Volume, Volume and Volume

[ToonLP]

Dumb Arse question of the day folks..........

............... is it generally reckoned that a valve amp will perform better (at neighbourly volumes) with volume high and gain low or volume low and gain high? Does gain control power amp and volume pre-amp or vice versa?

And then........... what about the gain on distortion/overdrive pedals - where does that figure in this ever confusing scenario?

Amp is EL84 equipped 30W head into 2 x 212 cabs. 

Or am I asking the wrong question altogether and the answer is "whatever sounds best to you mate"

[dave_mc]

whatever sounds best- also depends on what type of music you're playing.

gain is generally preamp distortion, volume is the power amp.

[Matt77]

What Dave said
Some great tones come from:

Amp gain quite high, amp volume very high.
Guitar volume quite low

[dheim]

What Dave said
Some great tones come from:

Amp gain quite high, amp volume very high.
Guitar volume quite low

...just if you want a slightly broken up tone... if you play with full distortion you have to get as much gain as possible before the power stage! in general bedroom levels are very hard to get from tube amps, but there's no way you can obtain satisfying tones from power stage clipping and low pre levels unless you play at high master volumes. and at home this is not an option!

[gwEm]

What Dave said
Some great tones come from:

Amp gain quite high, amp volume very high.
Guitar volume quite low

...just if you want a slightly broken up tone... if you play with full distortion you have to get as much gain as possible before the power stage! in general bedroom levels are very hard to get from tube amps, but there's no way you can obtain satisfying tones from power stage clipping and low pre levels unless you play at high master volumes. and at home this is not an option!

i sometimes think power amp distortion is a bit over-rated, but it does add a sparkle to the sound, and the compression is nice too.

edit: but clearly it depends on the tone your after