M@tt C
Well-known member
I picked up a 2017 QR used back in November, and not knowing the history of the amp I decided to pick up some new power tunes. ASFAIK the power tubes were original (Valve Arts with a Splawn sticker on the base), so after 6 years of unknown use I figured it was some good preventative maintenance.
A gentleman on TGP had a matched quad of ANOS Tesla EL34s (not JJ) for sale at a price only a bit more than brand new current tubes so I grabbed them. They arrived a few weeks ago but I hadn't gotten around to putting them into the Splawn- I diverted a pair temporarily into my Straub and liked them but I decided to swap 'em all into the QuickRod this weekend.
I had already been playing with preamp tube combinations and landed on the stock Chinese in V1, Beijing foil getters in V2 and V3, and a Sovtek LPS in the PI slot and was pretty happy, so I was curious what the power tube swap would bring.
Wow- what a difference!
The amp became smoother, warmer, with more depth, but still aggressive with the Splawn bite. It really brought it more into a vintage vibe, but in a really good way. I noticed the amp was a little more compressed, which I liked. Standard voltage was like having the B+ option on, B+ on was more like half power mode, half power mode was REALLY chewy.
Played at rehearsal yesterday and it was killer with my EVH Wolfgang Special thru my 2x12 with a Scumback M75/ BM75 mix. Our geahead bassist even commented on how good it sounded
Needless to say they are staying and I have a matched pair on the way for the Straub!
A gentleman on TGP had a matched quad of ANOS Tesla EL34s (not JJ) for sale at a price only a bit more than brand new current tubes so I grabbed them. They arrived a few weeks ago but I hadn't gotten around to putting them into the Splawn- I diverted a pair temporarily into my Straub and liked them but I decided to swap 'em all into the QuickRod this weekend.
I had already been playing with preamp tube combinations and landed on the stock Chinese in V1, Beijing foil getters in V2 and V3, and a Sovtek LPS in the PI slot and was pretty happy, so I was curious what the power tube swap would bring.
Wow- what a difference!
The amp became smoother, warmer, with more depth, but still aggressive with the Splawn bite. It really brought it more into a vintage vibe, but in a really good way. I noticed the amp was a little more compressed, which I liked. Standard voltage was like having the B+ option on, B+ on was more like half power mode, half power mode was REALLY chewy.
Played at rehearsal yesterday and it was killer with my EVH Wolfgang Special thru my 2x12 with a Scumback M75/ BM75 mix. Our geahead bassist even commented on how good it sounded
Needless to say they are staying and I have a matched pair on the way for the Straub!