Tube for V2

[eudaimonia02912]

V2 is the second gain stage of channel 2. That's all it does.

What tubes have you tried there? What has been your favorite so far?

Personally, I've tried the stock Mesa, a Tung Sol, an NOS EI, and a JJ ECC803s. The last two seem better (fuller, thicker) than the first two. I tend to use channel 2 in crunch mode, and I wouldn't mind making it higher gain without having to use a boost.

 

[NR2112]

I just put in a high gain ecc83s. I really like it. It gives a liquidy kinda feel, while maintaining an edge...

 

[NR2112]

one more thing. I havent been able to get channel two to have a "high gain" sound in the crunch mode. when I but my AnalogMan modded Tubescreamer in front with just a little gain, it makes a world difference.

An the mark 1 mode is just way to dark for any sort of rythm playin, if your looking for high gain rythm of course...

I hate having to use a OD in the front to make my Distortion channels scream, but what can you do?

Gotta go where the money is, unfortunately !

 

[golfnguitarz]

I just put in a high gain ecc83s. I really like it. It gives a liquidy kinda feel, while maintaining an edge...

I have tried the same thing - a high gain JJECC83 - it does roll off a tiny bit of the high end and gives a different feel. Doug's tubes recommended it. I keep going back and forth between it and the stock Mesa tube. Jury is still out for me on that one.

I just saw on Doug's tubes, he also has a JJECC803s. Wonder what the difference between that and the high gain JJECC83 is?

 

[eudaimonia02912]

I just put in a high gain ecc83s. I really like it. It gives a liquidy kinda feel, while maintaining an edge...

I have tried the same thing - a high gain JJECC83 - it does roll off a tiny bit of the high end and gives a different feel. Doug's tubes recommended it. I keep going back and forth between it and the stock Mesa tube. Jury is still out for me on that one.

I just saw on Doug's tubes, he also has a JJECC803s. Wonder what the difference between that and the high gain JJECC83 is?

I think tonight I'll try putting in a high JJ ECC83 instead of the 803. I'll let you know.

 

[eudaimonia02912]

I put in a high gain JJ ECC83 I had lying around. It has the most gain of any of the tubes I've tried so far, even more than the NOS EI. Crunch mode is more saturated now. With the gain maxed and the treble up, it's closer to being a high gain sound now even without a boost. The sound is a bit thicker, too. Definitely an improvement over the JJ ECC803. I think I'll stick with this tube.

 

[mejoshee]

this subject is gone over in many other threads. i've been convinced from what i've read that the mullard new production 12ax7 is the way to go for the marshall sound, if that's what you're looking for. i expect for the money, you'll probably have pretty good success with certain nos tubes as well. v2 is the one-trick pony, though so that makes it easier to choose a very specific type, or tweak around till you find one that makes ch2 work in all modes.

i probably will never have time for this, but i've been wanting to trace out ch2's preamp and compare it with other familiar brit amps, such as the plexi's. this is the closest a mark has gotten thus far, anyway, so it's worth a look.

as for nr2112's comments,

one more thing. I havent been able to get channel two to have a "high gain" sound in the crunch mode. when I but my AnalogMan modded Tubescreamer in front with just a little gain, it makes a world difference.

An the mark 1 mode is just way to dark for any sort of rythm playin, if your looking for high gain rythm of course...

I hate having to use a OD in the front to make my Distortion channels scream, but what can you do?

Gotta go where the money is, unfortunately !

the ch2 preamp is not as gainy, that's what it amounts to. if you want an amp that has 2 high-gain stages (cloning ch3, basically) you're going to have to use that od/distortion, except in mark i mode. in general, it's meant to fit in between. and imo this is the best ch2 in a mark amp thus far, but your uses and music needs may justify that high-gain. depends on who you are, basically.

 

[golfnguitarz]

this subject is gone over in many other threads. i've been convinced from what i've read that the mullard new production 12ax7 is the way to go for the marshall sound, if that's what you're looking for. i expect for the money, you'll probably have pretty good success with certain nos tubes as well. v2 is the one-trick pony, though so that makes it easier to choose a very specific type, or tweak around till you find one that makes ch2 work in all modes.

i probably will never have time for this, but i've been wanting to trace out ch2's preamp and compare it with other familiar brit amps, such as the plexi's. this is the closest a mark has gotten thus far, anyway, so it's worth a look.

as for nr2112's comments,

one more thing. I havent been able to get channel two to have a "high gain" sound in the crunch mode. when I but my AnalogMan modded Tubescreamer in front with just a little gain, it makes a world difference.

An the mark 1 mode is just way to dark for any sort of rythm playin, if your looking for high gain rythm of course...

I hate having to use a OD in the front to make my Distortion channels scream, but what can you do?

Gotta go where the money is, unfortunately !

the ch2 preamp is not as gainy, that's what it amounts to. if you want an amp that has 2 high-gain stages (cloning ch3, basically) you're going to have to use that od/distortion, except in mark i mode. in general, it's meant to fit in between. and imo this is the best ch2 in a mark amp thus far, but your uses and music needs may justify that high-gain. depends on who you are, basically.

In your opinion, what does the Mullard do to channel 2?