Pre-amp Tubes

[Dazza1004]

I need to order some spare ecc83s pre-amp tubes for my EVH 5153 and I was thinking of experimenting with different types so I am looking for suggestions. At the moment it's all JJ's, I have a gold pins in V1 and V4, the other 5 are just standard JJ's.

I would like to brighten it up a bit without it getting harsh, my dream amp is the (admittedly a bit dark) XTC so anything I can do to get it closer to that in terms of feel would be great.

I was thinking about maybe a couple of tung sol's, one in V2 and V5, the amp lay out is

V1 - Input tube for all 3 channels.
V2, V3 - preamp stages for channels 1 & 2
V4, V5, V6 preamp stages for channel 3. V4 sets the high gain.
V7 - loop,
V8 - Phase inverter

Cheers

[Twinfan]

Tung-Sols are brighter and thinner than JJs in my (albeit limited) limited experience.

As I'm sure you know, for XTC tone you'll need an XTC!

[Dazza1004]

ta for the info

I suspect an xtc would be to dark for what I want but I like the smooth saggy feel (ooh err, that's what I keep telling myself because I can't afford one, if I could I'd buy one in a second!!)

[ericsabbath]

trade it for a Shiva

[hunter]

+1 on tung sol, or you could go for chinese, you can get them from Ruby or TAD or Penta Labs (via Dougstubes). I like the Penta Chinese, they are cheap too.

[Ribboz]

trade it for a Shiva

+1

Nice :D

[hunter]

Shiva is darker than a 5153, not brighter. And it doesn't do that 80s rock tone as good, it's got other benefits though.

On your 5153, have you checked the bias? I know that they can come very cold from factory, which might make the tone harsh and bland. It's a great amp though, with the right cab, tubes and settings it can sound great! Do you have the matching cab? I'm a big fan of that cab sound wise.

[Dazza1004]

On your 5153, have you checked the bias? I know that they can come very cold from factory, which might make the tone harsh and bland. It's a great amp though, with the right cab, tubes and settings it can sound great! Do you have the matching cab? I'm a big fan of that cab sound wise.

Hi Hunter,

I have 2 cabs, an Orange 2x12 with G12-65's for home and a Diamond 4x12 with 2xV30's and 2xG12H anniversary for the band.

I haven't checked the bias, it's something I would love to be able to do but I know nothing about how to go about doing it and to be honest the threat of electrocution is putting me off having a try. I guess I would need a bias tool but I don‘t know which one and where to get one.

I think if I could find someone to show me what to do I would probably be alright from them onwards but having just moved I am still trying to make music related contacts (anybody in the North West willing to volunteer, I can pay in booze !!)

[Twinfan]

I've got a Weber Bias Rite that I've not tried out yet if you're near Manc?

[Dazza1004]

I've got a Weber Bias Rite that I've not tried out yet if you're near Manc?

sounds good, I have PM'd you, cheers

[Ratrod]

Send an email to TAD. Tell them what you want from the amp. Their advice has been spot on for me.