Question on lower gain preamp tubes and bass response

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zedexseven
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Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 6:42 pm

Question on lower gain preamp tubes and bass response

Post by zedexseven » Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:58 pm

I find with Orange amps (and some other amps) when you turn up the preamp gain, the low end increases and the amp has a fatter sound. In some situations I would like to use a mild breakup tone and use an over drive pedal for my gain kind of like a 2 channel amp on one channel amps like the terror series. The issue with some of the lunchbox amps is they lack low end already, so this sound can be a bit thin vs using the amp distortion.

So my question is, if I swap the V1 tube to a lower gain tube like a 12AT7, can I crank the gain knob higher and able to maintain the fat tone at lower gain levels?

So example I am thinking of:
With 12AX7 in V1 I could run volume to taste and gain at noon.
With 12AT7 in V1 if I run the gain at 3 oclock it should give me the same gain as above, but would it be fatter?

I don't have any experience with lower gain pre amp tubes so I'm wondering if someone can answer this for me before I order one ?

Thanks!

Les Paul Lover
Duke of Orange
Posts: 6821
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:08 am
Location: Derby, England

Re: Question on lower gain preamp tubes and bass response

Post by Les Paul Lover » Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:43 pm

What I would recommend is rather the opposite.

Don't fiddle with the valves- and set your amp at the max gain you want to use.

The use soemth8ng such as the mad professor underdrive to get a lower gain tone. That way, you get both the clean and dirty tone, and keep all the fatness and max low end from your amp being driven harder.

Disclaimer- I don't use it myself, but 2 o 3 forum members here use to for that purpose with great results.
Ant

Orange Gear: RV50 MKI, R30, AD15, PPC212
And.... Genz Benz Black Pearl 30
Past Orange: AD30TC Combo, TT, AD5


Guitars: Gibson Les Paul Standard Faded, Vigier Expert Retro 54, Gibson SG 70s Tribute, Aria Pro II RS X80, G&L ASAT Special Tribute

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