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previous: bnwitt Curly, I've seen that page. I... -- 12/5/2003 10:08 PM

Re: Preamp tube experiences

12/5/2003 11:18 PM
Darryl Dennis	Re: Preamp tube experiences I have several 12dw7s and they all have different characteristics. I found a nice tube mix with a RCA 12dw7 (tall gray plates) in V1 and a mid 60s Sylvania 12ay7 in V2. This allowed me to have a high head room clean channel and a blues channel on the low gain side (making the power tubes work harder). In V1 these tall plate tubes have a tendency to be microphonic (squeal) when cranked to the max, you can get about 75-85% out of them. With some tubes the 5e3 controls are like course adjustments and with other tube combinations of tubes the controls have less effect. Some tubes are harsh and brittle and some are smooth and creamy. For me the better tone comes from using lower gain preamp tubes and really good 6v6 power tubes. Although I spent years playing 6l6s I like the control I can get with 6v6s. The questions I have about preamp tubes are about interactions. There are 7 or 8 mu (gain) options for v1 and v2. Different makes of tubes have different tone and attack characteristics. I was just looking for other opinions of what combinations of preamp tubes produce what kind of results. Thanks for your rely Darryl

12/5/2003 11:18 PM

Darryl Dennis

Re: Preamp tube experiences

I have several 12dw7s and they all have different characteristics. I found a nice tube mix with a RCA 12dw7 (tall gray plates) in V1 and a mid 60s Sylvania 12ay7 in V2. This allowed me to have a high head room clean channel and a blues channel on the low gain side (making the power tubes work harder). In V1 these tall plate tubes have a tendency to be microphonic (squeal) when cranked to the max, you can get about 75-85% out of them.

With some tubes the 5e3 controls are like course adjustments and with other tube combinations of tubes the controls have less effect. Some tubes are harsh and brittle and some are smooth and creamy. For me the better tone comes from using lower gain preamp tubes and really good 6v6 power tubes. Although I spent years playing 6l6s I like the control I can get with 6v6s.

The questions I have about preamp tubes are about interactions. There are 7 or 8 mu (gain) options for v1 and v2. Different makes of tubes have different tone and attack characteristics. I was just looking for other opinions of what combinations of preamp tubes produce what kind of results.

Thanks for your rely

Darryl

Replies:

Alfred FWIW, I have two 5E3's (Homebrew).T... -- 12/8/2003 7:19 PM