James Hetfield tube choice?

[PhilipJ]

Can anyone confirm that Hetfield uses all EL34's in his VH4? Does anyone also know what they are biased at, and also what he uses for preamp tubes?

Who cares, Hack. The guy and the rest of the douche nozzles in that bunch are a bunch of Hacks!!!
I heard that he uses these, though.

And word is he's one of the first test tube babies.

You know KC, sometimes I wonder about you... Is it experimental medication or just textbook self loathing? This comes from the heart... I care.

V.

Hardy-har-har, dude. I didn't start this thread just to have it turned into a juvenile flame war on whether Metallica sucks or not. If you don't like their music, then don't listen to them. The great debate has been going on for years, and has been blasted accross thousands and thousands of message boards and websites.

If you want to go have your 2 cents heard on a lame topic that has been beaten to death, brought back to life and beaten to death again, then go hijack some lame YouTube video entitled (i.e.) "Metallica vs. Slayer" and you can argue with as many 15 year-old kids as you want, for hours and hours on end.

Please only post if you have constructive things to say. I don't mind people taking jabs once in a while or stating their opinion, but hate-posting is unneccesary in a thread concerning tube setup. Thanks. No hard feelings.

 

[PhilipJ]

In the VH4 and VH4S I've used:
JJ EL34
Tung Sol EL34
Winged C EL34

JJ 6L6GC
Winged C SED 6L6GC
Sovtek 5881

That's it for EL34 and 6L6 type tubes. Once I went with the 6550's - there was NO going back. YMMV...

V.

Thanks, dude. Once I get my Diezel cab going, and the amp up into my studio, I can get a proper listen. I might end up keeping the 6550's in there, and buying a set of EL34BHT's for other tone options for clients that play rock or blues and might want to use them, along with a rear loaded Diezel cab with Hempcones or something like that.

 

[Ventura]

In the VH4 and VH4S I've used:
JJ EL34
Tung Sol EL34
Winged C EL34

JJ 6L6GC
Winged C SED 6L6GC
Sovtek 5881

That's it for EL34 and 6L6 type tubes. Once I went with the 6550's - there was NO going back. YMMV...

V.

Thanks, dude. Once I get my Diezel cab going, and the amp up into my studio, I can get a proper listen. I might end up keeping the 6550's in there, and buying a set of EL34BHT's for other tone options for clients that play rock or blues and might want to use them, along with a rear loaded Diezel cab with Hempcones or something like that.

The 6550's really shine when the amp is bangin'. Having said that, the EQ's on the V will allow you to dial in some of the most fantastic settings for everything from clean to jazz to blues to R'n'R to beyond. Regardless of the 'tubes' in the head, you can get a real sweet, strong tone to match whatever music style you want to emulate. Being in the studio biz, you probably know that what your ears hear is NOT oft at time what the mics hear, so always where ear goggles when tuning the amps and placing the mics. It might sound even 'weird' or 'off' to those playing the music in the session space (hence the mic through glass approach), but when the tracks get laid, you'll hear everything you want to hear. The V is by far one of the most versatile heads for any studio bar none. And this being said REGARDLESS of tubes.

Good luck,
V.

 

[King Crimson]

Please only post if you have constructive things to say. I don't mind people taking jabs once in a while or stating their opinion, but hate-posting is unneccesary in a thread concerning tube setup. Thanks. No hard feelings.

Hey Mr.

go get your shine box, and make it snappy!!!

 

[Peter Diezel]

If the flames don´t stop I will lock the thread.
Thanks for understanding.

 

[PhilipJ]

If the flames don´t stop I will lock the thread.
Thanks for understanding.

Peter, thanks for backing me up on that one. We can all act peacefully in here, even though a lot of the music that we play with your destructive amps sounds like war

 

[King Crimson]

Peter, thanks for backing me up on that one. We can all act peacefully in here, even though a lot of the music that we play with your destructive amps sounds like war

No harm, no foul, just messing with ya...

 

[PhilipJ]

Peter, thanks for backing me up on that one. We can all act peacefully in here, even though a lot of the music that we play with your destructive amps sounds like war

No harm, no foul, just messing with ya...

It's all good, man.

 

[King Crimson]

It's all good, man.

BTW Bro - did a little research for ya late last night and for some reason this is the best list I could put together (no tube preferences...


"Live Amplifiers

Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 Power Amps
Mesa Boogie Mark IV
Mesa Boogie Triaxis Preamp (Stock)
Mesa Boogie Triaxis Preamp (Modified)
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
Mesa Boogie Custom Graphic E.Q. Unit
Mesa Boogie Amp Switcher
Mesa Boogie 4x12 Speaker Cabinets
Roland JC 120
Celestion Vintage 30w Speakers

Studio Amplifiers

Mesa Boogie Mk IIC+
Mesa Boogie Quad Preamp
Marshall JCM 800
Marshall JMP Heads
Marshall 4x12 with 65 watt speakers
Furman PQ4 parametric EQ
Ibanez multi-effects box
Mesa Boogie Heads slaved into Marshalls


Effects

Bradshaw RSB-12 Switching System and Pedal Board
Bradshaw Patch Bay Custom
Boss SE-50 Stereo FX Processor
Juice Goose Rack Power 300
Aphex Parametric E.Q.
Morley Rack Mount Unit Custom
Peterson 520 Strobe Tuner

RACK 1

Ampeg SVT Tube Head-Used for Clean Tones
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Wide Head - I am not totally sure what MARK amp these are. It is for sure a wide chassis head, most likely either a IIB Coliseum or III Coliseum 300. This is a wide head, with no push/pull pot on the 4th and 8th controls. The IIB doesn't have a push/pull on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th controls. The III Coliseum 300 has push/pull pots on all controls except the 8th (Reverb). I have also been told that the IIC+ was available in a wide chassis head, so it could be that too.
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Wide Head

RACK 2

dark blue Boss pedal
Boss Flanger
ADA Footswitch
Boss tuner
Rocktron Compressor/Limiter/Hush
ADA 2FX Multi Effects Processor
Ibanez UE400 Multi-FX
Marshall JCM 800, horizontal input

Other Equipment

Sony 820 Wireless Receivers and Transmitters
Nady 950 UHF Receivers and Transmitters
Pro Co Sound Cables
Ascot Road Cases
Ultra Case Guitar Stand
Earth III Guitar Straps

Strings

Ernie Ball Strings (.010-.046)
Gibson Strings

Picks

Dunlop Green Tortex .88 mm Guitar Picks"


James Hetfield Gear

 

[PhilipJ]

It's all good, man.

BTW Bro - did a little research for ya late last night and for some reason this is the best list I could put together (no tube preferences...


"Live Amplifiers

Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 Power Amps
Mesa Boogie Mark IV
Mesa Boogie Triaxis Preamp (Stock)
Mesa Boogie Triaxis Preamp (Modified)
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
Mesa Boogie Custom Graphic E.Q. Unit
Mesa Boogie Amp Switcher
Mesa Boogie 4x12 Speaker Cabinets
Roland JC 120
Celestion Vintage 30w Speakers

Studio Amplifiers

Mesa Boogie Mk IIC+
Mesa Boogie Quad Preamp
Marshall JCM 800
Marshall JMP Heads
Marshall 4x12 with 65 watt speakers
Furman PQ4 parametric EQ
Ibanez multi-effects box
Mesa Boogie Heads slaved into Marshalls


Effects

Bradshaw RSB-12 Switching System and Pedal Board
Bradshaw Patch Bay Custom
Boss SE-50 Stereo FX Processor
Juice Goose Rack Power 300
Aphex Parametric E.Q.
Morley Rack Mount Unit Custom
Peterson 520 Strobe Tuner

RACK 1

Ampeg SVT Tube Head-Used for Clean Tones
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Wide Head - I am not totally sure what MARK amp these are. It is for sure a wide chassis head, most likely either a IIB Coliseum or III Coliseum 300. This is a wide head, with no push/pull pot on the 4th and 8th controls. The IIB doesn't have a push/pull on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th controls. The III Coliseum 300 has push/pull pots on all controls except the 8th (Reverb). I have also been told that the IIC+ was available in a wide chassis head, so it could be that too.
Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ Wide Head

