Ever researched to the point you confused yourself?

[Milerky2]

So, I have been a part of this forum for a while, and realize that you all have more experience with tubes than I do. I have researched to the point I don't know which way is up.

Let me give you my dilemma..

I have owned a Mesa/Boogie Studio 22 for 12-13 years. This model has 5 12AX7s. Until recently I had only had a Tele style guitar with average output pickups. In the last year I put the Crunchlab/Liquifire combo in my Warlock and purchased a Zion by Design with Kent Armstrong designed pickups in an SSH configuration. With my gain at 3-5 on the clean channel my Tele stays sparkly clean. The other guitars get crunchy...

So here is what I know/over-researched...

I am wanting to increase the headroom in the clean channel, so I believe I need a "harder" tube in V2, but a higher gain tube in V1 to keep my drive channel hot. (no lead vol or master on this model. This is an EARLY studio22.)

Am I right? Or have I got this backwards?

And what tubes are harder/softer, higher gain lower gain?

thanks!

-Lost in Tube Land...

 

[steve_k]

Preamp tubes have nothing to do with headroom. Headroom and breakup is power tube related.

 

[Milerky2]

Preamp tubes have nothing to do with headroom. Headroom and breakup is power tube related.

well, i rarely play it higher than an output of 2-3 so, should not be enough to cause this type of clipping in the power amp.

this is preamp clipping...

 

[glpg80]

stick a JAN philips 12AU7 in V1 and use an overdrive to take the amplifier into higher territory will all of your guitars. Very simple - no need to over-complicate it at all. This will do what you need.

 

[steve_k]

Preamp tubes have nothing to do with headroom. Headroom and breakup is power tube related.

well, i rarely play it higher than an output of 2-3 so, should not be enough to cause this type of clipping in the power amp.

this is preamp clipping...

Clipping and headroom - two different things. Like Matt said, try a 12AU7 or a Jan Phillips 5771 (www.tubedepot.com) in V1. I use them in my SLO V1 to knock the gain down a bit.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Yup. I can't for the life of me pick a Diezel. I just can't. I got guys I trust telling me to snag a Herbert,
I got guys screaming that a VH4 will give me exactly what I want, and I've done so much research and watched so many damn videos I'm just sick of the whole thing. I wish I had a bro in Utah that had them all so I could just know.

 

[Gorehog]

I get comfused all the time. No matter how much research or reviews get read or done. Theres always opinions good and bad on everyfrigginthing. Good luck.