myles_rose Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 I get a lot of queries each week on what tubes should be used in which amps for what sound etc. This may help some folks .... Tube choice and selection is very much personaltaste and preference. You can find a document thatwill go into this in great detail, and give you information on tube types, characteristics, and also on the rating system used by GT, conversion from Mesa to GT and Fender to GT tables, matching information and more. http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com is the website, and the document is the Tube Primer, v1.31 which has a link and button for download or viewing. V1.31 is 47 pages and not too bad to download. v3.20 is in two sections and about 200 total pages total, if you want a LOT of info. On rating numbers: Basically, a #1 will distort sooner, and a #10 later. If, for example, with a mid range tube, say a #5, makes your amp start to break in the output section at a volume setting on the amp of "4", then with a lower number tube, like a #2, your amp would have a same sort of break into output distortion at say a volume setting of "3". With a higher tube, such as an #8, then you amp would stay clean to about perhaps "6" on the volume. High rating numbers are not more or less powerful, they just distort later. These are preferred by heavy rocker that want maximum clean output, as they get their distortion and tone from effects or pedals. These are not as touch dynamic. Low number tubes are very touch dynamic, and more suited for a lot of folks, for smaller venues and recording. Most folks prefer the 4-7 range tubes, as they are the closest in character and touch to what the amplifier designer had in mind. They are also the most versatile. On scale conversions: On Fender amps, output tubes in newer amps are color coded. The scale is: Blue = GT 1-3 rating White = GT 4-7 rating Red = GT 8-10 rating On Mesa Boogie amps there are six color codes. All of them are in the GT 4-6 range. These amps have a fixed bias to staying in this range is the same as Mesa tubes. Mesa vs Groove Tubes scale Red 4 Yellow 4 Green 5 Gray 5 Blue 6 White 6 Myles S. Rose www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com www.la-economy.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/mylesr www.twitter.com/myles111us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles_rose Posted August 27, 2004 Author Share Posted August 27, 2004 bumping for new folks Myles S. Rose www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com www.la-economy.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/mylesr www.twitter.com/myles111us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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