Tubes for Budda Phatbass

[bugbass]

What tubes are the best for the Budda when I want more a fat sound than overdrive?

[bongomania]

You could try a lower-gain tube in there such as a 12AY7 or 12AT7. I can't guarantee it will work well, but I've had some success making that swap in other devices.

[scotch]

I don't have a Phatbass, but my EBS Valvedrive is sort of similar. I can tell you that after extensive auditioning of about a dozen 12ax7/ECC-83/7025 etc. varieties, I found the new Tung-Sol 12ax7 to be the fullest & fattest tube in current production (to my ears and in my pedal).

If you're looking for less drive (distortion) you might want to consider an old RCA 7025 (it will have less output & gain, but a nice "depth"). Perhaps a Groove Tubes 12ax7c, for less edginess, would work as well. 12at7's (not au7's!)are a lower-gain option that should work as well.

Most TB'ers seem to be JJ devotees, so perhaps JJ has an option as well. I've never tried JJ tubes, but the guy who sells them sure swears by them!

[BassJunkie730]

Originally Posted by scotch

I don't have a Phatbass, but my EBS Valvedrive is sort of similar. I can tell you that after extensive auditioning of about a dozen 12ax7/ECC-83/7025 etc. varieties, I found the new Tung-Sol 12ax7 to be the fullest & fattest tube in current production (to my ears and in my pedal).

If you're looking for less drive (distortion) you might want to consider an old RCA 7025 (it will have less output & gain, but a nice "depth"). Perhaps a Groove Tubes 12ax7c, for less edginess, would work as well. 12at7's (not au7's!)are a lower-gain option that should work as well.

Most TB'ers seem to be JJ devotees, so perhaps JJ has an option as well. I've never tried JJ tubes, but the guy who sells them sure swears by them!

I've had more success with lowering the gain with 12aU7s than 12AT7s. I used a mullard CV4024 (12AT7 type) and a JJ 12AU7 - i liked the JJ more.

[bugbass]

Thanks guys!

[scotch]

Originally Posted by BassJunkie730

I've had more success with lowering the gain with 12aU7s than 12AT7s. I used a mullard CV4024 (12AT7 type) and a JJ 12AU7 - i liked the JJ more.

Yeah, I guess I'm a little biased against 12au7's in an "overdrive" context. They are definitely clean, but in my experience, lack some of the ooomph I like in an od.