Retubing the TRE. Thoughts?

[skullfxr]

I am going to start rolling, i will audition all ideas. here is what the positions do for rivera

V1
Input buffer and tone control driver for Channel 2, and also the first Preamp stage of
Channel 1.
V2
Tone control follower for Channel 2 and an additional gain stage for Channel 1.
V3
Third gain stage for Channel 2 and for Channel 1
V4
Reverb follower gain
stage, and mixer for both channels
V5
Phase inverter driver tube for the power amp section

 

[skullfxr]

I just dropped a GE12AX7 into V2 and V3. Very happy with the results. a little brighter, but there is a massive bite that is more smooth and liquidy.

_________________


didn't like the JAN's in V1 so i put another GE12AX7 in V1 and i love it.

the PI is a JAN low noise 7025 and i love it. i will get some clips up tomorrow.

 

[Jeremy]

I haven't been super adventurous but what I like in my KR100 and my Knucklehead II are a Tungsol 12AX7 Gold Pin in V1, Tungsol 12AX7's in V2-V4 and for V5 (PI) I like the Sovtek 12AX7LPS.

 

[skullfxr]

The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is my goto PI tube usually.

Funny enough the amp was loaded with Tung Sol straight through prior and I know the guy put a lot of milage on it just judging on how bad the sockets were. I would love to try it with fresh Tung-Sol's, but where I am at now I am ecstatic. Everything changed, a lot lower hiss too.

I will get a video up later.

 

[CEG85]

Id say from all the tubes I've tried, especially in V1, the Tung Sol was may favorite.
The amp originally came loaded with VALVEART EL34's and TAD 12AX7WA preamp tubes.

Been using this current setup for almost 2 years.

V1-Tung Sol 12AX7
V2-JJ ECC83s
V3-JJ ECC83s *Cathode Follower*
V4-JJ ECC83s
V5- Sovtek 12AX7LPS

V6-V9 Tung Sol EL34B

 

[Kagami]

I dig the EH 6CA7s I put into my KR7 to replace the stock EL34s, they sounded the nastiest in Ola's satan tube testing vid so I gave them a shot and I like them a lot more than the stock ones.

 

[skullfxr]

I dig the EH 6CA7s I put into my KR7 to replace the stock EL34s, they sounded the nastiest in Ola's satan tube testing vid so I gave them a shot and I like them a lot more than the stock ones.

Huh. I have some around. I will toss them on sometime.

 

[skullfxr]

quick loud clip. its a freaking beast!

 

[napalmdeath]

I find the Tungsol to work best in V1. Beyond that, I think it gets too bright. I like a JJ in V2 and V3, a Ruby in V4, (for reverb amps), and the old LPS in the PI.

My Engl is loving the JAN/GE 5751 in V2. That's a great tube for clarity and bite, and taming a super high gain preamp.

 

[Glencore]

The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is my goto PI tube usually.

Funny enough the amp was loaded with Tung Sol straight through prior and I know the guy put a lot of milage on it just judging on how bad the sockets were. I would love to try it with fresh Tung-Sol's, but where I am at now I am ecstatic. Everything changed, a lot lower hiss too.

I will get a video up later.

What's up, newbie here. Probably a dumb question but does using a 12AX7LPS in the phase inverter change anything other than the hiss, does it lower the gain output perhaps? My Tre Reverb has always had somewhat of an ever-present hiss, nothing major and certainly never comes through in band mix but just enough to drive my OCD a little up the wall between songs or when recording. It's a monster of an amp and def one of my favorites. If popping a Sovtek in the PI could deaden some of the hiss while still maintaining the core tone I have come to love, that would be quite choice.
Thanks.

 

[skullfxr]

The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is my goto PI tube usually.

Funny enough the amp was loaded with Tung Sol straight through prior and I know the guy put a lot of milage on it just judging on how bad the sockets were. I would love to try it with fresh Tung-Sol's, but where I am at now I am ecstatic. Everything changed, a lot lower hiss too.

I will get a video up later.

What's up, newbie here. Probably a dumb question but does using a 12AX7LPS in the phase inverter change anything other than the hiss, does it lower the gain output perhaps? My Tre Reverb has always had somewhat of an ever-present hiss, nothing major and certainly never comes through in band mix but just enough to drive my OCD a little up the wall between songs or when recording. It's a monster of an amp and def one of my favorites. If popping a Sovtek in the PI could deaden some of the hiss while still maintaining the core tone I have come to love, that would be quite choice.
Thanks.

there are tons of variables. Personally, if you want it quieter get a JAN 7025 tube, they are much quieter, AND were spec'd as a low noise tube.

 

[napalmdeath]

Rather than ask suggestions every time you retube an amp, learn the characteristics of each brand/type. Once you know that, then apply it to what you're trying to accomplish. Not trying to give you a hard time, but its redundant, (and kinda senseless), since opinions vary. Only YOUR ears can answer these questions.

For example, some people say an EH 12AX7 is warm, I find them, (and always have), found them harsh and brittle. Some people swear by 12AX7LPS's in V1, or gain stages, but I find them sterile and useless, anywhere other than in a PI slot. I've even heard people say JJ's were brittle, and I find them to be far from it. Warm, (yet sterile in V1), but love them in V2's, and V3's to keep things warm. Especially in brighter amps.

I typically use the same recipe in every amp I've owned to work well. Tungsol in V1, JJ in V2 and V3, and an LPS in the PI for 4 tube preamp. In amps with a shitload of gain, I go with my GE/JAN USA 5751 in V2 to calm things down, and improve clarity.

You seem to have a stash of tubes. Use your ears, and experiences, and just roll.

 

[skullfxr]

I will roll tubes like a motherfucker. I know the tendencies of most of what I use, but there always are surprises along the way, so I don't really have a dead set formula. The only thing I do relatively standard on a regular basis is a JAN 7025 or a LPS in the PI. those two are rarely something different. Some amps get a 5751 or 12AT7 somewhere, but that is amp dependent IMO. Oddly enough this amp liked GE over the JAN I tossed into the Framus recently. I will put them in and move them around too. It may take an hour, but you may as well get the best you can with what you have.

 

[skullfxr]

Also my 'kinda senseless' opinions aren't senseless to me. I had not retubed the Tre. I don't see anything wrong with asking people what they recommend in their Tre. It gives me a starting point.

I find sticking to a formula more 'senseless' than asking about the recommendations for an amp. Maybe if every amp is a four tube plexi based amp. As not all amps use the same triodes for the same purpose.

All is good bro, it sounds great and I am happy.

 

[Glencore]

The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is my goto PI tube usually.

Funny enough the amp was loaded with Tung Sol straight through prior and I know the guy put a lot of milage on it just judging on how bad the sockets were. I would love to try it with fresh Tung-Sol's, but where I am at now I am ecstatic. Everything changed, a lot lower hiss too.

I will get a video up later.

What's up, newbie here. Probably a dumb question but does using a 12AX7LPS in the phase inverter change anything other than the hiss, does it lower the gain output perhaps? My Tre Reverb has always had somewhat of an ever-present hiss, nothing major and certainly never comes through in band mix but just enough to drive my OCD a little up the wall between songs or when recording. It's a monster of an amp and def one of my favorites. If popping a Sovtek in the PI could deaden some of the hiss while still maintaining the core tone I have come to love, that would be quite choice.
Thanks.

there are tons of variables. Personally, if you want it quieter get a JAN 7025 tube, they are much quieter, AND were spec'd as a low noise tube.

Awesome, I will give that one a shot. Thanks for the reply!

 

[napalmdeath]

Also my 'kinda senseless' opinions aren't senseless to me. I had not retubed the Tre. I don't see anything wrong with asking people what they recommend in their Tre. It gives me a starting point.

I find sticking to a formula more 'senseless' than asking about the recommendations for an amp. Maybe if every amp is a four tube plexi based amp. As not all amps use the same triodes for the same purpose.

All is good bro, it sounds great and I am happy.

Senseless may have been a poor choice of words on my part, but my point is, ask 20 people about tubes, you'll get 20 answers. I've had every amp under the sun, and my recipe just seems to work, FOR ME. Nothing senseless about it.