-
Neither lengthy nor very off-topic, at least to me. Exploring the myths and traditions of long-held opinions (frequently based on little or no factual support) can often be useful, as was my intent when initially introducing the vacuum tube post. Illustrating anecdotally that certain <ahem> questionable practises and issues might suggest to musicians that they could look elsewhere (when making equipment purchase decisions) than to the opinions of their friends.
In turn, eventually influencing manufacturers to make more sensible decisions about what they make and how they market !
Pointing out that some of the most popular (and marketed as musically superior) equipment may NOT be necessary follows logically. As LPD noted: music comes from musicians, not from musical equipment. Good equipment doesn't HAVE to be expensive ... some of my best purchasing decisions, looking back, were also the least expensive. And definitely vice-versa, don't get me started !!
PS: I just got an idea for dispelling another myth about why tube amplifiers sound "better" ... will think about it for a while before posting.Last edited by randyc; 11-14-2009 at 11:18 PM. Reason: add PS
-
11-14-2009 11:15 PM
-
BUT, in the event that my comments regarding cost/quality/performance might be misunderstood, please note that we are discussing sound reproduction here, not the instruments that generate the sound
-
We are all genetically programmed to NOT make that assumption!
Originally Posted by randyc
BUT, in the event that my comments regarding cost/quality/performance might be misunderstood, please note that we are discussing sound reproduction here, not the instruments that generate the sound
On a slightly different note, I think yesterday marked the retirement of my beloved, and road battered, Les Paul Deluxe. Later this morning we will perform a Rev Gary Davis song (I Belong to the Band). We learned it from David Bromberg's arrangement on Try Me One More Time (a great CD), where it is played in D. Since I was doing this in my living room, I got out the '30s D-tuned Regal, and then, in a natural progression, pulled out Lester and the Jazzmaster. Great sound, as I have repeatedly said at this and other forums.
When we got everyone together yesterday to put the final touches on it (which included dropping it to C) I got out the 335 and put the Deluxe away.
The 335 is it! Much better ergonomics, a bit lighter, and with an equally attractive sound to the LP. I don't think I can go back.
Randy, you got that CD fairly quickly. I hope you enjoy it.
-
I am having an old Twin I just got a couple months ago serviced and am replacing the original power tubes (plastic part broke on one, getting output-stage load crackle, etc...) even though I was hoping to keep them.
When I asked the tech, who will be working on it, what tubes he would recommend, he just basically said whatever, GrooveTubes or other. He's an older guy and I suspect that he knows they all are substandard to what used to be around, so it really doesn't matter.
That being said, I bought the cheapest matched quad set I could find from a tube place that I have bought satisfactorily from before.
I used to buy the more expensive tubes for my other amps, but I don't think its worth it anymore. I have a hard time believing the $20 tube is better than the $13 one.
-
Ha!
Had the same experience, buying Boogie and Nos RCAs, fitting and getting new unwanted noises or short valve life, then bought the cheapest set available from electronic supplier Maplin, which were branded Edicron. No problems since, but don't know what I'll do when these ones go. Maplin don't do them anymore. Maybe I'll buy a Mambo.
-
Part of reason I got rid of my tube amp is finding and price of good tubes. I think about getting another small tube amp, but hard to justify the cost. I hate to become one of the "good enough" generation, but today’s SS amps are good enough and the audience doesn't know or care anyway.
Especially being around my buddies band both guitarists play tube amps Mesa and Fender. The Mesa guy is always replacing tubes or amps are in to Mesa for repair. The Fender guy doesn't replace tubes as often. What's sad I heard another tube factory closed a few months ago seems like there would be enough demand and profit in making good tubes, are the materials difficult to get?Last edited by docbop; 08-28-2014 at 07:31 PM.
-
I'm definitely behind you with that attitude, my new approach is to find what works but for the absolute minimum expense. Personally,I suppose it's pretty liberating after years of being obsessive about gear. Originally Posted by docbop
-
Mesa's tend to be biased hot, so they go through tubes faster. I find JJ's to meet most of my tube needs. I buy from the local shops, or if online from Eurotubes (local to me in Portland) or TubeDepot. Originally Posted by docbop
-
Thanks for that post RandyC.
As someone who has spent some time with his nose in the "RCA Receiving Tube Manual", I found it informative and interesting!
-
Doc bop,
I hear ya and completely understand. I'd love to have a light weight ss amp. But I can't find anything that gives me the unbelievable sound I have playing with my big band while also serving as my amp for my surf trio. To me, that weight is worth every "ugh" I say when I lift it. I'm sure 40 year old tubes sound better than new Chinese ones but I'm too young to know the difference anyway. When I can't lift the twin, I'll give in and get a modeling amp.
-
Update:
ill make this short. When I recently purchased my 77 Twin I immediately changed out the preamp tubes with some extra JJs and Fender sovteks I had laying around. I thought, "those tubes are old and tired, these new JJs and Sovteks will sound much better." After reading this thread I decided to sound test the new, burned in, JJ 12ax7 with the original stock Fender labeled 12ax7 in the V2 socket. After a half hour of going back and forth a half dozen times between tubes I made a choice. Wow, the stock tube sounded just slightly, but noticeably, better. Nothing an audience would notice but sure did. The JJ seemed louder, but the Fender tube had something the JJ just didn't have. Maybe it's in my head, maybe it's real. I dunno.
So, I am now using that old stock fender 12ax7 and am saving the other 12ax7 fender from v1 for a spare.
Always good to learn something new.
-
Ok.. can I just chime in 5 cents here (inflation)
Preamp tubes don't wear out like power amp tubes so unless you suspect there is something wrong with a preamp tube (especially quality ones used in the 50s-70s) don't change them.
Powertubes are a different beast so yes.. if you play regularly you will want to change them every 1-5 years (some guys who run their amps at 10 every night want to change them every 6 months). Depends on the amp.. depends on the tubes.. and depends how hard you run your amp (and nasty little things like if you like running impedance mismatches.. power soaks etc)
That said, the only exception I would make is a)the reverb driver on fender amps and b) the phase inverter.
The reverb drive is used as a power tube to drive the reverb circuit. In the standalone fender reverbs they actually use a 6v6 for this. 12AT7s can (barely) provide enough current so a side note if your reverb isn't working I always check physical connections first and sub in a new driver tube. ALSO don't use 12ax7s as reverb drivers. It will work , for a while, but the 12ax7 is not intended for the currents required from the reverb circuit. It will fail sooner than your other preamp tubes.
For the phase inverter it is a best practice to change it when you change the power tubes. It doesn't wear down any more than the other preamp tubes so I don't know why this is best practice (personally I leave it if it works) YMMV
-
Thanks Sam. I didn't realize that about preamp tubes. Good to hear.
-
if its audio, it sounds better if it has a tube in it.
-
Hi Randy, I stumbled across your post when looking for something completely different and it was SO GOOD to read things written by somebody who actually knows what they're talking about. The frustration one feels when reading posts written by people who have fragments of truth and NO fundamental understanding, particularly when they're setting out to 'enlighten', is something that's very hard to adequately express. May you have massive success in imparting what you know to those who don't! Very Best Regards, Blondamps Originally Posted by randyc
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos