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hi, it seems to me that not many people have the same brand of tubes throughout the whole of their amps. why is this? what are the advantages/ disadvantages of this?

people also seem to be mixing different preamp tubes and power amp tubes?? i am new to tubes so please forgive my questions.

i am thinking of ordering 2 svetlana refelctors el34 tubes to accompany a yet to be decided 12x7 in my power amp. i also need 2 12x7 tubes to go in my pre amp. any suggestions? are the svetlanas i am thinking of ordering any good? i play mostly metal. i don;t want vintage tone nor do i want totally modern tone. thanks

Most folks like to experiment with different tubes to find their own signature sound- we are called 'tube tweekers' and it's almost an addiction, always in search of the ultimate tone that we have in our head- after a while, most folks stumble upon the combination that works best for them.
You may want to check this site for info about tubes- its a great place to start
from : localhost/www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/index.html

some brands make the best EL84s, others make the best EL34s, or others make the best 6L6s, but there isn't really one brand that makes the best everything

preamp tubes vary so much that the best way to find the best tone is to have a few different brands and experiment


Originally Posted by Curlysome brands make the best EL84s, others make the best EL34s, or others make the best 6L6s, but there isn't really one brand that makes the best everything

preamp tubes vary so much that the best way to find the best tone is to have a few different brands and experiment

Great post and Curly is 100% correct on his findings and they are my findings also..

In your opinions, who does make the best quot;whichquot; tube--like who makes the best 12AX7, best EL34 etc....


Originally Posted by 75lespaulIn your opinions, who does make the best quot;whichquot; tube--like who makes the best 12AX7, best EL34 etc....

that's such a general question, and tone is subjective, amps differ, etc, etc ...

so I'd suggest reviewing the info at guitar amp blueprinting and Watford Valves, and get on Lord Valve's mailing list. Lord Valve is good because he has less vested interest, is opinionated, and tests his tubes

my short list would include:

6V6 - JJs
El84s - JJs
6L6s - TAD short bottles
12AX7s - Sovtek LPS, JJs (both versions), Chinese 9th gen.

I won't comment on EL34s, since I don't have any EL34 amps

that's not considering NOS tubes, either

6L6 vs 6V6, whats the difference?

Since you said you like metal check this thread out. It has reviews on a bunch of different 12ax7 pre-amp tubes. from : localhost//forum/s...ad.php?t=42048


Originally Posted by Kyuss_Rock6L6 vs 6V6, whats the difference?

Two completely different sounding power tubes. 6V6 are lower voltage tubes. They have a different break up tone than 6L6's. A 2x6L6 amp normally kicks out more power (35-40 watts) 6V6x2 closer to 20 watts.

The difference tonally between a Deluxe Reverb (6v6) and a Pro or Super Reverb (6L6). DR melts down so smoothly at lower volumes.

FWIW, there are still a lot of great NOS 6V6 tubes available at reasonable prices. For new, the JJ seem to sound the best. For NOS, I love the Brimar 6V6.

For me, it boils down to whatever tubes I think sound best in that particular amp. I don't even run the same type of EL34s in my two amps that take 'em.