5150 Tube Shootout

[Melodeath]

I just put up an article with clips on my website showcasing different tubes in a Peavey 5150. Please check it out here: http://www.subterraneanwatchtower.com/news/hear-the-difference-between-tubes-in-a-5150

I bought my 5150 about ten years ago, used, and never swapped the tubes until now. I just bought two new sets of 6L6 power tubes, as well as a set of new preamp tubes (12AX7): A TAD RT080 7025WA for V1, three JJ ECC83S, and a Sovtek 12AX7LPS with balanced triodes for the phase inverter (V4). I put these preamp tubes in for (most of) the shootout.

I recorded the beginning of a song (Carcass' "Heartwork") on drums (please forgive my lack of drumming skill), so that there would be some "full-mix" context to judge the guitar tones. I then recorded two guitar DI tracks, which I used to reamp through the different sets of tubes. This way, the guitar performance, amp settings, mic position, etc. would all be the exact same, and the only variable would be the tubes. This gives us the best chance at judging how the different tubes affect the 5150, with a more real-world context than just listening to lone guitar tracks. That being said, I did not include a bass in the mix, as I did not want to further obscure the tube differences, and the recorded guitar tones were left raw (no processing) in the DAW.

For the test, I had three different sets of power amp tubes (6L6):

• The 10+ year old 6L6GCR "Made in China" tubes that came in the amp when I bought it. I cannot determine the brand of these. They look, and feel quite old.
• The TAD 6L6GC-STR.
• The Sovtek 6L6WXT+, which are made in Russia.

I then decided on a favorite set of power tubes, left them in, and then put the original, 10+ year-old preamp tubes back into the 5150. These were two Sovtek 7025WA, and three totally unlabelled 12AX7 tubes. I then recorded a fourth take of the reamped DI tracks.

So, again, we have four different passes: Power Tube Set 1, Power Tube Set 2, Power Tube Set 3, and Power Tube Set Mystery + Old Preamp Tubes. These four different takes are randomly labelled A through D. Here are the files so you can listen and make your own judgements. Let me know what you think.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1579861/5150 Tube Shootout A.wav

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1579861/5150 Tube Shootout B.wav

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1579861/5150 Tube Shootout C.wav

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1579861/5150 Tube Shootout D.wav

Can you tell the differences? Which is your favorite? Can you guess which is which?

 

[jarenare]

I must be deaf or something, I cant hear any difference.

 

[sprack]

I can't hear the difference either. Can you post and guitar only tracks instead?

 

[dominus_malas]

The differences were pretty minimal.. I think C sounded a little bassier than the rest.

It actually kinda sounded like Gary Holt covering Carcass through his early 90s Exodus rig.

 

[Melodeath]

I must be deaf or something, I cant hear any difference.

That does NOT mean you are deaf. The differences between power tubes are much smaller than I thought they would be.

I can't hear the difference either. Can you post and guitar only tracks instead?

Yeah, I could do that. But it seems sort of pointless if those differences get lost in a mix. I'll post raw guitar later today

The differences were pretty minimal.. I think C sounded a little bassier than the rest.

It actually kinda sounded like Gary Holt covering Carcass through his early 90s Exodus rig.

I'd like to hear that!

 

[P-E]

I don't know which would be which at all, but from a quick listen I'd rank them A-B-C-D, from best to worse. I used to think A-C-B-D, but after a few listens I'm starting to dislike C a bit more: it's lows sound saggier but a bit too slow. I think D sounds a bit weak compared to the others. A and B are a close call, but I intuitively feel like I prefer A, probably because it was the first I heard.

All in all, that was pretty interesting and I'm eager to know which is which.

 

[newamerikangospel]

Preamp and power tubes for the most part will make very minor changes when listening, but make big differences in the feel of the amp (which mixed with the small audible change will change the impact/feeling of difference if you are behind the guitar).

 

[Melodeath]

I don't think this is going to get any more guesses, and anyone in the future can listen blind anyway, so here are the answers...

A = TAD
B = Sovtek + old preamp tubes
C = Old chinese 6L6
D = Sovtek

C was by far the most popular choice, which I thought was very interesting