Let's talk vacuum tubes...

[targa911S]

from what I understand sovteks are not right for bass amps. So I may be fine. Are others made there as well?

[Cajundaddy]

Just pick out a nice set of tubes targa. No need for matched preamp tubes and microphonics is pretty rare but it happens. I had a set of Electro-Harmonics that were lousy but never a problem with JJs. Fresh tubes are a good thing every 5 years or so.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by nota

my buddy who is an FCC testing guy
and has fixed a lot of older amps
said tube preamps doNOT give the tube sound
that only comes from tube amps not the preamp part

Sorry, but he's wrong.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Fresh tubes are a good thing every 5 years or so.

IME, not for preamp tubes. Power tubes are like strings - they slowly wear over time. But preamp tubes can sing for decades. Or go poof just like that. I always keep spares.

[nostatic]

Speaking of tubes - the middle one is a 40W hand wired power section prototype (2xEL34)

[futuresoptions]

Before I purchased any tubes, I would have a good idea of what type of tone that I wanted and then I would look online for what other people were putting into a similar amp and with what results they were achieving. I have spent some of the past few weeks researching this very subject specifically preamp tubes... Depending on what you purchase can really change the characteristics and overall tone of the amp.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by nota

my buddy who is an FCC testing guy
and has fixed a lot of older amps
said tube preamps doNOT give the tube sound
that only comes from tube amps not the preamp part

That's not right.

I don't know what its my amp at present. I think its Winged Cs in the power section and a mix of Sovtek and Ruby Reds in the pre-amp.

[ramonesfreak]

You don't need matched preamp tubes. If you want new tubes, just get some JJ tubes from here

https://www.eurotubes.com/

The power section of this amp is solid state MOSFET, so all the listed tubes are for the pre=amp only. There is a voltage adjustment knob on the amp so I can dial up more or less tube sound. I looked at an Ampeg SVT-CL all tube amp but it weighs in at a whopping 85 pounds and to re-tube it with say Winged C tubes is around $700.00. Too much weight, to expensive to maintain in my book. Besides that I play in a variety of bands with different styles of music. I don't always want a tube sound. It will be nice to dial up the tone I want.