VH-4 Tubes and Speakers

  • Thread starter Thread starter dante630
  • Start date Start date
D

dante630

New member
I love this amp, but I would like a more vintage, less modern sound.
Which speakers and tubes will give me a warmer, sweeter, less edgy tone?
 
Warmth: I'd try to bias it a bit hotter (where is it set at now?)

Speakers: If you should use V30s: Open the back of your cab and I'm sure you'll like what you'll hear. A semi-open cab breathes with V30s a lot more IMO.
 
Vintage meaning a little less of that edgy upper midrange,....smoother and less Hi-Fi. More early Van Halen as opposed to say, Metallica. I have played the amp through an old fender cab with original jensens and it sounds great, but they can't handle the wattage.
Also will 5881 or 6L6 tubes sound smoother than EL34's in the amp?
Any preamp tube change I can make for a warmer tone?
 
Small question, potentially very BIG answer :yes:

What cab are you running through now?
What tubes are you currently running (6550 and Chinese 12AX7)?

V.
 
2-12 open back with V30's and 6550's. I'm not sure about the 12ax7's.
 
Put some high grade EL34's in there and I think you'll be VERY happy.

Just my humble opinion, others may not agree.

Secondly, if possible, swap out one of the V30's for a more buttery driver...maybe a greenback, Alnico Gold, or even a GT75 (on their own, they're pretty nu-metal, but when combined with a V30, they lessen the mid-spike on the V30 and actually harmonize very nicely. Caveat being, I've never used them in an open back configuration).

Peace,
V.
 
I'd definitely try running 4 new EL34's first and foremost, making sure they're biased nice and hot (not too hot though!). If that doesn't pickle yer sonic fancy, you can then try swapping out one of them mid-bite, borderline harsh V30's from the open back cab to something creamier... One of the original Ipswich made Celestions that can handle the power, or even a Jensen Blackbird or as mentioned, a Celestion Gold Alnico...the latter two are the epitome of old school smoooooooth. I'm in LOVE with Gold Alnico's.

After that, yes, there are some ways of smoothing out the gain - all in the preamp section. But we can discuss this well after the above two mods have been looked into. I think you'll find the EL34's are really the bomb. I'm a huge fan of them, and was hesitant about going the 6550 route, but the 6550's surprised in the their "new" approach to sound - loud, crisp, surgically tight, and excellent bottom to top spectrum - but ya, they can sound a bit clinical - so be it, for my purpose now, that's fine. SED Winged C EL34's are rich and not too expensive. Give 'em a try.

Peace,
V.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top