Starting some Renegade experimentation

[Resonant Alien]

Just ordered some tubes and speakers to try out in my Renegade and TM2x12. Should have it all early next week. I'm following some of the opinions I've seen on the board, but also trying out some other stuff.

Getting a set of Tung Sol 5881s and a set of TAD 6L6WGC-STR to try instead of the Sovtek 5881s. So far, I've been using the 6L6 side more for Ch 1 and EL34 for Ch2, so I've been curious about the TADs, since a lot of guys seem to use them in Fender amps.

Getting a set of GT E34LS to try in place of the Ruby's. Saw one of Eric's threads praising these so worth a try.

Getting a TS 12AX7 and a JAN 5751 to try in V1 of Ch1.

Getting a GT 12AX7-C and a regular Shuguang for V3 of Ch3 (as Nick pointed out, I believe these are really the same tube).

Leaving the other preamp tubes stock Sovtek.

Getting a Warehouse ET65 and a Veteran 30 to try together in the TM212. Also going to try the Vintage 30 I got from Eric, but I wanted to A/B it against the Veteran 30, since WGS claims theirs is smoother on the top end than the Celestion. If I don't like any of those, I guess I'll man up and spent the $$$ for a couple of Scumbacks

Maybe I can actually get some clips posted later next week.

 

[RockStarNick]

Sounds like a good smorgasboard of tubes to try dude!

I *THINK* the GT 12AX7C and regular Shuguangs are the same thing.

 

[Resonant Alien]

I *THINK* the GT 12AX7C and regular Shuguangs are the same thing.

I believe so too, but can't find a confirmation. The Shuguangs are cheap anyway, so worst case if they turn out to sound the same is I return the GT or keep for a spare - or keep it for a module upgrade when I buy an E2 next year!

 

[RockStarNick]

True that, never a bad thing to have extra tubes lying around.

I have a box with probably 10 preamp tubes and 4-5 pairs of power tubes.

 

[viking22]

so I've been curious about the TADs, since a lot of guys seem to use them in Fender amps.

Yep!The small bottles TAD 6L6 give you a beautiful 3D-glassy clean,very Fenderish...It's impressive,the first time.Esp. coming from the Sovtek 5881's,i guess!I use them with my M&B,sometimes but it's not ideal for everything...In fact,i would like to try the 5881's,to have a rounder,fuller and less bright sound !I wanted the TS's but they can't handle that high a voltage ,so,it has to be the Sovtek's...

 

[Resonant Alien]

Some feedback on my experiment for those that are interested. I've put my observations in terms of the Eggie modules that I used to own for ease of comparison.

First off, let me just say that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a stock Renegade. The stock Renegade rocks, and I would be perfectly happy with it if I was not able to switch tubes. However, I like tweaking stuff, and the Renegade makes it so damn easy to swap tubes, that it's just too hard to resist!!

So right now I've got the TAD 6L6s and GT E34LSs in, and I'm really liking this combination. When I set Ch1 all the way to 6L6 with the TADs in, I think it brings out even more of Ch1's BMAN-ish character. They sound a little spongier and seems to break up a little sooner than the stock Sovtek 5881s. That said, I do like the Sov 5881s for certain tones, so it's good to be able to switch without much trouble. Interestingly enough, when I put the Tube Mix at about 10 o'clock and mix the TADs with the GTs, it starts to sound a lot like the Sov 5881s.... Setting Ch1 all the way to EL34s gives a nice low-gain sound with a bit of a mid-freq bump. I still prefer the TADs on Ch1, but the EL34s do give an interesting flavor. Kind of like an SL gain-wise, and with a little of the SL's mid-freq character, but with more of a BMAN-ish low and high end.

With Ch2 set to full EL34, the GT E34LSs sound awesome. They seem to have a bit smoother distortion than the stock Ruby EL34s and seem a little darker tone-wise. Also, I think there is more gain with these. (I have the '5' rating). At lower gain levels, it is SL all the way. At higher gain with 100% EL34, I imagine it is SL2 all the way (I never had an SL2). It's flat out awesome. Not as big a difference between the Rubys and the GTs as between the Sov 5881s and the TADs though - I have more or less the same observations with the stock Rubys, so.... Mixing a little of the TADs in with the GTs on Ch2 gives a really nice creamy distortion tone - a little less Marshall-y compared to 100% EL34s, but not as gutteral as a Boogie tone either - it kind of reminds me of the EG3/4. With Ch2 set to 100% TAD gave an interesting sound - not a much mid freq - nice but I think a little too dark in the mid freqs (of course the darkness can be dialed out with the EQ, but I was trying to just compare the diff the tubes made without changing EQ). I was happy with the Ruby EL34s and almost didn't bother trying a swap, but I figured I needed a spare set of tubes anyway, so no biggie. As of now, I'll keep the GTs in and carry the Rubys as my spare set.

My TS 5881s haven't arrived yet, so I cant' comment on those. (I am wondering about the plate voltage now - I assumed since they are OK foe the MOD50 they are OK for the Renegade, but maybe not. Anyone know?)

So far, my favorite settings are:
Uber-clean - Ch1, mix of TAD 6L6s and GT E34LS Tube Mix at 10 o'clock (or using 100% Sov 5881s)
"Dirty clean" - e.g. like running a BMAN near break-up - Ch1, 100% TAD 6L6s
Low-mid gain - Ch2, 100% GT E34LS
Mid-High gain - Ch2, mix of GT E34LS and TAD 6L6 Tube Mix at 1-2 o'clock.

Cool thing about the Renegade is the ability to put any tube in either set of sockets - e.g. you can put 2 sets of 6L6s in and easily A/B them without having to stop and swap. Nice.

Cheers
Rick

 

[Resonant Alien]

Oh and I do like the TS 12AX7 in V1 of Ch1 and the GT "Chinese" in V3 of Ch2. I haven't got the JAN 5751 yet, so can't comment

 

[RockStarNick]

Cool thing about the Renegade is the ability to put any tube in either set of sockets - e.g. you can put 2 sets of 6L6s in and easily A/B them without having to stop and swap. Nice.

This is a great idea! DUH, I can't believe I haven't thought of this yet! What a great way to A/B tubes!!!

Cool.