ahpook Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 just ordered a full set of valves for my svp-pro from watford valves. i'm really looking forward to hearing what they decent valves sound like compared to the no-brand ones that are in there... i'll let you folks know how i get one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 I've been thinking of doing this with my SVT-3, looking forward to hearing how it works out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 HOT DIGGERTY !!! how much better does it sound ? the output is up, it's much smoother and more punchy, and the turning up the driver control adds a [i]lovely[/i] compression and snarl. easily the best music-related £50 i've ever spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 My SVTII is in for a re-valve at the moment - I have a feeling it's gonna cost more than £50 tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='304338' date='Oct 11 2008, 11:24 AM']My SVTII is in for a re-valve at the moment - I have a feeling it's gonna cost more than £50 tho [/quote] one of the reasons that i plumped for a valve pre and a solid-state power amp ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='ahpook' post='304451' date='Oct 11 2008, 04:33 PM']one of the reasons that i plumped for a valve pre and a solid-state power amp ![/quote] That and the weight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='ahpook' post='300232' date='Oct 6 2008, 12:39 AM']just ordered a full set of valves for my svp-pro from watford valves. i'm really looking forward to hearing what they decent valves sound like compared to the no-brand ones that are in there... i'll let you folks know how i get one [/quote] What did you buy in the end? I have upgraded both a black face SVP-Pro and a grey hammerite face Ampeg SVP-Pro with valves from Watford Valves and the difference was almost shocking to hear that such poo stock valves are shipped in th epreamps. Sorry Ampeg, just my experience. Both times I order HARMA Diamond STR drive tested selected ECC83/12ax7's and a personal fave, the Jan-Phillips ECC82/12AU7 (cant remember the model number I am afraid, but Derek Rocco also suggests using them). You will be very happy with the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='ahpook' post='304451' date='Oct 11 2008, 04:33 PM']one of the reasons that i plumped for a valve pre and a solid-state power amp ![/quote] Yeah the irony being that I don't use a single valve in my rig anymore either lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='dood' post='304566' date='Oct 11 2008, 08:51 PM']What did you buy in the end? I have upgraded both a black face SVP-Pro and a grey hammerite face Ampeg SVP-Pro with valves from Watford Valves and the difference was almost shocking to hear that such poo stock valves are shipped in th epreamps. Sorry Ampeg, just my experience. Both times I order HARMA Diamond STR drive tested selected ECC83/12ax7's and a personal fave, the Jan-Phillips ECC82/12AU7 (cant remember the model number I am afraid, but Derek Rocco also suggests using them). You will be very happy with the results.[/quote] yep...i took derek's advice as well (the phillips is a 5814a btw) the valves it came with were sovtek 12ax7's and a single groove tube 12au7...not sure if they were the stock ones or not. it's a massive difference in tone. i also can't get over how much louder the pre is as well. hat's of to watford valves. huzzah ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='ahpook' post='304578' date='Oct 11 2008, 09:07 PM']yep...i took derek's advice as well (the phillips is a 5814a btw) the valves it came with were sovtek 12ax7's and a single groove tube 12au7...not sure if they were the stock ones or not. it's a massive difference in tone. i also can't get over how much louder the pre is as well. hat's of to watford valves. huzzah ![/quote] The Sovteks are defintely the stock choice, but not 100% sure about the Groove Tube. I know they use the Groove Tubes valve in the Billy Sheehan BSB preamp though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='dood' post='304594' date='Oct 11 2008, 09:52 PM']The Sovteks are defintely the stock choice, but not 100% sure about the Groove Tube. I know they use the Groove Tubes valve in the Billy Sheehan BSB preamp though.[/quote] it's going into my dha purist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 As an idiot question (I've never dabbled with the insides of my amp) do I need to be concerned with biasing if I do this, or can I just throw the new ones in? I think my SVT3 would benefit from this, it's sounding a bit lifeless lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardd Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi Mike I think you only have to bias the output stage tubes that are in pairs, so on a SVT3 no problem just change like for like.I have just changed mine in newly aquired SVTPCL that had the same as Marks Pro 3xsovtek 1xgroove tube,though the PRO has 5, so Ithink that must be Ampegs shipping norm, the difference is amazing, harma and philips. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Cheers Rich! I thought as much, but I just wanted to check before I went blundering in there Valve shopping next payday, then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi guys, I have (hopefully) just aquired an SVP-Pro blackface too. From what I'm hearing above it seems like a good idea to think about upgrading the valves. I will have a listen to it first when it arrives and if all seem fine then I may just stick with the stock but I'm always trying to find the best tone possible. Anyway if I do decide to upgrade then the above mentioned from Watford valves sounds good but I will be wanting a real driving gritty tone if possible from it when I need it. Will this be achievable with most 12au7s like the Phillips? Or should I look for something that has been known for this type of sound? