Preamp tube shields making a difference in tone?

[blackba]

I saw this thread on TGP. https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=544099

Some people claim that the preamp tube shields make a difference in Tone, Dave is one of them. So if this plausible or just typical Gear Page way out world?

 

[Superunknown]

They make a pretty significant difference. They also change the feel of the amp as well.

+1.....mine are always off!

 

[guitarslinger]

hmm. (tempted to run home and tear those shields off.)

 

[D-Rock]

shrugs

I leave mine off too, although I've done a "tone test" a few times to see if I could hear any differences like less noise or less/more output or a basic tone change. I couldn't hear any significant change in tone.

 

[Greazygeo]

Very slight difference in the high end response....on a gig you'd never tell any difference.

 

[thiswaythatway]

When i saw the thread title i knew the douchebagerry taint of TGP was involved.

Strap locks, preamp tube shields. What's next? If i retolex my head in Kashmir am i going to get better mids?

 

[Giga]

Without sounds a little more lively to me, as if the tube picks up sympathetic surround noise if that makes sense

Giga.

 

[RoccaforteAmps]

It changes the inter electrode capacitance.
Most tube manuals show specs for shielded and unshielded.
Take a look. Doug

 

[Anonymous]

When i saw the thread title i knew the douchebagerry taint of TGP was involved.

Strap locks, preamp tube shields. What's next? If i retolex my head in Kashmir am i going to get better mids?

Only if the tolex is applied during Haley's Comet passing over Mt.Kilimanjaro during the the planting season...

 

[timbo]

If you fart on someones mic, it can either smell bad or not smell at all.

 

[shreder75]

i always leave my tube sheilds off

 

[Digital Jams]

It changes the inter electrode capacitance.
Most tube manuals show specs for shielded and unshielded.
Take a look. Doug

Whoa.......learn something new everyday.

Never even thought of that, I thought the shields were there for the amp flipper crowd to keep them from getting ejected during all of the shipping

 

[RoccaforteAmps]

It changes the inter electrode capacitance.
Most tube manuals show specs for shielded and unshielded.
Take a look. Doug

Whoa.......learn something new everyday.

Never even thought of that, I thought the shields were there for the amp flipper crowd to keep them from getting ejected during all of the shipping

that too. They also reduce picking up magnetic interference.

Try this;
with nothing plugged in, turn your preamp up high
and listen to the noise floor.
Then, remove the shields and see if it goes up.
If it does, they need to be there, unless you want
extra junk in your signal path.

 

[guitarslinger]

idk, guys. It depends on the colour of the insulation of the wiring. The blue has a lower concentration of valence electrons in the molecules due to the colour composition. It changes the feel in a big way for me, therefore, I can't really do an apples to oranges test with the shields on or off to give a preference either way.

 

[shreder75]

It changes the inter electrode capacitance.
Most tube manuals show specs for shielded and unshielded.
Take a look. Doug

Whoa.......learn something new everyday.

Never even thought of that, I thought the shields were there for the amp flipper crowd to keep them from getting ejected during all of the shipping

LMFAO

 

[RoccaforteAmps]

idk, guys. It depends on the colour of the insulation of the wiring. The blue has a lower concentration of valence electrons in the molecules due to the colour composition. It changes the feel in a big way for me, therefore, I can't really do an apples to oranges test with the shields on or off to give a preference either way.

If you change to wood knobs you can

 

[RoccaforteAmps]

Another reason it can change tone is simply, microphonics. The shield's spring is pressing against the tube partially damping vibration. Will make less of a difference with non-microphonic tubes, but could explain why some hear a HUGE difference and some none.

Your tubes can actually be more microphonic
with the shields on.
Especially with tight sockets like some of the current
production. Vintage style sockets allow the pins
to float with the tube installed.

 

[guitarslinger]

idk, guys. It depends on the colour of the insulation of the wiring. The blue has a lower concentration of valence electrons in the molecules due to the colour composition. It changes the feel in a big way for me, therefore, I can't really do an apples to oranges test with the shields on or off to give a preference either way.

If you change to wood knobs you can

Well, due to the inherent resonant anomalies occurring in the burled knobs I use, I still have to try compensating for shortfalls in micro freq band deficiencies and abundances through the strategic use of different wire colours, and different painting schemes on the chassis. Not to mention, the humidity levels aren't staying within my .07% tolerance in my climate controlled amplifier space. I'm REALLY bummed out about this. I still can't say whether I enjoy the sound of the tube shields, or if it a placebo. However, I'm developed a way for capturing the placebo effect. I'm going to patent this emotional/physiological quantifier meter. Wait for Summer Namm.

 

[amiller]

I know that my MKIV came with the V1 tube wrapped in a tight rubber sleeve and also has a tube cover. I've tried other tubes in that slot and they generally seem to have a bit more microphonics going on than the original Mesa tube.

 

[rsm]

When i saw the thread title i knew the douchebagerry taint of TGP was involved.

Strap locks, preamp tube shields. What's next? If i retolex my head in Kashmir am i going to get better mids?

I still remember the topic (TGP I think, maybe HC?) on how guitar straps, strap material and thickness, etc. effects tone!

but some posters were serious!

That said, I know there are people with better hearing and greater tone sensibilities than me, so just because I can't hear something or tell the difference doesn't mean it isn't there.