Is there supposed to be a difference? If there is then it’s not noticeable enough for a phone speaker because it sounds the same. I don’t think a tube is the right mod for the amp. I put a cheap compressor in the FX loop and it makes it sound tighter without giving up gain.
Changing your preamp tube will not boost the max volume, that is controlled by the SS output amplifier. The only difference will be, assuming that these rolls do boost your input gain, that you will get to the end of the SS amp with less master volume. More crunch is possible, but safe and musical overall volume boost is not.
@@trashcat1031 I bought the Bugera PS1 Attenuator. Goes in between the amp and cabinet. I tried the JHS. The Bugera works better. You have better control over the volume. $120.00, but worth it.
I’ve got three of the RCA 7025s that come out of a 68 Fender Bassman, I replaced them with JJs but I kept the original tubes for the sake of originality, definitely gonna try this!!!
Tried the RCAs. They were velvety smooth but wrong for the Orange tone. Those feel at home in a Fender or 6L6 tone. New TungSol was runner up as it was girthy, clear and textured, but was actually an old Mullard 12AT7 which weirdly had as much gain as the RCA but TONS of mid-range texture and a 30-year aged Scotch quality to it. Cherry ontop is they're easy to find and not expensive. Win/Win.
For more grit, you should definitely try the Groove Tube 12AX7-C (made in China). I swapped the Sovtek tubes from my amp to these ones. As the result, my dirty channel got a boost of testosterone.
i’ve got a groove tube in mine and it sounds great. my only thing is i run an me-80 with the amp and i always have on EQ, which tightens and cleans up the sound, Reverb, Chorus, which cleans up a little, and Delay. so are there any other higher gain tubes? or does the “high gain” option on tube depot do anything?
@@butchered_deathmetal The best thing to do is to change the speaker, if yours is not a suitable one. I changed my Celestion Seventy 80 for a Eminence Texas Heat, and now my Traynor YCV-40 breathes. The right speaker is what's going to make the most difference. What I said about the GT 12AX7-C is still true, though.
this was very helpful. I've never tried a tube amp. I'm planning to buy the orange micro dark. Do you need to reprogram the board of the amp whenever you change tubes? I've always been a solid state guy, and no nothing about tubes. This would be a cool start if I could get some info. Thanks.
No it's super easy no need to reprogram any board or anything just take the screws out take off the top and simply wiggle the old tune out and pop a new one in it literally only took me a couple minutes .. I also used a can of air to blow out the board as it gets a little dusty over time ....plug it in and turn it on man and let that new tube warm up for a few minutes and it's ready to go man ..super easy
Has anyone else had problems with “lower sound” while using your effects loop ? By the way, all I had hoked up was a delay and reverb pedal ..? Anyone know why the volume cuts so low ?
@john smith On a technical level, a buffer pedal is a tiny amplifier that isolates the incoming high impedance signal sent from the guitar into a unity level. Put simply, it preserves the strength of the signal running through your setup. Some effect loops are passive and need a buffer to work correctly.
Just bought this amp today and was really dissatisfied with the gain tone because the videos I've seen makes this amp sound like a beast lol but when I tried 4 different guitars and multiple pedals it just sounded like a empty garbage can lol...I went to guitar center bought a tung-sol 12ax7 for like 28 bucks and popped it in and DUUUUUUUDE HUGE DIFFERENCE !!!!! AND MY IBANEZ GRG200pa just showed up in the mail this morning...so today is an awesome day for me because I have a new sound as of October 18 2023!!! Thanks for making these little videos about just some great advice about getting more tone out of this product 🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟
In this case, yes, it did. Not sure why, since both the ECC83S and the ECC803S both sound exactly the same in my Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 amp. Both tubes are new and check as new on my tube tester. By all rights and means, they should perform exactly the same in the Orange Micro Dark.... but they don't.
ExitThirteen I have a micro dark and have to been looking for preamp tubes to boost the gain and give it a tighter crispier tone I ended up purchasing the 803s after watching this video. But I may order a 83s just in case. Although I don’t see why it would be any different from this video since we have the same amp.
@@misfitkid3926 The stock tube that comes with the amp is indeed an ECC83S, at least in my case. There won't be any real difference between the ECC83 and an ECC83S. Buying an ECC803S should give you a nice bump in gain. If you can find a vintage 12AX7, or 7025, that would be your best way to go, as the vintage tubes of those types produced the best results. Let me know how things work out for you!
Doesn’t it seem like a waste to put a vintage tube in a small hybrid amp like this? I would try one of those cheap Chinese 12ax7b tubes if you want crazy gain. They’re cheap, they work well, and you aren’t wasting vintage on an amp like this. They come stock in a lot of Marshall’s for these reasons.
isn't point of this amp, you actually got a amp to put in cheap or nos valves rather than no amp at all. Size, costs can limit some peoples options and a change here can make a difference for them.
