OOPS!!

[jockman]

Just noticed I have 2 differant brand valves in my amp, 1 polam el84 and one Russian millitary thing, sound is nice, is this gonna cause a problem?

Jon

[rjgtr]

They might not be as balanced with each other as a matched pair of the same brand, but it is really all about tone. If you like the noise, then you're ok. As long as they don't glow red (red plate) you're fine.

[GTRWUN]

Thats not gonna cause a problem. If it sounds good to you I wouldnt mess with it. Many tone freaks feels that 'matched' output tubes yeild a superior tone, and this may be true.......but the truth lies in what you hear yourself. [/u]

[novemberrain]

For hi-fi matched is a must. Think about it, one side of your phase splitter feeds one side of your signal to one side of your output tubes, if the output isn't balanced with matched tubes it ain't gonna sound "hi-fi". If you don't believe me pull ONE of your output tubes and run without it. That's an extreme example but it will give you an indication of what to expect with extremely mismatched tubes. Grinding and thin, isn't it?!

Ah, but sometimes that's exactly what you want. Sometimes I go for grinding and thin because it sounds exactly right in the mix, I prefer grinding and thick but that isn't always the answer.

BTW the harmonica guys found that if you mis-match the output you can get more volume before feedback with harp mics and harp amps.

Final answer... if your ears tell you it's right it ain't gonna hurt the amp.

[markh]

As I've pointed out many times, "matched sets" of tubes were invented by people who sell tubes.

All the old Marshalls, Fenders, etc., were tubed with "the next two tubes out of the big box full" at the factory.

Some might argue tubes were inherently better matched back then, but I doubt they were matched the way vendors "maxi-match" them today.

It was commonplace back then (70s) when retubing to buy two of the same brand -- that was matching -- but if one broke because you spilled beer on it, you slapped in a replacement (of whatever brand) and played the next gig.

--mark h (who buys MPs today because it's now easier then not doing so!)

[Smokin-Tone]

It was commonplace back then (70s) when retubing to buy two of the same brand -- that was matching -- but if one broke because you spilled beer on it, you slapped in a replacement (of whatever brand) and played the next gig.

Exactly! I remember it well. "Dude I found a tube". "Dude Cool, throw it it man".

[teletroy]

I remember going to the payless store and playing with the tube tester while mom shopped. The pistols were behind the same counter as the wall of tubes.. I miss the good ole days, the Internet is handy, but you used to be able to go to the store and buy them with your milk, or in some cases your 357 Magnum

[Dynaflow_Donnie]

I remember those days, Dad tapping on tubes and taking suspect ones to Thrifty drug which had a tester. About the size of a small refrigerator with a glass door underneath with all the tubes to by. Of course next to it was a small display of Teisco guitars which to someone thats like 5 or 6 in those days ruled (I knew even then that Gibsons and Fenders were the real but expensive guitars for a lower middle class kid). Teisco's with all the chrome, rocker switches and knobs just were candy to a kids eyes. We'd get the tube, plug it in and the TV was'nt scrolling anymore. And we'd proceed to watch three channels with no remote.

Regards,

Dyna

[jockman]

Many thanks for all the replies, the amp does sound good, and in fact, it seems to be a bit cooler to the touch as well, I always carry spares with me to gigs, so if anything happens, no problem, Having said that, the 2 valves in there are very robust types.

Jon

[Ian]

I’d leave them. Or you could try your “spares” & see if you prefer those?

Personally I wouldn’t bust a gut to get “special” valves. Of course if you have money & time to spare you could get into all sorts of messing around with NOS Mullard & Telefunken etc. … but I wouldn’t, : 2:cents .

Ian.

[zaphod_phil]

Many tone freaks feels that 'matched' output tubes yield a superior tone, and this may be true.......but the truth lies in what you hear yourself.

And many amp heads feel that unmatched tubes yield a fatter and sweeter tone - probably due to the presence of more even order harmonics in the sound.

[rjgtr]

There are other reasons for getting tubes that are at least close to each other, if not necessarily tightly matched. A few I can think of are ...

The humbucking effect of the output tube IS reliant on the pair not being too far out of balance. If they aren't close you pay in more hum from the fillaments. But I guess it's like strats - if it sounds good you can put up with the hum.

Also, in a mismatched pair one tube will draw more than the other affecting it's lifespan more than the other tube.

So there are at least a few reasons other than just tone to use tubes that are at least close.