For me the difference is in the way the amp reacts to your playing, if you want a change in tone just turn the knobs out front, in terms of preference, I've liked EL34 is the past so I've just stuck with those on my tube amps, but then again my current rig is solid state so what do I know?

Would it matter to you, if you could use EQ to make one tube sound like another? Kristian, I think it would be an interesting video where you use the Isotope EQ matching feature to see if you really can Eq a 6L6 into an EL34?

I can hear it, yeah. This is exactly how much I expected it to matter - which is to say, some, but not a ton.

I can hear the difference on the rectifier better. The difference on the bugera is harder to hear and for me only a very subtle one. I'm sure I won't hear any difference in a full mix. I would bet the difference between two amps of the same series is bigger then between those tube type in the same amp.

I can definitely hear the difference, and it does matter to me! I know how my amps are supposed to sound, and even changing tube brand makes a difference...it happened to me! Cool video, keep it up!! 🤘

the subtle differences are differences in volume. thats it. tubes are no eqs

@@asdfjkl981There's also compression vs harmonic generation levels and balance, intermodulation distortion levels, impedance-based HF ducking within a given circuit, S-Curve response, and electrical and mechanical resonance levels. I think that covers it.

@@GCKelloch nope

Totally! however, most people that care about tubes, are the ones that never record themselves. Any 1 db boost or cut with an eq will do the trick. Great comment though.

I think that peak optimum tone as a theoretical thing definitely involves the tubes, type and quality. But, for any given track, I bet that a very high percentage of non-musician listeners won't notice the difference. That's because (imo) the difference is mostly musicians being esoteric -- which is great and makes this hobby and pursuit of tone fun. I believe the biggest differences are in how the guitar player feels when playing. Like they say, poets write what they need to write, not what people need to hear -- it's kind of the same thing.

😂

Glen is so wrong lol. Not sure why he can’t just use his damn ears. Just get an amp that allows for swapping tube types, and you can clearly hear a difference.

@@DemonKingOFFICIAL his test was done with preamp tubes. Not power amp tubes,and there was indeed no difference.

SCIENCE!!!!! Lol that’s what he would scream

​​@@sentientcloroxbottle1557 It kind of depends in my exp. In my stealths, the preamp tubes don't make much of a difference, so the stock tubes are recommended. In my block letter, most of the differences between tubes are quite small, and mostly in feel, unless a different type of tube... Small tonal differences exist that might not show up well in a recording, going through an sm57 that pretty much filters out some info anyway... However, one tube that seems to make a pretty big difference in my opinion is using the Shuguang Beijing square foil getters. Maybe that's what he meant by "original unbranded," and it does seem that they *ALMOST* null with the modern shuguang 12ax7 but... The Beijings are brighter and have more gain than any other tube out there. As per James Brown, the amp was designed around that specific tube, so if one thinks their block Letter sounds a bit dark or too smooth, that's a first place to check. Interestingly, that tube makes no fim diff in a Stealth, but it might be that the design of the Stealth filters out some of those frequencies. Now... In my 1984 JCM800's, the differences between all sorts of tubes is more apparent. RFT's have saggy, chewy attack and Shuguang Beijing square foil getters give you sharp, searing, razor-edged highs. Depending on how you use your gear, this could all make a diff or not... And in a recording it might make less of a difference, because of the extra filtering inherent in microphones and recording gear. And with that said, tubes won't change your life. They won't make you magically Jimi or EVH etc..

The Video Glenn Fricker did about tubes was horrible... And as you said: There is a difference. Maybe its small, BUT ITS IMPORTANT!

No idea what you're talking about :)

Haha! Now let’s fight Glenn! 🤪👊

@@SpectreSoundStudios Someone has to scream on KZfaq, please never stop :D

@@SpectreSoundStudios Well, I think we both can agree, that there are differences in the sound. Just as Kohle said. I really don't want to offend you, Glenn. You did some really awesome mixing videos. But I'm with Christian Kohle when it comes to the topic "tubes". I even rewatched your video on this topic. You clealy say: The change in your tone is most definitely not worth the cost of re-tubing your amp. Yes, to some degree this may applies and I'd maybe come to the same conclusion with the test results in your video. But when I see the results Kohle gave in his video, I think there really is a difference that is worth mentoning. I kinda had the same results when I changed my TAD-Tubes to cheaper chinese ones.

@* That's true. I have amps with pretty much every popular power tube, and the feel is different, but very, very minimal in my opinion, especially when in the same circuit (amp). Changing a pickup, pedal, guitar, or speaker, even just the volume, any of those factors have much more impact. Still, a cool demonstration and one more factor in the constant pursuit of our "perfect tone" we all want.

@@KeganVanSickle Most of the amp brands have a sound signature that has nothing to do with the tube, its do to manipulation of the signal path. There is absolutly no reason for a amp tube to be different, they just amp the signal, they do not change it unless they are saturated or malfunctioning. Best and cheaper way to change the tone is to use the knobs of your amp :-)

@@josearaujo8616 tubes are different in gain and saturation, but also in quality (microphonic or not, sensible to electrical noise around it, etc) and have different input capacitance, making them sound more or less warm. But yeah, a simple cap change in the around the signal path would probably make much more difference in tone

@@Ph4nToMfr Not saying tubes are not different when they are working outside of their efficiency area, but hey are made to amplify without distortion of the input, if not they would be useless.

