JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
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CaughtLikeFire
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
if you get them from a good tube vendor that screens them, they should be at full 12AX7 spec (100 gain, 1.2 mA or slightly above) - they're a strong tube. tone wise they do not sound as muffled as the JJ ECC83s - more openness, more clarity.
if you get them from a good tube vendor that screens them, they should be at full 12AX7 spec (100 gain, 1.2 mA or slightly above) - they're a strong tube. tone wise they do not sound as muffled as the JJ ECC83s - more openness, more clarity.
Rowan
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
The JJ's are darker/warmer/creamier where as the Tungsols are brighter, more articulate and a bit more compressed. I like the Tungsols over the JJ's but I prefer the Sovtek LPS over both. The LPS sound a little more organic than the TS, a little more open and warm to my ears but still very articulate.
The JJ's are darker/warmer/creamier where as the Tungsols are brighter, more articulate and a bit more compressed. I like the Tungsols over the JJ's but I prefer the Sovtek LPS over both. The LPS sound a little more organic than the TS, a little more open and warm to my ears but still very articulate.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
i pulled the JJ ecc 83s' out of my peavey windsor from v-1 and v-2, didn't care much for them, too harsh, not much clarity, muddy, blah blah blah just weren't that great. tung-sol's seem like they might get'cha where you're goin' though.
i pulled the JJ ecc 83s' out of my peavey windsor from v-1 and v-2, didn't care much for them, too harsh, not much clarity, muddy, blah blah blah just weren't that great. tung-sol's seem like they might get'cha where you're goin' though.
S
supernosher
Guest
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
what about the new Penta's or Ruby AC5's - compared to the Tung-Sol?
what about the new Penta's or Ruby AC5's - compared to the Tung-Sol?
StrangeSound
GlossesForNothin'
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
I bought a Tung Sol preamp tube 2 or 3 months ago, it crapped out 2 weeks later. The JJ 803 is still running though.
I bought a Tung Sol preamp tube 2 or 3 months ago, it crapped out 2 weeks later. The JJ 803 is still running though.
C8rockin
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
Pretty good discription. I've tried many preamp tubes and I found the Tungsol works great in V1 with Sovtek LPS in V2 &3 but especially LPS in V3(pi). But I found the Tungsol to be a little bright for me. I switched to a Mullard reissue for V1, and to me, it's just as powerful and articulate as the Tungsol but a bit smoother and warmer.
Pretty good discription. I've tried many preamp tubes and I found the Tungsol works great in V1 with Sovtek LPS in V2 &3 but especially LPS in V3(pi). But I found the Tungsol to be a little bright for me. I switched to a Mullard reissue for V1, and to me, it's just as powerful and articulate as the Tungsol but a bit smoother and warmer.
LesPaulPlayer
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
I made my comparisons with an 18 watt Marshall clone 1x12 w/Greenback RI and an LP with Seths and 500K CTS pots.
To my ears (and with my particular tube samples), the JJ 12AX7's were more compressed than the Tung Sols. The seemed to lop off the initial attack and had a slower, longer decay...literally as if a compressor effect was put into the signal chain. The JJ's had a low-mid emphasis which gives them that "warmer" sound, but they still had plenty of high-treble bite. The midrange was slightly fatter. I have an older GT-labeled version that is not as compressed with a slightly darker character that I like better. The test samples above were too compressed and "sterile" to me.
The Tung Sol reissue 12AX7's were more open with better touch sensitivity and dynamics. They had less apparent sustain due to a lack of relative compression. They are very detailed with nice upper-end harmonics and complexity. They are not sterile sounding. They are brighter than the JJ's and have a slighly scooped midrange to my ears along with a stronger low bass response; low notes were a bit too bassy. Although they sound very nice, they thinned out the tone of this particular amp. They sound more "Fender" than "Marshall."
I made my comparisons with an 18 watt Marshall clone 1x12 w/Greenback RI and an LP with Seths and 500K CTS pots.
To my ears (and with my particular tube samples), the JJ 12AX7's were more compressed than the Tung Sols. The seemed to lop off the initial attack and had a slower, longer decay...literally as if a compressor effect was put into the signal chain. The JJ's had a low-mid emphasis which gives them that "warmer" sound, but they still had plenty of high-treble bite. The midrange was slightly fatter. I have an older GT-labeled version that is not as compressed with a slightly darker character that I like better. The test samples above were too compressed and "sterile" to me.
The Tung Sol reissue 12AX7's were more open with better touch sensitivity and dynamics. They had less apparent sustain due to a lack of relative compression. They are very detailed with nice upper-end harmonics and complexity. They are not sterile sounding. They are brighter than the JJ's and have a slighly scooped midrange to my ears along with a stronger low bass response; low notes were a bit too bassy. Although they sound very nice, they thinned out the tone of this particular amp. They sound more "Fender" than "Marshall."
DesertRat
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
They're both good tubes. the Tung-Sols are a bit more raw and aggressive sounding to my ears. I have a JJ in the clean channel and a Tung-sol in the overdrive channel of the same amp (my Laney VC30). It all depends on the application.
They're both good tubes. the Tung-Sols are a bit more raw and aggressive sounding to my ears. I have a JJ in the clean channel and a Tung-sol in the overdrive channel of the same amp (my Laney VC30). It all depends on the application.
Karmadog777
Active member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
I recently retubed my PV Ultra with JJ ECC83S rated for Hgh Gain , previously I had 2 Tung Sol and 2 JJ HG ,when I removed the TungSol from V1&V4(pi) and replaced with the JJ HG tubes,it really opened up...maybe the difference is I use the ones rated for high gain,I dont know,but I had more dynamics and the Upper Mid Peavey Grit was greatly reduced.(to my suprise)
I prefer the JJ's in this amp, but the TungSol sound way better in my Blackstar DistX Pedal than JJ or sovtek
I recently retubed my PV Ultra with JJ ECC83S rated for Hgh Gain , previously I had 2 Tung Sol and 2 JJ HG ,when I removed the TungSol from V1&V4(pi) and replaced with the JJ HG tubes,it really opened up...maybe the difference is I use the ones rated for high gain,I dont know,but I had more dynamics and the Upper Mid Peavey Grit was greatly reduced.(to my suprise)
I prefer the JJ's in this amp, but the TungSol sound way better in my Blackstar DistX Pedal than JJ or sovtek
LesPaulPlayer
New member
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
There are reports that they won't hold up in the cathode follower position (V2 in a Tweed or vintage Marshall), but there fine in most other positions. Use it V1 to set the tone if it's what you like and a more robust tube for the CF.
There are reports that they won't hold up in the cathode follower position (V2 in a Tweed or vintage Marshall), but there fine in most other positions. Use it V1 to set the tone if it's what you like and a more robust tube for the CF.
PINKBITS
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
It really depends on the amp and cab you are using. I hated JJ's in my laneys in the v1 and v2 positions. Muddy and mushy. The Tungsols sounded fantastic, brighter and much more clarity and punch. Unfortunatley in my GH50l they added hum. They work great in my Lionheart in v1 though.
I generally use a mixture of Tunsol for the punch and clarity and use Penta Labs and maybe a single JJ to add a little chewiness to the tone, if that makes any sence.
As I said one tube may sound great with one setup but will sound terrible with another.
It really depends on the amp and cab you are using. I hated JJ's in my laneys in the v1 and v2 positions. Muddy and mushy. The Tungsols sounded fantastic, brighter and much more clarity and punch. Unfortunatley in my GH50l they added hum. They work great in my Lionheart in v1 though.
I generally use a mixture of Tunsol for the punch and clarity and use Penta Labs and maybe a single JJ to add a little chewiness to the tone, if that makes any sence.
As I said one tube may sound great with one setup but will sound terrible with another.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
The new TS's are killer...brighter and more articulate than the JJ's but not brittle at all...I much prefer them to the JJ FWIW...
The new TS's are killer...brighter and more articulate than the JJ's but not brittle at all...I much prefer them to the JJ FWIW...
B Bent
Vibroluxologist
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
I have had very mixed luck with microphonics and them just quitting way too soon or being DOA. The ones that have actually worked seem OK to me. I honestly need a few X7s right now and will not be ordering the Tung Sols. I am just scared of the shottyness I have experienced thus far.
I have had very mixed luck with microphonics and them just quitting way too soon or being DOA. The ones that have actually worked seem OK to me. I honestly need a few X7s right now and will not be ordering the Tung Sols. I am just scared of the shottyness I have experienced thus far.
wixedmords
New member
Re: JJ ECC83s or Tung-Sol 12AX7 current production?
I don't have any problem with either but choose for sound in the various amps I use tubes in. I'd never load any amp up completely with either tube.
I don't have any problem with either but choose for sound in the various amps I use tubes in. I'd never load any amp up completely with either tube.
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