The JJ preamp tubes just work well with the Wizard MC2 !!

[hopkinWFG]

Just wondering how many of the wizard guys here runs all his/her preamps with the JJs ? I just found out the JJs just work out damn well with the Wizard MC2...i felt it basically roll out the pearcing high end when using 12ax7 like the ruby china, and tungsol... it just didnt work out with these two as i experienced them to be less gainy than the JJs which the MC2 need and it has thinner tone on the lead side of the guitar and its highs is rather pearcing...

I took the JJs as what it came with on my MC2 but cant affirm of its usually what Rick would have them in... they are less pearcing, more high gain and has a more smoother silkier thicker highs and my leads just seems to be more polished...

May i know what are the guys using here with their Wizard MC2 preamp and power tubes?

I keep the lead and rhythm bright at slightly above 2 , contour and mids @ 4, presence bass & treble @ 6.... i think thats the best tone i ever hear !!!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats on finally scoring a Wizard Jun! Did you did you find one used or finally have to order one new?

I rolled 10-12 different preamp tubes in varying mixed arrangements and finally settled on 6n4s in all slots. The JJs are great in there also and it really is a toss up between the 6n4 and JJ in there for me. 6n4 maybe adds a touch more gain, which as you said, the MCII benefits from.

If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

 

[fusedbrain]

...i felt it basically roll out the pearcing high end when using 12ax7 like the ruby china, and tungsol... it just didnt work out with these two as i experienced them to be less gainy than the JJs which the MC2 need and it has thinner tone on the lead side of the guitar and its highs is rather pearcing...

Yup! That's what JJ 12ax7's do, and why they work in some amps and not others. Wizard amps can be bright, and the JJ's are perfect here.

The JJ's can be more gainy than the Chinese B's, but def less bright. They are typically more gainy than Tung-sol though. ( I own a MaxiTest Preamp-2 tester, and test all my 12ax7's prior to use )
I do get the odd JJ that tests very high gain (110+ on my tester ) and I don't think I've ever tested a Chinese B over about 105. Could be you have a few of the very high gain JJ's, but I find the JJ's and chinese usually test about the same.

My MCII is all JJ pre's, except for a Sovtek LPS in the PI.
Power tubes are =C=

 

[fusedbrain]

...If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

+1 on all this. I play more classic rock / metal so I prefer the =C= for the "swirl".
Agree on the boost thing too for metal chugging, but I will add that a Klon type pedal hitting the Rhythm channel is a thing of beauty as well for a more "classic" tone.

And congrats on snagging a great amp

 

[MetalHeadMike]

...If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

+1 on all this. I play more classic rock / metal so I prefer the =C= for the "swirl".
Agree on the boost thing too for metal chugging, but I will add that a Klon type pedal hitting the Rhythm channel is a thing of beauty as well for a more "classic" tone.

And congrats on snagging a great amp

Ah yes..."swirl" would be a good adjective and I agree, for classic rock or smoother metal the =C= would be great.

 

[hopkinWFG]

Congrats on finally scoring a Wizard Jun! Did you did you find one used or finally have to order one new?

I rolled 10-12 different preamp tubes in varying mixed arrangements and finally settled on 6n4s in all slots. The JJs are great in there also and it really is a toss up between the 6n4 and JJ in there for me. 6n4 maybe adds a touch more gain, which as you said, the MCII benefits from.

If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

Haha!!.... thanks Metalmike !! Yes i gotta cool deal from somebody here.... i had the Wizard MC2 2 months ago.. really live up to its hype !!

I really think the MC2 is more about the lead channel than rhythm? I find the rhythm to excel more on cleans amd slight breakups rather than plexi? It lacked of the tightness like what it have on the lead channel?

Maybe you can advise me abit more on how the loop knobs work to control some of MC2 wicked volume?
I heard like running an instrument cable jumper between in and out and control the loop knobs like a master volume ? If not wrong i tried and it didnt work as i read somebody did a crank on the rhythm channel up high and its instant ACDC !!

I be getting the new Wizard leopard sooner when i got a better wallet lol and seriously if not for the nice deals i had with the seller i wont be even thinking of it first hand..

I heard the makes at Wizard for year 2020 version has a better rhythm channel as Rick takes on an extra gain boost on the rhythm channel... hard to say no to this... i may wanna save up for the MTL lol

And yes i play metal but not like the guys and gals here that plays and record so well.... haha...

 

[hopkinWFG]

...i felt it basically roll out the pearcing high end when using 12ax7 like the ruby china, and tungsol... it just didnt work out with these two as i experienced them to be less gainy than the JJs which the MC2 need and it has thinner tone on the lead side of the guitar and its highs is rather pearcing...

Yup! That's what JJ 12ax7's do, and why they work in some amps and not others. Wizard amps can be bright, and the JJ's are perfect here.

The JJ's can be more gainy than the Chinese B's, but def less bright. They are typically more gainy than Tung-sol though. ( I own a MaxiTest Preamp-2 tester, and test all my 12ax7's prior to use )
I do get the odd JJ that tests very high gain (110+ on my tester ) and I don't think I've ever tested a Chinese B over about 105. Could be you have a few of the very high gain JJ's, but I find the JJ's and chinese usually test about the same.

My MCII is all JJ pre's, except for a Sovtek LPS in the PI.
Power tubes are =C=

Thanks fusedbrain !! =C= EL34 is hard to comeby now lol... perhaps with some luck !! Oh yeah i would also try cleaner side getting the EL34Bs ...

Just wanna make sure that am on the same page as the guys here who own the MC2

 

[Fordman65]

I jump my MTL in the loop all the time. Talked with Rick just last week and he confirmed this is fine. Max out the Send and fine tune with the Return

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Wizards are about the only amps I like JJs in. I usually throw them out or sell when I find them in an amp. I do like and use other preamp tubes in them too though.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats on finally scoring a Wizard Jun! Did you did you find one used or finally have to order one new?

I rolled 10-12 different preamp tubes in varying mixed arrangements and finally settled on 6n4s in all slots. The JJs are great in there also and it really is a toss up between the 6n4 and JJ in there for me. 6n4 maybe adds a touch more gain, which as you said, the MCII benefits from.

If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

Maybe you can advise me abit more on how the loop knobs work to control some of MC2 wicked volume?

I heard the makes at Wizard for year 2020 version has a better rhythm channel as Rick takes on an extra gain boost on the rhythm channel... hard to say no to this... i may wanna save up for the MTL lol

As far as loop send/return and volume...I typically set send & return at 9-11 o'clock , Lead volume to taste, lead gain around 9-11 o'clock when lead boost is engaged, or lead gain 11-1 o'clock when I play with lead boost disengaged...and I boost it with either a Duncan 805 or Mesa Goldmine OD. I get other worldly thrash/death metal tones even at bedroom volumes this way. Thick, full, TIGHT, abrasive, aggressive, vicious metal Then of course when you crank it it's just ri-phucking-diculous

Rhythm channel...I don't use it often, but when I do it gets awesome classic rock crunch with the right guitar/pups. I usually boost that ch with a Timmy for rock n rolla but honestly that's not often Mine is a 2020 and the rhythm does have the 2nd pull boost so it's capable of considerable gain, but it's more vintage than the lead ch.

 

[hopkinWFG]

Congrats on finally scoring a Wizard Jun! Did you did you find one used or finally have to order one new?

I rolled 10-12 different preamp tubes in varying mixed arrangements and finally settled on 6n4s in all slots. The JJs are great in there also and it really is a toss up between the 6n4 and JJ in there for me. 6n4 maybe adds a touch more gain, which as you said, the MCII benefits from.

If you want to smooth the tone out and get it to sound a touch more creamy and slightly more "liquid/fluid like", try some =C= EL34 in there. That affected the feel and tone much more than any preamp tube swap. I much preferred the JJ E34L as they are more open/clear in that map. The =C= were a touch more "smeared" if you will...a greasier tone and feel. For the metal I play, I much prefer the JJ EL34.

Not sure if you play metal, but if you smack the lead ch with a good OD and throw an eq in the loop it's turns the MCII into a thick massive sounding metal chug machine With this set up I can get the most raw, ultra open/uncompressed, tight as hell thrash tones all the way to more compressed and thicker saturated death metal.

