Has anyone here ever used 4 Tung Sol 12AX7s in an amp?

[Papa Lazarou]

So everyone raves about a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1, but has anyone used a quad of them? Would there be something wrong with doing this?

I've been looking at getting one for my Fireball, but it's had the stock tubes in there for a whole year now, so I think it's probably time for a retube. Now, a single Tung Sol would cost me about 25 quid, yet I'm looking at a full set of 4 and it would only cost me about 50 quid, and nab some 6L6s at the same time and save on shipping.

Is it a good idea?

 

[Gainfreak]

So everyone raves about a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1, but has anyone used a quad of them? Would there be something wrong with doing this?

I've been looking at getting one for my Fireball, but it's had the stock tubes in there for a whole year now, so I think it's probably time for a retube. Now, a single Tung Sol would cost me about 25 quid, yet I'm looking at a full set of 4 and it would only cost me about 50 quid, and nab some 6L6s at the same time and save on shipping.

Is it a good idea?

Ive had no luck with the recent Tung-sol's and I think that some other people have had the same problem as I did. (I was 2 fo 2 on a faulty tube)
There are other people who have used them with no problem. You might want to shoot Doug at Dougs tubes an e-mail and ask him some questions about them!!

With that said, I think RFT's kill in the Engls. I have a RFT tube in v1 of my powerball and it kills!! I was thinking about selling that amp, and if I do, the RFT tube is comming out of the amp !!

 

[Gainfreak]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is don;t get caught up with using the same tube for every slot. It has been my findings that the V1 tube makes the most differance in tone in most amps, so if I were you I would look in the owners manual and see what tube does what and make a decision as to what tubes to use. In other words why spend $25 for 4 tubes if a cheaper tube can be used in other positions?


~R~

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is don;t get caught up with using the same tube for every slot. It has been my findings that the V1 tube makes the most differance in tone in most amps, so if I were you I would look in the owners manual and see what tube does what and make a decision as to what tubes to use. In other words why spend $25 for 4 tubes if a cheaper tube can be used in other positions?


~R~

I'll be honest with you, looking at some prices on ebay, it works out cheaper to buy a matched set than to pic'n'mix so to speak.

 

[Gainfreak]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is don;t get caught up with using the same tube for every slot. It has been my findings that the V1 tube makes the most differance in tone in most amps, so if I were you I would look in the owners manual and see what tube does what and make a decision as to what tubes to use. In other words why spend $25 for 4 tubes if a cheaper tube can be used in other positions?


~R~

I'll be honest with you, looking at some prices on ebay, it works out cheaper to buy a matched set than to pic'n'mix so to speak.

Where are you located? England?Im sure that you could find a cheaper solutiion then ebay.

http://www.watfordvalves.com/

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Where are you located? England?Im sure that you could find a cheaper solutiion then ebay.

http://www.watfordvalves.com/

Looking at the prices there, and they seem even more expensive than prices on ebay. I've bought tubes from the states before (Eurotubes) and there was no hassle.

 

[blackba]

I had 4 Tung Sol Reissue in my Vox AC50CPH. Frankly that was the worst the amp sounded with that preamp tube combination, I prefered mixing and matching them.

I have had no trouble with the tung sol reissues either, they sound pretty good, thick and meaty. They can be a bit dull sounding when paired together....

 

[Code001]

There's really no need for more than one Tung-Sol in the preamp section.

 

[mrp5150]

With that said, I think RFT's kill in the Engls. I have a RFT tube in v1 of my powerball and it kills!! I was thinking about selling that amp, and if I do, the RFT tube is comming out of the amp !!

+1

Sounded equally badass in the Blackmore and Savage 120.

 

[again with this]

So everyone raves about a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V1, but has anyone used a quad of them? Would there be something wrong with doing this?

I've been looking at getting one for my Fireball, but it's had the stock tubes in there for a whole year now, so I think it's probably time for a retube. Now, a single Tung Sol would cost me about 25 quid, yet I'm looking at a full set of 4 and it would only cost me about 50 quid, and nab some 6L6s at the same time and save on shipping.

Is it a good idea?

I am going with YES this is (can be) a good idea. I packed my 5150 with 5 Tung Sol 12AX7s. At first I wasn't sure about it, but now I love it. It almost sounds boosted or something.

Granted, the difference is most likely the difference between just one in the V1 and one or two more in whichever circuit they touch. I am sure the one that controls the FX loop isn't really doing anything (until I use the loop). Logic would suggest, using a very quiet, clean sounding tube there...

Anyway, you get what I am saying...

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is don;t get caught up with using the same tube for every slot. It has been my findings that the V1 tube makes the most differance in tone in most amps, so if I were you I would look in the owners manual and see what tube does what and make a decision as to what tubes to use. In other words why spend $25 for 4 tubes if a cheaper tube can be used in other positions?


~R~

I'll be honest with you, looking at some prices on ebay, it works out cheaper to buy a matched set than to pic'n'mix so to speak.

I am a big fan of the Tung Sol (and also Ei Gold Elite) pre's, however if they are that cheap, then buy them and have extra's for your V1 slot. I absolutely did not think that they sounded good in all of my preamp tube slots.....

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[saxxamafone]

i didn't like it in V1 in my blackmore
made it sound too clean for my liking

the C9 in V1 kept the amp angry

i use 1 tung sol in v2, that's all i need imo

different tubes for different amps

 

[Random Hero]

Another thing that I forgot to mention is don;t get caught up with using the same tube for every slot. It has been my findings that the V1 tube makes the most differance in tone in most amps, so if I were you I would look in the owners manual and see what tube does what and make a decision as to what tubes to use. In other words why spend $25 for 4 tubes if a cheaper tube can be used in other positions?


~R~

Ralph,
I had the same issue with Tung-Sols. My first one died within minutes. I've had another D.O.A. but I have on in my Mark IV currently. So I'm 1 for 3

 

[mctallica1]

I have heard/read about many people having problems with the Tung Sol reissues. Never had one problem with them myself though.

Maybe I have been lucky.

FWIW, I rarely like more than 1 Tung Sol in an amp....tend to be more the mix and match kinda guy. You never know what combination will sound best in what amp

 

[Gearboy]

First I (luckily) haven't had any problems with the new TungSols. I have tried them in all the slots in two different amps, and hated it both times. I have been pleased with the TS in the V1, and I think I may have one in a V2, but thats it......