The preamp valve tone test thread

Paolo_M

This is a tone test of a bunch of the main types of 12Ax7 type preamp valves from my little stash.

The clips are all recorded using my Harley Benton GA5 as it only uses one preamp valve so the tone of each should come across clear than if there were multiple preamp valves.

The clips are recorded with my USA Strat on the neck pick up straight to the HA GA5 => V30 speaker and close miked with a SM57 => MBox and ProTools.
No post EQ or effects are used.

With the volume at 10 you're hearing some farty blocking distortion. This was the first amp I modifyed, and at the time I figured any series grid resistance was taking away from valuable gain, so there's no grid stop at all between the two halves. Haven't had time to get back in there to sort it out.

I recorded each clip in the same format, volume at 5 followed by volume at 10 with some chords and single notes in each, to allow for easy comparison.
The power valve is a JJ84.

I haven't adjusted the volume between clips either, to show relative volumes with the gain lower valves.

For some reason my JAN 57571, the NOS Mullard Yellow Label, NOS Mazda, NOS Sylvania and the Brimar wouldn't run in the HB.

The idea is to have a fair comparison for people to hear the differences from an independant source all recording under the exact same conditions and equipment.

Lemme whatcha think.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=997492

Seziertisch

Haven't listened to all of them, but that Mullard is sounding pretty sweet compared to the few that come after. It is a bit louder, but above and beyond that it seems more open, dimensional and richer sounding.

What about output valves, any experience with those, Paolo? I have experimented a bit with preamp valves myself, but never ventured into output valve territory. I have read a few places that preamp's make a bigger difference.

Fingers Mcginty

I was expecting top hear more of a difference between the clips

Seziertisch

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

I was expecting top hear more of a difference between the clips

What are you monitoring on?

Spicy Lauren

I Strats! Kool little riff too

Thanks for posting this up Paolo. I personally preferred the EH 12AX7...
I thought the Chinese was a bit too bright, White Label too full onn and the JJ one a bit flat sounding. EH12AX7 has my vote xx

Lauren

Seziertisch

Spicy Lauren wrote: »

I Strats! Kool little riff too

Thanks for posting this up Paolo. I personally preferred the EH 12AX7...
I thought the Chinese was a bit too bright, White Label too full onn and the JJ one a bit flat sounding. EH12AX7 has my vote xx

Lauren

Again, what were you monitoring on? I wouldn't have said that the White Label was too full on. I found some of the others sounded almost eq'ed already with a lot of frequencies missing compared to the White Label. The White Label was also quite a bit louder, so that might be influencing your call.

Spicy Lauren

Seziertisch wrote: »

what were you monitoring on?

I'm monitoring on my own personal tastes Seziertisch
I wouldnt go for White Label as it seemed too heavy... too much drive if that makes sense?

Seziertisch

Spicy Lauren wrote: »

I'm monitoring on my own personal tastes Seziertisch
I wouldnt go for White Label as it seemed too heavy... too much drive if that makes sense?

Monitoring on laptop speakers or cheap headphones, I very much doubt that anyone could make an informed call either way. I would also imagine that someone doing this would hear little enough difference between them.

There wasn't too much drive on the white labels (as I heard it), the clips were louder, which depending on your monitoring set up could sound like too much drive.

Fingers Mcginty

I have proper studio monitors...must be too many years of gigging

Paolo_M

Glad you guys are getting some value out of this.

Hopefully you could hear how certain valves add more cut, others are a little darker sounding, some are more "forceful" while others are more subtle. This can be useful in certain amps depending on the tone you're after.

From the first couple of comments, it also seems the cliche is correct; tone is subjective.

I'll do a follow up of my JCM 800 with a handful tested in each valve position individually. This will include a sample of a "balanced" 12AX7 in the phase inverter position. This will give a more real world example as I'm sure (I hope) most of you don't gig with a Harley Benton!!

I'm also planning out more extensive speaker tests and power valve tests for down the line.

Please feel free to post your own clips, comments or any info/experiences you have in here too, it could become a fairly useful reference thread.

Fingers Mcginty

Cheers Paolo...excellent thread :D:D:D

zafo

For nice sharp bite I'd pick Mullard then EH12AX7.

For something mellower the JJ and Harma are nice.