Hi All,

I think it's time I added something to the OTS community here.

I've had my 100w Bluesmaster for about 8 weeks now, and I love it.  Of course, we all feel the need to tune our amps to our own styles, so this led me to check out various preamp tubes.  I didn't find a thread on this topic that was dedicated to the Bluesmaster variant, so I started Below are my impressions of the 4 types I used.  Please feel free to add your own impressions, too.  I may try some NOS beauties at some point, so who knows?

Guitar: Les Paul Vintage Mahogany w/ Burstbucker Pros

Amp Settings:
Input: 5
Bright: On and Off (tried both)
Deep: Off
Midboost: On and Off
Jass/Rock: Rock
Treble: 6.6
Mid: 5.5
Bass: 4
OD Gain: 5 - 10 (Full Sweep Testing)
OD Level: 4.5
Master: 4.5 (unity w/ OD channel vol)
Presence: 6
OD Trim: 9-10 o'clock
C-lator Settings-
Drive: 1 o'clock
Bright 1: Off
In: Full CW
Out: Used as Master, so around 7 o'clock
Bright 2: Off
Pedals: Keeley Compressor, RMC-3, Captain Coconut 2, Keeley Java Boost, King of Tone v4.  [Pedals in Loop: Digitech Hardwire RV-5 and DL-8]
Speakers: 2x12 Avatar Closed Back w/ EVM-12L and EVM-12S wired at 16ohms in parallel.
Power Tubes: 4x TAD 6L6GC-STR (Tall Bottles)

Tubes Used:

NOS Mullard 12at7 (used only for PI on recommendation of Mike at KCA NOS tubes)
JJ ECC83
TAD 7025 S
Tung-Sol Reissue 12ax7

Impressions:

NOS Mullard 12at7 - This tube is supposedly one of the best for the PI position in Fender style amps.  Since the Bluesmaster has more of a Fendery sound, I thought it may be a good choice.  I was not disappointed.  I made sure to get a balanced tube, and as a result, I find that the tone is much smoother and, well, balanced, I suppose.  I had used a JJ ECC83 in here previously, and this was a huge improvement.  At only $30, I HIGHLY recommend one.

JJ ECC83 - The "stock" tubes.  But no means, though, are these guys stock like the crap found in modern production Fender/Marshalls.  I like the ruggedness of the tubes, and I am fond of them in the PI and V1 positions.  I don't really like them in the V2, as I think they make the OD too dark, and dark is definitely how many folk describe these tubes. 

TAD 7025 S:  I went with the "Mullard" version of the TADs, and I think they are a step up from the JJs.  They have an airy-er top end and are more open.  They seemed to have a flatter EQ to them as well, which is nice if you want the amp/guitar to shine.  Again, I thought these were better than the V1 and PI slots.  For me, the OD was a little flat. 

Tung-Sol RI 12ax7 - Ah, the TSs.  I had run these in some other amps before and remember being pleased with them.  I just got these on Wednesday, and was eager to check them out.  All I can say is, "What a difference!"  While I had liked the JJs and the TADs quite a lot, the Tung-Sols had a mojo to them that blew everything else out of the water.  In V1, they were rich in harmonic content, allowed the notes to bloom so well, and had a depth that the other tubes didn't.  In the ever-picky V2 slot, these things SHINED.  Rich distortion, while retaining smoothness and note definition.  Really responsive to dynamics, and the great thing about this tube that I didn't find with the others, was that it allowed me to use the full sweep of the OD Gain pot.  The others needed a sweet spot to sound great, the Tung-Sols sounded amazing from 3 to 10.  Can't say enough about these.  GET SOME at only $14/each, why not try them?

So, I'm settled on a matched pair of Tung-Sols in the V1 and V2 and a NOS Mullard 12at7 in the PI.  I really like the TAD power tubes, so I'll definitely stick with those.  In order of preference for the Preamps, I'd say

Tung-Sol
TAD
JJ

Thoughts?


Stephen

Hey Emiel,

Definitely a must to burn in the amp before you start doing other things to it, but I'm sure you knew that already. 

I haven't had any mods done to the amp (other than asking Nik to put in a half-power switch), and I don't think you need to do any in order for it to work properly with the Dumbleator.  I didn't even have to switch around my tone stack settings.  However, I think that having the D-lator in the loop, even if you aren't using pedals, improves the sound of the amp.  And, you essentially get a pre-PI master volume with it.

Another thing, I haven't messed around with the HRM settings either, so that is stock.

Stephen

Emiel

Thanks for the writeup!

Very interesting!

Honestly, in bulk, the Tung Sols are just 0.25 more than a JJ.

The reason we dont use em, is I had bad experience with em. I had abt 200 pcs, and many failed.

Some did fail at cathode follower, as I wasnt aware abt the issue, the manufacturer didnt seem to even acknowledge the issue at the time. I think 5 pcs, then I googled to see whats up.

But in the OTS, some also died! For no reason at all. It'd be fine at 1 moment, and the next thing, 1 of the triodes go dead.

This is why, to this day, we dont use them. I will try again, maybe they have improved things.

I still have over 80 of these, bad ones. Next time, I will make sure the manufacturer receives em back as returns!

We did use the Tungsol 6l6gc STR as well. They were fine.

Thanks!

Nik

Stephen

Hey man! Heh, it's hard with the nicknames. For all I know, I might be addressing Angelia Jolie and call her ugly!

Anyways -

I see. We got em direct, so...it'd be hard if thats the case. If we decide on them, we need to bring in bulk. I have one of those Amplitrex testers, but still, shipping em back would be a bit tough.

Thing is, I did like the tones from that tube as well. But I like it if they dont fail, hence my usage of JJ for the preamp tubes!

As for the switch - I see. The thing is, our mini switches, the actuator is long-ish, ie the bat thing you use to toggle.

If you can get something shorter, it'd be good.

I see JBT, C&K, etc brands on ebay all the time for not that much money. They're good.

Or I can send one if you want...

THanks!

Nik