Best 12AX7 for Fender cleans?

[hermetico]

Re: Best 12AX7 for Fender cleans?

All of this, but the subjective difference is that the 5751 is brighter and a bit thinner since it compresses so much less than the ax7.

I've never tried using a 12AX7 for getting dead cleans, especially when recording. Just easier to use a 5751 and be done with it.

Fully agree

 

[hermetico]

Re: Best 12AX7 for Fender cleans?

5751 or 12AY7 will most likely give you what you are looking for. The comment about volume loss isn't correct from my experince. I noticed no such loss with either.

12AY7 have a very different distortion or break up grain. It can be what you like or not but, they sound different. Closer to a 12AX7 is a 5751 but, with 60% of gain, more headroom, more definition (higher transconductance ratios), more openess. 12AY7 don't break up in the same way, IMHO. They are more creamy than crunchy when breaking up and with a fatter grain.
But, as anything in music, is all about what really likes to the player. It's always a personal and untransferable decission.

 

[MisterE]

Re: Best 12AX7 for Fender cleans?

5751 or 12AY7 will most likely give you what you are looking for. The comment about volume loss isn't correct from my experince. I noticed no such loss with either.

Thanks, the 5751's are pricey. I think I'll try the 12AY7 instead.