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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2022 12:34:36 GMT -6
So - I've had some vintage Tele EF800s I had left over from spares on my CV4 over the years...just never got around to swapping it out. Ward had mentioned he did the same to his a while back. Opened it up and it had a WF EF800 - which I think is East German. I haven't put the old one back in to confirm, but just from listening and singing (below), this is a game changer for me. Completely tamed the top end and seems to have made the mids that rich 47 sound. It sounds like a vintage 47 to me. You be the judge. I just low cut at about 80Hz, little 3.2kHz taken out on 1073. Chain is H47--Stam 1073--V Comp--Burl. I'd obviously EQ this up a little in a more modern production, but man, it's nice and vintage sounding here. https%3A//soundcloud.com/user-761067382/h47%3Futm_source%3Dclipboard%26utm_medium%3Dtext%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial_sharing
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Post by enlav on Feb 21, 2022 12:43:08 GMT -6
Very interested to see how it sounds going back to the original, and if you're perceiving the returned HF. I'm definitely not a tube-junkie, but could more "on" time get the original WF EF800 get that closer to the vintage tele?
(In any case, sounds fantastic. Makes me more giddy for my order.)
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Post by christophert on Feb 21, 2022 12:58:36 GMT -6
That is really good info to know. I have a matched pair of H47's coming in the next 4 (?) weeks. It seems like the EF800's are fairly easy to get, and not crazy prices. But it does sound a little too vintage / retro sounding for me on the soundcloud demo. (I'd rather use a ribbon mic) I wonder if there is another tube that would voice the H47 somewhere in between the two.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2022 13:03:18 GMT -6
That is really good info to know. I have a matched pair of H47's coming in the next 4 (?) weeks. It seems like the EF800's are fairly easy to get, and not crazy prices. But it does sound a little too vintage / retro sounding for me on the soundcloud demo. (I'd rather use a ribbon mic) I wonder if there is another tube that would voice the H47 somewhere in between the two. You can EQ it out...and maybe the one it comes with
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Post by nomatic on Feb 21, 2022 13:17:00 GMT -6
I really like that! It sounds more like the old ones.. I will have to put one in mine!
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2022 13:59:53 GMT -6
Now I'm going to have to buy two mics, aren't I...
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 21, 2022 14:03:00 GMT -6
That is really good info to know. I have a matched pair of H47's coming in the next 4 (?) weeks. It seems like the EF800's are fairly easy to get, and not crazy prices. But it does sound a little too vintage / retro sounding for me on the soundcloud demo. (I'd rather use a ribbon mic) I wonder if there is another tube that would voice the H47 somewhere in between the two. Check with Bowie: he’d know.
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Post by timcampbell on Feb 21, 2022 14:07:53 GMT -6
I have told people this for years and still not everyone understands. Tubes can effect the sound of a mic as greatly as the capsule. Even tubes of the same brand and rating sound different. If you have multiple versions of the same tube try them all. When I got my vintage Ela M251E I thought it sounded a bit boring for a 25000 dollar microphone. Luckily I keep a stash of 5 star GE 6072's. After trying all of them one really stood out and gave the mic that missing sex appeal. Congratulations John.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2022 14:27:10 GMT -6
I have told people this for years and still not everyone understands. Tubes can effect the sound of a mic as greatly as the capsule. Even tubes of the same brand and rating sound different. If you have multiple versions of the same tube try them all. When I got my vintage Ela M251E I thought it sounded a bit boring for a 25000 dollar microphone. Luckily I keep a stash of 5 star GE 6072's. After trying all of them one really stood out and gave the mic that missing sex appeal. Congratulations John. Yeah - I definitely preferred my 251 with the Mullard. Tubes definitely, definitely change the sound.
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Feb 21, 2022 14:29:05 GMT -6
yup: roll them tubes, also this can be a secret weapon depending on the singer, take notes of the tube differences and considered switching out the tube .
