Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

[OlinMusic]

So I have messed with this in V1 and V1 & 2

so far I am keeping the Jury out but WOW.

I am going to try them against the Ruby's in my Marshall next. These tubes are like souped up Chinese 12AX7s, all the same mojo but more harmonics, more highs, perceived a little less bass, but they are more "open". Very impressed thus far.

Anyone else have experiences with them?

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Ah bin t'inkin' 'bout tryin' 'em.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

They're all I will use!!! I am a convert fo' sho'!!!

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

I've got one in V2 of my 18 watt TMB and love it. I went back and forth with that and a Golden Dragon in V1 and the GD won out in that position. It was a bit more musical to my ears.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Better than the GT 12AX7-C's? I'd be interested in that.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

i thought they sounded absolutely wonderful in the V1 slot on my mesa. very balanced and musical sounding. however i didn't like the way it affected the feel of the guitar strings under my fingers (it's really strange and something i can't pinpoint exactly). i ended up sticking with the GT 12AX7 in V1 for that reason alone.

perhaps i'll give 'em another shot in the amp i'm building

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Well, they aren't better or worse than the C's
Just different - they DO change the feel, they are a little different in frequency curves. Just a great tube that should be on people's list. I have yet to gig with it.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Well, they aren't better or worse than the C's
Just different - they DO change the feel, they are a little different in frequency curves. Just a great tube that should be on people's list. I have yet to gig with it.

word. i love the GT's for their bite. i think they have a really great high frequency character. it almost makes me angry that i don't like the feel of the tung sol's, because they sound so good too.

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

I am a recent convert too. Excellent sounding preamp tube in V1 of my Marshalls. The Tung Sol won out over the EI Gold Elite for the V1 slot, but the EI sounds amazing in V2. (Good combination although some people may like that particular order reversed with the EI in V1 and the Tung Sol in V2.)

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Are we talking about the new, buy-a-classic-name-and-stick-it-on-your-new-tube Tung Sol, or NOS stuff?

If the former, who's making the Tung Sols and where?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Are we talking about the new, buy-a-classic-name-and-stick-it-on-your-new-tube Tung Sol, or NOS stuff?

If the former, who's making the Tung Sols and where?

Former, they're being made in Russia by New Sensor at the St. Petersburg plant formerly known as....Reflektor...maybe?

Can anyone give me a rundown of the Tung Sol vs the JJ, or EH 12AX7?

What's the different feel? More squishy, lively rounder?

Luke

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

What's the different feel? More squishy, lively rounder?

Luke

a little more squishy/saggy. kinds makes it feel like you're playing out of an amp that has a real loose, flubby bass response. however, the bass reasponse does sound tight and articulate.

but that's what i've found only by putting that tube in the V1 position.

 

[foo3001]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Can anyone give me a rundown of the Tung Sol vs the JJ, or EH 12AX7?

What's the different feel? More squishy, lively rounder?

It´s been a long time since I´ve used EH tubes, so I won´t comment on those.

But my GrooveTubes Soul-o 45 changed dramatically for the better when I changed the V1 from JJ Ecc83 to a Tung-Sol 12ax7. The V2 still is (if I remember correctly ) a JJ ecc803s.

The overall sound got richer. The mids especially shine through more musically now than with the rather dull-sounding JJs. Also it´s got more treble than a JJ, but it´s a VOX-like chime, not at all the shrill annoying treble most of us hate. It also compresses the attack nicely, but it´s not mushy at all.

The Tung-Sol IMHO reproduces more faithfully what you put into the amp. It´s by no means a mushy, forgiving tube, it enhances what you put in, for the better or worse, depending on your playing.

It´s also very dynamic, and has lots of headroom, so it won´t crap out even when fed with high gain pedals (MI Audio TubeZone in my case). All sorts of pedals go well with it. Be it a TS9 or the Tube Zone they all sound good.

I think the Tung-sol is a winner in fender-voiced amps. Don´t know how it works in other kinds of amps.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

It´s been a long time since I´ve used EH tubes, so I won´t comment on those.

But my GrooveTubes Soul-o 45 changed dramatically for the better when I changed the V1 from JJ Ecc83 to a Tung-Sol 12ax7. The V2 still is (if I remember correctly ) a JJ ecc803s.

The overall sound got richer. The mids especially shine through more musically now than with the rather dull-sounding JJs. Also it´s got more treble than a JJ, but it´s a VOX-like chime, not at all the shrill annoying treble most of us hate. It also compresses the attack nicely, but it´s not mushy at all.

The Tung-Sol IMHO reproduces more faithfully what you put into the amp. It´s by no means a mushy, forgiving tube, it enhances what you put in, for the better or worse, depending on your playing.

It´s also very dynamic, and has lots of headroom, so it won´t crap out even when fed with high gain pedals (MI Audio TubeZone in my case). All sorts of pedals go well with it. Be it a TS9 or the Tube Zone they all sound good.

I think the Tung-sol is a winner in fender-voiced amps. Don´t know how it works in other kinds of amps.

I had 3 high gain graded 12AX7s in my modded 2204, they were a little too dark sounding when the amp was cranked, I'm needing something with more chime, and I want some more squishiness.

Luke

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Yeah, what I called a touch of compression yet an open top was probably better described as SQUISH.

The EI12AX7 is ALSO my other fave, along with the 12AX7C. I feel the EI sounds very complex and kinda hi-fi at the same time. There is a site where they compare them.

I am not as sure as the above comment that they mix well together, but lord knows both are very complex.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Just ordered a re-ish Tong Sol 12AX7, as well as a JJ ECC83. Why? Because I am nuts! I can't wait to try them in my Mesa.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Well, I am LOVING the Russian Tung Sol 12AX7. It has a developed/tight bottom and un-cluttered fine-tooth high-gain highs! The 12AX7EH in the V1 position of my Mesa sounded too much a like Fender Blackface. The prescence was shrill and "smeared".

The Tung Sol 12AX7 not only provides hot r'n'r "shimmer" to the highs...but is quiet, and economical.

The tone, and natural gain in my Boogie is soooo good, I can actually get a better tone with the "EQ" shut off while the amp is cranked! Also, the clean channel ("less dirty", by Mesa standards) sounds ballsy, and useable.

Thanks "O"!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Another Tung Sol 12AX7 convert

Ah, I am glad my incessant tone search and GAS can benefit someone.

Pre's are a cheap way to "mod" your amp, me thinks.

Do keep the Ei Elite Golds in mind as well. Great tubes, though some of them can go microphonic. The Tung's tend to be more consistent, and a little richer in the highs.