Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 570
Re: Tubes/valves with best harmonic overtones?
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.