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wave
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Post by wave on Feb 21, 2022 14:35:06 GMT -6
I agree with Tim... As well as the biasing of the tubes. I won't get into that here tho. We made the decision to use that EF800 in the H47tube mics as we (and many others) prefer how they sound in the mic(s) over the TF but hey, you can absolutely get a TF tube and put it in your H47tube if you want! @johnkenn your clip sounds great to me and if you like then we like it! This is for all other owners of the H47tube... You can also put an EF184 in the mic too. I actually prefer that model (it's my fav in the H47tube) but they have a penchant for being microphonic so sourcing a mic worthy valve gets trickier than the EF800. Lastly, you can also put a Soviet 6J51P in the mic too with no circuit changes... Enjoy your H47tube mics peeps! Make some tracks! -Dave
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Post by chessparov on Feb 21, 2022 14:36:08 GMT -6
Sounds fantastic John! The only bad news, is that I may not need Klaus now to work his magic with... My MXL V69. Chris
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Post by christophert on Feb 21, 2022 18:14:08 GMT -6
I agree with Tim... As well as the biasing of the tubes. I won't get into that here tho. We made the decision to use that EF800 in the H47tube mics as we (and many others) prefer how they sound in the mic(s) over the TF but hey, you can absolutely get a TF tube and put it in your H47tube if you want! @johnkenn your clip sounds great to me and if you like then we like it! This is for all other owners of the H47tube... You can also put an EF184 in the mic too. I actually prefer that model (it's my fav in the H47tube) but they have a penchant for being microphonic so sourcing a mic worthy valve gets trickier than the EF800. Lastly, you can also put a Soviet 6J51P in the mic too with no circuit changes... Enjoy your H47tube mics peeps! Make some tracks! -Dave Hi Dave, what description / sonic difference would you make in comparison of the EF184 vs the EF800? I'm thinking of getting a second set of tubes to have on hand for a different sounding application.
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wave
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Post by wave on Feb 21, 2022 18:28:38 GMT -6
Hmm.. the best way i could describe it is maybe the opposite of John's result with the TF tube. IF he got a more 'smoky" kind of vibe the EF184 was more "alive". I have 2 NOS RCA units that were amazing. One was microphonic. The difference is subtle. They're just a crapshoot unless you buy them pre-tested (like from Bowie or Whitmore etc)
Edit: If you get various valves you will be amazed at how they can make the mic different. Get some 6J51P units too. They're inexpensive when sourced from ex-Eastern Bloc countries.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 21, 2022 21:58:12 GMT -6
I agree with Tim... As well as the biasing of the tubes. I won't get into that here tho. We made the decision to use that EF800 in the H47tube mics as we (and many others) prefer how they sound in the mic(s) over the TF but hey, you can absolutely get a TF tube and put it in your H47tube if you want! @johnkenn your clip sounds great to me and if you like then we like it! This is for all other owners of the H47tube... You can also put an EF184 in the mic too. I actually prefer that model (it's my fav in the H47tube) but they have a penchant for being microphonic so sourcing a mic worthy valve gets trickier than the EF800. Lastly, you can also put a Soviet 6J51P in the mic too with no circuit changes... Enjoy your H47tube mics peeps! Make some tracks! -Dave Yeah - I can see how most people might prefer the tube it came with. Definitely seems to have more highs…and this is definitely a vintage vibe. EQ can really make this sound different though. Anyway - this reminds me of Beatles records…and I love that.
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Post by christophert on Feb 21, 2022 22:46:57 GMT -6
Do tubes become microphonic over time / after use? I think I remember an old guitar amp eventually becoming microphonic.
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Post by ragan on Feb 22, 2022 0:30:57 GMT -6
...unless you buy them pre-tested (like from Bowie or Whitmore etc) Wait, Bowie IS (Christian) Whitmore...unless there is some other tube guru named Whitmore??
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Post by Ward on Feb 22, 2022 6:49:54 GMT -6
That H47 sounds remarkably similar to Bluegrass Dan's Telefunken U47 now! Johnkenn, I think it worked out well!!
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Post by subspace on Feb 22, 2022 8:11:05 GMT -6
Got a Telefunken EF800 from Bowie shortly after my Stam 47 was delivered with a noisy Siemens, quiet as a mouse now and supposedly the same tube but for the printing.
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wave
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Post by wave on Feb 22, 2022 8:44:09 GMT -6
...unless you buy them pre-tested (like from Bowie or Whitmore etc) Wait, Bowie IS (Christian) Whitmore...unless there is some other tube guru named Whitmore?? As I have never actually interacted with him this is quite possible? My apologies for the ignorance.
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Post by ragan on Feb 22, 2022 8:55:34 GMT -6
Wait, Bowie IS (Christian) Whitmore...unless there is some other tube guru named Whitmore?? As I have never actually interacted with him this is quite possible? My apologies for the ignorance. Heheh, no need for any apology. Just checking to make sure there's not an amazing coincidence that I'm ignorant of.
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Post by nomatic on Feb 22, 2022 10:35:09 GMT -6
Got a couple NOS Tele's coming from Europe!
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 22, 2022 10:51:55 GMT -6
Got a couple NOS Tele's coming from Europe! I’ve got a second one I need to try
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 22, 2022 12:38:50 GMT -6
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Post by svart on Feb 22, 2022 12:46:04 GMT -6
Do tubes become microphonic over time / after use? I think I remember an old guitar amp eventually becoming microphonic. Some do. It's hard to know which will though. I've had random tubes from the same brand/model go microphonic and yet others didn't.
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