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 [quote name='colinmk' post='307452' date='Oct 15 2008, 10:48 PM']Hi guys, I have (hopefully) just aquired an SVP-Pro blackface too. From what I'm hearing above it seems like a good idea to think about upgrading the valves. I will have a listen to it first when it arrives and if all seem fine then I may just stick with the stock but I'm always trying to find the best tone possible. Anyway if I do decide to upgrade then the above mentioned from Watford valves sounds good but I will be wanting a real driving gritty tone if possible from it when I need it. Will this be achievable with most 12au7s like the Phillips? Or should I look for something that has been known for this type of sound? Cheers.[/quote] is the 12au7 the 'drive' valve ? interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodl2005 Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 [quote name='ahpook' post='304451' date='Oct 11 2008, 04:33 PM']one of the reasons that i plumped for a valve pre and a solid-state power amp ![/quote] yeah but U dont have the FEEL of an ALL TUBE POWER AMP- power tubes are where the PUNCH happens IME...... Not trying to start a tube v s.s. war. just my 2c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 [quote name='colinmk' post='307452' date='Oct 15 2008, 10:48 PM']Hi guys, I have (hopefully) just aquired an SVP-Pro blackface too. From what I'm hearing above it seems like a good idea to think about upgrading the valves. I will have a listen to it first when it arrives and if all seem fine then I may just stick with the stock but I'm always trying to find the best tone possible. Anyway if I do decide to upgrade then the above mentioned from Watford valves sounds good but I will be wanting a real driving gritty tone if possible from it when I need it. Will this be achievable with most 12au7s like the Phillips? Or should I look for something that has been known for this type of sound? Cheers.[/quote] The 12Au7, IIRC isn't part of the drive circuit so probably wont 'add' any additional grit, but the characteristics of one 12au7 tonally may enhance the effect of the perceived grit over another type. I'd have to check the schematic to confirm where the valve sits in the signal chain. With ref to the blackface, I understand (as I owned one too) that due to their design *some* can suffer from noise getting in to the audio chain. (usually mains hum) - I, like many other found that upgrading to low noise preamp valves improved matters and was very noticeable. As an extra measure, I also bought some shielding cans and fitted and earthed those too. I think they made a bit of difference too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 [quote name='dood' post='307584' date='Oct 16 2008, 08:34 AM']The 12Au7, IIRC isn't part of the drive circuit so probably wont 'add' any additional grit, but the characteristics of one 12au7 tonally may enhance the effect of the perceived grit over another type. I'd have to check the schematic to confirm where the valve sits in the signal chain. With ref to the blackface, I understand (as I owned one too) that due to their design *some* can suffer from noise getting in to the audio chain. (usually mains hum) - I, like many other found that upgrading to low noise preamp valves improved matters and was very noticeable. As an extra measure, I also bought some shielding cans and fitted and earthed those too. I think they made a bit of difference too.[/quote] I see, from looking at the watford website they say their are certain versions of the ECC83/12ax7's that are higher gain. Do you think these would be the choice for the kind of sound I'm looking for? Also am I correct in thinking that replacing valves is as easy as taking the old ones out and the new ones slot in to place? thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 My valve tech called me last night and said that he removed each valve. cleaned all the contacts and put some sort of contact grease stuff on them & says it sounds much better just doing this - he's testing to make sure there's nothing else wrong but is recommending I try it again with just the overall clean up & service carried out. Worth trying anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 [quote name='molan' post='307873' date='Oct 16 2008, 01:53 PM']My valve tech called me last night and said that he removed each valve. cleaned all the contacts and put some sort of contact grease stuff on them & says it sounds much better just doing this - he's testing to make sure there's nothing else wrong but is recommending I try it again with just the overall clean up & service carried out. Worth trying anyway [/quote] Ha! To borrow a favourite phrase of the missus; told you so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 FWIW my 4Pro came with 3x Sovteks and a GT in position 1, so sounds standard. Dood, if you remember, I replaced my Sovteks with Harmas, but one failed at a gig unfortunately, which was slightly annoying. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Anyone know the benefits/differences between normal and cryogenic valves and also what difference would a higher gain harma valve give me, a slightly higher gain valve of the ECC83? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 [quote name='colinmk' post='438524' date='Mar 18 2009, 06:09 PM']Anyone know the benefits/differences between normal and cryogenic valves and also what difference would a higher gain harma valve give me, a slightly higher gain valve of the ECC83?[/quote] One of the guitar magazines did a Cryo Vs Non-Cryo blind test and they heard improvements in tone. I'm not sure what mag it was, but I remember the review. Yes, a higher gain figure on a valve will give you extra 'gain'.. whether or not that is a good or bad thing (depending on how the valve sounds when it breaks up) is something you may have to try to see if it does what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 [quote name='dood' post='439562' date='Mar 19 2009, 06:43 PM']One of the guitar magazines did a Cryo Vs Non-Cryo blind test and they heard improvements in tone. I'm not sure what mag it was, but I remember the review. Yes, a higher gain figure on a valve will give you extra 'gain'.. whether or not that is a good or bad thing (depending on how the valve sounds when it breaks up) is something you may have to try to see if it does what you need.[/quote] Cheers Dood, Think I'll do without cryo for now since I can get normal for a lot cheaper and I'll go for the standard gain. Yeehaa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.