3/16/08

Brimar ECC83

This one was a surprise. It was also in the box, but I'd never believe this was an ECC83 if it wasn't printed on. Too bad the print's got worse since I got the tube (I apologize to all the purists). The plates have single flanges, making them look asymmetrical. The Brimar has the nicest rhythm sound, tight and it doesn't suffer from being hollowish (like the Sovteks). The clean sound is rich and clear. The lead sounds rich, colorful and almost 3D, and yes, it has that nasal sound again. The only thing that the Brimar lacks is enough gain when playing thrash-like staccato power chords. This could be a matter of age. I've ordered two Brimar NOS 12AX7s, and will check if they provide more gain. If that's not the case, then trying this tube in the second hole with another tube with a higher gain (like the Valvo) in the first position could solve this problem (I had already tried this tube in the second position, with a Sovtek 12AX7LPS in the gain hole. This combination sounded as colorful as the Brimar in the first position with a Chinese tube in the second). If that fails too, then using some extra gain (like a, preferably tube-driven, overdrive pedal) might provide enough crunch for playing those power riffs.



เขียนโดย middleworm