tubes for V4bH

[Low Sound Love]

Hi guys

I've got an Ampeg V4bH coming my way, should arrive tomorrow or friday. I'm very excited as it's my first all tube amp
It's been in a studio for all its life and should be in excellent shape. However I'd like to retube it to my personal taste.

Which leads to the question: I have very little experience with tubes and the characteristics of different brands. What I am aiming for is the classic tube driven rock tone (for example: the track 'Celebrity Skin' by Hole). What tubes would I want in which position?
(The amp holds 2 12AX7's, 2 12AU7's and 4 6L6's, btw.)

Things to consider: most of the time I use a Gibson T-bird IV in a 3-piece rock band, my basic tone is a bit darker than a Fender P would be but I would like to brighten it up a bit. (I will get a P somewhere down the line, but I'll be short on cash for a while since I just bought a house.) Also: I like dirt pedals, got a pedalboard full of 'em. Don't know if that makes any difference tube-wise though.

Thanks for any input!

[rodl2005]

Unless it needs new tubes, I wouldn't worry. That amp should deliver!
Always a good idea when buying a 2nd hand tube amp, is to get a GOOD tube tech to give it a once over. They should be able to let you know how the tubes are.
Out of the reasonably priced tubes, I've always had great results with JJ's from www.eurotubes.com
Others might say different, but that's my experience

[stiles72]

I have a V4BH and Thunderbirds as well.

I concurr- unless the tubes are bad, you shouldn't need to retube. Some people will argue that different brands will sound different or better, but I highly doubt you'll be able to tell any difference in a double blind taste test. Play through the amp first, and if you feel you need to brighten up that T-bird, I'd start by swapping strings and learning how the EQ points on the amp work - in particular - the 5 position mid switch.

[JimmyM]

Ya, I agree with everyone else. Just play it for a while and don't worry about swapping tubes now. Maybe a month or two from now, try buying a couple NOS tubes like RCA's or Sylvanias and try them in V1, which is your main preamp tube. But my general rule for tubes is if they ain't broke, don't fix 'em.

[christw]

Mine can get some gnarly preamp drive going with just about any bass. I run it at 12:00 gain mostly but past 1:00 or 2:00 is dirty and dirtier. I think you'll enjoy it. Don't worry about the tubes yet.

[RickenBoogie]

Especially since you're inexperienced to begin with, leave the good set of working tubes be. Get to know the amp, and worry about tubes when you need to.