Orange Bass terror Tubes

carlos840 · #1 11-09-2010, 06:39 PM

Hey all,

So, i just got an orange bass terror to go alongside my walkabout ( doing a super light rig, more to come when i get the cab to match the head!)

I have read a lot about people changing the preamp tubes in the mesa, that got me thinking about the orange, does anybody know what kind of tubes are in there and if changing them would make any difference?

I left the mesa tubes in the walkabout assuming that with the price i paid for the amp mesa must at least put something half decent in them.
The orange on the other hand is cheap and made in china, which leads me to believe that they would save money on cheap tubes!

Opinions?

PS: the amp is pretty muddy compared to the walkabout going through the same scout cab, and the gain start braking up really soon, would different tubes help?

Just opened it up and i cant see any marking on the tubes...

Billy3000 · #2 11-09-2010, 10:50 PM

I think it has two 12ax7's in it. If you don't see any marking at all on them then chances are that they're just cheapo chinese tubes. The chinese 12ax7's are way too gainy and pretty muddy sounding to me. I would recommend changing them out if you're unhappy with the sound.

TrevorOfDoom · #3 11-09-2010, 11:03 PM

they're just 12ax7's.

as for the amp being muddy, it is a dirty british amp. it could just be that you don't like the Orange sound.
swap in some 12au7's and see what that does.

Selta · #4 11-09-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

they're just 12ax7's.

as for the amp being muddy, it is a dirty british amp. it could just be that you don't like the Orange sound.
swap in some 12au7's and see what that does.

Basically this. You can swap in lower gain tubes to see if it'll get you where you want, but you are more or less stuck with what you have.

carlos840 · #5 11-10-2010, 04:33 AM

Thanks, i know im not going to change the amps character with new tubes but im wondering if putting some better quality tubes will change things at all?
I like the amp, i just think it lacks a tiny bit of treble and could do with a bit more clean gain, now it starts to get all dirty around 9 oclock which is a bit soon...

would putting a pair of JJ 12 ax7 make a difference? I have read good things about those regarding the walkabout!

Also do both tubes need to be matching? I know the walkabout has a tube for the gain and one driving the mosfets and different tubes can be used at each position, what is the function of each tube in the orange?

lookiel · #6 11-10-2010, 05:53 AM

I swapped tubes in the Terror bass I used to own and it made almost no difference in tone.
I tried it in both positions.
On the other hand, I swapped tubes in my Walkabout and it made a very noticeable difference in the gain and quality of the overdrive when cranking the preamp.

Billy3000 · #7 11-10-2010, 07:21 AM

No preamp tubes do not need to be bought in matched pairs or anything. If it's getting overly dirty too early for you, then I would definitely say it sounds like cheapo chinese 12ax7's to me. That's what I experienced with them in the amp i built too, I am a big fan of JJ 12ax7's too and would definitely recommend giving them a shot!

carlos840 · #8 11-10-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookiel

I swapped tubes in the Terror bass I used to own and it made almost no difference in tone.
I tried it in both positions.
On the other hand, I swapped tubes in my Walkabout and it made a very noticeable difference in the gain and quality of the overdrive when cranking the preamp.

Why is that? dos the orange circuit use the tubes less than the mesa?
In your opinion is it worth experimenting or was it really not worth the money and trouble?

king-albert · #9 11-17-2010, 05:22 PM

I run a Terror Bass with an OBC 115. I also had an issue coaxing more highs out of it. I had the treble maxed out and it was still pretty dark (which is what everyone says about these amps). So I added a Sansamp DI to my pedalboard and just dialed in more highs. Worked like a charm.

carlos840 · #10 12-21-2010, 05:52 AM

I just thought i would report back after swapping tubes on my amp.

I decided to try some JJ 12AX7/EC83S in both positions.

Firstly visually the JJ tubes clearly appear better made than the no name chinese ones already in the amp... I dont know much about tubes, but they just look nicer.
The inside isnt exactly made the same way but it looks better made.

In my opinion it did help a lot and did change the sound considerably!
The most obvious change is output, at same settings the volume of the JJ is a bit lower than the stock tubes.

On the other hand the sound is i think a lot better... The amp lost its muddiness, its not as bass heavy which means that instead of cutting the bass to 11 o;clock like i used to im now boosting to 2 o'clock.
The mids and trebles have more shine to them, overall its just less mud and more clarity...

The drive has changed a bit to, one of my issues was that with gain at 9 o'clock i was already in serious drive zone, now the same thing happens around 12.
Mainly i think the drive is smoother and more even, for some reason with the stock tubes i always found the E string started to get dirty before the A D and G, now all the strings respond the same way to the gain level...

Since i havent tried gigging that amp with either set of tubes i cant really comment on how they fit in a mix but overall im glad i swapped them, and i think its worth experimenting if your not completely happy with the way your amp sounds.
Contrary to what some have said it does respond a lot to tube swaps and i really think the JJ's made it more usable and more musical!

PS: I just talked to the guy who sold me the tubes and he says that tubes have a wear in process and that in a few hours the bass should open up a little...
Dont know how much and if it will be noticeable but if it does then those tubes are perfect!
If it doesnt he suggested i tried some sovtek long plates LPS, he says they have a bit more low end...

