Testing JJ ECC83S preamp tubes (rough samples)
- Thread starter GuitarHack
- Start date
I bought some JJs for my 5150 II not too long ago and love them! What kind of powertubes did you order?
Ya man...JJs are the way to go. I bought it on ebay and it came with Groove Tubes which I've never been a fan of.
::XeS::
Member
Hey Hack
Do you have some little tracks to compare old tubes and new tubes?
I ask this because there are 2 schools of thought:
1- Placebo Effects: a new and desired thing seems better than the old one..but it's not a real difference.
2- With different tubes you can ear real difference
Which is your situation?
Do you have some little tracks to compare old tubes and new tubes?
I ask this because there are 2 schools of thought:
1- Placebo Effects: a new and desired thing seems better than the old one..but it's not a real difference.
2- With different tubes you can ear real difference
Which is your situation?
::XeS::
I don't really have any samples of the same riff/song with the same amp settings/mic placement. The only thing I could try is to find a version of the Septic Ashes song I had reamped with the old tubes (if I have the settings and mic placement written down which I do somewhere I am sure) and reamp it with the new tubes. The difference is not lightyears away, but as far as I am concerned it is a nice improvement. The biggest difference the preamp tubes made was a less harsh top end and smoother mids, for sure (I tried the amp for a week with just the preamp tubes replaced and that is what I noticed). The powertubes made a bigger difference. The lows became fuller and tighter (if not a bit too present), mids smoother and highs and less brittle, the best description I have heard/read is "less cardboard sounding" compared to the 5881's. The room sound is quite different than with the original tubes. Overall it is darker (probably not a plus with this amp) but if you are in front of the cab, damn it pushes some solid air which sounds more polite to the ears. It does require the amp to be set differently as well. What Gain setting used to sound overgained before is now acceptable (so now I am undergaining often). Not because the new pre tubes have less gain , just that they are less harsh up top. So it is still a learning curve getting used to them. IMHO it was a worthwhile change, Powertubes in particular since I was after a fuller/tighter sound.
That's what I honestly believe, whether it is actually technically correct I am not sure, but they are my observations. They aren't a magical way to perfect tone, but I feel they are a step in the right direction.
Your miles may vary.
I don't really have any samples of the same riff/song with the same amp settings/mic placement. The only thing I could try is to find a version of the Septic Ashes song I had reamped with the old tubes (if I have the settings and mic placement written down which I do somewhere I am sure) and reamp it with the new tubes. The difference is not lightyears away, but as far as I am concerned it is a nice improvement. The biggest difference the preamp tubes made was a less harsh top end and smoother mids, for sure (I tried the amp for a week with just the preamp tubes replaced and that is what I noticed). The powertubes made a bigger difference. The lows became fuller and tighter (if not a bit too present), mids smoother and highs and less brittle, the best description I have heard/read is "less cardboard sounding" compared to the 5881's. The room sound is quite different than with the original tubes. Overall it is darker (probably not a plus with this amp) but if you are in front of the cab, damn it pushes some solid air which sounds more polite to the ears. It does require the amp to be set differently as well. What Gain setting used to sound overgained before is now acceptable (so now I am undergaining often). Not because the new pre tubes have less gain , just that they are less harsh up top. So it is still a learning curve getting used to them. IMHO it was a worthwhile change, Powertubes in particular since I was after a fuller/tighter sound.
That's what I honestly believe, whether it is actually technically correct I am not sure, but they are my observations. They aren't a magical way to perfect tone, but I feel they are a step in the right direction.
Your miles may vary.
::XeS::
Member
Great description Hack!
If you find the septic ashes reamp with old tubes could you post the comparison with the new reamp (with impulses if it's possible)?
I'm thinking to switch my tubes with a set of JJ but someone tell me that an "all JJ" pre sounds muddy...and I'm curious to listen your improvement!
Thank you so much
If you find the septic ashes reamp with old tubes could you post the comparison with the new reamp (with impulses if it's possible)?
I'm thinking to switch my tubes with a set of JJ but someone tell me that an "all JJ" pre sounds muddy...and I'm curious to listen your improvement!
Thank you so much
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