Favorite amp of all time...enjoy

Maybe you can advise me abit more on how the loop knobs work to control some of MC2 wicked volume?

I heard the makes at Wizard for year 2020 version has a better rhythm channel as Rick takes on an extra gain boost on the rhythm channel... hard to say no to this... i may wanna save up for the MTL lol

As far as loop send/return and volume...I typically set send & return at 9-11 o'clock , Lead volume to taste, lead gain around 9-11 o'clock when lead boost is engaged, or lead gain 11-1 o'clock when I play with lead boost disengaged...and I boost it with either a Duncan 805 or Mesa Goldmine OD. I get other worldly thrash/death metal tones even at bedroom volumes this way. Thick, full, TIGHT, abrasive, aggressive, vicious metal Then of course when you crank it it's just ri-phucking-diculous

Rhythm channel...I don't use it often, but when I do it gets awesome classic rock crunch with the right guitar/pups. I usually boost that ch with a Timmy for rock n rolla but honestly that's not often Mine is a 2020 and the rhythm does have the 2nd pull boost so it's capable of considerable gain, but it's more vintage than the lead ch.

Roger that Mike... yes this amp is sick to the core !! Will try jumper the loop in and out and see what happens ! Thx again !

 

[hopkinWFG]

Wizards are about the only amps I like JJs in. I usually throw them out or sell when I find them in an amp. I do like and use other preamp tubes in them too though.

Hi Wizard of Ozz... just asking if you be kind to share us ya other preamp tube reciepe?

I also found i gotta Ruby JJ marked high gain on V1... maybe that contributes to the higher gain resultant...

At Metal Mike... may i curiously ask whats up with the new MC2 2020 besides the additional gain that has on the Rhythm channel?

I found huge white noise on the lead channel with the lead master volume passing up 2 or between 2 to 4.... but i yes whos to play that loud right?

 

[Tiger1016]

Glad so see these reports as they seem to indicate that I stumbled into a little luck.

The power tubes in my new to me MCI died the first night I had it. Blowing the fuse scared the shit out of me. I fortunately had a matching quad of new JJ el34s already on hand that came with a recent trade, and I am glad to hear that I got lucky these have kind of been a crowd favorite and the direction I would prefer myself.

Seems like I might have a microphonic preamp tube as well and could be fortunate again. The IIC+ that I recently got had a relatively new set of JJ 12ax7s in it. From what I had read these are probably not the most preferable option for me for what I want in the C+ but sounds like they should be a great solution for what I would prefer in the MCI. So now I'll just need to figure out the better preamp tube option for the IIC+ and I should be set.

 

[RedB4Black]

Rick puts JJs in the preamp and the power amp. e34Ls ( not el34s)

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Rolled countless preamp tubes through my MCII and several power tube options including real deal =C=s and I like the stock JJ E34Ls the best. Chinese 6n4 square getters sound pretty good...have them in all positions...but yeah JJ premp tubes sound great too.

 

[Tiger1016]

Rolled countless preamp tubes through my MCII and several power tube options including real deal =C=s and I like the stock JJ E34Ls the best. Chinese 6n4 square getters sound pretty good...have them in all positions...but yeah JJ premp tubes sound great too.

Rick puts JJs in the preamp and the power amp. e34Ls ( not el34s)

Thanks for pointing this out! After a little time with the JJ el34s and now reading up on the e34ls, seems like the latter option would be a better fit for what I am going for as well. Had been looking into the KT77s but the extra high end sizzle that they apparently have is the opposite of what these MCs need.

 

[311splawndude]

I don't have a Wizard but I agree on your assessment as far as me and my Splawn.

Also, I just swapped out out my =C= for JJ EL34 II's and the swirl 3D thing is def there (although I am biased a bit high). Or maybe high when I biased. Or maybe biased toward these tubes. Oh hell...you get the idea.

 

[* velcro-fly *]

JJ's across the board in my MC25, this is a 6V6 amp. Usually run an Earthquaker Devices 'Dispatch Master' in the loop and use the loop as an overall master (crank the send, control with return) I've never used or needed a boost or additional drive of any sort with this amp. Fricking magic in a box.