Tube Amp, Tone, and Stuff Questions

[CosmicDebris]

In reading several post about tube amps and tone I have a few questions. I have a ValveKing 212 and unlike most others here who own one I actually like the sounds I get out of it. However, I do use a GT-6 with it but use the VK for overdrive tones.

Questions:

How much difference tone/sound wise do tubes make?

If I were to change tubes to try different tones, would I really notice the difference?

What tubes would be recommended and what kind of sounds/tones would they give?

My VK has Four 6L6GC which I surmise are for the power amp and three 12AX7 tubes for the preamp. To try different tones/sounds would I need to only change the Preamp Tubes or the Power Amp Tubes?

I guess that is all I can come up with now.

[reguv760]

How much difference tone/sound wise do tubes make?

If I were to change tubes to try different tones, would I really notice the difference?

What tubes would be recommended and what kind of sounds/tones would they give?

similar questions stated differently...
http://www.eurotubes.com ... that site should give ya a better understanding

My VK has Four 6L6GC which I surmise are for the power amp and three 12AX7 tubes for the preamp. To try different tones/sounds would I need to only change the Preamp Tubes or the Power Amp Tubes?

I'd start with the preamp tubes since they're relatively cheap compared to replacing all of the poweramp tubes. Poweramp tubes vary from one set to the other [too hot(+) or too cold(-) or somewhere in between]. Changing 'em out for either case will affect how the amp reacts and sound.

Reg

[millzy]

I hate the valveking, but you already know that

[CosmicDebris]

Originally Posted by millzy

I hate the valveking, but you already know that

Yea I read that somewhere I think

[microdmitry]

In a properly designed amp, changing preamp tubes shouldn't make much difference (if at all). If you don't have any noise/hum/gain loss issues, leave the preamp tubes alone - they last forever. Changing power tube brands will make very little difference, too, except brand new tubes will be very slightly brighter. Even going from 6L6 to EL34 won't make that much difference unless you crank the amp or use the clean channel (which shows breakup characteristics). If you change power tubes, make sure you order matched pairs and re-bias the amp. Strictly speaking, matching tubes is not necessary if your amp has separate per-tube bias pots, but most amps don't. Biasing, however, is necessary.

Caveat, EL34's draw twice as much heater current so if your amp can't take them by design, you could fry your power transformer.

Ultimately, assuming your original tubes were of good quality, changing them to some other brand won't do jack for high gain tone and may slightly affect the clean channel.

[microdmitry]

Also, don't read tone advice on sites that sell tubes. Their sole goal, by definition, is to sell you the tubes.

[CosmicDebris]

Originally Posted by microdmitry

Also, don't read tone advice on sites that sell tubes. Their sole goal, by definition, is to sell you the tubes.

Yea I was chucking at that. I am a skeptic by nature and I always watch for "money advice" if you know what I mean.