GrandMeister 36 Tubes and Mods

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TerrenceRocks

TerrenceRocks

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I am researching and trying to find information on the tubes. They ship with Plain Vanila Chinese Tubes, not really sure of the Quality. I do know that newer amps are designed to use crappy tubes, they automatically adjust.
On the Other hand Old tubes were designed and run at Higher Voltages and currents and not sure if good Old tubes will make it sound better. I currently use an Old Mullard in my SUper champ XD that has been modified with a 22 Watt fender Supersonic Transformer in a larger Frame that has a twelve inch speaker and it Made it sing.
One of the arguments, I have heard that the design of the newer amps is to run a peak efficiency with crap tubes, the real Question is, will they sound better with High Quality Old Stock Tubes???
The next question I sent directly to Hughes and Kettner, is in the interest of cutting costs, companies sacrifice tone and quality by using cheaper parts, what parts could be replaced to really upgrade this amp, Chokes,Transformers, tubes????? :rock:
 
I have a Tubemeister 18 and 36. I thought that JJ tubes really made it sound better. I've read that Mullards sound even better in them.
 
dears,

just had my GM36 for 3 weeks now.
A great amp I find as versatile as I read on many forums. I have a fender like 40W with JJ6L6GC and a Wem 15W with EL64 and an Axe FX II... And previously had a Diezel Einstein, sold 1 year ago to move to the Axe fx.

Well, consistent with my habits, I swapped out the stock tubes for some better (clearly crappy chineses with no oul & life) tubes.
Ok it's a modern amp, with huge electronics, so it's less impacted by tube swapping, but nevertheless, there are some clear changes in tone.

I swap the power tubes to JJ EL84 / 6BQ5 quad matched: good tube Q and sound immediatly a bit rounder.
AS there is so much gain in the GM, I wanted to have more control on gain/volume and a warmer tone. A first try with JJ and TungSol gold 12AX7 in preamp: gave me a rounder/warmer but still too gainy for my usage (heavy blues to hard rock to heavy rock).

So I put a JJ 5751 (70% gain of a 12AX7) in V1, a JJ 12AT7 (60% gain of a 12AX7) in V2, a RTC 12AT7 WA NOS in V3 (PI before power tube).

Well the result is very pleasant, with a warmer tone, and of course, as I reduce preamp tube gain, more headroom and more control along the full range of the knobs.
AS a result very pleased, rounder, warmer, less harsh and fizzy (the amp is on the bright side).
I use it paired with a TTCAB 2*12 Eminence Gow+Wizard and a Palmer 1*&2 with eminence Cannabis Rex. With Both the amp is now perfectly under control on the hight, tone and power. Player with drummer with no issues, largely enought power and of course still the dynamic of the awesome GM36.

So Yes U can improve the GM36 with better tubes !

Bruno
 
does the GM36 have an actual choke? i would have imagined it would be a newer solid state design. large part of that being the space in the small box amp.
 
HI

don't know exactly...
But anyway: it sounds really great !

And for sure the tubes type, providers, caracteristics clearly impacts the tone. Less to some more vintage ones, but it's not ridiculous.
 
I have been reading on Tubes, and I think All I have to do is put them in and that's about it.
For the EL84's. One matched set in the middle and the other two go on the outside.
Matched NOS tubes would be just too expensive.
I will try the Mullards and I have found Plenty to compare. It won't hurt to have a few sets, I will post here as I try the different models and post price, link where I got them and the difference in Tone. Almost like wine tasting trying to describe the different tonal characteristics! :confused:
 
thanks for your effort.
That's always very interesting to hear no not some differences in tone vs tubes.
Form my last test with pre amp tubes, my current configuration is:
- V1 NOS RTC 12AT7 WA
- V2 JJ 5751
- V3 NOS RTC 12 AT7 WA

and always JJ EL84 / 6BQ5 quad matched as power.

I played with the band and it sounds great with my Palmer cab 1*12 (Eminence Wizard). I installed the Eminence CRex withe the Gov in my TTCAB 2*12.
 
JJ EL84 / 6BQ5 quad matched as power.

I am looking just to replace the power tubes in my Grandmeister 36. I don't know much. Thinking about the JJ El84/6BQ5
2 matched pairs or quad or is that the same? Thanks. Also. Is it normal for the top to get extremely hot. Thanks again. Used it for the first time last night.
 
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