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Replacement tubes for Presonus Tubepre?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by fourstringbliss, Dec 7, 2005.

  1. Dec 7, 2005 #1
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I'm getting a Presonus Tubepre and I want to swap out the tube for something better for bass. I'll be using the Tubepre to boost the signal from my Zoom B2 (great little pedal, by the way!) and as my DI. It requires a 12ax7 tube - what would be a good one for bass applications, or will any one work?
     
  2. Dec 7, 2005 #2
    Kael

    Kael

    Dec 26, 2004
    Oklahoma City
    I found mine to have very low output. Could not effectively drive any power amp I tried it with (Crest vs900, Crown MA 2402, and a Peavey M4000?). My presonus tube pre has been restricted to studio use only for that reason. If you are going to be using yours to drive a power amp, you might want to snag the highest output 12ax7 style tube you can find. Good luck.
     
  3. Dec 7, 2005 #3
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I'm primarily going to be using it as a DI box to boost the signal from my Zoom B2, and I thought about using it in a signal chain with the B2 and my amp head. I'm not that interested in distortion or even moderate overdrive. The B2 has some decent distortion sounds but they're pretty thin - I'm sure I could add tube warmth from the tubepre to the distortion sounds.
     
  4. Dec 7, 2005 #4
    Kael

    Kael

    Dec 26, 2004
    Oklahoma City
    I wasn't meaning overdrive when I said drive a power amp. I had meant that I did not find it to have a hot enough output to drive the power amp to full volume. Doesn't matter though if you are going to be using it with an amp head and not a power amp. They look for differing input levels. Let me know if you find better tubes for you tubepre. I might try them in mine as well...
     
  5. Dec 7, 2005 #5
    JJBluegrasser

    JJBluegrasser Wannabe Snazzy Dresser

    Apr 17, 2003
    USA, Raleigh, NC
    I did something like this for a while. I put a GT12AX7M in it and it sounded a lot better.

    However, while I don't want to rain on your parade, let's just say I don't use that setup anymore.

    Good Luck!
    Jason
     
  6. Dec 7, 2005 #6
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I asked a guy at Tubedepot.com and he said Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH's would work really well and they're cheap!

    My amp is a 300w solid state job. Would this signal chain work well?

    Bass + Zoom B2 MultiFX + Tubepre + passive input on my amp
     
  7. Dec 7, 2005 #7
    vicenzajay

    vicenzajay Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2004
    Christiansburg, VA
    Not my experience at all...the tube pre (with a good tube) puts out LOTS of gain....no problems for me driving either a head or a PLX power amp.

    I recommend JJ's or even better, a good NOS AT7 tube for bass.

    Jay
     
  8. Dec 7, 2005 #8
    Kael

    Kael

    Dec 26, 2004
    Oklahoma City
    Hmm....
    I'll try swapping out the tube in mine. Maybe I got some bum stock.