Differences in tubes, using tubes to shape your tone.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Milerky2
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Milerky2

Milerky2

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I am running a Mesa/Boogie Studio Caliber 22 that I bought back in 2001, I let it go 4 years ago and just got it back, it sounds great but, I started noticing some oscillation on single note runs, both in LEAD and with pedals. Realized that the preamp tubes in this amp are the same ones since before 2001!!! I replaced the Power Tubes in '01 when I broke one while I was replacing the PCB standoffs.

Long story to ask, what kind of luck have you guys had with JJ's? or am I better off going through MESA and getting their SPAX7-A's? is it worth the extra cash? I can get JJ's for 15 each. The SPAX7-A's are $21.50 each.

What do you guys think?

Is a mix and match approach viable? Or too expensive for the difference swapping them around would make ultimately?
 
Mesa tubes are relabeled JJ's. JJ's will be fine for that amp and you won't be able to tell any difference.
 
I dunno, JJ's in my Dual Rectifier were way too dark and kinda flat. 9th Gen Chinese, especially in V1, sounded much better.
 
JJ 12ax7 high rate of failure. Ruby tubes, electro harmonix Sovtek all good. even the cheap chinese ones are pretty good tubes. I use them a lot.
 
For power tubes I prefer Mesa and JJ,but for preamp I like ruby,doesn't sound as brittle,or sharp in the highs, my .2 cents.
 
jerrydyer":22sqo6g4 said:
JJ 12ax7 high rate of failure. Ruby tubes, electro harmonix Sovtek all good. even the cheap chinese ones are pretty good tubes. I use them a lot.
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It cracks me up how much of a Ford/Chevy/Dodge discussion this becomes! The local boutique guitar store has had NOTHING but trouble out of Rubys. The Egnaters he has had that had Rubys had a high rate of failure. In Vox Amps, if the rectifier tube was a Ruby, it usually failed pretty quickly!

What I am looking for, to clarify, is a smooth breakup in the preamp that happens maybe a smidge quicker, especially in the clean channel, but a tighter power section. The Sovtek EL-84's tend to get spongy in this amp.

How many of you guys use an ECC83 in their preamps? What does it do to the tone compared to a 12AX7? In general that is, I know that there are different "classes" of 12AX7.

Anyone else have any experience with this type of amp? :confused:
 
i'd buy a couple different types of tubes and use what you like. dont really pay much attention to what i say you'll like, or what he says you'll like, if you get my drift.

trying to talk about, or...opinionate about preamp tubes beyond generalities is, imho (even though i love talking about preamp tube sounds) is somewhat tail chasing when you start splitting hairs down to the point that we guitarists commonly end up doing. just go get some different tubes and decide what you like. try and eh, a tung sol, a jj, a mesa, a sovtek, etc. then go from there and try some nos if you dont like what you get from current production.

yes, mesa will tell you that you void the warranty on the amp if you dont use mesa branded tubes.
fact is, you can run any brand 12ax7 preamp tube in the amp and it'll be fine. if you couldn't, they wouldn't so commonly switch out their "branded" tubes supplier (according to contractual agreements every ??? years or whatever) and would've stuck with the original tubes they first started hawking as "uber robo mesa supercalifragalistic tested".
if you like mesa tubes, fine. if you dont, try something else.

i also think ANY local dealer tries to push whatever they decide to sell, so, at that point, unless its someone you REALLY REALLY trust, and have a relationship with outside of buying their wares, take it with a grain of salt what they say about one brand or another. i had a dude here locally trying to tell me how every guitar other than a schecter was crap and the schecters were the best "les paul type/ibanez type/p bass/ rock guitar" etc axes made. clearly........i digress.

i will say though, if you can, get your hands on an rft or two. they're perfect v1 position pre tubes. so are those sylvania (commonly baldwin) 9 hole 12ax7s if they test well. find a reputable tube seller on ebay and get a few tubes for a few bux and give them a roll. you'll thank yourself for the ear education, and, along the way, you might find something you like.
 
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There's more to Toan than JJ electronic's. :doh:
 
oh GOD here we go. tube porn!

i have one saved, but it's kinda not as updated as i'd like....nos, and current production.

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i'll get something newer up tomorrow night...oh yeah, got the house to myself!!!

i love lookin at them, touching them, scoring VOS and NOS tube lots on craigslist.even if there aren't 12xxx tubes i can use or look at and drool over (yeah, im drunk too btw!!).....i STILL fucking like them...and, it's even better when theres a few gems in the bunch.

holy fuck, i could just type a book!!!
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im goin to bed. i'll get some tube pron up tomorrow night!
 
yeah, so my amp blew today...so im pretty much not in the mood to post my tube pron. go figure. at some point, i'll get them all laid out in sexy positions! just not right now.
 
So I replaced the Sovtek EL84's that have been in that amp since 2002 at the latest... The difference in volume was astounding. I used Electro-Harmonix which are probably Sovteks anyway, but they sound GREAT!

But now I have noticed as I try to add boost, I am getting squealing in the preamp circuit. I was hoping I wouldn't be looking at new preamp tubes... but alas, no dice.

I love the search for tone... especially when you realize you have been missing a key like using boost. ;)
 
charveldan":2e60ig2q said:
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There's more to Toan than JJ electronic's. :doh:
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I love Mullards man! Love em , Love em , Love em!!! I have a few but your collection of like 20 or whatever is the shit! Those will last you a really really long time. I gotta get some more.
 
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