@@josearaujo8616 they are made to amplify with few distorsion, but they are far from perfect

I was looking for this one he just did a video on them for those that don't know

it's only really funny if you don't understand the difference between switching brands of the same type and switching the tube types,

and apparently quickly left the chat since he deleted his comment lol

@@hogblockula9335 lol

Same, I watched SMG video first. I hardly heard a difference if at all to be honest.

Subtle but important. Kristian’s ears are much more refined than Glenn’s. If Glenn can’t hear the difference then that’s probably why he hasn’t mixed many successful records.

@@seamusmcsorley7638 You may be correct but It is possible that Glen used a dark speaker, meaning that it didn't have much high end reproducing capability but I don't remember what speakers he had in the test. I also didn't like how Glen ran his test through a load box instead of a real cab and real mic which I think gives more of a true representation of the amp do to the dynamic nature of both. Loadboxes are handy but they are pretty static in the equalization and any real mic cabinet always sounded better in my opinion.

I got Mammoth for bass and my guitar tone’s never been better

Bass players are so underrated lol

Exactly!

Totally agree!

As a bass player, I endorse this message.

Welcome! ❤️🍺

Durability and longevity matter too. In my experience Tung-Sol 7581A tubes outlast any current production 6L6GC tubes. Same is true for EHX 6CA7 and Genalex KT77. They have far better longevity than other current production EL34, 6CA7, E34L and KT77 tubes. Many tube amp owners often lookout for military issued tubes because they are more ruggedly built than consumer grade tubes and are able to withstand the rigours of live tours better.

It made a huge difference in my amp, but the tubes were really old. Tubes are light bulbs. They dim, and red plate etc. But if there's nothing wrong per say, why swap them out?

@@Maschine_Elf I've never really tried 6l6 tubes, but have been jumping back and forth between some different brands of EL34 tubes over the years. I recently had some issues with Tube Safety Control on my Hughes and Kettner and had to send it in to the repairmen and they put in some Electro Harmonics El34 Eh tubes and I had been using Tad or JJ, or some Mesa EL34's and I must say the for the speakers I'm currently using they rounded of the high frequencies nicely for my bright amp, pickup, and speaker combination, compared to the TAD EL34 I was using.

Thanks man! Spread the world. There's quite a few people left missing this! ;)

You’re welcome! ❤️🍺

I also think that for the normal guitarist without tons of equipment the question of how EQ could compensate would be very interesting :-) Still great ear training though, thanks for the video.

@@q11v Easy method. Get the frequency response curve and then EQ your gear to the same curve. Get the sample of your favorite tone, play the same riff on your gear and try to match the EQ curve.

I will! Thanks! 🍺❤️

Thanks! And yes, those 34s tame the fizzle if that's what you want.

Exactly! It tames that Recto character in a good way.

I also like EL34s way better than 6L6s in a recto. Sounds way more focused.

Thanks! I’ll try to add some more good sounding low end gear!

@@KohleAudioKult that Will be great thank for your answer

its the law of diminishing returns and i agree with you (im just a hobbyist guitar player myself) but there will always be those people to whom the 1-5% 'improvement' is worth it at any cost. EVH for example stopped at nothing to get what he had in his head out of a speaker

@@catch33000 EVH did a lot more than just change the valves, he changed the B+ voltage with a Variac.

In the studio, I reckon you could EQ the difference. Live, it's loud AF, so you wouldn't hear it anyway.

@@Mikey__R true! He was a mad scientist! EVH was the definitive shredder. Every time I hear recordings of his playing: I’m humbled. Truely RIP :/

It's not a metal amp, but Mojave make an amp with a built in Variac. Eddie used to blow a lot of amps, people say because the valves ran with too low a voltage on the heaters, maybe that was part of the sound, but I certainly cant afford to revalve an amp too often. The Mojave amp doesn't have this problem. But I also cant afford to buy the Mojave amp.

Haha! Die lassen mich aber auf der Ü30 Party schon nicht mehr rein!

I have neem preaching that for years! Power means more headroom for tighter chugga, chuggas!

@@KohleAudioKult chugga chugga goodie goodie!! ^^

Glassy is a nice description!

Yeah. That's on the list.

Thanks man!

whatch this on Spectre sound studios

I wonder where this idea got picked up from...

Glenn’s experiment was flawed, using a cab IR rather than an actual cab

Rob Halford could say that for sure. So it`s 100% metal

I think I much prefer the 5881 with this rif/example. Very clear sound and has a nice bite to it!

Good to know people still hear the details!

I liked that amp back then!

@@KohleAudioKult I drive it with amp styled over drive pedals. DIY PCB project stuff. Sounds killer!

Well spoken! I still don't care about null tests, but yeah, well spoken!