Finding a particular 12ax7

[JeffB]

Quite some time ago (2 + years) I bought a Svetlana 12ax7 . It is labled with a large "S" then says Svetlana Electron Devices underneath- 12ax7, and made in russia (of course).

Long story short, I had stored it away thinking it had started to fail/go south in my old AD15 (the amp was the issue). I recently tried this in my VT15 amp on a whim, and there is a MASSIVE improvement in the tone & feel of this amp with this particular tube. It is clearer, more open, tighter, more sparkly and warmer all at the same time. I've had 5 other 12ax7/ECC83 tubes in this amp, and they produced alot of "mediocre" tone at best. Some were harsh, some muddy, some just bland & compressed. The Svet makes it sound like an entirely different amplifier-more realistic, enough to curb any amp GAS for awhile.

Where are some places (online) I can find some more of these tubes? I frankly have forgotten where I purchased it originally-may have been at a local shop that closed down.

I can take a pic if need be.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

I haven't seen a Svetlana with the big S on them in a while....my guess is they are old production from before the factory changed hands. You may try some of the NOS tube dealers.

I did find links for some current production Svetlana's, and some sites say they are better than the old ones. Even places like zzounds sell them, but here's a link to an actual tube dealer.

http://thetubestore.com/svetlana12ax7.html

Edit....TAD says they have them with the S logo....I can't see it in the pic, but they say it has it.

http://thetubestore.com/svetlana12ax7.html

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

Thanks Bro :fing2: I took a look at that link-and the supersized view- thats the EXACT tube I have. Time to order a couple or three.

Any other VT owners should give this one a try. Really opens the amp up, while making it sweeter/more realistic- and it works as well with ALL the models- some tubes will improve a few models, and make others sound horrible.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

Thats just a plain old run of the mill Svet 12AX7...any Svet dealer selling new Svet tubes will have them.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

IDK whether it's plain 'ol, or not Christian, but it sure does a number on a Valvetronix

I've had a bunch of 12ax7s over the years in these things, some much more expensive than this Svet, and have never heard such a signficant improvement in one of these amps from a tube swap.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

Glad that they still make them Jeff. If you want to try something different, but really good...the link below is to my current favorite NOS 12AX7. A little spendy, but nothing like old Mullards or Bugle Boys. Worked best in V1 of my JCM 800. It's a little darker sounding with really nice smooth crunch. Just a thought.

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-rft-12ax7

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

I gottcha...I'm just sayin you won't have to hunt hard for that tube, they are pretty common, easy to get and don't cost too much.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

Glad that they still make them Jeff. If you want to try something different, but really good...the link below is to my current favorite NOS 12AX7. A little spendy, but nothing like old Mullards or Bugle Boys. Worked best in V1 of my JCM 800. It's a little darker sounding with really nice smooth crunch. Just a thought.

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-rft-12ax7

Yikes! That thing is worth more than my amp is :fing2: Once me and the Mrs get out of this condo and into a house, and I get back to a real tube amp, I'll def hafta give one of those a try in a V1 spot- Thanks for the tip!

I gottcha...I'm just sayin you won't have to hunt hard for that tube, they are pretty common, easy to get and don't cost too much.

I knew whatcha meant , just razzin ya a bit Thanks for the info though-good to know what sound best is easy to find, and economically priced. How's the consistency of them?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Finding a particular 12ax7

I knew whatcha meant , just razzin ya a bit Thanks for the info though-good to know what sound best is easy to find, and economically priced. How's the consistency of them?

Ya know, I'm not sure to be honest...I imagine pretty good as I haven't heard otherwise...inconsistency in tubes is usally common knowledge pretty quickly.