Blues Jr. Tubes

lpacilio · January 4th, 2005, 01:06 PM

I'm real new to electric guitar and amps but have played acoustics for 35 years.

I just bought a Limited Edition Blues Jr. and am thinking about swapping out the tubes.

Can anyone clarify for me what positions V1, V2 and V3 mean?

Thanks.

Kewlpack · January 4th, 2005, 01:23 PM

The preamp tube slot closest to the power tubes is the phase inverter. You can put a tweaked tube in this slot for "better" performance, although I'm told it doesn't really matter. I never did an A/B test to see.

Slot one (farthest from the power tubes) is the primary tone stack tube (I believe). Has the greatest effect on the preamp tone.

You might want to contact Bob at www.eurotubes.com and talk with him about this. He is VERY helpful and knows his tubes!

Good luck.
~A~

4mal · January 4th, 2005, 08:02 PM

I'l second the recommendation to call Bob.

Daddy Elmis · January 5th, 2005, 09:13 AM

for BJ:

v1 - most "tone defining" of the preamp tubes. Furthest from the power tubes. Amplifies the guitar signal and feeds the tone stack. Typically, only 1/2 of this tube works on the "clean channel." The 1/2 works on the drive channel.

v2 - along with the other 1/2 of the v1 tube, creates the drive channel (gain and distortion).

v3 - phase inverter that prepares the signal coming out of the preamp section for the power tubes to handle. Some (including me) believe a balanced or matched 12ax7 here improves performance and tone, but it's not real significant.

Bob at Eurotubes is a fantastic resource and very knowledgable. He's help on my Pro Junior and Marshall DSL201.

January 4th, 2005, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
lpacilio Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 252	Blues Jr. Tubes I'm real new to electric guitar and amps but have played acoustics for 35 years. I just bought a Limited Edition Blues Jr. and am thinking about swapping out the tubes. Can anyone clarify for me what positions V1, V2 and V3 mean? Thanks.

January 4th, 2005, 01:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kewlpack Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Westminster, Colorado Posts: 155	The preamp tube slot closest to the power tubes is the phase inverter. You can put a tweaked tube in this slot for "better" performance, although I'm told it doesn't really matter. I never did an A/B test to see. Slot one (farthest from the power tubes) is the primary tone stack tube (I believe). Has the greatest effect on the preamp tone. You might want to contact Bob at www.eurotubes.com and talk with him about this. He is VERY helpful and knows his tubes! Good luck. ~A~

January 4th, 2005, 08:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,198	I'l second the recommendation to call Bob.

January 5th, 2005, 09:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Daddy Elmis Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 961	for BJ: v1 - most "tone defining" of the preamp tubes. Furthest from the power tubes. Amplifies the guitar signal and feeds the tone stack. Typically, only 1/2 of this tube works on the "clean channel." The 1/2 works on the drive channel. v2 - along with the other 1/2 of the v1 tube, creates the drive channel (gain and distortion). v3 - phase inverter that prepares the signal coming out of the preamp section for the power tubes to handle. Some (including me) believe a balanced or matched 12ax7 here improves performance and tone, but it's not real significant. Bob at Eurotubes is a fantastic resource and very knowledgable. He's help on my Pro Junior and Marshall DSL201.