps can make the most dramatic change in your amp tone.
It does not have to be exotic and expensive. Find something that sounds good to you and inspires you to play more. That is where you will find your greatest improvement in tone.
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-Rick Davis
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SuperBee
392 posts
Jul 11, 2012
12:37 AM
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Very good. I was thinking particularly of my essentially stock silverface Princeton Reverb (78). In general I really like it but just occasionally I wonder if the breakup is a little harsh. And early. It has original speaker and possibly original tubes. Previous owner said they were original.
Yeah, I wasn't thinking about swapping preamp tubes for different gain factors really, in my OP. more the question of "JJ will sound like this, EH will be like that" Kinda thing. I don't want to get mixed up in that game unless there is a definite payoff. Seems a new speaker could be worthwhile though. Any suggestions?
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