Recommendations for JCM-800 preamp tubes?
Discussion
My '86 2204 has been acting up. Any other JCM-800 owners out there that can recommend preamp tubes for someone looking for thick bottom end, creamy but powerful distortion, and decent articulation on the high end? Currently have GTs in the preamp stage with Sovteks in the power stage. Sound was very good, but the amp could use just a bit more oompf for the style of music I play. I do a lot with feedback as well.
Was thinking of going full Sovtek...
Was thinking of going full Sovtek...
There’s only three tube factories left I recall, and I have never noticed any difference in sound. I’ll put the least microphonic tube in V1 and that’s it.
As for the sound, there’s a reason just about everyone that uses a 2204 pushes the front end with a Tube Screamer or a Super Overdrive. I’ve used a graphic pedal as well, boosting the mids into the amp.
When you say it is playing up, what exactly do you mean? It’s forty years old now, and stuff other than valves may be the issue. Preamp valves are not temperamental items, the problem is likely to be elsewhere.
As for the sound, there’s a reason just about everyone that uses a 2204 pushes the front end with a Tube Screamer or a Super Overdrive. I’ve used a graphic pedal as well, boosting the mids into the amp.
When you say it is playing up, what exactly do you mean? It’s forty years old now, and stuff other than valves may be the issue. Preamp valves are not temperamental items, the problem is likely to be elsewhere.
Nico Adie said:
JJs
Depending on what Groove Tube preamp tubes he has they might already be JJs, on the other hand they might already be Sovteks.https://www.thetubestore.com/tube-brands/groove-tu...
Might be better recommending Banzai Music, they have a good range of valves, and are German based.
Massive amounts of cork sniffing going on in the valve world though, you can spend a lot of money for no perceivable gain (no pun intended). I have yet to try a preamp valve and notice any discernible difference.
Preamp valve stash.
Massive amounts of cork sniffing going on in the valve world though, you can spend a lot of money for no perceivable gain (no pun intended). I have yet to try a preamp valve and notice any discernible difference.
Preamp valve stash.
Edited by gazza285 on Saturday 24th January 21:14
Night Owl said:
My '86 2204 has been acting up. Any other JCM-800 owners out there that can recommend preamp tubes for someone looking for thick bottom end, creamy but powerful distortion, and decent articulation on the high end? Currently have GTs in the preamp stage with Sovteks in the power stage. Sound was very good, but the amp could use just a bit more oompf for the style of music I play. I do a lot with feedback as well.
Was thinking of going full Sovtek...
When did you last have it serviced? A 40yr old amp will certainly be due for some new filter caps amongst other things...Was thinking of going full Sovtek...
gazza285 said:
There s only three tube factories left I recall, and I have never noticed any difference in sound. I ll put the least microphonic tube in V1 and that s it.
As for the sound, there s a reason just about everyone that uses a 2204 pushes the front end with a Tube Screamer or a Super Overdrive. I ve used a graphic pedal as well, boosting the mids into the amp.
When you say it is playing up, what exactly do you mean? It s forty years old now, and stuff other than valves may be the issue. Preamp valves are not temperamental items, the problem is likely to be elsewhere.
I run a Diamond J-Drive TR to boost. Similar to an old Tubescreamer. The problem I had was the sound cutting out, or rather dying off after playing for about 10 minutes. As for the sound, there s a reason just about everyone that uses a 2204 pushes the front end with a Tube Screamer or a Super Overdrive. I ve used a graphic pedal as well, boosting the mids into the amp.
When you say it is playing up, what exactly do you mean? It s forty years old now, and stuff other than valves may be the issue. Preamp valves are not temperamental items, the problem is likely to be elsewhere.
I ended up swapping the preamp section out with a few Mesa tubes I was given and it seems to have fixed the problem, although I sometimes get a hum that builds and then fades out when I turn the amp off. Regarding sound differences between the tubes, the Mesa tubes have definitely changed the sound a bit. Am still considering what to swap in for the long run.
The amp was last serviced around 10 years ago, is stored in a relatively dry environment, and doesn't usually get played over 2 on the master.
Yahonza said:
Buy a 2203, that is the business.
Faffing about with valves / rectifiers won't turn a 2204 into one, or an earlier 2204.
My friend in my old band had a 2203. Faffing about with valves / rectifiers won't turn a 2204 into one, or an earlier 2204.
I didn't notice much difference. He loved my 2204, too. I have a 2204S, which was some limited version that had a short-body JMP-style cab and green tolex. No idea if anything was different in the circuit.
I also just picked up the 2203 20W studio they do now. That definitely sounds a bit different. But not better.
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff