VH4 and 4S users - PREAMP PREFERENCES!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ventura
  • Start date Start date
Ventura

Ventura

Well-known member
Kind of an old theme, but whatever - name what you've got in what slot, and why you like it, or not like it.

V.
 
I make notes on the boxes for what position I use them for in the VH4 and Herbert.
They can really change the character of the amp. Normally I use all Chinese 12AX7 HG+ in all positions.
When I am looking for a some what thicker tone I always seem to go with NOS RFT ECC83's. For a bit more bark
and growl I like NOS Ei ECC83's. For less gain I like to use RCA or Westinghouse 12AT7's in the phase inverter.
It brings the whole gain structure down a notch and the cleans are a bit more bouncy. Being lazy though, I usually
just use the Herbert for a different type of clean, but the VH4's pretty damn nice with a fat AT7 in the PI.
 
I really don't. It sounds good as it is, I haven't even bothered to take the backplate off since I got it. I saw from the holes it had JJ E34Ls in it & that's all I know about it.
 
I have JJ 12AX7s in V1 and V4 through V9.

V2 has a JAN-Phillips 5751 to open up some of the compression on channel 4. I also roll back on the gain (around 9 o'clock) and use this for palm muted parts where I'm also singing. It's like a channel 2.5 (at least that's how I use it).

V3 has a NOS RCA 12BZ7. I like how this adds a bit of gain overall. It doesn't counteract the 5751 too much either. :rock:
 
Awesome info, Dude...thank you.

I'm looking at some TAD7025S, TAD12AX7 Premiums, Tung Sol 12AX7's, Chinese 12AX7B or C's, etc. Basically, I've got a couple heads and I'm buying a shitload of glass - both preamp and power sections, just so I don't have to screw with it months later (getting a good deal for a large order :yes: ). I'm just interested to see who's doing what with what out there. Very cool.

Thanks,
V.
 
insignificant11":3bcan736 said:
I have JJ 12AX7s in V1 and V4 through V9.

V2 has a JAN-Phillips 5751 to open up some of the compression on channel 4. I also roll back on the gain (around 9 o'clock) and use this for palm muted parts where I'm also singing. It's like a channel 2.5 (at least that's how I use it).

V3 has a NOS RCA 12BZ7. I like how this adds a bit of gain overall. It doesn't counteract the 5751 too much either. :rock:
Click to expand...


You're the first person I have found besides myself that has experimented with 12bz7 I still have a few laying around here somewhere.

in the right spot in the right amps they are cool,in the wrong spot...yuck!
 
i go back & forth between the TAD 12AX7s & the new Ruby ones Papa loves. Both quite tasty!!

i gotta try the AT in the PI. i bought one for it...just havent had the time to fiddle with it.
 
Ventura":1z1703gw said:
Awesome info, Dude...thank you.

I'm looking at some TAD7025S, TAD12AX7 Premiums, Tung Sol 12AX7's, Chinese 12AX7B or C's, etc. Basically, I've got a couple heads and I'm buying a shitload of glass - both preamp and power sections, just so I don't have to screw with it months later (getting a good deal for a large order :yes: ). I'm just interested to see who's doing what with what out there. Very cool.

Thanks,
V.
Click to expand...
Glad to share! :)

Let us know how those work out. I don't know a whole lot about tubes. Everything I've tried has been at the recommendation of a friend or something mentioned on this forum.
 
moltenmetalburn":285vesp8 said:
insignificant11":285vesp8 said:
I have JJ 12AX7s in V1 and V4 through V9.

V2 has a JAN-Phillips 5751 to open up some of the compression on channel 4. I also roll back on the gain (around 9 o'clock) and use this for palm muted parts where I'm also singing. It's like a channel 2.5 (at least that's how I use it).

V3 has a NOS RCA 12BZ7. I like how this adds a bit of gain overall. It doesn't counteract the 5751 too much either. :rock:
Click to expand...


You're the first person I have found besides myself that has experimented with 12bz7 I still have a few laying around here somewhere.

in the right spot in the right amps they are cool,in the wrong spot...yuck!
Click to expand...
The BZ7 in my VH4S sounds very transparent to my ear. Still haven't tried it in any other amps yet, but I'm definitely going to keep it in my arsenal. :thumbsup:
 
PaulyPanacea":1hbm63zj said:
i go back & forth between the TAD 12AX7s & the new Ruby ones Papa loves. Both quite tasty!!

i gotta try the AT in the PI. i bought one for it...just havent had the time to fiddle with it.
Click to expand...
I did a quick search and read that AT7s in the PI yield cleaner headroom. Meaning less gain overall? (i.e. you have to push the volume/gain more to get it to distort)

Conversely, could I put a higher gain tube in the PI and get a spongier sound? I wonder how that would affect the compression on channel 4. Might have to give that a try. ;)

EDIT: What I've read suggests that the PI tubes should affect the gain more than V3. Is this true? Would anyone suggest putting an AX7 back in V3 and a pair of BZ7s in the PI?
 
Hey Ventura, where are you grabbing your preamp tubes?? I recently got a sextet of =C= EL34's and a sextet of =C= 6550's to play with and have some spares. I just haven't found the place for preamp tubes. Can you share your source, thanks.
 
GtarLover":2yodr3cd said:
Hey Ventura, where are you grabbing your preamp tubes?? I recently got a sextet of =C= EL34's and a sextet of =C= 6550's to play with and have some spares. I just haven't found the place for preamp tubes. Can you share your source, thanks.
Click to expand...
Damn straight - there are two legit avenues that I always deal with, www.thetubestore.com and http://www.tubesandmore.com The first one is awesome - Jon's his name - always been golden with me. I also have some cats in the biz that get serious BULK supplies of high-grade tubes, and as they're friends, they call me up or I call them up, and typically, there's 4 or 5 left in a box and they just say "have 'em"... in the case of preamps anyway. As for power tubes, either of the above, with a lean on Jon's biz. But again, knowing some of the cats I do, it's a matter of getting a call wondering if I need a quad of Gold Lion this or SED that or the like.

Hope this helps. Couple things I've come to realize... TAD's 12AX7 premiums are rebranded Chinese/Shuguang, I'm just not sure if they're the B or C rated. What's interesting is that there's been quite the difference in write up's of either as to their sonic qualities in whatever amps. If they're the same tube, why not the same reviews?? Secondly, the TAD 7025S is one of my favourites, and it's perfect for me - but DAMN it's expensive!! I like Tung Sol a lot - I think they're bomber value for the money. But I'm also starting to realize that plain ol' Chinese A's or B's are just bloody righteous in my Diezel or Bog heads... Odd but true. I'm a full on OCD gear head - I just want good tone, neutral EQ, gain in the right spots and clean and sparkle in the other spots... Just funny how far this thing can go!!

Peace,
V.
 
dude i really love my Mark V so i put 6 mesa boogie 6l6s in my herbert and it roars like you never would imagine. im gonna try other brands but the 6l6s destoyed. try it all .really try other power amp tubes also
 

Attachments

  • nickgw.jpg
    nickgw.jpg
    19 KB · Views: 713
herbertmark5":1t0dhami said:
dude i really love my Mark V so i put 6 mesa boogie 6l6s in my herbert and it roars like you never would imagine. im gonna try other brands but the 6l6s destoyed. try it all .really try other power amp tubes also
Click to expand...

Sick photo, Dawg!!

V.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top