For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

[sosomething]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

In some amps they sound really good.

In others they sound kinda soft and dull.

My first-version Splawn Pro Mod only sounds right with JJs in all 3 preamp positions. My Quick Rod is another story.

I didn't care for JJs in my old Rockerverb 100 either. That amp really sounded best with the regular old EH 12ax7 tubes in it.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

JJ's blow but they will tame a Bugera 6260!

I use the same method I do with obese women. Abstinence.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

The ECC83 work OK as a substitute for RFT in my Boogie MarkIII in V3 & V4 (lead channel/reverb), but I don't like them anywhere else, not even the Mig60. The dark attribute helps balance the lead channel with the R1/R2 in the Boogie when using RCA, Tungsram or Tung-Sol's in V1, V2. Still, the RFT kills them, and really, so do the old mesa labeled chinese 12AX7's that I have in there now. I won't be getting them again.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

I have tried JJ pre tubes also and did not like them in the Mesa Recto family or Peavey XXX. They were kind of dull sounding, lost high end, definition, and sparkle.

I could see those tubes work out better in Marshall 800s, 900s, and maybe even 2000s. I could imagine it may fatten them up a bit.

 

[Chas]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

I put them in a Princeton RI 6v6 and I did not notice a movement to the dark side. Put them in a darker Vox amp too and did not notice a change.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

Well, this is a thread I needed to read. I'm about to have my local shop re-tube and tune up my VC-60210 Crate and they are a Peavey dealer and Peavey of course uses JJ's stock. I may just have to buy some Tung-Sols online and just have them install them. I certainly don't want a fizzy preamp sound.

 

[Ascension]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

You need to try them in your Marshall JCM 900 MkIII. I put a set of ECC83S' in my 100 watt head, in all 3 positions, and the tone is excellent, IMO. I prefer them to the EH's I had in there and Sovteks.

JJ's sound great in Marshalls, in anything else, not so much.

Did try them and they were just OK. Did like them in the Marsall better that the EH's and Sovetec WXT='s but not as well as the 1980 NOS Shunghangs, RI TungSol or RI Mullards I had on hand and in particular the NOS Silvaias i had. I have a full set of NOS Silvanias in it now with real 5881's.
What Marshall REALLY love are NOS Mullards. Believe it or not THOSE can be really dark but unlike the JJ's still have some high end definition.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

Well, this is a thread I needed to read. I'm about to have my local shop re-tube and tune up my VC-60210 Crate and they are a Peavey dealer and Peavey of course uses JJ's stock. I may just have to buy some Tung-Sols online and just have them install them. I certainly don't want a fizzy preamp sound.

I would recommend that after you change your creepy avatar, you take a look at Doug's Tubes. He's sold me better tubes than either the Tube Store or Tube Depot, and he's been very responsive in answering my questions.

 

[ErikH]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

Did try them and they were just OK. Did like them in the Marsall better that the EH's and Sovetec WXT='s but not as well as the 1980 NOS Shunghangs, RI TungSol or RI Mullards I had on hand and in particular the NOS Silvaias i had. I have a full set of NOS Silvanias in it now with real 5881's.
What Marshall REALLY love are NOS Mullards. Believe it or not THOSE can be really dark but unlike the JJ's still have some high end definition.

Did you have your MkIII modified for 5881's? Those amps never came stock with them, only EL34's, and I'm not even sure they are wired to accept 5881's without some modification. I've never heard one with 5881's myself.

I like JJ's best in Marshalls. Never had a desire to try any RI or NOS tube really. What I've got gets the job done.

 

[ken361]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

RFT , japanese mullards, Mullards, Telefunkens, RCA, slyvania's groove tube/penta labs mullard reissue's tungsols v1, EH are tops to name a few

 

[Mincer]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

Yeah, my Mesa is in the Recto family, and that was it- they sounded dull and lifeless, like tubes that needed to be changed.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

The 12AX7-types JJ Electronics produces, the ECC83S and ECC803S do have indeed a typical sound. It's a matter of taste, and surely the amp they are going to be used in plays a huge role too, but in my opinion, JJ's are not bad tubes at all.
It's a sure thing those two tubes have a rather dark, mid emphasized tone with less treble response compared to most others, call it a character of their own.
As said it's sure up to personal preference, but for an amp that sounds too bright, or for a player that is after that typical dark JJ sound they can be just the solution (often mixed with other types in the pre amp).
I do agree they are less good in the high gain amp designs, especialy the ECC83S does not feel at home in those amps, there are much better choices for those, but for the right application, or for a player after the darker JJ-sound (in Europe often refered to as the JJ "brown" sound and often loved by Blues guitarists) they can be the ticket to their sound or too warm up an amp, and they are pretty decently made and pretty reliable too in my opinion.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: For the record... (JJ Preamp Content)

The 12AX7-types JJ Electronics produces, the ECC83S and ECC803S do have indeed a typical sound. It's a matter of taste, and surely the amp they are going to be used in plays a huge role too, but in my opinion, JJ's are not bad tubes at all.

I didn't mean to say they're bad tubes. I just think they're tubes that sound bad but will last forever. Like if rocks could smell bad.