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Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 10:47:12 -0500
From: "Dean Williams"
Subject: Re: Preamp tube subs revisited (was: Bassman '59 RI)

I can't comment on what's appropriate for a Bassman, but I have
recently changed my mind on tube swaps in my small amps. Basically, I
am back to 12AX7's all around after practically wearing out my preamp
sockets and spending too much on tubes.

For a long time my only mic was one of the newer Mexican dynamic Green
Bullets. Contrary to what others have posted here, mine is wickedly
hot, and backing off on preamp gain was a definite help for playing in
close proximity to the amp. After I got some other mics (crystal,
ceramic and CR), I was confused as to what the fuss was all about,
since these old ones were positively anemic compared to the 520DX, and
I could no longer get as deep of an overdrive.

So I went back to stock tubes and the sound is excellent with the
vintage mics, and still dandy with the dynamic as long as I'm careful.
My amps are 7 watts or less, so I guess none of this is big news. I
am a relatively quiet player too, so I'm sure that is part of the mix.
My chops are pretty sad, but I do well enough to judge what does and
doesn't work well. I would certainly suggest an occasional check to
see if 12AX7's aren't worth going back to after a few rounds of
experimenting with swaps.

As to why some folks say the dynamic Shures are wimpy when my
experience was the opposite, maybe it is just the impedance matchup on
my particular rigs, or maybe my late model mic has a different
element. There is nothing wrong with the sound either - it is simply
different. It is true that it doesn't sound just like a crystal or CR
mic, but that is no reason to discount it - the point of having a few
mics is all about having a wider palette of tone to work with. In any
case, the 520DX is routinely written off here, so I'm pleading it's
worth. Having said that, I really adore my C.R. Green Bullet.

Dean