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Post by gtrjunior on May 26, 2017 12:38:19 GMT -5
One of the very first things I did when I got my QR was roll some NOS preamp tube into it. For several years I've been an advocate of the "NOS are far superior" club.
I think it's because they made such a big difference in my JCM 800.
Anyway, for some reason I decided to replace V2 with he original Chinese tube that was installed when the amp was delivered. And......as the thread title suggests, it sounded better than the RCA long grey plate I had put in there way back.
I think I might go back and put all of the original tubes back in and see what that sounds like again.
What are you guys using for preamp tubes in each slot and what do you like about the choices you have made?
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Post by briman on May 26, 2017 17:39:14 GMT -5
I am using the original tubes scott put in it as my amp is only 6 months old. They sound fantastic but i haven't put any others in it to compare but i can't imagine it could sound better than it does!😉
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Post by gtrjunior on May 26, 2017 17:50:13 GMT -5
I am using the original tubes scott put in it as my amp is only 6 months old. They sound fantastic but i haven't put any others in it to compare but i can't imagine it could sound better than it does!😉 Is that the case with you're older QR too? |
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Post by briman on May 26, 2017 17:55:43 GMT -5
The same original tubes in that one too. I will be changing those probably in next few weeks.
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Post by gtrjunior on Jun 1, 2017 19:15:20 GMT -5
Ok...so I just spent some time tube rolling and here is what I settled on.
In both V1 and V3 I went with the original Chinese 12ax7b tubes that came with the amp.
V2 I put a TAD "Selected" 12ax7. Yes, TAD is also a Chinese tube but I had this laying around and the "Selected" grabbed my attention and I wanted to use it. Lol
I swapped it back and forth between V2+V3 a few times and V2 won. Just seemed to have a bit more definition and clarity.
V4 (phase inverter)-I put a Ruby HG that was balanced for use in the PI. I bought this tube a couple of years ago when I had my Marshall JVM. Gives the amp a great "feel". I feel that the PI gives the amp a certain feel as opposed to a tonal difference since it is technically part of the power section.
Whenever I saw YouTube vids, pinch harmonics seemed to jump out of this amp for people. I always seemed to have a hard time getting them to sound. Now, with this particular cocktail, it's there for me too! Even the EVH trill while sliding down the string harmonics thingy he does is basically doing it itself now!!!
For a long time I was such a NOS tube snob. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that in this case I was wrong. Now on my JCM 800 they made a huge difference over new production tubes. Not so in the Splawn. I wonder if Scott designed this circuitry specifically around the tubes he uses?
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Post by splawndude on Jun 1, 2017 23:34:48 GMT -5
Good feedback
some people say tubes don't make a difference but I disagree.
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Post by cvogue on Jun 2, 2017 10:57:47 GMT -5
Oh tubes can make a huge difference, good and bad. Depends on the amp too, not any one tube manufacturer/type is right for all...
I hated JJ preamp tubes in my old Peavey Classic 50 (muddy mess), but their power tubes sounded good. But, JJ preamp tubes sounded great in my Blackstar.
What I would caution against is spending a lot of money on tubes to change the tone of an amp that you already really like but "Swear it will sound better with Mullards, RCA..." or whatever because of some internet hype. Just enjoy your amp if you like it! If something bothers you about your tone, *then* do something about it.
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Post by gtrjunior on Jun 2, 2017 11:54:28 GMT -5
I've already got quite a collection of tubes, both old and new from both my now sold JVM and my JCM 800. I'll still use them for the Marshall but for my QR I'll stick to what I have in it now. I went down and played it before work this morning....sounded killer.
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