Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

[foo3001]

I put one in the V1 slot of my GT Soul-O 45 and I have to say I was very impressed! This Russian re-issue tube is the most musical 12ax7 I´ve ever tried!

Previously I´ve had mostly JJ ECC803s, JJ ECC83s in that slot (have also tried a JJ 12at7 and a NOS GE 5751) but this one beats them hands down. The sound is very balanced, with all the frequencies clearly audible. It´s bright in a VOX-kinda way, yet the lows/low mids growl like a Marshall and the highher mids are beautifully compressed like an old Fender Super Reverb. Clean sounds are a dream.

Also, it takes pedals very well.. My SparkleDrive, MI Audio Blues Pro and Tube Zone all sound great through it. Bass doesn´t fart out when playing high gain and the dynamics are excellent when in the ts808 territory.

It´s supposed to be very high gain but with my amp it stays very clean, when adding gain from the amp it just gets more dynamic without distorting at all.

I´ve never heard such a difference after a single preamp tube swap. Highly recommended!

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Sounds like you're going to make me try one! Thanks for the review.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Got to agree, I put one in V1 of my 18 watter and it really shines. Very musical with very low mechanical noise and microphonics.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Yeah, they're great tubes. I put 2 JJ E-34L's and 3 Tungsol pre's in my 2550 Jubilee head, and I'm not changing a thing on that amp now.

Speaking of the JJ ECC803S. It's a nice tube, but mine just fried last night. I turned on the Matchless Chieftain and it was just making a grumbling noise like it was ready to explode. I took out the 1st position 803S and threw my prized Telefunken in there, and voila, the amp came back to life.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

How does it compare to the Groove Tubes Mullard reissue--which is like ten bucks more!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Yes they're excellant. Not so so shrill as some of the livlier Chinese 12ax7's can be. Lew

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Another vote for the new Tung Sol Russian 12AX7s....Smooth with good amount of gain...Didn't really care for it in my Marshall,but loved it in my BF Fender stuff...

 

[ModestCargo]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

How does it compare to the Groove Tubes Mullard reissue--which is like ten bucks more!

GT doesn't make the new Mullards

Electro Harmonix makes the Mullard and Tung-Sol brands.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

The tung-sol is awesome for in the v1 spot in my Marshall. It gives my amp a nice to crystal clear and tighted distorted tone with high gain. Their's a good amount of gain on them but not as much as the 12ax7Cs or 12ax7 LPS I have in my amp.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Tung Sol blows away those supposed "Mullard" clones. Dont' waste your $$ on the GT12AX7M.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

GT doesn't make the new Mullards

Electro Harmonix makes the Mullard and Tung-Sol brands.

??? The Groove Tubes 12AX7-M is a "reissue" of classic Mullard preamp tubes. Common knowledge and all over the internet.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

??? The Groove Tubes 12AX7-M is a "reissue" of classic Mullard preamp tubes. Common knowledge and all over the internet.

Reliabilty problems from day 1 with this tube and way too overpriced for a current Russian tube....I haven't bought these tubes and probably won't...I'm still reading that even the good ones don't last very long..:fingersx:

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

How does it compare to the Groove Tubes Mullard reissue--which is like ten bucks more!

I like 'em both. I'll use one or the other depending on the amp.

The 9th Gen Chinese tubes are the only other current production 12AX7 that I'd buy at this point.

Reliabilty problems from day 1 with this tube and way too overpriced for a current Russian tube....I haven't bought these tubes and probably won't...I'm still reading that even the good ones don't last very long..:fingersx:

Maybe I'm just lucky or Lord Valve does excellent testing but I've been using 'em for a year or so with no issues.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Im glad you guys seem to be liking these tubes! Im having bruce at Mission Amps give my Twin Reverb the half a million mile tune up and I decided to go with the Tung-Sol 12AX7's in it...we'll see how they are soon enough!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

I like 'em both. I'll use one or the other depending on the amp.

The 9th Gen Chinese tubes are the only other current production 12AX7 that I'd buy at this point.
Maybe I'm just lucky or Lord Valve does excellent testing but I've been using 'em for a year or so with no issues.

I really want to try these tubes,but bad luck always seems to find me,and they are just too pricey right now for my tastes..:laugh2:

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

GT doesn't make the new Mullards

Electro Harmonix makes the Mullard and Tung-Sol brands.

Actually Sovtek (Reflektor) makes EH, Mullard, Tung-sol, the crappy Svetlanas (not the SEDs) and of course, Sovtek brands.

 

[foo3001]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Allrite guys, just had to get back to you on this subject..

Now that I´ve played 10 gigs + 3 studio dates with the Soul-O and this new 12ax7 I can definitely say that this is the tube.

It´s perfect for the slightly compressed-attack fender-kinda tone.

It´s beautiful. Finally I´ve found the sound.. I almost sold the amp because it was a bit lacking IMHO but the new tube solved it all.

I´m one happy camper right now.

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Hey John, I'll send you a 12AX7M if you want to try one out. I've got 3 and I'm not using them.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

Hey John, I'll send you a 12AX7M if you want to try one out. I've got 3 and I'm not using them.

That's really nice of you...I'll buy one off of you....

 

[flank]

Re: Tung-Sol 12ax7.. Damn!

David Allen used these in my Twin Reverb when he fixed it up. I would have to agree with everyone here, very very good tube