soundchaser59
Well-known member
A question about tweaking my tone.......involving tubes and gain.
I would like to have LESS gain in the preamp, so that the pre-gain control can be turned up more before the sound starts to distort. I dont really like distortion, I would much rather go for clean sustain.
Which tubes can I use to replace the 12AX7's so that I get LESS preamp gain that is still clean and smooth, not too bright or edgy, etc.?
Right now I'm using standard Tung-Sol 12AX7's, but I'm willing to try 12AU7 or 12AT7 if that will work with the 5.25 Express. Name some brands if you like, but I wanna make sure I'm using lower gain tubes that are ok and safe to use with this amp, and in what sockets/positions to use them. I just wanna make sure I am going for substitutions that will help the amp, not hurt it.
I just got a new matched pair of JJ EL84's from Doug's to experiment with, but it's that fizzy buzzy preamp distortion that I want to try and minimize. I really like what happens if I turn the gain off, turn the master volume waaaay up, then bring the gain back up slowly. But when the fizzy kicks in, that's when I start to frown.
THANKS for your suggestsions!
Gary
I would like to have LESS gain in the preamp, so that the pre-gain control can be turned up more before the sound starts to distort. I dont really like distortion, I would much rather go for clean sustain.
Which tubes can I use to replace the 12AX7's so that I get LESS preamp gain that is still clean and smooth, not too bright or edgy, etc.?
Right now I'm using standard Tung-Sol 12AX7's, but I'm willing to try 12AU7 or 12AT7 if that will work with the 5.25 Express. Name some brands if you like, but I wanna make sure I'm using lower gain tubes that are ok and safe to use with this amp, and in what sockets/positions to use them. I just wanna make sure I am going for substitutions that will help the amp, not hurt it.
I just got a new matched pair of JJ EL84's from Doug's to experiment with, but it's that fizzy buzzy preamp distortion that I want to try and minimize. I really like what happens if I turn the gain off, turn the master volume waaaay up, then bring the gain back up slowly. But when the fizzy kicks in, that's when I start to frown.
THANKS for your suggestsions!
Gary