Tube discussions

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:28 pm

Ya know...I've never replaced a tube before.
My boogie 22 was squealing a little in the lead channel
Maintainence reco was changing V1 pre amp tube if turning down the treble reduced feedback

I replaced 2 of the 5 preamp tubes with new tung-sol 12ax7's

Wow! what a difference
So then I did some searches and saw that I probably should change the power tubes
So I just put in 2 Vintage RI Mullards, bias matched EL84's

Man it's like a new amp. tone, volume all amazing.

so a little more research and I just ordered two more 12ax7's by Electo Harmonix as I read they are fat and warm.

I am going to slot them into V1 and V2 move the Tung-sol's to V3 and 4

Wow...I just pumped.........who knew!!!!????

so any other tube stories...preferences and so forth?

euan · Post by **euan** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:32 pm

Cryogenically treated tubes are not a false story. They do mean a quieter and sweater tube.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:37 pm

euan wrote:Cryogenically treated tubes are not a false story. They do mean a quieter and sweater tube.

??

euan · Post by **euan** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:42 pm

http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?id=10

I did a demo of a cryo valve against a non cryo version and there was a definite difference.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:54 pm

I never heard of it before

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:38 pm

euan wrote:sweater tube.

lul

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Wed May 21, 2008 8:19 pm

Mo Rocca wrote:
euan wrote:sweater tube.
lul

is that what rivers uses?

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Wed May 21, 2008 9:19 pm

i put some nos 7581s in my deville and rebiased it. it sounds infinitely better than stock.
also have sovtek 5881s in my bandmaster and they sound better than some rca 6L6s i tried.

drasp · Post by **drasp** » Thu May 22, 2008 12:24 am

I've got a whole mess of new production preamp tubes & a handful of NOS stuff for my amps. I've only bought NOS from Mike @ KCA and a few folks at HCFX.

In my Champ I use an old GE 12AX7 or a JAN Phillips for v1. For the 6V6 I'm using a huge old Marconi and for the 5Y3 a Mazda (which a lot of folks like in Champs and other amps w/o a standby switch b/c they take a while to come on).

In my Tiny Terror I haven't messed with the stock JJs yet as it sounds pretty much PERFECT to my ears as is.

In my Vibroverb I'm running matched =C= Svets for the 6L6s. I've left the bias fixed and the tubes are over a year old and running strong with ~3hrs. a week of good, loud cranking. For the reverb driver (12AT7) I bought some NOS Mullard CV4024s and expected to love them, based on reputation, but found the stock Fender tube (???) has a more over-the-top "splashy" surf sound, so I've gone back to it. Another JAN Phillips in v1 & the rest are Tung-Sol re-issues.

My HIWATT came with some old =C= Svets, Sovtek 12AX7WAs and an Edicron ECC81 (12AT7). I've got one of the Mullard CV4024s in the PI now, Tung Sols for v2 and v4 and am trying the GE I usually have in my Champ for v1 (most important in a HIWATT). I'm letting it eat a set of GT EL34Ms right now as I don't feel like adjusting the bias unless it has problems killing readily available power tubes.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:26 am

so it's like once you start effing with tubes it's addictive?

boyecho · Post by **boyecho** » Fri May 23, 2008 3:38 am

mike at KCAnostubes has sent me plenty of orders over the years.

i'm running all RCA power tubes in my vibro king. as well as a rca 6k6 gt in my reverb tank AND the reverb section of my VK. with mullard preamp tubes.

i dont like the new tung sol tubes. i had a batch in my ampeg v4 and my ampeg superjet.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:37 am

I pretty much have nothing to compare to other than the old tubes that were in it so anything sounds good.

See a couple of you like Mike at KCA

I'm looking forward to the Electro Harmonix 2 that are coming.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:40 am

I used Tung-Sol RI's in my JVM and liked them. I pulled them and replaced the stock Shugangs (which were still nice) before selling it on ebay.

My 6100 just has Marshall branded Svetlana Winged =C= EL34s and I believe JJ preamps. I haven't retubed it in an age, maybe next year

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:46 am

euan wrote:http://www.watfordvalves.com/products.asp?id=10

I did a demo of a cryo valve against a non cryo version and there was a definite difference.

I'm still not getting what it is you are trying to say. I get that there is a difference. what are you relating it to?
I don't know if I got the frozen or thawed tubes. Are you saying I should have gotten one over another?

Just making a comparison?
Saying I got ripped?
Expound.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:48 am

You asked for tube stories and he gave you his, that in his experience Cryogenically treated tubes sound good.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:52 am

got it

most stories start with a little bridge at least.

I'd like a warm sound.
do they cost a lot more than regular?

Post by **Doog** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:55 am

mage wrote:
Mo Rocca wrote:
euan wrote:sweater tube.
lul
is that what rivers uses?

If you want to destroy my sweateeeeeer tube
Crank the bias, and just walk aaaaaway

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 23, 2008 11:56 am

Generally I look for balance in a tube, if you want warmth, your EQ and guitar tone controls should be providing it ideally.

There is a price difference, around 20% or something.

euan · Post by **euan** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:06 pm

Basically they make the tube noise quieter and there is some saying in that they will last longer because of it. There is an added extra something to them. Possibly by getting a cyro tube of a normal one you are actually getting better value of money over more expensive tubes.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Fri May 23, 2008 12:12 pm

thanks Euan and Mike................a few extra bucks on an inexpensive item .................what the heck

I'm finding I'm not even touching the EQ on the studio 22..guess I have to play with it more. I like it straight up the amp that is.

If I just visualise a frozen tube I see I think I'd like the tone.
I clicked to that page Euan but didn't find the demo. I must not be seeing something.