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Old August 2nd, 2007, 04:28 AM   #14 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County
Posts: 7,128
You'll never get agreement in real life :)

IDK, my opinion is that it sort of depends on the amp AND the use.

A tweed/BF/SF Champ = preamp and power amp tubes equally important, rectifier doesn't matter.

A tweed/BF/SF Deluxe = preamp and power amp tubes may be equally important if you play very loudly.

Twins = power amp are important if low end and unmuddy mids are important.

Rectifiers = if you play near dimed volumes and you want more compression and sag, the rectifier tube is important.

As with tube amps, ALL tube sections are important - in my book (even reverb drivers)... while preamp tubes do a lot of heavy lifting with shaping and amplifying the initial input guitar signal, a power tube can affect response, bass, and volume of the end product as well.

Its all academic - if you're retubing because of poor sound - do them all. If you're doing it for slight taste differences, you can tailor the sounds by playing with either/both pre and power depending on what you're looking to do.
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