Do preamp tubes affect tone?

More to the point here, though, is the fact that the gain of the first preamp tube—often referred to as a “gain stage”—very directly impacts the tone that you achieve from the amp as a whole.

Does changing preamp tubes make a difference?

Different brands of the same kind of tube might each sound a little different, but you can achieve more dramatic results by auditioning the several different types of tubes that are compatible in the same preamp-tube sockets and circuit positions. Maybe you’ll discover a tweak to fine-tune your sound.

Are sovtek tubes good?

KT88: The Sovtek KT88 sounds very good and is not expensive. I’ve had a couple of failures, but the tone makes up for it. The JJs are very reliable, a little more expensive, and sound pretty good. The Sovtek 5881 isn’t really a 5881 or a 6L6, but it’s still a great tube in its own right.

Do valve amps sound better?

In addition, valve amps give musicians more options – thanks to the physics of how valves work. If you overdrive push a little, only the top of the sound wave is flattened. If you push it harder, however, it also flattens the bottom of the wave.

How do tube amps affect sound?

When a transistor amplifier alters the sound, it almost always makes it worse. When a tube amplifier modifies the sound, it usually makes the music sound better. Crummier tube amplifiers will have more of the distortions that make tube amplifiers sound like tube amplifiers.

Are tube amp doctor tubes any good?

5.0 out of 5 starsLoving these tubes! Great sounding tubes, better than anything I’ve tried in my Vox AC15 – loud, colorful presence; clear and bright but not glassy or piercing; and warm smooth breakup when overdriven… very “vintage” sounding- highly recommend for any Brit configured amp.

Is it safe to change preamp tubes?

Preamp Tubes On a lot of amps, you will need to remove the back panel; but don’t worry, this will not void your warranty. As long as your new tube is the same model as what you’re replacing (12AX7, 12AT7, 6SN7, etc.), you’re good.

Can I use 12AX7 instead of 12AU7?

Technically, yes, you can physically interchange a 12AX7 tube for a 12AU7 tube in your amp without risk of major damage to your amp.

Are Tung Sol tubes good?

The current TungSol 12ax7 is by far the best quality out there . The highs are clear and clean an the entire sound is transparent compared to a JJ . Yes , they’re somewhat more expensive , but for V1/2 in a clean amp they are unbeatable , Tubedepot will provide every possible grading option too , which others don’t .

Who makes sovtek amps?

New Sensor Corporation
Sovtek is a brand of vacuum tube owned by Mike Matthews’s New Sensor Corporation and manufactured in Saratov, Russia. They are often used in guitar amplification and include versions of the popular 12AX7, EL84, EL34, and 6L6. Many of the vacuum-tube amplifiers in modern production are factory-fitted with Sovtek valves.

Why do tube amps sound so good?

Tube amplifiers sound better because of the euphonic distortions they add to the music, as well as plenty of other reasons I’ll cover below. The ways that tubes distort when pushed to the edge are much more musical than the artificial sounds that come from transistor amplifiers when overdriven.