VH4S and tubes

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loic

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Hello everybody,

I've bought a VH4S some month ago with Ruby EL34 power tubes and Ruby 12AX7 preamp tubes. I like the sound but i want to change the tubes for having more bass and a sound more "fat".

Peter advises to use JJ KT77. I want to try JJ KT77 and JJ 6L6.

I would like to know your opinions and experiences :-).

Who has already compared KT77 and 6L6 with EL34?

Which preamp tubes do you advise to get a heavy metal sound?

thanks! :)
 
To my ears, EL34 were the most aggressive & brightest of the 3 sets.
6L6 are the darkest but delivered the warmest cleans.

I've tried both of the above in my first VH4 & my most recent VH4 came stock with KT77.

I'd say overall, I prefer the KT77. The other tube sets don't seem to have as much noticeable character. It feels as though the power section really compliments & accentuates the pre-amp now, rather than being simply a pre-amp & poweramp. It feels much more symbiotic now. That might be total placebo effect after a period of Diezel abstinence, but could be a tweek to the newer VH4's circuitry. You feel the sound really getting better & richer as the master is cranked, rather than just getting louder.

The KT77s seem to be the warmest & most balanced of the 3 tube sets.

At lower volumes, the differences between the tube sets are subtle. The amps voicing, guitar construction & pickups will be the predominant foundation of your tone.

The 6L6 configuration is a tried & tested tube set for many metal, drop-tune guitarists. If you have any doubts before parting with your money, then the 6L6 is a good bet. I'd consider ordering them from Diezel so that they're endorsed, matched & burned in before you install them. If you think about going with the KT77s, you won't be unhappy. They're great tubes.
 
JimmyBlind":3c37g0qm said:
To my ears, EL34 were the most aggressive & brightest of the 3 sets.
6L6 are the darkest but delivered the warmest cleans.

I've tried both of the above in my first VH4 & my most recent VH4 came stock with KT77.

I'd say overall, I prefer the KT77. The other tube sets don't seem to have as much noticeable character. It feels as though the power section really compliments & accentuates the pre-amp now, rather than being simply a pre-amp & poweramp. It feels much more symbiotic now. That might be total placebo effect after a period of Diezel abstinence, but could be a tweek to the newer VH4's circuitry. You feel the sound really getting better & richer as the master is cranked, rather than just getting louder.

The KT77s seem to be the warmest & most balanced of the 3 tube sets.

At lower volumes, the differences between the tube sets are subtle. The amps voicing, guitar construction & pickups will be the predominant foundation of your tone.

The 6L6 configuration is a tried & tested tube set for many metal, drop-tune guitarists. If you have any doubts before parting with your money, then the 6L6 is a good bet. I'd consider ordering them from Diezel so that they're endorsed, matched & burned in before you install them. If you think about going with the KT77s, you won't be unhappy. They're great tubes.
Click to expand...

^^^^^^^^ This + over9000!!!!!!!!
 
It seems that KT77 is great :D

And what preamp tubes have you ever try with your vh4?
 
loic":2k9bx3wh said:
It seems that KT77 is great :D

And what preamp tubes have you ever try with your vh4?
Click to expand...

I've only ever tried the Ruby TAD & JJ 12AX7/ECC83 preamps in my Diezels, so can't really comment there i'm afraid.
 
i'll probably change the Ruby 12AX7 by JJ ECC83. Maybe i'll put a Tung Sol ECC803 on V1 position
 
loic":300jttf7 said:
i'll probably change the Ruby 12AX7 by JJ ECC83. Maybe i'll put a Tung Sol ECC803 on V1 position
Click to expand...

I just use the Diezel recommended Ruby set. I have tried a few different things and the recommended set sounds the best to me :)
 

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loic":3luq0iqe said:
this is your tubes configuration?
Click to expand...
Yes :)

For power tubes, I use the JJ KT-77

For the preamp (mine being the mono VH4) I use the ruby tubes in V1-V7. Yours is the stereo one and I believe you have 9 preamp sockets. So, V1-V9.

And the PDF I uploaded is the one from Peter Diezel. This is his recommended/stock tube sheet.
 
loic":3tzlazhl said:
ok :)

I'm curious to test JJ and tung sol preamp tubes
Click to expand...

Then go for it :)

I love the JJ KT-77s and won't change from those for a while (maybe only to test Gold Lion KT-77s), but I will never be one to tell you which tubes you HAVE to use cause tone is up to you :) I like the stock/ recommended set from Peter the most out of anything I have tried and so, I always throw that out there as a recommendation for something to try ;)
 
Winged C SED 6550s slay.
GL KT77s are top grade recommended.
JJs are fine, and a bit cheaper.

Preamps - typically high grade Chinese/Shug 12AX7 or the Ruby's as per Peter's spec.

All good.
Uncle Mo
 
the price of the Gold Lion is also top! :D

The differences between the JJ and GL are important?
 
i've ordered 4 JJ KT77, 4 JJ 6L6GC, 9 JJ ECC83S ans 1 Tung Sol ECC83 Reissue V1 yesterday. I will test these in the next weeks! I keep you in touch :). I will make some videos on you tube i think.
 
Great comparison, man, merci beaucoup for sharing!!! Those Ruby EL34s just rooaaarrrr! I found the kt77s a bit "meh" until Ch3 and especially 4.
 
Merci :)

For the moment, i keep the JJ KT77 on my amp... i will test it soon in live condition with band!
 
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