Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

Kommerzbassist

Thunderbirdologist
Since John deleted his thread about the preamp tubes (was it John anyway? Ah whatever...) ... So he deleted his thread and now I have to open up this one...
I was planning on replacing the two gain Stages of my TSL with Chinese 12AX7s, but some seem to find them not sooo good in a Marshall amp... so... what do you recommend for some mean hard rock (and some even more gain too) stuff? Should have higher gain & output than the Sovtek LPS.

thanks
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

New Sensor Tung Sol, I would avoid the GT "Mullard" at all costs.

Cheers,

CJ
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

Try JJ high gain preamp tubes. It gives more clarity, tighter low end bass, and nicer high freq than stock Marshall preamp tube does.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

There's a thread in the vault you should check out on this, if you have not already.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

The LPS is a pretty high gain tube. You really have to get some tubes and just play with them until you find the right combo.

Some tube distributors let you ask for high gain tested tubes.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

Kommerzbassist said:
Since John deleted his thread about the preamp tubes (was it John anyway? Ah whatever...) ... So he deleted his thread and now I have to open up this one...
I was planning on replacing the two gain Stages of my TSL with Chinese 12AX7s, but some seem to find them not sooo good in a Marshall amp... so... what do you recommend for some mean hard rock (and some even more gain too) stuff? Should have higher gain & output than the Sovtek LPS.

thanks

Yep I deleted it because the post goes off track...:smack:
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Yep I deleted it because the post goes off track...:smack:
Let's start a discussion about hijacking!! This let this thread goes off track too :laugh2: - j/k
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

greendy123 said:
There's a thread in the vault you should check out on this, if you have not already.

If you mean the high-gain preamp tube shootout by GJ, I know it. I've tried the LPS and they have a nice sound, but not enough gain, and it looks like some don't like the Chinese ones in Marshalls.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

wixedmords said:
The LPS is a pretty high gain tube. You really have to get some tubes and just play with them until you find the right combo.
No the LPS are REALLY low output & gain... the LP are high gain... haven't tried those though.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

If they're for your TSL60's gain stages, the chinese tubes might be pretty good. The reason I'm unsure as to what tubes would work well in that amp is that for an all tube amp, the JCM2000 Marshall's have a hell of a lot of transistors and other non-essential parts in them.

With an amp like a 1959 or 2203, I know exactly what effect every component in the amp will have on the sound, and I like to tweak my amp to maintain a very fine balance between all the components to get the optimum sound. A Mullard in my Plexi might sound great but might not sound great in someone else's Plexi. Due to the complex/mass produced nature of the JCM2000's, you can't really do that, but one positive aspect is because everyone's amp is pretty much exactly the same, you can easily ask others what tubes they have in theirs and get the same sound from yours.
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

The new Tung Sols 12ax7's from Sovtek are very nice!

I don't like Chinese preamp tubes...kinda shrill and bright. And often microphonic.

Lew
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

Lewguitar said:
The new Tung Sols 12ax7's from Sovtek are very nice!

I don't like Chinese preamp tubes...kinda shrill and bright. And often microphonic.

Lew

I was wondering about these and the EH 12AX7s Lew? JJs also...
 
Re: Preamp tubes for a Marshall amp for hard rock

Kommerzbassist said:
No the LPS are REALLY low output & gain... the LP are high gain... haven't tried those though.


Hey Kommerz,

They LPS is a pretty high gain tube, much in the flavor of the C9 Chinese. Not sure what you are looking for here, or if you know, but good luck finding it.

Out.
 
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