Herbie sounding harsh!? help me out!

[Erock09291]

I recently retubed my Herbert's preamp with the Ruby Diezel stock in v1 and their hg+ in v2, but instead of going the full Ruby route I threw Tung-Sol reissues in v3-6. There's a certain upper midrange kerrang that I can't dial out, and overall makes for a harsh tone when I mic it up I wanna replace as few tubes as possible while still getting the best tone, so v3 is definitely getting replaced but I'm wondering if the phase-inverter tube has any effect on the tone. Help me out here guys!

 

[steve_k]

I recently retubed my Herbert's preamp with the Ruby Diezel stock in v1 and their hg+ in v2, but instead of going the full Ruby route I threw Tung-Sol reissues in v3-6. There's a certain upper midrange kerrang that I can't dial out, and overall makes for a harsh tone when I mic it up I wanna replace as few tubes as possible while still getting the best tone, so v3 is definitely getting replaced but I'm wondering if the phase-inverter tube has any effect on the tone. Help me out here guys!

My advice is you need to pull them Tung Sol's out. V3 and V4 are cathode followers and those tubes just can't take the punishment.

The PI has no audio function in the tone stack.

If you have to use those Tung Sol's, put one in V1, V5 and V6. But, leave V2, V3, V4, V5 as Chinese 12AX7's.

 

[Erock09291]

Thanks Steve! Should I go with Ruby or is there another brand you'd recommend?

 

[steve_k]

Thanks Steve! Should I go with Ruby or is there another brand you'd recommend?

Ruby's are good quality Chinese. Get the HG+ (high grade). TAD's are good.