Tube Amp Users Roll Call!
- Thread starter Lifehouse
- Start date
Well I am at heart a metalhead hence my preference but I do find it a pretty all rounded amp...even the clean channel sounds pretty cool when you mess with the damping function on the back...
I love the Fender which I got before the Triple XXX...it has an awesome tone...with the right gtr and pickups, it will really sing....recently used it on a project and it just kicked everybody's ass in the studio...maybe when I am done, I might post a sample....
And sorry its not for sale..its my precious...
Well I don't....hence why its all in my studio right now....my mom was already freaking out when I played the Fender at home...
I love the Fender which I got before the Triple XXX...it has an awesome tone...with the right gtr and pickups, it will really sing....recently used it on a project and it just kicked everybody's ass in the studio...maybe when I am done, I might post a sample....
And sorry its not for sale..its my precious...
thor666 said:
Well I don't....hence why its all in my studio right now....my mom was already freaking out when I played the Fender at home...
Hey Joshua, I would love to drop in to the studio and pick your brain on a few things, especially on the session scene in Singapore. I have done a few sessions in the States, most notably I did a few for a band on Capitol Records who's guitar player got hurt. They needed a temp and a guy to lay down some guitar that the original guy had only done in demo form so they hired me. I was lucky enough to record in one of the smaller studios in the Capitol Records Building on Vine.
Heavenscloud
New member
Vox Valvetronix AD50VT
Solid State (transistor) amps with 1 (or maybe more) preamp tube (mostly 12AX7) are NOT considered tube amp or hybrid amp.
Modern tube amps likely have solidstate active circuits these days, but largely confined to reverb driver, effect loop, link (eg. headphone) circuirtry. But the main signal chain within the tube amp is still fully tube, (eg. from preamp stages to power amp stages). If you do not understand such jargon, it's not necessary anyway. Tube amps are largely differenciated by cost, due to manufacturing process, components cost (additional transformers, ++).
Hybrid amp is best illustrated by some early 80's or late 70's Musicman Amps. They have output tubes and transformer, but preamp stage mixture of solid state and tube.
Classifications are not easy to give, unless you are very experienced or one who fixes these amps.
So, those with valvetronix, AVT series and many more similar type of amps, please get your classification right, yours is a "Tube pre-amp only" amp. It is NOT considered a Tube amp at all.
Modern tube amps likely have solidstate active circuits these days, but largely confined to reverb driver, effect loop, link (eg. headphone) circuirtry. But the main signal chain within the tube amp is still fully tube, (eg. from preamp stages to power amp stages). If you do not understand such jargon, it's not necessary anyway. Tube amps are largely differenciated by cost, due to manufacturing process, components cost (additional transformers, ++).
Hybrid amp is best illustrated by some early 80's or late 70's Musicman Amps. They have output tubes and transformer, but preamp stage mixture of solid state and tube.
Classifications are not easy to give, unless you are very experienced or one who fixes these amps.
So, those with valvetronix, AVT series and many more similar type of amps, please get your classification right, yours is a "Tube pre-amp only" amp. It is NOT considered a Tube amp at all.
thor666
New member
mikemann - you're probably correct. (so the title is a misnomer.)
but i guess Lifehouse's purpose is to gather people who actually use amps with tubes to actually discuss what they actually do with their amps, tubes, etc. Basically sharing information on specific models. So I feel even the amps with preamp/poweramp tubes should stay in this thread.
just my 5 cents of thought.
cheers
but i guess Lifehouse's purpose is to gather people who actually use amps with tubes to actually discuss what they actually do with their amps, tubes, etc. Basically sharing information on specific models. So I feel even the amps with preamp/poweramp tubes should stay in this thread.
just my 5 cents of thought.
cheers
I knew this was going to come up sooner or later. So actually if you read carefully, I did include the term Hybrid (Preamp) for those using such amps. The whole idea of this thread is to exchange pointers on tubes (POWER, PREAMP RECTIFIER) and such. EH, JJs, SEDs, Mullard, Telefunken, Philips JAN, Sovtek and any changes in the inherent tone for the power tubes users. Preamp tubes users probably won't get as much out of changing a 12ax7, but ultimately no matter what, changing your preamp tubes will change your tone.
Fender Bassman, and a wrecked Musicman hybrid. Like Mikeman mentioned, its SS preamp and tube poweramp, but OT went crazy, n its too costly to repair it.
But i like my bassman, clean n nice tone. But will want a nice tube amp with some nasty dirt!!! Wishlist is a carvin V3, cuz its cheap alternative to other hi gain amp hehe
Im currently using SED 6L6GC... nice
ok i said too much.
But i like my bassman, clean n nice tone. But will want a nice tube amp with some nasty dirt!!! Wishlist is a carvin V3, cuz its cheap alternative to other hi gain amp hehe
Im currently using SED 6L6GC... nice
ok i said too much.
brundisium
New member
just an observation. Seem like it's more on listing out the gear here more than the infos on tube change, tonal differences etc..
brundisium said:
Since that the case, I shall start the ball rolling.. :smt002
Amp: Fender Pro Junior
Tube used: 2x12AX7 (pre), 2xEL84(power)
Problem and Observation: Buzzing like crazy after few hours of play, microphony effects.
Rectification:
Replaced Fender re-labelled sovtek 12AX7 with JJ's 12AU7 (don't like sovtek tube, just IMHO)
I did a search on some Fender forum and alot users did faced the same problem and Fender actually suggested to do tube rolling as some tubes are quieter than the others. The problem is how to know which tube to buy and even same manufacturer same type of tube are different, and not to mention the lack of fund.
