Awhile back, I was trying some different power tubes in an Ultra 112. When I put in power tubes that had a lower breakup point than the old tubes, the amp had more distortion on the lead channel, even though I was only playing at very low bedroom volume.
That's puzzling to me. I didn't think the power tubes would have any effect on distortion until the amp got loud. The tubes were the same brand (Sovtek), so it wasn't caused by a brand difference. Am I just not understanding how power tubes work?
Thanks,
Triguy
Power tube question
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Re: Power tube question
Power tube break-up points of Early , Normal, or Late.......
Specify in relation to volume level where you want distortion to kick in.
Early = Low Volume
Normal = Medium Volume
Late = High Volume
Specify in relation to volume level where you want distortion to kick in.
Early = Low Volume
Normal = Medium Volume
Late = High Volume
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Re: Power tube question
Classic30inCincy wrote:Power tube break-up points of Early , Normal, or Late.......
Specify in relation to volume level where you want distortion to kick in.
Early = Low Volume
Normal = Medium Volume
Late = High Volume
That makes sense. But in this case I was using tubes in the normal and late range, but it still made a difference at very quiet volumes. That's what puzzled me about it.
Triguy
Re: Power tube question
It's not only about powering them to break-up, as you discovered. It is about the tube's "voice". Some people whisper in a growl. Tubes are like that too. They have a voice, and the early break-up tubes dont just sound more growly/overdriven at volume, they sound more that way at ALL volume levels. They are growly whispering ones. Nice to have both and learn something new, eh?
Tubes are a marvel of early 20th century technology that are filled with quirks and unexpected results when applied in guitar amps. Truly a case of the whole being more than just the sum of the parts. Great way to spend an afternoon or evening swapping and listening.
Dalrymple
Tubes are a marvel of early 20th century technology that are filled with quirks and unexpected results when applied in guitar amps. Truly a case of the whole being more than just the sum of the parts. Great way to spend an afternoon or evening swapping and listening.
Dalrymple
Re: Power tube question
Thanks Dal! I hadn't heard it explained quite that way before.
Triguy
Triguy