Tube recommendations for a Deluxe Reverb?

[David Garner]

It's a boutique, more blackface circuit than anything, but with a bias modulated tremolo circuit. Weber 12F150 speaker.

I'm considering JJ power tubes, but I'd love recommendations for power and preamp tubes.

[FearlessFred]

i hear that jj 6v6 tubes sound in between a 6v6 and 6l6
tungsol are sweet and "Nos like"
EHX are a bit fatter.

[David Garner]

Cool, thanks! I'll look into the Tung Sol's. Re: the EHX's, "fatter" as in bigger rounder clean sound or as in quicker breakup?

[Rambergwest]

What are your values? clarity or warmth? headroom or breakup?
Start with a good 12AT7 and a good 12AX7 would be my recomendation. The V1 12AX7 will have the most audible impact but getting a good phase inverter in place earlier in the game will really show off the differences from the changes upstream. So for me I start with replacing V1 and V5 and then just move things around. Swap V1 and V2 compare, swap V2 and V5 compare, etc. least impactful in my deluxe is the V4 tube but it has an audible presenece as well as an impact on the trem character. When rolling tubes between positions I just take what I learn from my first purchase, fine tune my requirements and buy one more.
Specifically in my Fargen Blackbird I have settled on a Gold Lion in V1, NOS RCA triple mica 12AT7 in V2, NOS Tung Sol 12AX7WA in V3, NOS Telefunken 12AX7 in V4 and a NOS GEC 12AT7 in V5, power tubes are in constant rotation depending on my mood but are all NOS with exception of new peoduction Gold Lion 6V6GTs. The reason it satisfies me is that the first tube captures everything and the rest of the tubes favor clean over warm. The power tubes today were POPE 6V6GTs with the result being just about perfect to match with double bass, and grand piano on Praise Music.
Hope this gives you a starting point

[David Garner]

That's a good question. I tend to set it on the edge of breakup and use pedals to push it over the top, so I suppose the clean sound is more important. Having said that, we're usually mic'd so it doesn't really matter how loud it is when it starts to break up. So realistically, I'm looking for a warm amp that sounds smooth and not harsh.

I like your idea to experiment a bit. I may do that and see where it takes me. Thanks particularly for the advice on ordering the preamp tubes -- I wouldn't have had any clue where to start honestly.

[remocity]

For new production, you have to go with Tung-Sol.
With NOS, there are many super options!

[David Garner]

remocity, why the Tung-Sols?

[remocity]

Just my fave of the new production choices I've tried......EH, JJ and Tung-Sol.
More 3D and lively.......sorry, not really good at expressing what I hear.

[Rambergwest]

From a 12AX7 perspectve there is a lot of good information out there on this site and others regarding how different tubes sound. I am a strong believer in learnig as I go because I wanted to find my own thing. For me every new tube tells me about what I value either what I like or don't like. This knowledge is worth as much as the end result.
I have heard the most positive comments on 12AT7s for the NOS Mullard CV 4024 and they can be found at a lot of tube sites, both matched and un matched. This is not to say it is the best tube but a known upgrade form most new production. The NOS Mullard is pretty clean, quiet and quite musical, most GE are more lively, and to my ears an RCA is more linear with better extension. As always generalizations are as dangerous as helpful so reasearch and have fun

[candid_x]

I like the warmth of a JAN Phillips 12AX7 in V2, but it's in a DRRI. Dunno if your main trem/verb channel is V1 or V2 in your boutique amp. I've been through several of them, but for some reason, this particular one has hung in through several amps (usually in V1), and unlike a few others, still has not gone microphonic. It also takes quite a bit of the sting off the top end, and contributes to a creamy distortion.

I like the Tung Sol ri 6V6's in the DRRI, but JJ's in another amp, which benefits from the greater glassy girth of 6L6-like sound.

[David Garner]

Just my fave of the new production choices I've tried......EH, JJ and Tung-Sol.
More 3D and lively.......sorry, not really good at expressing what I hear.

No problem -- I'm just more curious about the power tubes because as I understand it, it will need a re-bias each time I change them, so I want to get that decision right the first time. Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies -- I'm probably going to experiment with pre-amp tubes and just make a decision on the power tubes. Still leaning a bit toward the JJ's because I also like the 6L6 tone for the most part in my Concert, so I'm figuring I'll like it in the Deluxe as well, but I may try the Tung-Sol's just to see if I like them first since I already have a 6L6 amp. I do like the classic Deluxe sound in a good amp, so I'm not sure I want to change from that so much as just looking for good options. It has Groove Tubes in it now, if I'm not mistaken, and I know I can improve on that.

[remocity]

No problem -- I'm just more curious about the power tubes because as I understand it, it will need a re-bias each time I change them, so I want to get that decision right the first time. Thanks!

I was mainly referring to the power tubes, but Tung-Sol preamp tubes are a decent new production alternative for preamp tubes in fender type amps as well.

[DRS]

I went to KCA Tubes and got Tung Sol Re-issue 6V6s and 12AX7s and Mullard NOS 12AT7s. The tubes I left stock were the tremolo tube which doesn't affect tone, and the rectifier tube. I re-biased to 19ma. Made big difference. $100 for the tubes.

[Rambergwest]

For me if you want the most fundamental note reproduction a 6L6 is a great choice but when you want all of the extra information surrounding the note I like a 6V6 tube. I feel that in a band situation someone is always sitting squarely on the note and I like the 6V6 ability to really explain why you chose it. If you are open to a little off beat and expensive option the POPE 6V6GT is just wonderful and the set I have were shipped balanced within .1ma at a 417v 20ma setting. Clear and as rich as it gets from my experience.