Help with a set of power tubes.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

I know its been brought up tons of times here but I could not find any really helpful info. I dont need them at the moment BUT I wanna know so when the time comes to replace em, I know where to go with no hassle. I have a Bugera 333XL and the power tubes are 4 Bugera branded EL34's. I can use 6L6's or EL34's. Im leaning to the EL34's because I like that "British" dirty sound. I love to play really heavy saturated stuff and also like to play some great blues and slide like stuff. I want a set of tubes that can cover all musical areas (I know its alot to ask for but I play it all). Im wondering where to get them from and what ones to get. I know I have to buy a matched set of 4 so thats out of the way. Now I just need to know what brand to buy. Give me your opinion on what your favorite ones are

Thanks!

[JIM'S GoldTOP]

JJ Tubes. At The Tube Store.com. They are great tubes for all around sound. The Tube Store is a great place too buy also.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by JIM'S GoldTOP

JJ Tubes. At The Tube Store.com. They are great tubes for all around sound. The Tube Store is a great place too buy also.

Tell me if im reading the matching charts right. If I want 4 matched tubes, then I make the order quanity 2 right? They get 4 matched tubes instead of 2 correct?

[PINKBITS]

Your preamp tubes are going to have more of an impact on your gain than your powers.

In power tubes I prefer 6L6's in which I use SED Winged C's.

The stock tubes 12ax7's in the Bugera IMO are all pretty rubbish Chinese 12ax7's.

As current production preamp valves are pretty cheap I'd try throwing in a Tungsol in v1 just as a start. The v1 slot has the most impact on preamp gain. I have had trouble with the Tungsol in my GH50L giving a loud hum after minimal use, however many, many people use them with no trouble. They sound great for the high gain stuff.

In chinese valves the best I have used are Penta labs. Not as dry and fizzy sounding as others I have tried.

A single JJ in v2 or v3 can be ok too. I really don't like these in the v1 slot but they can be good used with other valves.

Your power tubes should last a bloody long time and the best way IMO to start tailoring your amp is to start with preamp tubes.

[BrianGT]

I like the Svetlana Winged C's.....both EL34 and 6L 6's.
Great sounding tubes.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

You said a bloody long time. Will they last a long time if I play it really loud for about 7 hours every week? (during band practice)

[ExpatBrit]

Tubedepot.com or Eurotubes.com both will match sets for you.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by PINKBITS

Your preamp tubes are going to have more of an impact on your gain than your powers.

In power tubes I prefer 6L6's in which I use SED Winged C's.

The stock tubes 12ax7's in the Bugera IMO are all pretty rubbish Chinese 12ax7's.

As current production preamp valves are pretty cheap I'd try throwing in a Tungsol in v1 just as a start. The v1 slot has the most impact on preamp gain. I have had trouble with the Tungsol in my GH50L giving a loud hum after minimal use, however many, many people use them with no trouble. They sound great for the high gain stuff.

In chinese valves the best I have used are Penta labs. Not as dry and fizzy sounding as others I have tried.

A single JJ in v2 or v3 can be ok too. I really don't like these in the v1 slot but they can be good used with other valves.

Your power tubes should last a bloody long time and the best way IMO to start tailoring your amp is to start with preamp tubes.

Ok and the v1 v2 v3 v4 etc is the valve slot in order?? v1 is next the the power tubes for some odd reason if thats the case. The rest are up front. Im a noob here if you havent noticed

[PINKBITS]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

You said a bloody long time. Will they last a long time if I play it really loud for about 7 hours every week? (during band practice)

Yes, they will. Barring some sort of failure due to a bad valve of course.

Actual typical power tube life, Mr Splattle would know I am sure. He is far, far more knowledgeable on valve amps than me.


Either way mate it's always a good idea to have a spare set of powers. You should have them. That way you are always prepared.

In regard to tone, I just don't believe you are going to notice a huge difference by swapping the powers and leaving the stock pre's.

You should have some spare preamp valves too.

[PINKBITS]

Originally Posted by ExpatBrit

Tubedepot.com or Eurotubes.com both will match sets for you.

Yes, however Eurotubes only sell JJ's.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by PINKBITS

Yes, they will. Barring some sort of failure due to a bad valve of course.

Actual typical power tube life, Mr Splattle would know I am sure. He is far, far more knowledgeable on valve amps than me.


Either way mate it's always a good idea to have a spare set of powers. You should have them. That way you are always prepared.

In regard to tone, I just don't believe you are going to notice a huge difference by swapping the powers and leaving the stock pre's.

You should have some spare preamp valves too.

Well I would have to have the powers biased so me having a spare set of those would be pointless haha. I would take it to a guitar shop. In the case of the preamp tubes. Couldnt I just buy 4 of em and have all of the same or is there some odd magic of different ones combined to make great tone?

[PINKBITS]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

Ok and the v1 v2 v3 v4 etc is the valve slot in order?? v1 is next the the power tubes for some odd reason if thats the case. The rest are up front. Im a noob here if you havent noticed

I'm not sure how your amp is actually set out but typically, V1 is first in the chain (first valve your guitar signal hits) and v4 (if you have 4 preamp valves) is typically the Phase inverter and closest to the powers.

Your amp should have a schematic which should show this.

