Daryl said:
So just the regular Tung Sol tubes? Do you pretty much stick to Tung Sols for all your modules? I know there's probably a thousand threads with info on preamp tubes so I apologize for asking. What do you think of these Mullard style tubes?
http://www.tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html
Hey Daryl,
Tung Sol is my default preamp tube because they sound good in everything and don't cost a ton...They can get a little bright in some modules...So then, here's my thoughts on others:
I won't get into the NOS tubes because most peeps don't go that far with their rigs...I don't blame them! I'm kinda becoming a NOS junkie personally...Anyway, for standard tubes:
*JJs are good and kinda dark sounding...
*EH are very nice and musical, can get aggressive too...
*Mullard is love or hate - I tend to find they work ok in Marshally type tones but not so great in high gain situations...They are also very musical tubes but are very smooth...Great in V2, ok in V1...
*Rubys are not bad but you don't always know what to expect...I like a HG Ruby in V2 of some high gain modules...
*Jan GE 5751 tubes are awesome for providing instant clarity and articulation...
*Mesa tubes sound dull to my ear...Not horrible, just not worth the expense...They do NOT add Mesa character to Mesa styled modules...Unfortunately...That would be too easy!
*Groove Tubes are good, nothing special usually...
*Sovtek is also ok to good...
Please remember these are just my takes on these tubes...They're all great in something I'm sure...It's kinda fun to play around with a high gain tube in V2- especially coupled with a low gain 5751 in V1...When I order my Tung Sols I usually get 3 or 4 rated for high gain...Doesn't make a huge difference but it's there...Usually costs 2 bucks more for that...