lolzgreg
New member
I am aware that this thread is probably going to cause some heavy discussion around these parts. Please feel free to agree or disagree with me at will, as well as correct me if I am wrong.
This thread is a mirror of the thread I posted at Ultimate Metal Andy Sneap Forum: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...s-tube-description-recommendation-thread.html
Brad, please sticky this if you find it beneficial. I think it will help answer a lot of people's tube questions.
Disclaimer:
I've heard many people say they don't hear the difference between different varieties or makes of tubes; however, I couldn't disagree more. While some amplifiers are less "sensitive" to tube changes, others will display significant changes in tonal character depending on the tubes that are being used.
Please note that the tube manufacturer and labeling associations I am making in the following section only apply to current production tubes, NOT NOS tubes, under the same labels which may have been produced elsewhere.
Also note it is difficult in my opinion to describe sound with words, but I'm doing my best; I have come to the conclusion this is why we use our ears to hear
I should probably mention that the recommendations below are purely subjective. Everyone hears differently, but I tend to think I have a pretty darned good grasp on tube characteristics and high-gain guitar amplifier tone in general, hence why I'm writing this guide
To clear things up about tubes in general, there are only a handful of factories that actually make tubes despite the several "brands" of tubes out there.
The three tube factories that come to mind are: Shuguang Electron of China; Svetlana Petersburg of Russia, Reflector of Russia and JJ Electronic of the Slovak Republic. Note that all Electro-Harmonix tubes are re-branded Sovteks.
Tubes can be visually identified by their plate structure.
Shuguang Electron preamp tubes have two discs toward the top of the plate structure that are smooth in appearance.
Reflector preamp tubes have one disc toward the top of the plate structure that is smooth in appearance.
JJ Electronic preamp tubes have one disc toward the top of the plate structure that has several points, like a "star."
What many companies do is simply re-label tubes with their logo; however, this does not make the tube any different than its many glassy brethren that exist under different names.
The companies that re-brand tubes usually retain power tubes that fall within a range of plate currents (such as Mesa and their color-coded system, allowing you to distinguish between early, standard, or late breakup). These companies often seek out and relabel "premium" preamp tubes that are less microphonic than the majority of available valves.
With that said, if you are purchasing from a dedicated tube store (i.e. Doug's Tubes, Valve Queen, Eurotubes, etc.), you will *only* receive tubes that are well-matched and tested for lower microphonics.
PREAMP TUBES
Shuguang Electron variants including current TAD, non-JJ Ruby,Penta Labs, some Marshall, Mesa Engineering, and ARS
tubes:
-"angry" or "aggressive" top end
-mild sub-harmonic content
-"gritty" midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in every tube position of Baron, Bogner, and Framus amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with JJ Electronic tubes in the signal path. I prefer Shuguang Electron tubes in the effects loop and phase inverter tube slots 75% of the time in nearly all amplifiers.
Svetlana Petersburg does not produce preamp tubes.
Reflector variants including Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix, Mullard, and Tung-Sol tubes:
-"bright"
-"clear"
-mildly deficient of lower-midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in many tube positions of Engl,Framus, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange,Peavey, and Soldano amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with Shuguang Electron tubes in many amp's signal paths. Reflector tubes can liven up a cloudy sounding amp. The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is a favorite in many amplifier's phase inverter tube slot. Reflector tubes, especially the Sovtek 12AX7LPS (due to its spiral filament), should be avoided at all costs in the cathode-follower stage of amplifiers that do not have raised heaters; this is because the tubes cannot handle high voltages as well as many other available tubes.
JJ Electronic variants including JJ/Tesla and some Marshall tubes:
-juicy
-round
-mildly deficient of high-midrange
These tubes are my preferred choice. They produce the most pleasant sounding distortion to my ears. I prefer these tubes in all positions of most available amplifiers, including Engl, EVH, Fortin, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Peavey, and Soldano amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with Shuguang Electron tubes in many amp's signal paths. JJ Electronic tubes will subdue the harshness of many amps and are "squishy" in a very desirable way.
POWER AMP TUBES
Shuguang Electron variants including current TAD, non-JJ Ruby,Penta Labs, some Marshall, Mesa Engineering, and ARS
tubes:
-"angry" or "aggressive" top end
-"chunky" bottom end
-"gritty" midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in Baron, Bogner, and Framus amplifiers. They are not very hairy sounding, and help add girth to amplifiers that aren't as fat as they could be.
Svetlana Petersburg SED Winged =C= Tubes:
(This may sound confusing, but Svetlana Petersburg NO LONGER PRODUCES Svetlana labeled tubes; however, Reflector does. Be sure not to confuse these)
-"squishy" low end
-"round" top end
-"sluggish" response
I absolutely love these tubes in Marshall and Peavey amplifiers because they make the amplifiers feel less stiff and sound less abrasive to me. However, I don't really like them in anything else.
Reflector variants including Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix, Mullard, and Tung-Sol tubes:
-"balanced" frequency response
-"clear" top end
-"tight" bottom end
The Sovtek 5881WXT+ is by far my favorite 6L6/5881/KT66 tube in any amplifier bar the Peaveys (it does sound great in Peaveys, I just prefer the Winged =C=s). I really do not like any other 6L6 nearly as much. The Shuguang Electron variants are a runner-up in many amplifiers, while the JJ Electronic variants are very average.
The Mullard tubes are in my top three EL34s; they've got balls, but aren't hairy
JJ Electronic JJ/Tesla tubes:
I do not recommend these power tubes in any way shape or form. They definitely have the highest failure rate of any power tube currently available. Most of these tubes sound undesirable in my opinion as well.
However, the JJ EL34 really sounds fantastic in some ampllifiers, but the risk of them cherrying (glowing bright red on the verge of explosion) and taking out your output transformer is not worth the marginal tonal benefits in my opinion
I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it :grin: Please direct anyone to this thread who has tube-related questions.
I do appreciate criticism and will be willing to amend this guide.
Cheers,
Greg
I thank the authors of The BIG Tube Manufacturer's List for providing some of the information I have provided.
I also thank Chris (you know which one), my fanatical partner in valve-amp crime for teaching me so much about glass.
This thread is a mirror of the thread I posted at Ultimate Metal Andy Sneap Forum: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...s-tube-description-recommendation-thread.html
Brad, please sticky this if you find it beneficial. I think it will help answer a lot of people's tube questions.
Disclaimer:
I've heard many people say they don't hear the difference between different varieties or makes of tubes; however, I couldn't disagree more. While some amplifiers are less "sensitive" to tube changes, others will display significant changes in tonal character depending on the tubes that are being used.
Please note that the tube manufacturer and labeling associations I am making in the following section only apply to current production tubes, NOT NOS tubes, under the same labels which may have been produced elsewhere.
Also note it is difficult in my opinion to describe sound with words, but I'm doing my best; I have come to the conclusion this is why we use our ears to hear
I should probably mention that the recommendations below are purely subjective. Everyone hears differently, but I tend to think I have a pretty darned good grasp on tube characteristics and high-gain guitar amplifier tone in general, hence why I'm writing this guide
To clear things up about tubes in general, there are only a handful of factories that actually make tubes despite the several "brands" of tubes out there.
The three tube factories that come to mind are: Shuguang Electron of China; Svetlana Petersburg of Russia, Reflector of Russia and JJ Electronic of the Slovak Republic. Note that all Electro-Harmonix tubes are re-branded Sovteks.
Tubes can be visually identified by their plate structure.
Shuguang Electron preamp tubes have two discs toward the top of the plate structure that are smooth in appearance.
Reflector preamp tubes have one disc toward the top of the plate structure that is smooth in appearance.
JJ Electronic preamp tubes have one disc toward the top of the plate structure that has several points, like a "star."
What many companies do is simply re-label tubes with their logo; however, this does not make the tube any different than its many glassy brethren that exist under different names.
The companies that re-brand tubes usually retain power tubes that fall within a range of plate currents (such as Mesa and their color-coded system, allowing you to distinguish between early, standard, or late breakup). These companies often seek out and relabel "premium" preamp tubes that are less microphonic than the majority of available valves.