I would encourage people to employ the most safe strategies when messing around with / working on amps, especially. Without question safety is the 1st priority and risk minimization is part of practicing good safety methods. Turning off the amp and unplugging it from the electrical wall socket only makes sense as the first step toward establishing a safe amp to work on. Shortcuts are often taken in order to save time. A person should have more than enough time on their hands before working inside an amp. It is more possible to make accidental mistakes when a person is in a rush, frenzied, or anxious. It is a good idea to have more than plenty of time for your job. And it is a good idea to look at yt's and think your way into the tube replacement job beforehand. So when you actually start the tube swap you have confidence that the situation is safe, with all of the anticipated tools and equipment already laid out. The best results are achieved when a person is diligent and informed. On the other hand you definitely don't want an innocent person copying you and doing that, and getting hurt. No. Definitely not. This is good reason alone not to do it.
Original 1:59
Long plate ECC 803s 2:55
Groove premium ECC 83S 4:11
RCA 7025 5:18
Is there supposed to be a difference? If there is then it’s not noticeable enough for a phone speaker because it sounds the same. I don’t think a tube is the right mod for the amp. I put a cheap compressor in the FX loop and it makes it sound tighter without giving up gain.
I take more gain any day, but this amp is pretty damn loud already with the stock tube. At least for my apartment.
It is very loud. I am waiting on a JHS Little Black Amp Box to put into the FX loop to see if it tames this little beast.
@@trashcat1031 I decided to build one of those little black boxes myself. Parts cost less then $20. It's just a volume pot and two input jacks.
Changing your preamp tube will not boost the max volume, that is controlled by the SS output amplifier. The only difference will be, assuming that these rolls do boost your input gain, that you will get to the end of the SS amp with less master volume. More crunch is possible, but safe and musical overall volume boost is not.
@@trashcat1031 I bought the Bugera PS1 Attenuator. Goes in between the amp and cabinet. I tried the JHS. The Bugera works better. You have better control over the volume. $120.00, but worth it.
@Wired Axe isn't that for tube amps ? I guess it could work on solid state as well but I dint know for sure !
That JJ ECC83S that came stock and the Groove Tubes ECC83S are the exact same tubes. It’s possible that the GT one is just testing higher for gain.
RCA. The king of rock and roll tubes.
$20 MULLARD long plate, best tube ever
I’ve got three of the RCA 7025s that come out of a 68 Fender Bassman, I replaced them with JJs but I kept the original tubes for the sake of originality, definitely gonna try this!!!
taking the valve out one-handed while the amp is turned on. :)
It’s low voltage setup, not like in a traditional tube amp where plate voltage is around 200 volts in the preamp
Tube Newbie here. For safety reasons…If I swap the tube while the amp is on is there anything I should Not be touching when the amp is on?
@@trashcat1031 Turning the amp off first would be the best idea. Tubes get hot so, gloves wouls also help
Don't touch anything you don't have to
Better yet take it to a guitar tech/shop and have them do it
Tried the RCAs. They were velvety smooth but wrong for the Orange tone. Those feel at home in a Fender or 6L6 tone. New TungSol was runner up as it was girthy, clear and textured, but was actually an old Mullard 12AT7 which weirdly had as much gain as the RCA but TONS of mid-range texture and a 30-year aged Scotch quality to it. Cherry ontop is they're easy to find and not expensive. Win/Win.
I got a Tungsol 12AT7, absolutely love the cleans with it.
Wow, Thanks for "discovering" this..... Wonder what the hell I was doing in the late sixties? I came late to it too.
Hey, you're welcome! Glad I could help! :D
What about an EL34 winged C Svetlana. Thats whats in my MArshall JCM 200 DSL 50 EL34 is that Brit sound.
Never listened to original JJ, nos Corsair now. just had to try it and no reason yet to try anything else.
For more grit, you should definitely try the Groove Tube 12AX7-C (made in China). I swapped the Sovtek tubes from my amp to these ones. As the result, my dirty channel got a boost of testosterone.
i’ve got a groove tube in mine and it sounds great. my only thing is i run an me-80 with the amp and i always have on EQ, which tightens and cleans up the sound, Reverb, Chorus, which cleans up a little, and Delay. so are there any other higher gain tubes? or does the “high gain” option on tube depot do anything?
@@butchered_deathmetal The best thing to do is to change the speaker, if yours is not a suitable one. I changed my Celestion Seventy 80 for a Eminence Texas Heat, and now my Traynor YCV-40 breathes. The right speaker is what's going to make the most difference. What I said about the GT 12AX7-C is still true, though.
Great video man
this was very helpful. I've never tried a tube amp. I'm planning to buy the orange micro dark. Do you need to reprogram the board of the amp whenever you change tubes? I've always been a solid state guy, and no nothing about tubes. This would be a cool start if I could get some info. Thanks.
