Tubes/valves with best harmonic overtones?

twooos · #1 05-27-2008, 03:21 PM

Just wanting to know, my uncle's old Fender something-or-other's tubes are close to dieing, so i want to change them for him (and to play on it for hours on end, obviously

) next time i go off to iran to visit.

He likes the harmonic overtones during wide vibrato's, bends on 15th fret B string (don't ask) e.t.c, and wants them to sound louder, clearer... ya know.

He usually plays Stevie Ray Vaughn and 80's shred kinda stuff.

Wondering what type of tubes would suit him? Low gain, hi-gain?

Cheers

Lefty Robb · #2 05-27-2008, 07:37 PM

e-mail bob over at eurotubes.com with the amp model

twooos · #3 05-27-2008, 07:38 PM

Damn, why didn't i think of that? I was on that site like 3 hours ago too!

Lefty Robb · #4 05-27-2008, 08:00 PM

he knows more about tubes and amps than god.

Lefty Robb · #5 05-27-2008, 08:19 PM

whoops double post,stupid iPod....

Drew · #6 05-28-2008, 05:54 PM

Yeah, but he'll also only recommend a particular set of JJ tubes, and there's a ton of different manufacturers out there.

To be fair, I LIKE JJ's, of course.

twooos · #7 05-30-2008, 05:33 PM

Haha, so JJ's are the only good tubes to get, yes?

microdmitry · #8 05-31-2008, 03:05 AM

Tube brands don't really matter. Even physical construction of a tube matters little, and even then you don't know what the difference will be, if any. Most of the difference between tubes is that some are less reliable than others and some are more prone to microphonics than others. That, and slight differences in gain. Of course people who sell tubes (and people who believe to what those folks say) will tell you otherwise, but by and large simply changing a tube won't cause a dramatic difference. If your Fender is really old, you could probably get more bang for your buck by replacing power supply caps, as they tend to deteriorate over time.

Lefty Robb · #9 05-31-2008, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

Yeah, but he'll also only recommend a particular set of JJ tubes, and there's a ton of different manufacturers out there.

To be fair, I LIKE JJ's, of course.

No, he will also recommend what tubes should go in what spot, what type of preamp tubes to use (i.e. 12ax7's, 12au7's etc) and what tubes would produce the tones your looking for.

toshiro · #10 05-31-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

No, he will also recommend what tubes should go in what spot, what type of preamp tubes to use (i.e. 12ax7's, 12au7's etc) and what tubes would produce the tones your looking for.

What Drew is getting at is that eurotubes only sells JJ tubes. Have you had Bob recommend you get something other than a JJ tube before?

twooos · #11 05-31-2008, 09:30 AM

But i always seem to see these threads of people saying how their amp sounds better than ever, more crunch, gain e.t.c, than with just a change of tubes.

toshiro · #12 05-31-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twooos

But i always seem to see these threads of people saying how their amp sounds better than ever, more crunch, gain e.t.c, than with just a change of tubes.

It depends on the circuit of the amp. I can tell a difference in swapping preamp tubes, but it is subtle. Power tubes changes are subtle as well. There is a difference though. If you think a JJecc83 and say a 9th generation Chinese 12ax7 sound identical in V1 you need your hearing checked, IMO.

Scali · #13 05-31-2008, 01:35 PM

As far as ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes go...
I find JJs to be very poor in terms of harmonic overtones.
They have a warm sound but very boring and lacking in the higher regions.
EHX has a far more 'sparkly' sound with much brighter high end, giving better harmonics.
And Chinese tubes are even a step beyond EHX.

Basically it all depends on the amp and guitar you use, and the sound you're looking for.
I bought my amp from a guy who played rockabilly stuff with a Strat. He liked JJs, they 'tamed' the amp, and gave it that warm and soft sound he was looking for... the guitar itself already sounded plenty bright.
I wanted a rougher rock crunch and shred tones, with a Les Paul. The JJs were too 'boring' for me, so I first moved to EHX, and later to Chinese tubes, and they gave me exactly what I was looking for.

Rudy · #14 05-31-2008, 01:37 PM

With that type of amp You would probably get the best results with an old American tube like an RCA or GE. Kee your eyes on **** and get them from a reputable seller.

twooos · #15 05-31-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scali

As far as ECC83/12AX7 preamp tubes go...
I find JJs to be very poor in terms of harmonic overtones.
They have a warm sound but very boring and lacking in the higher regions.
EHX has a far more 'sparkly' sound with much brighter high end, giving better harmonics.
And Chinese tubes are even a step beyond EHX.

Basically it all depends on the amp and guitar you use, and the sound you're looking for.
I bought my amp from a guy who played rockabilly stuff with a Strat. He liked JJs, they 'tamed' the amp, and gave it that warm and soft sound he was looking for... the guitar itself already sounded plenty bright.
I wanted a rougher rock crunch and shred tones, with a Les Paul. The JJs were too 'boring' for me, so I first moved to EHX, and later to Chinese tubes, and they gave me exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks a lot man, ill keep EHX in mind during my final decision!