With that said, if you are purchasing from a dedicated tube store (i.e. Doug's Tubes, Valve Queen, Eurotubes, etc.), you will *only* receive tubes that are well-matched and tested for lower microphonics.
PREAMP TUBES
Shuguang Electron variants including current TAD, non-JJ Ruby,Penta Labs, some Marshall, Mesa Engineering, and ARS
tubes:
-"angry" or "aggressive" top end
-mild sub-harmonic content
-"gritty" midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in every tube position of Baron, Bogner, and Framus amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with JJ Electronic tubes in the signal path. I prefer Shuguang Electron tubes in the effects loop and phase inverter tube slots 75% of the time in nearly all amplifiers.
Svetlana Petersburg does not produce preamp tubes.
Reflector variants including Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix, Mullard, and Tung-Sol tubes:
-"bright"
-"clear"
-mildly deficient of lower-midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in many tube positions of Engl,Framus, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange,Peavey, and Soldano amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with Shuguang Electron tubes in many amp's signal paths. Reflector tubes can liven up a cloudy sounding amp. The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is a favorite in many amplifier's phase inverter tube slot. Reflector tubes, especially the Sovtek 12AX7LPS (due to its spiral filament), should be avoided at all costs in the cathode-follower stage of amplifiers that do not have raised heaters; this is because the tubes cannot handle high voltages as well as many other available tubes.
JJ Electronic variants including JJ/Tesla and some Marshall tubes:
-juicy
-round
-mildly deficient of high-midrange
These tubes are my preferred choice. They produce the most pleasant sounding distortion to my ears. I prefer these tubes in all positions of most available amplifiers, including Engl, EVH, Fortin, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Peavey, and Soldano amplifiers. These tubes also mix well with Shuguang Electron tubes in many amp's signal paths. JJ Electronic tubes will subdue the harshness of many amps and are "squishy" in a very desirable way.
POWER AMP TUBES
Shuguang Electron variants including current TAD, non-JJ Ruby,Penta Labs, some Marshall, Mesa Engineering, and ARS
tubes:
-"angry" or "aggressive" top end
-"chunky" bottom end
-"gritty" midrange
I find that these tubes generally respond well in Baron, Bogner, and Framus amplifiers. They are not very hairy sounding, and help add girth to amplifiers that aren't as fat as they could be.
Svetlana Petersburg SED Winged =C= Tubes:
(This may sound confusing, but Svetlana Petersburg NO LONGER PRODUCES Svetlana labeled tubes; however, Reflector does. Be sure not to confuse these)
-"squishy" low end
-"round" top end
-"sluggish" response
I absolutely love these tubes in Marshall and Peavey amplifiers because they make the amplifiers feel less stiff and sound less abrasive to me. However, I don't really like them in anything else.
Reflector variants including Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix, Mullard, and Tung-Sol tubes:
-"balanced" frequency response
-"clear" top end
-"tight" bottom end
The Sovtek 5881WXT+ is by far my favorite 6L6/5881/KT66 tube in any amplifier bar the Peaveys (it does sound great in Peaveys, I just prefer the Winged =C=s). I really do not like any other 6L6 nearly as much. The Shuguang Electron variants are a runner-up in many amplifiers, while the JJ Electronic variants are very average.
The Mullard tubes are in my top three EL34s; they've got balls, but aren't hairy
JJ Electronic JJ/Tesla tubes:
I do not recommend these power tubes in any way shape or form. They definitely have the highest failure rate of any power tube currently available. Most of these tubes sound undesirable in my opinion as well.
However, the JJ EL34 really sounds fantastic in some ampllifiers, but the risk of them cherrying (glowing bright red on the verge of explosion) and taking out your output transformer is not worth the marginal tonal benefits in my opinion
I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it :grin: Please direct anyone to this thread who has tube-related questions.
I do appreciate criticism and will be willing to amend this guide.
Cheers,
Greg
I thank the authors of The BIG Tube Manufacturer's List for providing some of the information I have provided.
I also thank Chris (you know which one
), my fanatical partner in valve-amp crime for teaching me so much about glass.
