Preamp Tubes

[mrchodito]

I am replacing an unknown 12AX7 from my Laney combo in the hopes of eliminating excessive harshness. I got it second hand and I'm pretty sure the tubes are pretty old. What type should i get? I'm hearing good things about these ones: Electro-Harmonix, Tesla, Tung-Sol, Sovtek (12AX7-WB?), Chinese. I want to tone the harshness way down.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Preamp Tubes

go for JJ tubes, they are great

ECC83s = smooth and clear
ECC83s Goldpin = smoother, same clarity
ECC803s = very smooth sounding tube with a lot of vintage feel
ECC803s Goldpin = even smoother but great sounding.

 

[newking70]

Re: Preamp Tubes

go for JJ tubes, they are great

ECC83s = smooth and clear
ECC83s Goldpin = smoother, same clarity
ECC803s = very smooth sounding tube with a lot of vintage feel
ECC803s Goldpin = even smoother but great sounding.

+1 great price too

 

[mrchodito]

Re: Preamp Tubes

thanks guys, i was seriously considering those.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Preamp Tubes

JJs seem to be my favorites also. Id also take a look at Electro Harmonix, not too familiar with the exact model, but one of them really smoothed out the tone of my Gibson GA5. Compared to the JJ, the EH has a slightly sparklier top, less pronounce mids and as far as Im concerned a chunkier bottom end. And the only way to do this, is to test them out!

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Preamp Tubes

My recent foray into the preamp tube world has very much verified what I have read.

12AX7EH by Electro Harmonix. A good tube, BUT a definitely trebly rock-n-roll tube. The bass is greater than the JJ ECC83S, but again...it is far more "toppy". I like 'em in my thick sounding Mesa, but not in the V1 position.

ECC83S by JJ. Very full in the middle without the shrillness of the 12AX7EH on the top. This tube made my Epi SG really shine when played.

12AX7 by the Russian manufactured Tung-Sol brand (Tung-Sol was a USA brand a long time ago). Full and open sounding from top to bottom. The most defined bass response. The most touch responsive of the bunch, but it costs more. It is the most satisfying of the bunch in V1. I have an order for three more in the mail, so I will be test driving a full set of Tung-Sol's this weekend.

I have not tried the JJ ECC803S, because I am using a high gain amp. From what I read, the physically larger plate (The big two black things you see in all tubes) tends to vibrate, and create feedback probs...especially inside a speaker pounded combo style amp. The vintage-y tone may come from the larger plates, however.