more tube questions....

[Girl Toes]

I'm curious about how different tubes/ tube brands effect the application.

To be specific, I'm playing with a GT "The Brick," which uses a 12AX7 and a 12AU7. I put some RCA tubes in there, and the high notes particularly sound really good. If I'm using it for a bass DI, though, is there a better tube combo to try??? Different brands better for bass??? Or, if I replaced the 12AX7 with a different tube type, is there a type that might be more suited for bass???

Just curious,
Lancie McChancie

[nlmd311]

Hey Lance,
Not sure if it would apply to the brick, but you might be interested in reading this post (if you haven't already): http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 0&start=30
made by the designer of the EH12AY7 pre.
If it doesn't take you directly to it, it is on page 3, the first post of the page.

-Darrill

[KennyLusk]

I like AT7's alot for bass, especially in the compression stage, if you're using tube compression in your DI path.

Like JC said, AT's have a tendency to impart more of an "in your face" (proximity) effect which is a nice effect for bass DI IMO. They also tighten up bass freq's a bit.

For AT's I like 2 tubes alot and those are JAN Philips and Mullards.

AT's in the compression stage can also add a nice touch of gain to the more pleasing harmonics of electric bass IMO.

[Coco]

Good thing is NOS 12AT7's are cheaper than NOS 12AX7's. Try a Mullard, but the RCA's are nice too. Amperex are good, Siemens are a little Hi Fi ish, cleaner like a telefunken. Don't pay more than $40 for a nice NOS tube. Try this guy www.audiotubes.com Brent is a good shit.

[norton]

you probably already know this... but check out the chart at

http://www.thetubestore.com/gainfactor.html

12ax7 gain factor 100
5751 70
12at7 60
12ay7 45
12au7 19

tons of tweakability going on there. for bass, if you're going for clean don't dismiss a 12au7 for one of the stages i've had pretty good luck substituting those tubes in for 12ax7's here and there.