Robben Ford Discussion

midc74 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:49 pm Post subject: Tube Preference

Just wondering what everyone uses for pre & power tubes in their favorite amps. Are you all using NOS by now? And what's your favorite "new" tubes (if you have any).. Groovetubes? Sovtek? etc

I know it can make a huge difference on your tone. I'm thinking of upgrading.

Patrick

kirk95 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:36 pm Post subject:

What kind of amp? and what kind of tone are you going for?

We need more data.........
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midc74 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:45 pm Post subject:

Well.. I was asking about YOUR favorite amp/tubes.. Smile

but to answer your question.. Robben's tone of course! (handfull of blues lead work, etc) hehe

My main amp is a Fuchs ODS 100, currently with four Sovtek 5881/6L6 (the tubes AF puts in his amps) , and four 12AX7 (I think). I've been running it lately in full power/triode mode.

Thinking of trying some NOS tubes.

Patrick

Flavum · Member Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 32

I use Mullards in the Marshall, and RCAs in my Fenders. They seem happy. Very Happy

Aeolian · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 12:20 pm Post subject:

The flat base Sovtek 6L6's that AF puts in his amps are pretty good tubes. The last time I sent mine in I asked Andy to rebias it for a pair of Svetlana's I put in there. Most of the tube junkies I know consider these to be the next best thing to expensive NOS things. I noticed a slight increase in "sparkle" and some additional overtones or color or richness in the midrange, whatever you want to call it.

In the preamp I have a mixture of EI and the WBT Sovtek's AF put there.

A buddy with a Fuch's modded Boogie has been playing with preamp tubes and had this to say:

"Till now the best sound has been an EI in the "clean" position, and a Brimar in the OD position.

Substituting the Brimar with a Telefunken in the OD position, while keeping everything else the same, produced a bit more gain with the OD. However, it also imparted a slightly more agressive and edgier sound. The overall OD tone was still acceptable.

So far my findings have been as follows:

- EI's produced an improvement in terms of sustain and smoothness over the stock Mesa and Sovtek preamp tubes.
- Telefunkens are smoother than the EIs.
- The Brimar yielded the smoothest sound so far."

Are we having fun yet. Laughing

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midc74 · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 2:42 pm Post subject:

Ohhh... That is a lot of good info!

Thanks! Very Happy

...and YES we are having fun!

My new effects should be here in a few days (I hope).. I'm gonna wait until I have a chance to play with them for a while before I decide what I'm gonna do with the tubes.

Patrick

iamthewalrus

Many of you probably know this site but if not, it's a good one to know about. Myles Rose created the "Special Applications Group" at Groove Tubes. He also hosts what he calls "tube amp blueprinting" clinics - and lately they've been free! I have a set of NOS 5881s in my Bassman that Myles dynamically matched. I thought I had a balanced phase inverter in it but was wrong, he gave me one from his collection and also another to replace a highly microphonic Ei 12AX7. The amp sounds just like it should: big, warm, dynamic and Fender-y. He may be as knowledgable about tubes and how they sound in guitar amps as anyone on the planet right now.

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/

For you SoCal guitarists - keep checking for his next clinic.
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midc74 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link! That guy is amazing... and I think there is enough reading, and technical information there to keep me busy for a long time. Very Happy

Patrick

tonemaster2_11 · Member Joined: 07 Dec 2003 Posts: 37

For power tubes I like the Svetlana 6L6GC's. I use them in two different amps and have compared them to N.O.S. GE's and Tung-Sol's and find that they are more to my liking. Tremendous low end and bloom. Thicker sounding and more complex harmonic content than the GE's. Sweeter highs too!! Add inexpensive and easy to obtain and that makes them a NO BRAINER for me.
As far as preamp tubes are concerned, I like NOS GE 12ax7's. Low noise, rarely microphonic and big thick sound.