Shuguang 12ax7 in Europe

  • Thread starter Thread starter eloygperez
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eloygperez
eloygperez
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I'm planning to get new preamp tubes for my Peavey 5150 Signature and I´ve read about the Shuguangs 9th gen Chinese 12ax7 (silver dragons?) being the most recommended ones. I´m not an expert on the subject so could you recommend a store in Europe where they have available stock? @Smashedguitaris⸸

I´ve seen some of them on ebay like these ones (Shuguang 12ax7b) but I´m not sure if they´re the correct ones to be honest...
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I found some Shuguang 12ax7´s used as stock tubes in PrimaLuna amps 10-15 years ago (with PrimaLuna label). Any info on these?

Some help would be greatly appreciate, I´m a little lost in the Shuguang 12ax7 world. haha
 
Thanks @mhenson42 @Smashedguitaris⸸. There are a lot of talking about different Shuguang so I´m a little confused to be honest...

For example, same seller has three different ones:
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Which ones are more convenient for the Peavey 5150? A´s or B´s. And...red label / gray label are the same in those 12ax7B´s?

I´ve seen "silver dragons" with white label and these ones has gray one...Any difference?
 
Some have sifferent getters, but dont use the 12ax7a. 12ax7 b are quiet bitches. Why we like them
 
@Smashedguitaris⸸ So...about those 12ax7B´s, is it really the same getting the red label or gray label ones? No difference?
Sorry, I´m far from being a tube expert.haha
 
I have had different color writing. They are all low microphonic that i have gotten. Should be in the clear
 
@Smashedguitaris⸸ @mhenson42 These are the Shuguang 12ax7 PrimaLuna used in his amplifiers 10-15 years ago. Someone knows something about these?
SHUGUANG 12AX7 (3).jpg
 
Another question about the above 12ax7B´s pics I posted in #1 and #4. "Silver Dragons" are supposed to have silver plates? Because the plates on the photos are gray.

I would appreciate your help
 
I think TAD in Germany sells the current Shuguang tubes under 12ax7-C. Maybe worth checking.
 
BesaMoogie said:
I think TAD in Germany sells the current Shuguang tubes under 12ax7-C. Maybe worth checking.
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There aren't any current shuguangs, the factory closed a couple of years ago. It's supposed to reopen this year, but haven't seen any official word yet.
 
@Kelly Trying to find some Silver Dragon used ones. Is there a noticeable difference between Shuguang 12ax7b silver and gray plates?
 
eloygperez said:
@Kelly Trying to find some Silver Dragon used ones. Is there a noticeable difference between Shuguang 12ax7b silver and gray plates?
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All of them are basically the same. They tested them at the factory and threw the better ones in the B pile, but you never really know what you're gonna get. They should all sound the nearly the same. They go microphonic but they rarely straight up die. You may want to look into the psvanes. The guys that run that company used to work at shuguang.
 
BesaMoogie said:
I think TAD in Germany sells the current Shuguang tubes under 12ax7-C. Maybe worth checking.
Click to expand...
They're probably PSvane. That's the only production tube currently coming from China. And they're real hit/miss.

Now, their red base 6L6's are pretty damn good. Engl uses those.
 
Kelly said:
All of them are basically the same. They tested them at the factory and threw the better ones in the B pile, but you never really know what you're gonna get. They should all sound the nearly the same. They go microphonic but they rarely straight up die. You may want to look into the psvanes. The guys that run that company used to work at shuguang.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot Kelly! I think I´ll try to get some Shuguangs 12AX7B for V3-V5 in my 5150. Not being a tube expert is a nightmare to find Shuguang 12ax7 tubes to be honest. I´ve read everything about them..."A´s are better for 5150", "B´s are better for 5150", "silver plates are much better than gray ones", "white label is better", "silver dragons better than common Shuguangs 12AX7B´s", ect ect haha

napalmdeath said:
They're probably PSvane. That's the only production tube currently coming from China. And they're real hit/miss.
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Yes, I've also read about that so maybe I'll try used Shuguangs.
 
Some help / opinions about preamp tubes for 5150?

I´m planning this preamp layout:
V1 (input gain stage/lead/rhythm) - Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG+ (what do you think about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Reissue here? I´ve read great reviews about it)
V2 (lead gain) - Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG+
V5 (lead gain) - Shuguang 12AX7B
V3 (effects loop) - Shuguang 12AX7B
V4 (phase inverter) - Sovtek LPS

This was done with James (5150 designer) help.
 
eloygperez said:
Some help / opinions about preamp tubes for 5150?

I´m planning this preamp layout:
V1 (input gain stage/lead/rhythm) - Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG+ (what do you think about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Reissue here? I´ve read great reviews about it)
V2 (lead gain) - Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG+
V5 (lead gain) - Shuguang 12AX7B
V3 (effects loop) - Shuguang 12AX7B
V4 (phase inverter) - Sovtek LPS

This was done with James (5150 designer) help.
Click to expand...
Whatever you put in v1 is going to have the most impact on your amp's microphonics. If you were to pretend that preamp tubes have no characteristics and the only thing that separated them was microphonics (this would be wise because the subtle changes can be eqd out) then you take away the supposed magic. So putting a silver dragon after any other tube isnt doing shit.

The only reason high gain guys use silver dragons isnt because it is a magical tube. It is because it is silent. If you think about it in these terms, you will save a lot of money.

Maybe in vintage amps, preamp tubes actually are important to the sound like they say, but in every amp i have rolled tubes in, the only difference thst couldnt be adjusted with a few dials was how much hiss i got.

Even if you are using a gate, the less you have to turn up that gate to fight the noise, the better for your overall tone. The evh is a noisy fucking amp to begin with..
 
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