Looking for a super accurate speaker

EtherealWidow · Oct 2, 2010

So I posted this in the Express forum too, but I'd not want to limit myself to the opinions of just Express owners. I recently got done conducting a super thorough, albeit small, tube test. The bottom line of which I swapped out the stock mesa in the V2 tube position (the input tube on Express amps) with a VERY crappy Chinese tube I got from an ART preamp. No difference in tone at all. Personally, I'm shocked. Either Mesa's tube quality is so bad that it's comparable to this tube - although I doubt that because this tube's filament honestly looked like it exploded every time I turned it on - or my speaker is a big fat liar. Although I like the tone, I'm a sucker for honesty. An EVM12L isn't out of the question, but if I can get something cheaper I'd love that. I know Eminence makes a Delta that's a clone of it, but do they even sell it anymore? Can't seem to find it on their site. Any help appreciated.

94Tremoverb · Oct 3, 2010

First, why are you shocked that two Chinese tubes sound the same? Since that's probably what the Mesa tube is too... have a look inside the tube, if there are two double strips of bright metal around the plate structure then the tube is Chinese. Mesa has mostly used Chinese preamp tubes in recent years, and some Russian ones that sound different but also bad (in my opinion - actually much worse than the Chinese ones which are OK for a modern tube).

Second, why is honesty more important than whether it sounds good? Connect your amp to a hi-fi speaker (be careful not to blow it! hi-fi power ratings are extremely different from guitar ones) and you'll see what I mean

. If your amp has the stock Black Shadow C90, that's already a great-sounding speaker that's on the clear side of the range, at least for a Celestion. An EV is a little clearer, an old JBL a little more so, but none of them are remotely "honest".

By the way, a bright flash from the filament when you turn it on is normal with some preamp tubes and is not a sign of bad quality. In fact, old Mullards - some of the most desirable and expensive NOS tubes - do it so much that it's a characteristic that people look for to check if it's genuine.

EtherealWidow · Oct 3, 2010

I'm not shocked at all that the two Chinese tubes sound alike. What I'm shocked at is how a tube that I've always been told is DEPLORABLE sounds identical to the stock Mesa tubes. And I was also told the same thing about the filament flashing on the tubes. Not necessarily a bad thing, but with my little knowledge I assumed it was poorly built. I was planning on getting another speaker in a 1x12 cab anyway, just need a super honest speaker. Always heard that an EVM12L is the most honest of guitar speakers, but if I can get a cheaper substitute that'd be nice.

RR · Oct 3, 2010

Maybe I'm out of the loop about tubes but ...

--- I thought Groove Tube as well as MESA's, and others get tube "manufacturers" would get a large volumes of tubes from anywhere whether they're from Iron Block Countries or China. These "tube manufactures" would test all the tubes, weed out the weak one that don't meet their criteria and keep the ones that do "passed". And with power tubes they would match them to a set.

I say 'I'm out of the loop' because all these tube manufacturers I don't know if they make their own or just do the same as MESA and Groove Tubes. I'm talking about manufacturers such as JJ tubes, Ruby Tubes, Sovtec, ... etc ... maybe someone could fill me in.

As far as you claimed "crappy" Chinese tube, I would think Chinese tubes are "hit or miss", more missed but you will find some exceptional among the bunch.

Accurate speaker ... EVM-12L are plenty guitarist choice but if you asks me something like a JBL E-120 would give you the best fidelity, not sure if they'll give you the tone you are looking for.

EtherealWidow · Oct 3, 2010

Yeah I think I might be "out of the loop" about tubes too. Don't know. Thanks for the speaker advice though. Never heard of it. I'll have to check it out!