Oh and nothing wrong with being a tube noob. We were all that at one stage

[PINKBITS]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

Well I would have to have the powers biased so me having a spare set of those would be pointless haha. I would take it to a guitar shop. In the case of the preamp tubes. Couldnt I just buy 4 of em and have all of the same or is there some odd magic of different ones combined to make great tone?

You can just purchase 4 preamp valves of the same make and type. Many people do and are happy with that.

I personally just prefer mixing different pre's to try and make the tone more unique.


For high gain stuff in my amp I like a tungsol in v1, Peta labs v2, JJ v3 and Peta labs in the PI slot.

Your amp will be different than mine though so it is a bit of trial and error, but not expensive.

The great thing is that as you are mixing and changing preamp valves you are learning all the time what works what doesn't. It's fun.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by PINKBITS

You can just purchase 4 preamp valves of the same make and type. Many people do and are happy with that.

I personally just prefer mixing different pre's to try and make the tone more unique.


For high gain stuff in my amp I like a tungsol in v1, Peta labs v2, JJ v3 and Peta labs in the PI slot.

Your amp will be different than mine though so it is a bit of trial and error, but not expensive.

The great thing is that as you are mixing and changing preamp valves you are learning all the time what works what doesn't. It's fun.

I really appreciate all of the help man. I may buy some preamp tubes here soon and wait for my powers to blow haha.

Oh yea, any of those tubes you listed have any cool glows to em?

[PINKBITS]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

I really appreciate all of the help man. I may buy some preamp tubes here soon and wait for my powers to blow haha.

Oh yea, any of those tubes you listed have any cool glows to em?

Happy to help

Like I said, try out some different pre's but I still suggest you grab a new matched set of powers when you have the money. Just like spare fuses and stuff. You should have them ready, you can bet that what ever you don't have as spares will be the thing to play up.

Preparation and organisation is good

I've purchased valves from this guy a couple of times. Very good to deal with and a great selection.

Tubes geared to your sound - Doug's Tubes

Also, what I found really useful was trying to find guys that are using the same amp as me for a similar purpose and seeing what valves they are using. Takes some of the guess work out.

Good luck mate, let us know how you get on.

[JIM'S GoldTOP]

Originally Posted by LesPauI+SG=Win

Tell me if im reading the matching charts right. If I want 4 matched tubes, then I make the order quanity 2 right? They get 4 matched tubes instead of 2 correct?

Yes

[Splattle101]

Originally Posted by PINKBITS

Happy to help

Like I said, try out some different pre's but I still suggest you grab a new matched set of powers when you have the money. Just like spare fuses and stuff. You should have them ready, you can bet that what ever you don't have as spares will be the thing to play up.

Preparation and organisation is good

I've purchased valves from this guy a couple of times. Very good to deal with and a great selection.

Tubes geared to your sound - Doug's Tubes

Also, what I found really useful was trying to find guys that are using the same amp as me for a similar purpose and seeing what valves they are using. Takes some of the guess work out.

Good luck mate, let us know how you get on.

Wise words from brother PINKBITS, here.

Mucking around with your preamp valves is much cheaper than playing with the power valves. It will also have more impact. To show exactly what I mean, have a squizz at this thread here. It shows the difference in sound on a Tiny Terror as the valves are changed out in turn. It goes from stock Chinese to JJs and NOS Mullard. The biggest change is with the Mullard in the preamp. Changing the power valves affected the bass response and sound stage, but the preamp valves really tightened up the voice of the whole thing.

Anyway, regarding the power valves I would say two things. First, if you tend toward the Brit sound then you want EL34s, which I think you've already decided. According to Liam and some others in here who are big EL34 users, the Winged C is the best of the new production EL34s.

Secondly, you need a set of spares. I know that they will need biasing. You're dead right there. But for the purposes of finishing a practice or finishing a gig, they'll do. Ideally you should have a trouble shooting kit for your valve amp. The bare essentials are described here, and the advice is basically the wisdom of Gerald Weber paraphrased for a guitar forum. If you end up changing your power valves, keep your current set as your spares. Done.

[LesPauI+SG=Win]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

Wise words from brother PINKBITS, here.

Mucking around with your preamp valves is much cheaper than playing with the power valves. It will also have more impact. To show exactly what I mean, have a squizz at this thread here. It shows the difference in sound on a Tiny Terror as the valves are changed out in turn. It goes from stock Chinese to JJs and NOS Mullard. The biggest change is with the Mullard in the preamp. Changing the power valves affected the bass response and sound stage, but the preamp valves really tightened up the voice of the whole thing.

Anyway, regarding the power valves I would say two things. First, if you tend toward the Brit sound then you want EL34s, which I think you've already decided. According to Liam and some others in here who are big EL34 users, the Winged C is the best of the new production EL34s.

Secondly, you need a set of spares. I know that they will need biasing. You're dead right there. But for the purposes of finishing a practice or finishing a gig, they'll do. Ideally you should have a trouble shooting kit for your valve amp. The bare essentials are described here, and the advice is basically the wisdom of Gerald Weber paraphrased for a guitar forum. If you end up changing your power valves, keep your current set as your spares. Done.

Ok man. I really appreciate it. Ive saw both of those threads. I actually did quite a bit of digging before I posted this haha. I also posted that thread of "what does a blown tube look like" lol. Thanks much man