How to Pick Tubes for a Tube Amplifier

Good electric guitar players are identified by their overall sound as much as they are by their technical skills. The power source is one of the defining sound quality characteristics of amplifiers. Guitar amplifiers are powered either by tubes or solid state transistors. Tube-powered amps are more primitive but produce a richer and warmer tone than solid-state amps. A tube amplifier needs regular maintenance to keep it in good working order. Tubes have to be replaced from time to time and there is no guarantee how long a tube will last. Guitar players will experiment with different tubes in order to enhance their sound.

Instructions

Introduction

1. Decide what guitar tone you want. Guitar players choose specific tube amplifiers for the tone and they also experiment with different tubes to find the right tone as well. It is possible to get different levels of gain as well as change the tone quality by experimenting with the tubes. However, the tube amplifier you buy determines what your tube options are.

2. Study the difference between power tubes and preamp tubes. Tube amplifiers use a combination of power tubes and preamp tubes. The preamp tubes shape the sound at the front end as it first comes into the amplifier. Some tube aficionados think this makes the biggest contribution to the tone and sound quality. Others think the power tubes play a more important role.

3. Know what tubes that your amp is designed for. You can experiment with different tubes within a certain range. Your amp's circuitry is designed around a specific type of tube. This will be indicated by a number on the tube such as 12AX7 and 6L6. Many tubes will fit into the socket in your amp but they will not work if it is not the right model. It also runs the risk of damaging your amp.

4. Experiment with different tubes to find the right tone. You must use the correct tube model but you can experiment with different brands and different ages of tubes. Finding the right sound is a matter of taste. Different tubes can affect the gain and tone quality of the amplifier. Some guitar players swear by vintage tubes. There are a variety of modern tubes that range in quality.

5. Remember that amplifiers are unique. The same set of tubes in your Fender twin reverb will not necessarily sound the same when they are placed in your friend's Fender twin reverb.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are replacing tubes, always buy matched sets.

References

• Gibson: 25 ways to get the guitar tone of your dreams
• Guitarworld: Why tubes sound better