which tubes to take the edge off a ROV?

[Maury]

OK. I bought the ROV but then after hearing the Lonestar again, I really prefer the LS distortion. To my ears, its smoother, richer and has less of that top-end sizzle to it. The ROV sounds scooped and a bit brash. I called Boogie and they recommended a pair of their 5881 tubes to "soften" the aggressive sound of the recto. You guys know your mods ... if you were me, what else would you try as far as tubes, to get more of a Lonestar vibe out of the ROV? Are the Mesa 5881s the best choice? Any good preamp tube suggestions?

Thanks in advance-
Maury

 

[Charlie]

I have the 5881's in my F-50 and they help smooth out the tone a bit. I would start with the preamp though. I've had success with the Tung Sols but there are a few other brands that people on this board really seem to like.

 

[Maury]

Tung sols in the preamp -gotcha. thanks.

 

[ThunderMonkey]

HEY MAURY !!!

Didn't realize you were a BB member, what's up?

You should really dig the tone of those 5881's, they're sweet !

lemme kmow ! :wink:


\t/\m/ Carlos

 

[Maury]

Hi Carlos - same here LOL

 

[recto-robbie]

hey can you get those 5881's from mesa? do they sell them?

 

[Charlie]

hey can you get those 5881's from mesa? do they sell them?

Yes.

 

[Guitarzan]

Personally...I'd change up several things to get a more "Fenderesque" sound.

V1 - 5751
V2,V3 - GT12AX7M
V4,V5 - JJ ECC83's
Power tubes I'd go with GT 6L6GE's #7 for cleaner headroom.

 

[Maury]

thanks Guitarzan. Knowing I'll be trying the mesa 5881's first (with no preamp tube swaps), what is the order of importance when changing the preamp tubes? Any benefit from trying to change one at a time?

thanks,
Maury

 

[Guitarzan]

V1 is your most important. That determines the tone of the preamp.

 

[Maury]

thanks guys! I'm gonna stay with all mesa tubes for now and just try their 5881s, but when I get to the next level I know what I'm gonna try. Once I know I'm keeping my amp, I'll venture into non-mesa tube territory. I'm still going to bed at night dreaming I'll wake to see someone wants my ROV for their LSC. LOL

 

[Maury]

Tried the Mesa 5881s today and could hardly hear a difference. This was at home in a very small room in my basement studio. I guess the tone is all preamp tube at these volumes... we'll have to check it out at stage volumes later tonight or at tomorrow's gig. They do seem a little darker in the top end, which is cool for me.

Maury

 

[Charlie]

Tried the Mesa 5881s today and could hardly hear a difference.

That's why I suggested starting with the preamp tubes.

V1 will make the biggest difference. Changing tubes won't cause a drastic difference in tone, but it is noticeable and it should help take the edge off.

 

[Maury]

Can't say ya didn't warn me LOL

 

[Guitarzan]

Really, try a 5751 in V1... if you can't find a 5751 the use a Groove Tube 12AX7-M. Very cool vibe for what you're trying to accomplish.

 

[Maury]

Thanks ... I have the following tubes en-route from Doug's Tubes:

1 JAN GE 5751
3 JJ ECC83S
1 Tung-Sol 12AX7

We'll be on vacation when they get here. Can't wait to get back from vacation :shock:

 

[Maury]

I'm gonna be near 1 music store tomorrow before my gig in the evening. The only 12ax7 tubes they sell are GT and Fender. Any of these worth a try? Or do they suck? Thanks,
maury

 

[stokes]

Like Guitarzan said,5751 in the v1 position will give you a very noticeable difference and really soften things up.

 

[recto-robbie]

hey guitarzan,,, I was wondering if you actually run those
groove tube 12ax7-m tubes?
If so what do you think of them?
Are they good for any high gain applications?
Ive been thinking of trying them out,,but would like someone elses opinion. By the way their sight says that the 12ax7m is an exact copy of the original mullard???
the link is below if interested

http://www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=2100

 

[Guitarzan]

If your looking for a fuzzy, fizzy, sizzly preamp sound then these are not the tubes you want to use. They are very clean when pushed and they slightly chill my DR's out. I like a clean distortion and these tubes do a very good job of that. So to answer your question... I would not use them for "high gain" settings.