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Post by Jason Cornelius on Apr 18, 2015 13:54:59 GMT -7
I'm looking to get a little more clean headroom out of my ghia. Right now the tube setup is:
V1: Tung-Sol 12AX7 re-issue
V2: NOS JAN Philips 5751
V3–V4: Electro-Harmonix EL84EH
V5: JJ 5Y3 S
I'd like a cleaner/spongier tone if possible!
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Jason
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Post by wubberdubber on Apr 18, 2015 16:41:44 GMT -7
My personal experience with EH and JJ EL84's are that the EH's are a bit looser sounding than the JJ's...I'd try changing the power tube and see if that makes a difference. Not saying JJ in particular is the way to go, just that I've noticed a bit cleaner/tighter response between the two.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Apr 19, 2015 5:18:25 GMT -7
I'd look at putting another 5751 in the first position... usually keeps things a little cleaner/clearer.
Also (and I would NOT try this until confirmed by the Doc or his techs) but I wonder if you could swap a different type rectifier tube in there to make things a little more "stout" feeling. Some people have done this with other amps like the M12 with good success; I wonder if it's possible here?
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Post by DRZ on Apr 19, 2015 5:31:27 GMT -7
I'm looking to get a little more clean headroom out of my ghia. Right now the tube setup is: Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Jason Well there has been some good responses try these.
1) NOS 5751 in V1, Nashville pickers trick acts like a low sense input. 2) JJ EL-84's bolder tone and response will add headroom. 3) NOS 5V4 rectifier, will add more plate voltage to increase wattage, but will still feel right. I never liked a 5AR4 in a Ghia, works great in a M-12 but not in a Ghia IMHO.
DR.Z
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Post by telego on Apr 19, 2015 6:41:24 GMT -7
Try the 5751 in V1 with the JJ EL-84 output tubes, it worked for me.
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Post by LT on Apr 19, 2015 8:41:43 GMT -7
Don't forget the speaker. I gigged my Ghia last night for the first time with a 10" Gold (98db) and noticed I lost a lot of clean headroom that I used to have with the Red Fang (102.5db). The RF is going back in. I need the headroom it gave me.
BTW….I haven't done any tube substitutions….I'm using the stock setup.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Apr 19, 2015 9:45:29 GMT -7
I put a 5V4 in my Ghia and love it. As Dr Z says above, still sounds and feels like a Ghia, maybe a little bit tighter in the low end, but with some sponginess and more headroom. I tried a 5AR4 in the Ghia too. I also liked the way it sounded, but it did change the amp's characteristics. It made the whole amp a lot tighter and to my ears more Marshall sounding, because it took away most of the sponge. It did seem to give me a little more headroom than the 5V4 and definitely more than the 5Y3. The 5V4 is sort of like a compromise between the two, but I have used the 5AR4 since for some gigs, depending on what tunes we are playing that night. I'm not sure you can get more headroom without reducing sponginess. At least I don't seem to be able to.
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Post by Jason Cornelius on Apr 19, 2015 11:30:21 GMT -7
Thank you all so much! I'll order some tubes and report back.
You all are the BEST!
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Post by LT on Apr 19, 2015 12:31:34 GMT -7
I'm going to try a 5V4 as well. Thanks Doc for that tip. Good thread Jason!
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Post by lowbudget on Apr 19, 2015 12:44:23 GMT -7
I'm looking to get a little more clean headroom out of my ghia. Right now the tube setup is: Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Jason Well there has been some good responses try these.
1) NOS 5751 in V1, Nashville pickers trick acts like a low sense input. 2) JJ EL-84's bolder tone and response will add headroom. 3) NOS 5V4 rectifier, will add more plate voltage to increase wattage, but will still feel right. I never liked a 5AR4 in a Ghia, works great in a M-12 but not in a Ghia IMHO.
DR.Z
I'm curious: can you go with a NOS 5751 in V1 as the Doc suggests, then still use a 12BH7 in V2 as is often mentioned to increase headroom in the Ghia? What about both of these along with a NOS 5V4 rectifier, if you really wanted to max out the Ghia's headroom? |
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Apr 19, 2015 12:52:55 GMT -7
You can mix and match any 12A(something)7 or equivalent preamp tube with any 5Y3,5U4,5V4,5AR4 rectifier. Great fun on a rainy day. Especially if you are a little ocd.
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Post by LT on Apr 19, 2015 13:52:12 GMT -7
I'm looking at 5V4's and there are "G" and "GA" versions. Does it make any difference?
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Post by LT on Apr 20, 2015 12:15:32 GMT -7
^^^ I found my answer. Mike at KCS says they are all the same tube.
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Post by lowbudget on Apr 20, 2015 13:28:13 GMT -7
So guys: would a 5751 in both V1 and V2 yield more headroom than a 5751 in V1 and a 12BH7 in V2?
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Post by DRZ on Apr 20, 2015 13:38:45 GMT -7
So guys: would a 5751 in both V1 and V2 yield more headroom than a 5751 in V1 and a 12BH7 in V2? Eddie I don't think you'll like that , IMHO. I bit to hollow and scooped with two 5751's. Just try a 5751 in V1, a Tung-Sol or JJ 12AX7 in V2, JJ EL-84's, and a NOS 5V4. Remember that it is only a 15 watt amp so it's not going to stand up like a 80 watt Twin. Those changes should get you as close as a Ghia will bring you.
