High Gain JJ Pre Amp Tubes

[noah76]

So Im looking at JJ pre amp tubes for the Compitition. People here say they like the high gain JJ's. So my questions is what are high gain JJ's pre amp tubes? Make? Model #? Also where can I order them from? Whats a good price?

Thanks

[Jammermatt]

I would talk to Bob at Eurotubes. He sells 'em. He told me they're a tad more aggressive and a tad more bright than the standard ones. I decided to pass on them because I don't need more bright, so I went with the standard JJs. Anyway, he can give you better info, so give him a call or drop him an email. He's pretty easy to get ahold of and gives great service.

www.eurotubes.com/

[Ayton(e)]

More bright and aggressive on a Compy? You'd have to get it one of those Hannibal Lecter masks.

[bubbastain]

I just ordered a full retube for my Competition. KT88s and high gain preamp tubes. If I don't like them, I can experiment with others I have. I'll record some clips before/after tube swap.

[Jammermatt]

Keep us posted!

[bubbastain]

Finished my little tube experiment. This is what i did and what I noticed. Left the EH preamp tubes in and only swapped power tubes and cabs. 1st track KT77s/Marshall 4x12 Gt-75, 2nd track KT77s/Marshall 4x12 Vintage 30, 3rd track KT88s/GT75 and finally KT88/Vintage 30. I couldn't bring the KT88s bias down enough to keep them in, but I recorded anyways with them running really hot(68Ma). It was just a few minutes and I only had the volume at 9o'clock(still very loud). The standard and vintage cabs both sound very good with this head. I think the Vintage is a little better for my sound. Both together is perfect. While the KT88s did sound bigger in person(also a louder tube) the KT77 was very close. On the recording neither I or my friend could really notice any difference. I used a SM57 slightly off axis pointing at edge of cone, recorded into a Presonus firebox and into Garageband. I don't know if I want to swap resistors just yet. I've seen the piggy back resistor thing, but I'd like to have a external switch and external bias pot.
Next I put the KT77s back in and pulled the EH pre's and replaced with JJ high gain preamp tubes. WOW! They just infected my beast with rabies. I'll post some clips at
www.netmusicians.org/index.php?search=6505%2B later. I have one right now. Search Bubbastain.

[shredheadjhj]

So you prefer the JJ pres to the EH pres?

I'm running EL34's. Do I have to change a resistor to run KT77's?

[bubbastain]

Shredhead, I really like the JJ high gain pre's in my Competition. They do add just a little bit extra "venom" to the beast . I'm running the gain about 11 o'clock. I like to get a heavy sound out too much gain. I removed the 88s and just installed a new pair of 77s. You can install 77s without changing anything. Of course you'll want to rebias the amp. I did the 47k resistor piggy back thing and now I can run my 88s or 77s. I just ordered a cold pair of 88s and a warm pair of 77s.
Picked up an old Marshall JCM900 MKiii yesterday. It had Svetlana EL34s and Sovtek pre's. I put those old EH pre's that were in my Comp and my old 77s in the Marshall and it really improved the sound. Thicker, tighter and a bit more bottom.

[shredheadjhj]

I was thinking about going for SINO EL#$B's, but now I might look into a good set of KT77's... DEFINITELY sounds up my alley.

[bubbastain]

Another plus for the 50 watt Competition- 2 power tubes and 3 preamp tubes. Tube change is on the cheap side. Well, unless you get some fancy tubes.