So...Um...Tubes...Distortion....Cascade...Gain...

[devideva]

Which order is best?

I am trying tubes in my EHX LPB2UBE which has two 12ax7s which can be ganged for overdrive. Problem is to get that overdrive the volume is so loud I can't use it. So I was thinking if I could use a 12AU7 instead of a 12AX7 and gain one to the other. Which one would distort better. I found an ancient 12AZ7 jeez RCA I think, I forget and it sounds clear as a bell, in itself. But I - well you get the idea.

[skullservant]

12AU7 is going to have less overall gain, you could stack that into a 12AX7 and it'll get more overdrivy without being as harsh. Not as much gain though

[devideva]

12AU7 is going to have less overall gain, you could stack that into a 12AX7 and it'll get more overdrivy without being as harsh. Not as much gain though

So going into the 12ax7 or 12ax7 going into 12au7?

[skullservant]

12au7 into 12ax7

[devideva]

Help me understand. wouldn't a higher gain tube push the lower gain tube into breakup faster?

[skullservant]

Yes, but I would think that the 12au7 being pushed like that would sound blown out and like shit and not have the crunch that the 12ax7 would have being pushed

[devideva]

oh, then there's not much point...

let me ask
so one can only get so much overdrive clipping? or can one keep pushing? won't the sine wave go square, who will sqare the circle? what? sorry - old flashback....

[skullservant]

Yeah, it's eventually just going to get square.

The LPB2UBE isn't for as much 'gain' or 'crunch' as it is to boost- the 12ax7's will give you some crunch, but it's really about pushing your amp with that pedal instead of it having a distinct character of its own

[theavondon]

Also, preamp distortion isn't where it's at IMO

[devideva]

Also, preamp distortion isn't where it's at IMO

gotcha, my amp has too much power for too much power tube distortion - i can max out MV and dial everything back and get some power tube warmth.

[D.o.S.]

Conversely, a lot of people who think that power amp distortion is the tits don't actually know what power amp distortion is.

Not theavondonnerparty, but some people.

[theavondon]

I mean, yeah, like until recently I had no clue. But now I'm running my PA-135 cranked and like...yeah dude.

[devideva]

Okay, so if I am gonna gang the two tubes what are the best tubes for most saturated overdriven tones?