A visit to Martin electronic (tube/valve and amp distributor) solved my problem, the very experience aunty actually advised me to use a less gain tube on the pre-amp. replacing the 12AX7 with 12AU7. They commented it will not spoilt the amp. The downside is, the amp will sound softer which is a good thing to me! It's so loud at my place! I can barely turn up to vol 3 without hurting my ears.
Once i did the replacement at home, all those buzz are gone->zilch, hardly can even hear the usual tube hiss which is common and it does goes like 30% softer! I can now cramp up the vol and the sound break up wonderfully.
I hope this benefit someone tho...
Cheers
Amp: Peavey Ultra Plus (Currently 4 x SED 6L6GC, 1 x EH12AX7 (Higher gain) and 3 x 12AX7 (Low noise and microphonics)
Stock tubes were think cheap China ruby tubes. I went to email 2 online retailers ()Tubedepot and The Tube Store if you must know), and surprisingly both suggested SED 6L6GC and EH12AX7. I went with tubedepot and chose the SED and EH.
Sounded much better, more harmonics, articulations etc. the EH12AX7s (I ordered for the first gain stage a higher-gain version and the other 3, low noise and microphonics) delivered a smoother drive and the distortion sounded sweeter. However, I seem to find that the Ultra doesn't sound as good with mahogany than basswood. Or it just plain doesnt like Tonezone. My pal JEM555 with evos sounded wonderful with it. Seems to handle those DT stuff better.
Tubedepot took less than 60 hours to fulfil their order, matched quad during festive season, so from now on they rank good in my books.
Clean tone after the tube change were better, not as stertile as many said on HC reviews, definetely richer and warmer. Tweaking the tone knob exposed alot of possibilities with the clean tone.
Last but not least, for anyone changing tube for the first time, DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS, please use a towel or something similar. The oil on your hand will cause damage to your tubes, so it's a big no no.
Stock tubes were think cheap China ruby tubes. I went to email 2 online retailers ()Tubedepot and The Tube Store if you must know), and surprisingly both suggested SED 6L6GC and EH12AX7. I went with tubedepot and chose the SED and EH.
Sounded much better, more harmonics, articulations etc. the EH12AX7s (I ordered for the first gain stage a higher-gain version and the other 3, low noise and microphonics) delivered a smoother drive and the distortion sounded sweeter. However, I seem to find that the Ultra doesn't sound as good with mahogany than basswood. Or it just plain doesnt like Tonezone. My pal JEM555 with evos sounded wonderful with it. Seems to handle those DT stuff better.
Tubedepot took less than 60 hours to fulfil their order, matched quad during festive season, so from now on they rank good in my books.
Clean tone after the tube change were better, not as stertile as many said on HC reviews, definetely richer and warmer. Tweaking the tone knob exposed alot of possibilities with the clean tone.
Last but not least, for anyone changing tube for the first time, DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS, please use a towel or something similar. The oil on your hand will cause damage to your tubes, so it's a big no no.
Amp: Rivera R30
Tubes are stock 2 SED EL 34 (All riveras comes with SEDs). Havent changed tubes yet and its about a year old already in my hands. The tubes are rated 10 meaning the 'cleanest' thus the hardest to get power amp crunch. For me its good as it also means that the tubes are run cool and thus prolong the tubes life. Ill be getting a matched pair soon but the amp still works beautifully.
Since the amp was designed to have a 'fender' flavored clean channel and a 'marshall' flavored drive channel its a darn versatile amp. I usually use the clean channel more with a lil reverb, mid notch switched off and the boost engaged. The tone is similar to a ts9.ts808 driving the old fender blackface giving thick warm bluesy tones and its showes dynamics real well. I control the amount of grit using the volume control on the guitar.
The marshall channel is simulated based on the JCM800 which has a nice vintagy marshall crunch. The gain is not as expansive as the modern marshall TSL/DSL but it suits my liking. With the boost channel switched on it can get close to a ZW tone using a hot pickup.
All in all its probably the best investment in terms of tone that i had made. Though its regarded as an entry level booteek amp it still provides the tone and it doesnt burn a large hole in the wallet,...
Tubes are stock 2 SED EL 34 (All riveras comes with SEDs). Havent changed tubes yet and its about a year old already in my hands. The tubes are rated 10 meaning the 'cleanest' thus the hardest to get power amp crunch. For me its good as it also means that the tubes are run cool and thus prolong the tubes life. Ill be getting a matched pair soon but the amp still works beautifully.
Since the amp was designed to have a 'fender' flavored clean channel and a 'marshall' flavored drive channel its a darn versatile amp. I usually use the clean channel more with a lil reverb, mid notch switched off and the boost engaged. The tone is similar to a ts9.ts808 driving the old fender blackface giving thick warm bluesy tones and its showes dynamics real well. I control the amount of grit using the volume control on the guitar.
The marshall channel is simulated based on the JCM800 which has a nice vintagy marshall crunch. The gain is not as expansive as the modern marshall TSL/DSL but it suits my liking. With the boost channel switched on it can get close to a ZW tone using a hot pickup.
All in all its probably the best investment in terms of tone that i had made. Though its regarded as an entry level booteek amp it still provides the tone and it doesnt burn a large hole in the wallet,...
Similar threads
- Locked
