Tube Rectifier Options

[Riff Blister]

When I shopped for an amp, one of the things that attracted me to the Stiletto was the idea of using tube rectifiers.
After owning it for a while now, I have had plenty of time to listen to how it sounds with either the tubes or the silicon diodes.
I have found that I actually prefer the silicon diodes better. The tube rectifiers that I thought I would like, sound a little mushy to me.
I have talked to two different on-line tube retailers and one told me to try the GZ34 tubes in place of the 5U4s. He said they would tighten things up.
The other guy told me to save my money and just use the silicon diodes.
Does anybody have any input?

 

[Commander Coo1]

i had the gz 34s in mine and i really liked em it had the power of the diode, but the natural feel of the tube, im going to get around to putting more in my treoverb one of these days, it sounds much closer to the diode setting which is why that one guy said its not worth it (doug?) but i thought it was the best of both worlds

 

[nemesys]

A GZ34/5AR4 (they're the same thing) tube isn't too expensive ($15-$20), so pick one up and try it, if you don't mind eating $20 in the event that you don't like it. In my experience, a GZ34 is definitely a stiffer tube than a 5U4, it may be what you are looking for.

 

[ja22y]

the 5u4 has more 'sag' meaning it takes more time to reach full voltage than the gz34. So it feels like having abit of compression. If you like the diode, the tighest tube is the gz34 so give it a try but it will still be somewhat 'compressed' in comparison to the diode.

 

[srf399]

Or just go with the diodes... That's why you get a versatile amp like the Stiletto.... just because the rectifier tubes are there you don't need to feel guilty not using them.

 

[mindseye]

I was just about this.......looks like i will be picking up some gz34's to try in my dual!

 

[Riff Blister]

Hey, guys. (I’m assuming no females responded)
Thanks for the info. I think I’ll have to give the GZ34s a shot.
I’m in a cover band playing dive bars and American Legions around the Twin Cities so you know money is no object. He He.
And yes “srf399” you are right on about the versatility of the amp. I have found it very helpful to go back and forth between the Bold/Spongy or Tube/ Diode settings depending on a particular song being played or room I’m playing in. Guilt free!

 

[acidguitar]

GZ34's my freind, they only drop the voltage by 10 compared to that of the 5U4G's which drop roughly 45 Volts (from memory, could be wrong, but you get the idea) which is why they become quite saggy and mushy. The GZ34's give's you that rectifier sound with not that much sag. Solicon Diodes v Rectifiers are purely taste. I use the Rectifier/Bold setting for Rock and Silicon Diodes/Bold for Metal where by you need high power, head room and tightness.

 

[adamTXBK]

definitley check out the GZ34's. I'm using JJ's in my Triple Rec and quit like them. Similar to diodes as far as punch, but a little warmer. I like using them at lower volumes as it warms up the tone a fair amount. They even hold up well for metal riffing, unlike the stock 5U4s. You'll likely never have to replace them, so the cost was negligble for me.

 

[satisfied5582]

so when you run in silicon diodes, does this cancel out your four power tubes, or is it just a soid state rectifier and the four power tubes are still going

 

[cb101]

Where's a good place to pick up tubes?

 

[satisfied5582]

i like dougstubes.

 

[adamTXBK]

if you're from Canada like me, go to www.thetubestore.com. good prices and you won't have to pay duty/border taxes.

 

[jtb226]

so when you run in silicon diodes, does this cancel out your four power tubes, or is it just a soid state rectifier and the four power tubes are still going

No it doesn't cancel out the power tubes. It cancels out the rectifier tubes (the 2 to the right of the power tubes in a dual recto). And even then, they are still slightly in the circuit. Not enough to effect tone, but if you have a bad one, it'll cause your fuse to pop (took me FOREVER to figure that one out when I had a bad one. Fuse kept popping but I was in diodes and had just replaced every other tube except the rectifier tubes. I thought they didn't matter b/c I played in diodes...turns out they do matter.)