DR.Z
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slypig
New Member
Green 1x10 Monza
Posts: 47 
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Post by slypig on Apr 20, 2015 13:50:27 GMT -7
I have often wondered about 12bh7 as a preamp tube. I have only ever had one as a reverb driver, but the speck look similar to a 12 at7 witch I have often liked as a preamp tube. Could it sound similar to the 12at7?
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Post by lowbudget on Apr 20, 2015 16:17:09 GMT -7
So guys: would a 5751 in both V1 and V2 yield more headroom than a 5751 in V1 and a 12BH7 in V2? Eddie I don't think you'll like that , IMHO. I bit to hollow and scooped with two 5751's. Just try a 5751 in V1, a Tung-Sol or JJ 12AX7 in V2, JJ EL-84's, and a NOS 5V4. Remember that it is only a 15 watt amp so it's not going to stand up like a 80 watt Twin. Those changes should get you as close as a Ghia will bring you.
DR.Z
Thanks for clearing that up Doc! |
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Post by bigsbybender on May 31, 2015 3:30:21 GMT -7
Don't forget the speaker. I gigged my Ghia last night for the first time with a 10" Gold (98db) and noticed I lost a lot of clean headroom that I used to have with the Red Fang (102.5db). The RF is going back in. I need the headroom it gave me. BTW….I haven't done any tube substitutions….I'm using the stock setup. I too just put a Redfang in place of the Gold I had in my 10" convertible cab, and the difference was significant. The amp opened up and speaks with much more authority. My tube configuration is stock, but I bookmarked this post for the excellent recommendations. |
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Post by big ( Al Z. ) on May 31, 2015 6:38:13 GMT -7
I bought the Gold 10 from LT to replace the RF in my Z28. I just got it in last night and its a big, big difference in volume - as anticipated. With the RF I could always rely on that little combo to cut thru in any situation. But now I am using the Remedy for bigger/outdoor gigs so I think I can afford to lose some of that head room. I have gig coming up in a few weeks at place where we try to play a little quieter so I'll use the Z28 and see if I miss the RF.
So if you find that the tube approach is not working ping me and I may have a RF for sale. An efficient speaker is definitely a way of getting some headroom quick.
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Post by bigsbybender on May 31, 2015 8:46:17 GMT -7
I bet you'll be fine with the Z28 with the Gold. The Gold just wasn't enough with my Ghia at practice, when I'm not mic'd. The RF is.
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Post by eggman on May 31, 2015 16:46:43 GMT -7
Howdy,
At the risk of offending, when I need more headroom I simply use a more powerful amp.
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Post by DRZ on May 31, 2015 17:02:30 GMT -7
Howdy, At the risk of offending, when I need more headroom I simply use a more powerful amp. No more calls we have a winner.....
Z
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Post by southmusic70 on May 31, 2015 17:12:15 GMT -7
Yes...what a concept!
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Post by LT on Jun 1, 2015 12:31:34 GMT -7
^^^ I can't disagree with that!
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Post by msterling45 on Jun 28, 2015 20:08:14 GMT -7
Get an Eminence Swamp Thang. Great sounding speaker with 103db sensitivity. I swap guitars for gain levels but I can attest that a Ghia running a duo of Swamp Thangs with a tele is as clean as you're going to need outside of jazz. Country, indie, worship, guitars-in-the-reverb-cavern...you can literally do anything (except progressive metal) with the right speakers/tubes/pedal/guitar.
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swiveltung
Full Member
tracking number 770638390642
Posts: 219
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Post by swiveltung on Jul 19, 2015 11:20:54 GMT -7
I'm looking to get a little more clean headroom out of my ghia. Right now the tube setup is: Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Jason Well there has been some good responses try these.
1) NOS 5751 in V1, Nashville pickers trick acts like a low sense input. 2) JJ EL-84's bolder tone and response will add headroom. 3) NOS 5V4 rectifier, will add more plate voltage to increase wattage, but will still feel right. I never liked a 5AR4 in a Ghia, works great in a M-12 but not in a Ghia IMHO.
DR.Z
Any idea where the plate voltages end up with these different rectifiers? |
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Post by jesslm02 on Jul 23, 2015 7:44:13 GMT -7
Jason, I don't think anyone asked but what speakers/cab are running the Ghia through?
And just a note that I really like what Doc's suggestion sounds like! I wasn't necessarily going for more headroom but I like the way the 5751 sounds in V1. Also, I think that JJ's sound great in the Ghia.
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Post by meanslide on Aug 10, 2015 11:30:09 GMT -7
I took the good Dr.'s advice on this and retubed my Ghia, which it really needed. Power tubes had a couple years of gigs on them.
First thing I did was just change the power tubes (JJ's). Ah, the ol' Ghia sparkle came back right away.
Next I swapped the preamp tubes...NOS RCA 5751 in V1 and a Tung-sol 12 AX7 in V2. Clearer, even more bell like tone.
Then I swapped the stock rectifier with an NOS Sylvania 5V4GA. Wow, significant difference in clarity up the V knob.
Still sounds like a Ghia, but absolutely more headroom.
Next up is a speaker swap from a C Gold to a Cream Alnico. Should be here in a couple of days...
Thanks for the suggestions Doc!
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