so with my collection of preamp tubes...

MARCO · Post by **MARCO** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:32 pm

Hey Mark did you get my e-mail??

For NOS tubes I use 4-Sylvania 6CA7's and Jan Sylvania 12ax7wa's....for new tubes I like the JJE34L's and various pre's like the Chinese 12ax7, which I think EVH uses now, Tung Sol 12ax7 and the ohnes I really like are the Ei gold pin 12ax7's....talk about high gain but a thick, clear tone.....I gotta get some clips up of my Marshall, I think you guys will think really be suprised how close I can get to the raw EVH tone. I have a nice Mojave 4x12 with 2-Scumbag 30's and 2-Scumbag 25's and it really shines when the volume is cranked...is this tone thick enough??

http://www.davidphillipsmusic.com/Ed76.mp3

awangotango · Post by **awangotango** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:59 pm

just my opinion, but I don't see what's so hip about that clip. I can barely hear the amp's tone underneath all the echo and phase, but what does come through doesn't remind me of the recorded tone. It doesn't have the VH vibe in my opinion. It's more distorted, thick, murky and 'slow' than the records, and it's missing alot of warmth. I've never been a fan of his leadwork, but the tiny bit of riffing at the end also does not sound like his famous rhythm tones. Lucky for us, he worked on his tone from '76-79 before he recorded VH I

MARCO · Post by **MARCO** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:38 pm

Totally disagree....sorry but that was his raw tone whether you believe it or not. That just goes to show you how much the studio will enhance the sound as opposed to a "live" sound. I have some old clips of him practicing "Eruption" in the studio and that sounds like nothing like the VH-I album. There's even some videos of him around VH-I and the sound is the same. I guess everybody has different ears.

awangotango · Post by **awangotango** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:02 pm

I wouldn't doubt that the studio tone is not the tone we hear on the album. But it's the recorded tone most people are fascinated with. The '76 clip and studio tone may be the same and more 'authentic', but it doesn't sound real great to my ears. And with all those effects, doesn't sound very 'raw' either. This is a good example though of how to dial in a 12xxx series plexi. To get 'his' sound, you have to find ways to capture some of the studio compression and trickery and integrate it into the amp itself, and that is what the merc OT's and outstanding examples of dagnall Ot's do IMO. A run-o-the-mill dagnall sounds like that clip, to my ears. It's all good though, these are just my observations. Not slaggin anything or anyone.

MARCO · Post by **MARCO** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:50 pm

I totally agree with you on the whole "integrating" thing. I really need to get some clips up of my amp and see what you guys think. I too have the Merc OPT with a ****** Audio Laydown PT. How do you post pics on here??