Do guitar preamp tubes need to be matched?

Do guitar preamp tubes need to be matched?

Preamp tubes are, in the majority of cases, self-biasing. Therefore, they do not require matching. Only tubes that are in a push/pull Class AB circuit need to be matched because they share a common bias voltage. Power tubes are an example of this.

Are preamp tubes interchangeable?

You should be able to swap preamp tubes of the same type without problem. For example, any 12AX7 should be compatible with another 12AX7. With power tubes, you can swap different brands of the same tube. (For example, 6L6 tubes from different manufacturers.)

What tubes are interchangeable with 12AX7?

You can interchange a 12AX7 with 12AT7, 12AU7, 12AY7 or 5751 as they are all the same pin structure, however they will each give you a different result in your amp. Each of these tubes has a different gain factor, which means some will give higher gain and others lower gain.

Do tube preamps sound better?

As a tube creates distortion it produces harmonics which are known as ‘even harmonics’. Essentially these are tones which are the same note but are produced higher in octaves. This is why typically a tube amplifier is said to sound better, because the harmonics it produces are much more pleasing to the user’s ear.

Do preamp tubes need to be balanced?

the term “balanced” is refering to your last pre-amp tube, before you get to the Power tubes. You’ll want this to be balanced. You just need one. If the other pre-amp tubes are balanced as well, that’s fine but they don’t need to be.

Can you use 12AU7 in place of 12AX7?

While you can physically use a 12AU7 tube in place of a 12AX7 in a circuit, it’s not recommended to do. Most circuits that are designed for a 12AX7 will not react well to the significantly lower gain of the 12AU7.

What’s the difference between 12AX7 and 12AT7?

The main differences between 12AX7 vs 12AT7 are: The 12AX7 has a gain output of 100, whereas the 12AT7 has a gain output of 60. The 12AX7’s high gain can make it prone to clipping and distortion, whereas the 12AT7 can give you more headroom.

How do I know if my preamp tubes are bad?

Preamp Tubes. Preamp tubes usually cause problems through noise or microphonics. If noise, you will hear hiss, crackling, popping or similar issues. If you hear squeal, hum or feedback, it is typically a microphonic tube. Noise from microphonic tubes will typically increase with a volume increase.

How can you tell the difference between 12AX7 and 12AU7?

The biggest difference between these power tubes is the amount of gain they will provide. The 12AX7 has a gain factor of 100, while the 12AT7 has 60. The 12AU7 has the smallest, at just 20. The lower gain of the 12AT7 and 12AU7 also allows them to have a higher headroom, which can provide a warmer and cleaner sound.

Are 12AX7 and 12AU7 interchangeable?

The 12AX7, 12AT7, and 12AU7 all belong to the same family of nine contact, twin triode tubes. In many cases, these tubes are interchangeable and can easily be swapped.

Are EF86 tubes worth the money?

They are cool tubes, and they have a different personality than the more common 12AX7 preamp stage. The problem with having an itch for a EF86 is that, in most cases, a EF86 based amplifier is well over $1000. That is a lot of scratch just to see if the EF86 is everything you dreamed of.

What do you think about the EF86 pentode?

The EF86 pentode. Vox used’em, and so did Matchless and Dr.Z. They are cool tubes, and they have a different personality than the more common 12AX7 preamp stage. The problem with having an itch for a EF86 is that, in most cases, a EF86 based amplifier is well over $1000.

How to deal with microphonics on the EF86?

If your equipment uses the EF86, you have to like it enough to deal with microphonics or get something else. Vintage Mullard design notes suggested using a tube socket that is shock mounted. You will see this in old Gibson and Fender guitar amps that used the 6SJ7 pentode, but the market could use a good modern alternative.

Why is the Yamaha EF86 so popular?

The EF86 made its way into guitar amplifiers because it had a lot of gain and a good track record in quality audio equipment. VOX, with the early AC30 is perhaps the best example. You would have to talk with the original designers, but an EF86 can easily drive a signal through a simple tone control and high-cut filter into the output section.