Let's Get Technical > Tubes (preamp/Input/Buffer)

Mod 3TM tube swap

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herbyguitar:
I've done some preamp tube switching in very high gain amps with good results. My last switch was in a Carvin V3m. This amp has a ridiculous amount of gain. I switched V1 with a 12AT7 and V2 with a 12AY7. I still had plenty of gain for any style of music. I'm wondering about the 3TM mod and how a tube swap would affect it. I'm getting ready to do a 3TM and MDRT mod and was curious as to how much gain it will have at max. My thinking is to reduce the amount of gain enough so the clean tube side will be more usable for cleaner tube sounds but still have enough in reserve for heavier songs. The stock MP1 has enough gain for me but it suffers from a muddy tone when the gain is too high. The 3TM is supposed to eliminate this problem, hence my reasoning for doing the mod.
Has anyone done this or have any thoughts on this?

rnolan:
Hey herby, as in my other reply, go the SS Mod tube board, you don't want a 3TM IMHO.  The 3TM adds 2 more gain stages and to try to tame it with 12AT7s seems silly,  (and the Y in a 12AY7 = why  :dunno: , they are not great tubes for audio).  The tube circuits in the ADA preamps are designed (and eq'd (tube voicings)) around 12AX7s, and while a 12AT7 will work, it's a higher current tube (makes a great phase splitter in a tube poweramp  :thumb-up: ) and will put higher demand on the transformer (though the MDRT would cope).
The MDRT will really open the unit up, nice tight and more dynamic (and less muddy).
Also if you go 3TM, you'll then need to put noise gates (ideally before and after the unit) to tame the gain/noise/squeals, even more so with single coil strat PUPs.

herbyguitar:
@ rnolan: Wow. I have been doing a lot of reading here but haven't come across anything that lays it all out in one (two) place(s) like you do here and in your other post. You may have saved me from making a mistake. thank you.

I was looking into the Mullard Long plates yesterday. Sounds like what I'm looking for. Your input is very much appreciated.

If I could describe the amount of gain I want I'd say (old) EVH and YJM would be the most I'd want. These types of ODs aren't over the top but they do have a lot of harmonic content.

Right now I'm running a gate after the (stock V2, 2.01) MP1 using my 1101 with good results. By running the 1101 after the MP1 I lose all the up front effects like the tube screamer and comp but the gate works much better in the back. I can retain all the volume knob roll off for cleaning the guitar up. Putting it anywhere else kills it.

I'm getting the best results by running OD1 @ 10 and OD2 @ 4. I found OD1 is tighter sounding than OD2 and I can run it maxed. These settings are right on the edge of becoming too loose in the bottom end. Running OD2 @ 5 gives me more gain but it starts slipping into mud.

I've been in touch with MJMP about the 3TM and MDRT mods... Hope MJMP doesn't get upset with me for altering my order...

MarshallJMP:
Hey Herby

No worries about changing the order, but if you want to go the EVH YJM route I think the 3TM will be better for you. I send you a YT link so you can check out the 3TM soundwise. So take your time and after you make a decision you let me know. And if you have any questions just let me know or post them here.

herbyguitar:
@ MarshallJMP : I'm worried about the noise and whether I would actually use that much gain. I'm thinking a cranked tube power amp will go a long way in complementing the MP1. More than likely the SS would serve my purpose.

@ rnolan : I found a post of yours. What's your take on this tube choice?
Svetlana V1
Mullard V2

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