Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

[Mr. B]

I have a little Peavey classic 20 which really sounds good with JJ tubes. I recently bought a Classic 30, and tried the same tubes with very disappointing results. The clean is WAY too poppy/tight and the overdrive is still pretty buzzy. How do the new Tung-Sol compare tone wise? Thanks.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Are you talking about power tubes or preamp tubes?? Also which JJ's??

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Both. The 12ax7's and the El84's. In other words, an entire re-tube with Tung-Sols compared to the same with JJ's.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Well, making that many changes at one time would change everything...just keep that in mind.

Now, I have not tried the TS EL84's since I do not have an EL84 amp however on the preamp tube thing I will say this...to my ears the TS tubes are brighter and more articulate with a ta dless gain than the JJ's...

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Well, making that many changes at one time would change everything...just keep that in mind.

Well...Duh......

Now, I have not tried the TS EL84's since I do not have an EL84 amp however on the preamp tube thing I will say this...to my ears the TS tubes are brighter and more articulate with a ta dless gain than the JJ's...[/QUOTE]

What did you try them in? Were they in combination with Tung-sol 6L6 0r El34s?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

I don't understand the question...I've tried the TS 12AX7's in a lot of different amp...all wiht different power tubes...not that I think that part matters much.

Let's go back to your original post...if I am reading it right you have a Classic 20 with all JJ tubes and you like it so when you got a Classic 30 you loaded it up wiht JJ tubes and hated it...that right???

 

[Curly]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

The clean is WAY too poppy/tight and the overdrive is still pretty buzzy.

I haven't owned a Classic amp, so I won't be much help, but this description sounds like it will need more than a tube swap ... that is, the tight clean suggests a somewhat cool bias on the power tubes.

The "buzzy" overdrive suggests something in the preamp section. When swapping tubes in a preamp, it's best to do it on a tube by tube basis, depending on position, rather than just replacing all of them with one brand and saying, "it doesn't sound good."

 

[millsart]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Tubes of the same type sound far more similar than they do different regardless of brand so I really don't think switching from JJ's to TS's or vice versa would radically change things. At least not to make it worth the effort in my mind. As long as your talking a quality tube for a quality tube I don't see the point. Switchign out some crap chinese made tube for a JJ on the other hand is worth doing, but again, you've already got quality tubes in there.

Maybe switching to a lower gain pre instead of a 12ax7 might instead be a better move if its too buzzy. Easier to do as well

 

[Curly]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Tubes of the same type sound far more similar than they do different regardless of brand so I really don't think switching from JJ's to TS's or vice versa would radically change things.

one of the most important characterisics of a preamp tube is the gain factor, and gain varies A LOT between different brands, and especially between current production tubes and NOS tubes ... for instance, many NOS 12AX7s are closer to the published spec for that tube, which has a gain factor of 100. Some current production 12AX7s are as low as 70.

I agree with those who say that tubes will affect both the tone and FEEL of your amp.

I'd recommend taking a look at Guitar Amp Blueprinting for lots of info.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

To me tha JJ ECC 83's are the WORST sounding of all the current ECC-83 or 12AX7 variants I have tried. Those are just dead, dull, lifeless and just toneless. They are even worse to my ear than the Sovetecs.
The Tungsols are much much better sounding tubes with a little more gain and a lot more life to the tones. I had a Tungsol 12AX7 in V-1 on my old Marshall TSL 60 head and then the chinese late 80's production Shunghangs in the rest. I have a new Mullard reissue in V-1 and Shunghangs in my Fender Super-Sonic and real NOS Mullard short plates in my Fender Prosonic.
I do however like the JJ ECC 84 power tubes a LOT.
Give Doug Preston over at http://www.dougstubes.com/ a call he should be able to help you sort things out.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

My own take, using my Mesa 50 Cal +...comparing both preamp tubes:

JJ ECC83: A crowded midrange tone, with present but un-piercing highs with a share of fuzzy dirt.

I hear Marshall guys like these, to tame the beast that Marshall is known for. Again, I have never heard these through a Marshall.

Tung Sol (Russian) 12AX7A: Hi-Fi from top to bottom. More clear, more glassy. The top is clear, the mids are there, and the low end EQ is both present in quantity, and clear! They seemed more tolerant to loads of gain, and reject feedback nicely. Love 'em!

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

I'm not a big fan of JJ pre tubes...very dark to me.

Their EL84s & 6V6s kick a$$ though....good bang for buck & the 6V6s can handle some heat .

I LOVE the Tung Sol pres & just retubed my London Studio with all Tung Sol 12AX7s & 6V6s...they're new & need some play time on them but they kick !!!

I also grabbed a High Gain version & plan on trying it in the V1 slot after a while

 

[DesertRat]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

I like tung sol for 12ax7 and JJ for El84's

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Can't wait to test the Tung-Sol preamp tubes in my Engl out.

=C= for the power section (are déjà in ) and TS for the pre tubes, should make everything sound clear and less boomy/bassy.

Perhaps I will also check SED preamp tubes out. The store I buy tubes, has a 2001 production which are no longer made.

 

[cream123]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

it sounds like i might need to try a set of Tung Sol's in my next amp.

 

[cream123]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

shaguang 9th gen, from dougstubes in V1 REALLY opened up my Mesa's dirt channels....holy crap. it took the fizz and compression off and made it sound darn good


i had a shaguan 9th gen in the v1 and a set of JJ 6l6s in the power....holy smokes. that made it sound amazingly better.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Those Shuguangs SMOKE....and the Sovtek LPSs are nice too; a little less gritty.

I've had the Tung Sol pres in a few amps & I really like them. I think I got 5 from KCA for $60.00 ? So, they're in the same price range as the JJ.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

You guys sure know how to dance all around a pretty simple question without answering it.

I have simply never had a set of Tung-Sol tubes and I keep hearing good things about them, so I wondered if someone could describe the tone compared to a brand I know well (JJ)

I have already tried swapping tube brands (Sovtek, EI, Electro Harmonix) and changing tube types in certain positions (12at7, 12ay7, 12au7). The amp is fixed bias, so there's not much I'm gonna do there. I'm too cheap to buy NOS tubes. I don't need a lesson in tube amps. Just opinions on a brand of tubes.

BTW thanks Sludgenutz, you are the only one yet....:fing2:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Ok, simple answer...keep in mind this is only MY opinion...Im not saying it is the truth but it is the way I feel about it...

To my ears the JJ preamp tubes are too gainy and fizzy on top and too muffled in the mids...they are th onbly preamp tube I know of that lacks top end articulation and still manages to be a fizzy mess!

On the other hand the TS tubes are killer sounding to me...tight bass, sparkling (not harsh) highs and a beautiful balenced tone all around...I like them best of any new 12AX7 being made today...my only complaint is that out of about a dozen or so I have had 2 of them that to me made a bit more noise that I wanted out of a preamp tube but even at that it wasn't extreme or anything...

I won't get into the EL84's because I don't use them

If you like the Classic 20 with JJ's and don't like the Classic with JJ's...the issue might not be the JJ's...could very well be the amp! Also, don't over look the speaker...

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Compare JJ's to Tung-Sol ?

Well, regretably, there's only one way to find out if they're gonna be for you.

Buy some & try 'em.

Buy 1 JJ & 1 Tung Sol and try them in the V1 slot....take some notes as to what you like about the tube that you just played & swap it out for the other.

Only you know what you like :beerchug: