Different tubes in different amps...

A customer had recently sent us this email -

"Just an update on the "bad tube". I put another GT12AX7C that I purchased from you a while back into the amp and it jingles also but not a bad as the new one. This older tube has operated quietly in my THD Univalve . So I put the new "bad tube" into the Univalve and it sounds fine. The amp that causes the tubes to jingle is a Fender Pro Junior. I think that the GT12AX7C is not a good tube for the Pro Junior. The tubes sit less than an inch from the speaker. I tried JJs and Soveteks in the Pro Junior and they are quiet . So I guess I'll keep the GT12AX7C and use it in my other amps that are heads and not combos."

Before sending back a suspected "bad tube" , trying putting in other amps that you own. As he notes here, the GT12ax7-C works fine in his Univalve, but not in his Fender Pro Junior.

Matt

Roccaforte preamp tube tester is in!

We have been burning in preamp tubes for the past week and will continue to do so daily. If you order most 12AX7's - Penta, Tung-Sol, Electro Harmonix, JJ, Mullard, Shuguang 9th gen, Sovtek LPS, LP, and WB, they will be burned in. It will take us a few weeks to cover everything, so bare with us. Preamp tubes that are burned in mean less failures in the field, and the extra gas is burned off. More work for us, but less problems for you!

Thanks,
Matt

Learn how to play your favorite songs!

A very cool idea.

New arrivals / back in stock.....

We have some new arrivals.....

Ruby Winged 'C' EL34's - These are the same tube as the SED EL34's we've always had, just a different box. These test and match very close, and we have a bunch of tubes that match Bogner specs. We expect these to go fast.

Ruby Winged 'C' 6L6GC's - Again, same tube as the SED 6L6GC's, just a different box. Perfect for Bogner's or those who want early breakup.

Ruby Winged 'C' 6550's - Built very similar to the Valve Art 6550's, this tube is great for both high end audio and guitar amps. Expect a smooth and detailed listen in hifi apps.

Preamp vs. Power Amp - What do they do and which influences sound greater?

An interesting topic came up in the forum over at Harmony Central:

Which has more influence on sound, the power amp or the preamp?.

Some good questions and we found some good answers. Doug Roccaforte, an amp builder and frequent HC poster, said that the preamp takes the tiny guitar signal, and drives it to the power amp. The power section then takes the the signal, makes it large enough to drive to the speakers. We agree.

Generally, our basic take is this (which is debatable):
The power section can help how early your sound brakes up in the volume controls.
The preamp section helps you dial in the EQ's of an amp.

Everything makes a difference from the speakers you use to the pick you are playing with.

What do you think?

Matt

New Preamp Burn In Rack

Check out our new preamp burn in rack!
It will be coming in the next week.

This will do two things:
1. Insures you don't get any
premature failures. This means less hassles, less returns for the customer and us!


2. It also burns off
some of the nastyness/treble associated
with brand new preamp tubes. More clarity.

Thanks for Doug over at Roccaforte Amps for making it.

Lesson Learned: Retubing my Orange Rockerverb 50

What a difference a few switches in the preamp can make (as if we didn't already know), especially when your tubes have crapped out.

I threw a Sovtek LPS in V1, V2, V3 and V6.

This amp rips!

It just goes to show you that you should be swapping preamp tubes one at a time. And you should also swap the power tubes separately from the preamps.

My amps levels were back to the way they were when I first bought the amp used. The amp is still a little bit on the mid-range heavy side. The cleans still breakup a little early, so I will have to make some tweaks in the power tube department. I still have the JJ 6V6's in there by the way, and they are sounding a lot better now that I put in some LPS's.

It takes a little time and energy, but tube tweaking it is well worth it.

Stay tuned for more.



For those interested, I attached the Orange Rockerverb 50 manual. It suggests all different types of EQ settings.



Matt