Tubes for Classic 30

bongo · May 14th, 2004, 05:40 PM

Gonna change all the stock tubes eventually (in all 4 tube amps) starting with the Peavey but what makes the biggest difference in Tone - preamp tubes or power amp tubes ? Don't have high hours on the amp so not in a hurry but curious what the opinions are.
My suspicion is since the preamp does the first stage of work , the quality/newness of those tubes would have the most effect on better Tone.
Would changing just 2 of the 4 make a difference ?

Anonymous · May 14th, 2004, 06:36 PM

I tend to think of power tubes as the cake, and pre-amp tubes as the icing. They both affect the sound, but one in a basic way, the other more as coloration. Also, power tubes (especially cathode-biased EL84s) can and do wear out the harder they're worked, while pre-amp tubes can last for years.

I'd say replace all 4 power tubes with JJs from Eurotubes. There are other good brands and other good suppliers, but plenty of folks here have had good luck with those. – CS

denny · May 15th, 2004, 06:37 AM

If you crank your amp up and play it LOUD, then the power tubes are probably where the tone is. If you play at lower volumes, but use a booster or compressor to overdrive the front end of your amp, then the preamp tubes are the gravy.

I would talk to Bob at Eurotubes (he sells JJs). I would buy a set of tubes from him anyways, because he is so easy to talk to and do business with. The JJ tubes are first-rate, (I use them in my bfdr), and not expensive, but...

I would have to say that Eurotubes and Weber are two of the most friendly and helpful vendors on this planet. I have had the DISpleasure of working with hundreds of cold and uncaring vendors in my job, ...

BUT I will steer anyone to these guys because they care, and will take the time to explain things, and will cater to your wants and desires, and their stuff ROCKS. You can't go to far wrong doing biz with these folks, and you'll enjoy it anyway.

denny

Rob DiStefano · May 15th, 2004, 08:12 AM

I've got all JJ's in my C30 and a much better/smoother tone can easily be heard. YMMV.

Mark N · May 15th, 2004, 12:46 PM

I would agree with Denny on Bob at Eurotubes. Although I haven't bought anything there yet, I sent an email to him with what I wanted and I got a prompt and informative reply from him. When I get tubes, that's where I'll buy them.

Rob, you noticed an improvement with your JJ's? Any other mods to your amp?

e-merlin · May 15th, 2004, 01:15 PM

I get mine from Eurotubes, too. Bob's a great guy to deal with and he seems to be able to help me get the particular tone I want out of each amp. JJs are really good sounding tubes, as well. I would like to try some others but I can't afford to yet.

I really think that preamp and power tubes have about equal effect on the tone. Experimenting with preamp tubes is easier because they cost less than power tubes.

Kevin · May 18th, 2004, 11:06 AM

I use JJ power tubes in my C30 (bought from Eurotubes, BTW), but I didn't like the JJ 12AX7s. I found the preamp tubes to be lacking in presence, so I went back to the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7-EH tubes.

May 14th, 2004, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
bongo Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: hamden, ct Posts: 139	Tubes for Classic 30 Gonna change all the stock tubes eventually (in all 4 tube amps) starting with the Peavey but what makes the biggest difference in Tone - preamp tubes or power amp tubes ? Don't have high hours on the amp so not in a hurry but curious what the opinions are. My suspicion is since the preamp does the first stage of work , the quality/newness of those tubes would have the most effect on better Tone. Would changing just 2 of the 4 make a difference ? __________________ all I need is just one more guitar :)

May 15th, 2004, 06:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
denny Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North of Dallas Posts: 454	Depends on where you get your tone... If you crank your amp up and play it LOUD, then the power tubes are probably where the tone is. If you play at lower volumes, but use a booster or compressor to overdrive the front end of your amp, then the preamp tubes are the gravy. I would talk to Bob at Eurotubes (he sells JJs). I would buy a set of tubes from him anyways, because he is so easy to talk to and do business with. The JJ tubes are first-rate, (I use them in my bfdr), and not expensive, but... I would have to say that Eurotubes and Weber are two of the most friendly and helpful vendors on this planet. I have had the DISpleasure of working with hundreds of cold and uncaring vendors in my job, ... BUT I will steer anyone to these guys because they care, and will take the time to explain things, and will cater to your wants and desires, and their stuff ROCKS. You can't go to far wrong doing biz with these folks, and you'll enjoy it anyway. denny

May 18th, 2004, 11:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	I use JJ power tubes in my C30 (bought from Eurotubes, BTW), but I didn't like the JJ 12AX7s. I found the preamp tubes to be lacking in presence, so I went back to the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7-EH tubes. __________________ Of course, I don't see anywhere in my post that says it'll actually work...

May 14th, 2004, 06:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	I tend to think of power tubes as the cake, and pre-amp tubes as the icing. They both affect the sound, but one in a basic way, the other more as coloration. Also, power tubes (especially cathode-biased EL84s) can and do wear out the harder they're worked, while pre-amp tubes can last for years. I'd say replace all 4 power tubes with JJs from Eurotubes. There are other good brands and other good suppliers, but plenty of folks here have had good luck with those. – CS

May 15th, 2004, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,915	I've got all JJ's in my C30 and a much better/smoother tone can easily be heard. YMMV.

May 15th, 2004, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark N Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodstock, NB, Canada Age: 37 Posts: 629 8 Photos	I would agree with Denny on Bob at Eurotubes. Although I haven't bought anything there yet, I sent an email to him with what I wanted and I got a prompt and informative reply from him. When I get tubes, that's where I'll buy them. Rob, you noticed an improvement with your JJ's? Any other mods to your amp?