No it's super easy no need to reprogram any board or anything just take the screws out take off the top and simply wiggle the old tune out and pop a new one in it literally only took me a couple minutes .. I also used a can of air to blow out the board as it gets a little dusty over time ....plug it in and turn it on man and let that new tube warm up for a few minutes and it's ready to go man ..super easy
Has anyone else had problems with “lower sound” while using your effects loop ? By the way, all I had hoked up was a delay and reverb pedal ..? Anyone know why the volume cuts so low ?
It’s a power thing, even larger tube amps have the same issue
Add a buffer
@@Junterhack what’s a buffer?
@john smith On a technical level, a buffer pedal is a tiny amplifier that isolates the incoming high impedance signal sent from the guitar into a unity level. Put simply, it preserves the strength of the signal running through your setup. Some effect loops are passive and need a buffer to work correctly.
@@Junterhack Thanks so much, I’ve been waiting for a reply
Should try a sovtek
I did try a Sovtek, I just didn't include it in the video, but the Sovtek performed about the same as the J/J ECC83S, maybe a touch better.
@@ExitThirteen Oh wow. Crazy how much these things color the sound
Great video!
Good info, thanks à
jj tesla all so good vibe and chip price
Imma gonna strike a chord right quick like! YES! YES!
Little Dreamer by Vah Halen, please ?!?
Just bought this amp today and was really dissatisfied with the gain tone because the videos I've seen makes this amp sound like a beast lol but when I tried 4 different guitars and multiple pedals it just sounded like a empty garbage can lol...I went to guitar center bought a tung-sol 12ax7 for like 28 bucks and popped it in and DUUUUUUUDE HUGE DIFFERENCE !!!!! AND MY IBANEZ GRG200pa just showed up in the mail this morning...so today is an awesome day for me because I have a new sound as of October 18 2023!!! Thanks for making these little videos about just some great advice about getting more tone out of this product 🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟🤟
So the ecc803s has more gain then the stock tube?
In this case, yes, it did. Not sure why, since both the ECC83S and the ECC803S both sound exactly the same in my Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10 amp. Both tubes are new and check as new on my tube tester. By all rights and means, they should perform exactly the same in the Orange Micro Dark.... but they don't.
ExitThirteen I have a micro dark and have to been looking for preamp tubes to boost the gain and give it a tighter crispier tone I ended up purchasing the 803s after watching this video. But I may order a 83s just in case. Although I don’t see why it would be any different from this video since we have the same amp.
ExitThirteen cause I thought the stock tube was just a regular ecc83 not a ecc83s
@@misfitkid3926 The stock tube that comes with the amp is indeed an ECC83S, at least in my case. There won't be any real difference between the ECC83 and an ECC83S. Buying an ECC803S should give you a nice bump in gain. If you can find a vintage 12AX7, or 7025, that would be your best way to go, as the vintage tubes of those types produced the best results. Let me know how things work out for you!
ExitThirteen well my 803s came in and unfortunately it lessened the gain overall, less chug, less tightness
Doesn’t it seem like a waste to put a vintage tube in a small hybrid amp like this? I would try one of those cheap Chinese 12ax7b tubes if you want crazy gain. They’re cheap, they work well, and you aren’t wasting vintage on an amp like this. They come stock in a lot of Marshall’s for these reasons.
isn't point of this amp, you actually got a amp to put in cheap or nos valves rather than no amp at all. Size, costs can limit some peoples options and a change here can make a difference for them.
It is directly part of the signal chain,it will affect the tone as such.
Long short: change the tube ...
why the fuck are you pulling the tubes out when its powered on?!?!?
Why can't I? Care to explain why I can't remove the preamp tube out of this amp while it's on?
I would encourage people to employ the most safe strategies when messing around with / working on amps, especially. Without question safety is the 1st priority and risk minimization is part of practicing good safety methods.
Turning off the amp and unplugging it from the electrical wall socket only makes sense as the first step toward establishing a safe amp to work on.
Shortcuts are often taken in order to save time. A person should have more than enough time on their hands before working inside an amp. It is more possible to make accidental mistakes when a person is in a rush, frenzied, or anxious.
It is a good idea to have more than plenty of time for your job. And it is a good idea to look at yt's and think your way into the tube replacement job beforehand. So when you actually start the tube swap you have confidence that the situation is safe, with all of the anticipated tools and equipment already laid out. The best results are achieved when a person is diligent and informed.
On the other hand you definitely don't want an innocent person copying you and doing that, and getting hurt. No. Definitely not. This is good reason alone not to do it.
I bought one of these amps...its back in the box...its a paper weight.
Its made in china. So of cause you need to change the valves.
By Russian valves
Ideally, you would want to demonstrate how these tubes sound in a mix.