Lars_Vegas · #11 12-21-2010, 07:27 AM

Thanks!
I have to try this too when I got some available income next monthish...

Billy3000 · #12 12-21-2010, 11:47 AM

Awesome! that is good to hear! I'm planning on getting a terror bass when I have more money available after I pay off my rickenbacker. And the first thing I'm planning on doing is swapping out the tubes! It sounds good to me with the the stock setup, but just knowing how much I dislike cheapo chinese 12ax7's, I bet it's gonna sound worlds better with a nice set of JJ or Tung-sols in there!

carlos840 · #13 12-21-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy3000

Awesome! that is good to hear! I'm planning on getting a terror bass when I have more money available after I pay off my rickenbacker. And the first thing I'm planning on doing is swapping out the tubes! It sounds good to me with the the stock setup, but just knowing how much I dislike cheapo chinese 12ax7's, I bet it's gonna sound worlds better with a nice set of JJ or Tung-sols in there!

This amp works VERY well with a rick!
I was never convinced by my rick plugged in my Mesa Walkabout but with the orange it really comes alive, the grind of the Bass terror really compliments the natural rick tone!

Billy3000 · #14 12-21-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos840

This amp works VERY well with a rick!
I was never convinced by my rick plugged in my Mesa Walkabout but with the orange it really comes alive, the grind of the Bass terror really compliments the natural rick tone!

YES! I actually tested the ric that I'm getting through a Terror bass rig so I already am aware of how amazing they work together! I can't wait to have both in my arsenal!

recreate.me · #15 12-21-2010, 06:02 PM

Its good to know these things, i am in the market to buy a bass terror. If anyone here doesn;t want there anymore i would love to have it

rhopper · #16 12-21-2010, 06:44 PM

I love the sound of my Terror with the stock tubes and I don't want to change the tone at all. I guess it is cheap tubes for me!

Lars_Vegas · #17 12-21-2010, 06:54 PM

its just 2 preamp tubes. nothing expensive and if I dont like the new tubes I still can swap them for the old...
Just curious about it...

JB36 · #18 12-21-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos840

I just thought i would report back after swapping tubes on my amp.

I decided to try some JJ 12AX7/EC83S in both positions.

Firstly visually the JJ tubes clearly appear better made than the no name chinese ones already in the amp... I dont know much about tubes, but they just look nicer.
The inside isnt exactly made the same way but it looks better made.

In my opinion it did help a lot and did change the sound considerably!
The most obvious change is output, at same settings the volume of the JJ is a bit lower than the stock tubes.

On the other hand the sound is i think a lot better... The amp lost its muddiness, its not as bass heavy which means that instead of cutting the bass to 11 o;clock like i used to im now boosting to 2 o'clock.
The mids and trebles have more shine to them, overall its just less mud and more clarity...

The drive has changed a bit to, one of my issues was that with gain at 9 o'clock i was already in serious drive zone, now the same thing happens around 12.
Mainly i think the drive is smoother and more even, for some reason with the stock tubes i always found the E string started to get dirty before the A D and G, now all the strings respond the same way to the gain level...

Since i havent tried gigging that amp with either set of tubes i cant really comment on how they fit in a mix but overall im glad i swapped them, and i think its worth experimenting if your not completely happy with the way your amp sounds.
Contrary to what some have said it does respond a lot to tube swaps and i really think the JJ's made it more usable and more musical!

PS: I just talked to the guy who sold me the tubes and he says that tubes have a wear in process and that in a few hours the bass should open up a little...
Dont know how much and if it will be noticeable but if it does then those tubes are perfect!
If it doesnt he suggested i tried some sovtek long plates LPS, he says they have a bit more low end...

Where did you get your tubes from? I picked up a Terror from the classifieds a few weeks ago and I love it. I've found I have to cut the bass too because my Acme Low B2 will fart out sooner than I'd like. More drivers would probably help. I'm pleased with the tone, but since these tubes aren't much $, I may have to experiment.

Billy3000 · #19 12-21-2010, 10:47 PM

JJ 12ax7's from pretty much every store I've ever been to are no more than about $12-$13 each. So for less than $30 you can make your amp sound worlds better, I'd say go for it! Even if you don't like them, it's not that expensive of an investment to experiment with.

Power tubes on the other hand are quite costly to experiment with. But luckily this amp doesn't have those so you don't have to worry about that!

carlos840 · #20 12-22-2010, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB36

Where did you get your tubes from? I picked up a Terror from the classifieds a few weeks ago and I love it. I've found I have to cut the bass too because my Acme Low B2 will fart out sooner than I'd like. More drivers would probably help. I'm pleased with the tone, but since these tubes aren't much $, I may have to experiment.

I bought them on eBay, im in the UK so im pretty sure there is an easier way fro you to get them than using the same seller...
Basically any old 12ax7 will work, the JJ was recommended to me because its known for having a really clear high end and mids which i think was what the Terror lacked!
If you want to keep the massive low end, i think something with long plates should help, like the Sovtek LPS or the JJ 12ax7/ECC803s but they risk being more microphonic....

A pair of tubes should cost you around 30$...

One thing i didnt do is try different tubes at different spot, dont know how it responds for that but i know that some people did that in the Mesa Walkabout with succes so it might be worth trying...
Cant be arsed to be honest so if you do let me know how it works out...