Groove Tubes

ok, so i know the groove tube rating system, the lower the rating, the earlier the amp distorts. but what if my amp has an overdrive channel? should i get low rating, medium, or high? i really need your guys help on this, its been bugging me for a while!

hey FGOTA,
I don't really have any experience with Groove Tubes so we are going to have to rely on some members who use them.
Sorry,
Phip

Well I can help but I need some more answers.

Question 1: Are you replacing your pre-amp or power amp tubes?

Question 2: If pre-amp, do you know what you like sound wise (i.e. 12AX7, AT7, AU7) these change the color of the sound and timing of break-up.

Question 3: Are you a rock, blues, country, folk, metal, electronica, or all of the above, style guitarist?

and the power tubes are EL-84's

Well, I'd recommend something like a "1 or a 2" for your clean channel pre-amp and a "4" for your overdrive channel pre-amp. I'm not sure what kinda amp you have so the manual or schematic may be necessary to know which tubes do what on your exact amp.

For heavier distortion or crunch you could drop the 4 to a 3, but the 12AX7 is a tube that breaks up at louder volumes easy so you may end up losing all character by going 1's on all your pre-amp with the AX7

thanks man, ill try it.

what about the el84's?

Honestly, I've never had much experience with Groove's in the power area. Most of your your sound characteristics comes from the pre-amp, and your actual "driving power" (i.e. Wattage) is generated in power section.

Being matched, I'd probably go with 1's but that's an honest guess as EL84's are typically found to be sparkly with more in your mids. Getting them to distort early would give you that British Blues sound I would think