Peavey XXX tubes??

[RGIbanez123]

Hi guys. What would be the best tubes for my Peavey XXX head? Right now it has EL 34's. Im looking for new tubes. I want a semi-heavey distortion suitable for metal and modern rock. Can someone suggest something?

[Salamander In The Sun]

Replace your preamp's tubes with regular ol' 12AX7's (you probably knew that), and just stick with EL34's. You can use 6L6's, but EL34's should serve you fine, I think.

Nothing beats good old EL's for crunch.

[RGIbanez123]

So I dont need to replace my power amp tubes? or is it best to replace just the preamp tubes? or all at once?

[Stygian]

Originally Posted by RGIbanez123

So I dont need to replace my power amp tubes? or is it best to replace just the preamp tubes? or all at once?

Power tubes are to be replaced every 1-2 years depending on how often you play your amp. Preamp tubes can last indefinitely, but sometimes guitarists switch them out for different brands for a different tone.

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by RGIbanez123

So I dont need to replace my power amp tubes? or is it best to replace just the preamp tubes? or all at once?

You should replace your power amp tubes, but stick with the same type. So, since you're using EL34, pop the old ones out, and stick in some new EL34's.

It couldn't hurt to replace the preamp tubes, either. I mean, good preamp tubes can be had for pretty cheap, and they play a very large role in the overall tone of the amp. Invest in some good quality 12AX7 preamp tubes, and your overall tone will be to your liking. Get some good ones, like Electro Harmonix or JJ.

[shogun]

i thought the xxx used 6l6's.. wierd

[alex10]

I told you he was going to make 7 threads about which tubes buy

[Salamander In The Sun]

Originally Posted by shogun

i thought the xxx used 6l6's.. wierd

It can use either 6L6's or EL34's

[RGIbanez123]

Originally Posted by alex10

I told you he was going to make 7 threads about which tubes buy

I made only one.

[mfergel]

By default, the xxx uses 6L6's. Now, some folks feel that it is a bit fizzy, especially compared to the JSX. Switching to EL-34's helps. Just make sure the amp has been properly biased. Also, and I don't remember the actual date (think it's August 2003), but Peavey upgraded some of the components so that running el-34's doesn't fry the amp. One thing you can do is try KT-77's. This well give the amp more headroom and clean it up a bit, which with the gain of the XXX, might actually be a good idea.

[RGIbanez123]

The amp has a self biasing switch that can take El 34's or 6L6. But it also has preamp tubes that arent 12ax7 it has one 12at7 or somthing like that. about the Kt-77's, do i need to rebias the amp?

[texshred777]

Yes, it has a bias switch to go from 6l6's to el34's, but you should still have the amp rebiased for the specific voltage when retubing the power section...especially when changing from one tube type to another. If you decide to go with 6l6's(which if you want a dual rec sound wouldn't be a bad idea...especially considering how freakin gainy the xxx is) once you have it rebiased with 6l6's you wont necassarily have to rebias it everytime you change power tubes but it's not a bad idea.
As far as preamp tubes I'd say either jj or tung-sol 12ax7's would work nice, smooth out any buzziness in the distortion. Nice amp pickup. What kind of cab/s are you using?

[RGIbanez123]

Hi. Im using a 212 Celestion Vintage 30 cab. I always wanted the Dual Rec sound. I just opened the back up and it appears that I have it on 6L6 mode. Therefore I have 6L6 tubes not EL34. Sorry for the confusion. ARe Sovtek 6L6 worthy tubes? I can buy some JJ's or Mesa 12AX7 for preamp but im not totally sure about the power tubes. And I got a new guitar. Ibanez Prestige RGA121 VLF with Dimarzios. Oh and when you want to change tubes...say i change mine for another set of 6L6's. So just pull the power tubes put and preamp tubes and install new 12ax7's and new power tubes? Its that easy?

[Gurj]

I've never got a dual rec sound out of my amp. I prefer the XXX tone any day I also have a Triple Rec and the two amps sound totally different to each other.
I've just started playing my XXX through a Cornford 2 x 12 and it sounds much clearer than the XXX cab. Absolutely love the crunch channel on it

[RGIbanez123]

Yea. I dont really like the XXX cab either. I liek Vintage 30's. I find the crunch channel on my XXX to be more gainy than the ultra channel. About tubes though, is it possible to change to JJ 6L6 GC's and JJ 12ax7? Or do the preamp tubes have to be different from the power tubes?