RACK 2

dark blue Boss pedal
Boss Flanger
ADA Footswitch
Boss tuner
Rocktron Compressor/Limiter/Hush
ADA 2FX Multi Effects Processor
Ibanez UE400 Multi-FX
Marshall JCM 800, horizontal input

Other Equipment

Sony 820 Wireless Receivers and Transmitters
Nady 950 UHF Receivers and Transmitters
Pro Co Sound Cables
Ascot Road Cases
Ultra Case Guitar Stand
Earth III Guitar Straps

Strings

Ernie Ball Strings (.010-.046)
Gibson Strings

Picks

Dunlop Green Tortex .88 mm Guitar Picks"


James Hetfield Gear

Yeah, that's basically what I came up with, and no tube preferences. I found out that he uses El's and 6550, so I think that I am going to keep them and bias them a little cooler and see how it sounds for a while. Thanks for the research, though. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

 

[King Crimson]

[I found out that he uses El's and 6550, so I think that I am going to keep them and bias them a little cooler and see how it sounds for a while.

Sounds good...
IMO, setting the EL34s (individually) at ~30mA should get you a nice "warm" tone, but cranking them up in the ball park of ~35mA will get you a much more "crisp" snap to them.

On the 6550s (individually), same goes...~40mA for a nice "percussive warm" tone and cranking them up to ~60mA for a insane "crisp" massive tone.

Good luck...

 

[HerbieBoogie]

If the flames don´t stop I will lock the thread.
Thanks for understanding.

THUS SPAKE PAPA DIEZEL

 

[PhilipJ]

[I found out that he uses El's and 6550, so I think that I am going to keep them and bias them a little cooler and see how it sounds for a while.

Sounds good...
IMO, setting the EL34s (individually) at ~30mA should get you a nice "warm" tone, but cranking them up in the ball park of ~35mA will get you a much more "crisp" snap to them.

On the 6550s (individually), same goes...~40mA for a nice "percussive warm" tone and cranking them up to ~60mA for a insane "crisp" massive tone.

Good luck...

I am a little hesitant to crank the 5150's up past 30mA because of what Peter said about 6550's running hot and early tube breakage.

 

[King Crimson]

I am a little hesitant to crank the 5150's up past 30mA because of what Peter said about 6550's running hot and early tube breakage.

Um...my mistake. I thought you were speaking of the Diezel VH4, not a Peavy.

 

[PhilipJ]

I am a little hesitant to crank the 5150's up past 30mA because of what Peter said about 6550's running hot and early tube breakage.

Um...my mistake. I thought you were speaking of the Diezel VH4, not a Peavy.

Aaaarrrrghh! I hate auto correct! I meant to say 6550, not 5150.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

I wont dare tell you what i run my 6550s at then

 

[Ventura]

I wont dare tell you what i run my 6550s at then

But Pauly, you're just dying to, aren't ya...

I know what you're running those space heaters at - surprised you haven't had a fusion reaction in your amp!

Peace Dawg
Mojo

 

[PhilipJ]

I wont dare tell you what i run my 6550s at then

But Pauly, you're just dying to, aren't ya...

I know what you're running those space heaters at - surprised you haven't had a fusion reaction in your amp!

Peace Dawg
Mojo

Haha, ok, what do you run them at? And, doesn't running them hot really decrease the tube life? I remember reading the warning from Peter.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

If my memory servres me... i have them @ 90mA/pair. That was right around the original bias recommended before tubes started taking a shit. I never had a failure with them..even after a year plus of HARD playing. IDK . Call me lucky i guess.

 

[PhilipJ]

If my memory servres me... i have them @ 90mA/pair. That was right around the original bias recommended before tubes started taking a shit. I never had a failure with them..even after a year plus of HARD playing. IDK . Call me lucky i guess.

And you think that cracking the bias really makes a big sound difference?