Will this make my amp sound more tubey?

Dee-man · #1 10-09-2010, 04:58 PM

Howdy. I'm lucky to have a Glockenklang heart rock which wails. I sold my Aguilar all-tube head to justify getting the HR and have been at times missing the 3-D gooey-ness of tubes. I saw an Alembic pre-amp for sale and that got me to thinking maybe I could add this to the effects loop of the HR (somewhere else instead?), turn the eq of the HR off, and use the Alembic pre-amp (or some other brand) for those times I want tubey goodness.

Maybe this is a bit of a naive question, and putting aside the cost of doing that, has anyone done that and what did you think? What tubey pre-amp did you use and, if you can, I would like to hear if you have pre-amp comparisons (Kern, Alembic, Demeter, Aguilar (not DB680; too costly), etc.). Thanks, DM

**JayAmel** · #2 10-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Problem solved.

PJMiDi · #3 10-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

Problem solved.

what he said

Bassdirty · #4 10-09-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

Problem solved.

ahhhhhhhhhh....ya beat me to it....but heres alink...

Tech 21 VT Bass

billfitzmaurice · #5 10-09-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

What tubey pre-amp did you use and, if you can, I would like to hear if you have pre-amp comparisons (Kern, Alembic, Demeter, Aguilar (not DB680; too costly), etc.). Thanks, DM

What makes tubes sound different is their natural compression. To duplicate that use a tube compressor.

Dee-man · #6 10-09-2010, 05:22 PM

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. The VT looks very cool and I'll look into it some more. I read the attached thread (thanks BD) but am not sure if the VT is better than a preamp with a tube (like the ones I listed) or roughly the same and cheaper? I assume the VT also has the advantage of my using the eq I already have on the HR. Also, I don't overdrive my sound too much, want more of the warmth and gooey-ness - is that available with the VT?

What kind of tube compressor would you suggest, BFM? I used to have a demeter compulator pedal which I liked, as well as an Aphex 651, but got rid of those due to little use and when I sold my tube amp.

Thanks again, DM

somegeezer · #7 10-09-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

Wow, thanks for the quick replies. The VT looks very cool and I'll look into it some more. I read the attached thread (thanks BD) but am not sure if the VT is better than a preamp with a tube (like the ones I listed) or roughly the same and cheaper? I assume the VT also has the advantage of my using the eq I already have on the HR. Also, I don't overdrive my sound too much, want more of the warmth and gooey-ness - is that available with the VT?

What kind of tube compressor would you suggest, BFM? I used to have a demeter compulator pedal which I liked, as well as an Aphex 651, but got rid of those due to little use and when I sold my tube amp.

Thanks again, DM

The VT can be used as a preamp as far as I know. You can get a warm tubey tone to a full on tube overdrive. A lot of people say it's worth the extra bit to go for the deluxe model too. Have a look around for used and it'll be even cheaper.

koobie · #8 10-10-2010, 12:24 AM

It's worth trying a FX-1, it's a classic fat-sounding pre, a perennial favorite on TB. Only you will know whether or not your tube amp cravings will be scratched by the combo of a tube pre and a solid-state power section.
An old-school compressor nice for bass is the Summit TLA50. It's an optical type, pretty juicy. It's tube is used for make-up gain; it's not actually part of the limiting circuitry.

blastjv · #9 10-10-2010, 05:33 AM

Not knocking the VT, I've yet to try one, but suspect I'd like it, but since what you miss is the sound of an Aguilar tube amp, you might be very happy with Aguilar's rendition of a tube sound...the Agro pedal!!! I love mine and I'm not alone. At low settings it adds that 'tube gooeyness' and can also do light overdrive, heavy overdrive, outright distortion, and depending on your rig can get into fuzz territory...

-John

-John

OldHack · #10 10-10-2010, 05:50 AM

A few years ago on here, you would see just as many positive responses for the ART Levelar tube preamp. http://www.lnlrecording.com/Levelar.htm I like to have one around in case I'm playing straight into a board or a pure solid state amp. (or straight power amp as a preamp backup or DI). They make a similar product now with one 12AX7 as a mic preamp. Warms it right up and acts as a tube compressor. Could be an alternative to the VT Bass if you don't want all the tone shaping, but I haven't had the need to try one of those yet.

12bass · #11 10-10-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee-man

Howdy. I'm lucky to have a Glockenklang heart rock which wails. I sold my Aguilar all-tube head to justify getting the HR and have been at times missing the 3-D gooey-ness of tubes. I saw an Alembic pre-amp for sale and that got me to thinking maybe I could add this to the effects loop of the HR (somewhere else instead?), turn the eq of the HR off, and use the Alembic pre-amp (or some other brand) for those times I want tubey goodness. ...

Patching a tube preamp into the power amp input should get you closer. While I think that the VT Bass sounds pretty good, it bears mention that it is an Ampeg simulator, so it is best suited for those who like Ampeg-style tones. Also, I've found that my Ampeg SVP-PRO tube preamp sounds warmer, fatter, and "tubier" than the VT pedal. Not sure what it is, but the real tube preamp just has more natural presence and "girth".

brekfustuvluzer · #12 10-10-2010, 08:59 AM

http://www.ovnilab.com/reviews/retrospec.shtml

this should do the trick. they are said to be rereleasing these, or you could find one used. these are expensive.

SGD Lutherie · #13 10-10-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAmel

Problem solved.

Oh yeah, let's use some op amps to sound tubey.

I'm not a tube snob... I like solid state amps, but those Tech 21 things just make the tone mushy IMHO.

I use one of these:

They sound great after you replace the 12AX7 with a 12AU7. They hum a little though.

poorbassist15 · #14 10-10-2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

Oh yeah, let's use some op amps to sound tubey.

I'm not a tube snob... I like solid state amps, but those Tech 21 things just make the tone mushy IMHO.

I use one of these:

They sound great after you replace the 12AX7 with a 12AU7. They hum a little though.

That looks almost exactly like my Dean Markley overlord. Do you thing a 12AU7 would have the same effect on the Overlord?

Plays_For_Dog · #15 10-10-2010, 08:24 PM

I use the Tech 21 VT bass. It does add some tube qualities to your tone. However, I feel it's limited to that. The overdrive is too sensitive and poor sounding for me. So, I use it with OD off and click it on for when I want a scooped sound, and click it off for warm low end.

**WoodyG3** · #16 10-10-2010, 08:27 PM

IMO, Sansamp Bass Driver DI. I like it better than the VT.

Jefenator · #17 10-10-2010, 08:48 PM

Of course, you need the tube power section to go *all* the way.

But IME the Alembic tube pre can help stir bone marrow in ways I've never quite experienced with all-solid-state.

SGD Lutherie · #18 10-10-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

That looks almost exactly like my Dean Markley overlord. Do you thing a 12AU7 would have the same effect on the Overlord?

It should. The 12AU7 is a lower gain tube. The BlueTube was too fuzzy with the 12AX7.

mrkreuzschlitz · #19 10-10-2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

That looks almost exactly like my Dean Markley overlord. Do you thing a 12AU7 would have the same effect on the Overlord?

$15 will answer your question. Just try it dude and let us know!

Eublet · #20 10-11-2010, 08:33 PM

The Agro FEELS way more like a tube head than the VT. It also sounds different than the VT, so there's a lot of subjectivity involved in choosing it. VT is nice, but the Agro is fantastic IMHO.