Tubes?

[ecktronic]

I'm looking to get some new tubes for my Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 guitar amp.
I play quite heavy music, and I'm looking for a good set of tubes that will compliment a set of Vintage 30 speakers.

I'm looking for an upfront sounding tube with nice clear but not harsh high end, smooth high mids and clean low mids and a tight yet meaty low end.
Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers,
Eck

 

[boingoman]

Yeah, stop worrying so much about tubes and play around with your amp some more. If you can't get 95% of the way there with whatever tubes are in it now, new tubes ain't gonna help much.

 

[jonnyc]

If you need new tubes go to eurotubes.com and tell them what you want. They'll send you a detailed email back with options that fit the sounds you're looking for.

 

[ecktronic]

If you need new tubes go to eurotubes.com and tell them what you want. They'll send you a detailed email back with options that fit the sounds you're looking for.

Nice one.
Cheers Jonnyc.

Boingoman, Ive had the amp over 3 years now, and Im sure when I bought it new that it had been used as a display amp in the shop.
So I think Ive never heard what my amp should sound like.
It has always had a distorted sound in the low end which is noticeable when playing clean.

I'm going to get new speakers to start then hopefully get my amp back in shape with some tasty tubes.

I was told I should replace my tubes every 3 years so its time to get new ones anyway.

Cheers,
Eck

 

[boingoman]

Boingoman, Ive had the amp over 3 years now, and Im sure when I bought it new that it had been used as a display amp in the shop.
So I think Ive never heard what my amp should sound like.
It has always had a distorted sound in the low end which is noticeable when playing clean.

I'm going to get new speakers to start then hopefully get my amp back in shape with some tasty tubes.

I was told I should replace my tubes every 3 years so its time to get new ones anyway.

Cheers,
Eck

Yeah, new tubes can work wonders. My point was really that tubes aren't a cure-all for tone or clarity or whatever. When an amp sounds bad, tubes are definitely the first place to look. But all else being good, tubes aren't the first place I'd look to address things like harsh top end or muddy mids or floppy low end without asking some other questions first.

 

[ggunn]

Yeah, new tubes can work wonders.

Or not. If there is a problem with them, then replacing them can make a huge diff, but if not, well, your amp will sound pretty much the same.

 

[boingoman]

Or not. If there is a problem with them, then replacing them can make a huge diff, but if not, well, your amp will sound pretty much the same.

Word up yo.

 

[ecktronic]

Cheers guys,

Eck

 

[TelePaul]

I have Electro Harmonix EL34s in my TSL 601....and a modded output transformer, gives a nicer 'crunch' sound.

 

[legionserial]

While we're on the subject of tubes, could dodgy tubes in the preamp section of an amp be attributable to a severe lack of gain?

 

[ocnor]

While we're on the subject of tubes, could dodgy tubes in the preamp section of an amp be attributable to a severe lack of gain?

Yes it can.

 

[ecktronic]

I asked Eurotubes.com what tubes they recommend for a nice metal/hard rock tone with tight beefy low end and clean smooth yet present high end.

From my description of the tone I was looking for, they said I should go for a matched pair of JJ KT77’s and four ECC83S's (one balanced for the Phase splitter)

Anyone used these tubes and think they are suitable for the tone I am looking for?

Cheers,
Eck

 

[boingoman]

Don't pay extra for a balanced tube for your phase splitter, it's not necessary.

 

[ecktronic]

Don't pay extra for a balanced tube for your phase splitter, it's not necessary.

Thats what the experts advised me to get.
Why would he say that I needed it if I really didn't. Its not like hes making much extra money from 1 balanced tube compared to an unbalanced tube.

Eck

 

[legionserial]

Yes it can.

Thanks you probably just solved the problem with my 6505. also a display amp. I know nothing about tubes. Are they all the same? I know I need a bunch of 12AX7's for the preamp section, but is there more to it than that? I've heard Groove Tubes are pretty popular. but I know jack.

 

[ecktronic]

Thanks you probably just solved the problem with my 6505. also a display amp. I know nothing about tubes. Are they all the same? I know I need a bunch of 12AX7's for the preamp section, but is there more to it than that? I've heard Groove Tubes are pretty popular. but I know jack.

Go to eurotubes.com
that might help.

Eck

 

[legionserial]

Go to eurotubes.com
that might help.

Eck

Holy shit, are those priced in dollars? They are about half the price you'd pay over here as far as I can tell!

Am I right in thinking that a full retube kit for a 5150 would suit a 6505 too?

 

[dragonworks]

If it sounds good, it is good.

 

[Tadpui]

Eurotubes is great, I whole-heartedly support them. Their customer service is terrific and their JJ Tubes absolutely rock!

But they're an american distributor for JJ Tubes. You might be able to save a few dollars in shipping if you can find a distributor on your side of the pond.

But heck, its only like $17-$24 for shipping internationally from eurotubes, so it may still be cheaper to order from them than someone over there.

Anywho, just figured I'd let you know.

 

[legionserial]

Eurotubes is great, I whole-heartedly support them. Their customer service is terrific and their JJ Tubes absolutely rock!

But they're an american distributor for JJ Tubes. You might be able to save a few dollars in shipping if you can find a distributor on your side of the pond.

But heck, its only like $17-$24 for shipping internationally from eurotubes, so it may still be cheaper to order from them than someone over there.

Anywho, just figured I'd let you know.

Even with the shipping costs it seems to work out cheaper, same deal with guitars really. I can get a guitar shipped over from america for way cheaper, including shipping, than I can buy one over here. Plus I can't find any tube places in the UK with the sort of customisation I've seen on US sites.