Nick!
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Posts: 16
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Post by Nick! on Jul 20, 2007 23:41:32 GMT -7
I have three questions. 1.) does the brand of tube affect the tone noticeably?
2.) what tube brands are the best?
3.) which tubes can make it so it doesn't distort at such a low volume? (if its possible)
i have a maz 18 Jr that came with Mesa and sovtek tubes
thank you, Nick
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Post by groovergeorge on Jul 21, 2007 6:11:29 GMT -7
Brands definitely affect the tone of your particular amp. Many tone particular guitarists still prefer N.O.S (new old stock) tubes from the 50's,60's and 70's made in Europe over newer production stuff from Russia and China. Most of the N.O.S stuff was made to stricter standards back then and therefor less prone to micro-phonic problems. That is not to say that some of the new companies such as Groove Tubes aren't quite good, it is just that for certain tubes like the EF86 it is almost imperative that a N.O.S is used as many of the newer ones just don't cut it. If you are searching for a tube that will break up a lot earlier than one that has more headroom then companies like www.groovetubes.com actually have a rating system. You mentioned not distorting at lower volumes, don't forget to take into account what speaker you're using and what pickups are loaded into your guitar. For tons of cleans go for anything above 8+ in groove tube EL84's
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Post by jwr on Jul 21, 2007 12:27:38 GMT -7
To answer question #3. Try a 5751 Phase Inverter and a 5751 in V1. If it's still too dirty try a 12AY7 in V1 and a 12AT7 in the Phase Inverter position. The higher rating on the EL-84's will help, but not as drastically as in V1 and PI positions. I would retube the entire amp. Try and contact Myles and see what he can offer you from GT to help tame your amp. He's helped me countless times and will get you going in no time. Good Luck!
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Nick!
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by Nick! on Jul 22, 2007 14:38:25 GMT -7
thanks that helps alot, do the power tubes, reflecter tubes, or preamp tubes, affect thesound the most, or should i replace them all?
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Post by jwr on Jul 22, 2007 18:17:05 GMT -7
If it's a used amp do all of them. A lot of guys are going NOS when it comes to rectifier tubes, they claim a fairly drastic improvement in tone. I've yet to try it, but I plan to. V1 is going to affect you tone the most. Everything else is a balancing act! I would retube the output section with the same tubes that Z ships in the amps new.
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Nick!
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by Nick! on Jul 26, 2007 14:46:32 GMT -7
qeustion. whats v1?
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Post by myles on Jul 26, 2007 14:51:14 GMT -7
In your amp V1 (valve 1) is the tube most close to the input jack.
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Post by myles on Jul 26, 2007 14:53:56 GMT -7
thanks that helps alot, do the power tubes, reflecter tubes, or preamp tubes, affect thesound the most, or should i replace them all? Rectifers do not wear out over time. They are good or bad. When they do fail it is usually at the worst time. Have a spare rectifier on hand. Preamp tubes also do not really wear out. I change the phase inverter every two or three output set changes in EL84 amps and every output tube change in 6L6 and EL34 amps. The other preamp tubes do not need to be replaced and V1 and V2 are the ones to replace if you want to change the tone of your amp. V1 is the most critical. Don't skimp here.
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Post by myles on Jul 26, 2007 14:57:31 GMT -7
Brands definitely affect the tone of your particular amp. Many tone particular guitarists still prefer N.O.S (new old stock) tubes from the 50's,60's and 70's made in Europe over newer production stuff from Russia and China. Most of the N.O.S stuff was made to stricter standards back then and therefor less prone to micro-phonic problems. That is not to say that some of the new companies such as Groove Tubes aren't quite good, it is just that for certain tubes like the EF86 it is almost imperative that a N.O.S is used as many of the newer ones just don't cut it. If you are searching for a tube that will break up a lot earlier than one that has more headroom then companies like www.groovetubes.com actually have a rating system. You mentioned not distorting at lower volumes, don't forget to take into account what speaker you're using and what pickups are loaded into your guitar. For tons of cleans go for anything above 8+ in groove tube EL84's High ratings in cathode biased EL84 amps make little difference and 8-10s will just generate a LOT of heat that is not needed. Stick with 5-6 ratings or 7 on occasion for special applications. If you want to change things then change the phase inverter and get a nice long plate one in there with PROPER specs (90% of today's tube are not even close). GT gold series have to meet minimum specs to be gold series so they are in the ballpark. GT silver series are reserved from my point of view for effects loop use and I personally never use them in any critical tone or gain stage.
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Nick!
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by Nick! on Jul 26, 2007 15:13:01 GMT -7
Thank you! that helps a ton! -Nick
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Nick!
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by Nick! on Jul 26, 2007 20:17:21 GMT -7
sorry whats a phase inverter? i dont knopw much about tube amps at this point... but i want to
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Post by dixiechicken on Aug 10, 2007 6:09:35 GMT -7
Phase inverter is either a tube or a solidstate device - that takes the signal coming from the pre-amplifier/tonestack part of your amp, it splits the signal into two halves phase-shifted 180 degrees. ( one negative and one positive half with reference to ground wich equals zero ) With an algorithm called Fourier transformation you can analyze a complex waveform and reduce it to a fundamental sinewave frequency with a certain amplitude (volume) plus extra sinewave overtones of various frequencies and amplitudes.
Music or notes if you will are examples of complex waveforms. Anyway the "phase inverter then send the positive part of waveform to one powertube and the negative signal to the other powertube. The amplified halves are then sent to the "power-trannie" - summed and sent to your speaker-cab producing wonderful music. ;D This longwinded explanation is reasonably accurate if your amplifier is a class B or class AB amplifier. If I forgot or skimped some important details I'm sure "myles" or some other of the local "gurus" can chip in and correct me or elucidate. Cheers: Dixiechicken
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