Unbranded JJs in EVH amp?

[AniML]

I recently purchased an EVH LBX II, which I thought was new but turned out to be open box. I am now suspicious that a tube swap may have taken place since all the tubes are unbranded. EVHs website, and all discussions of the amp indicate them to be JJs with the bold red branding. The EVH literature goes out of its way to make that point in text and glamour shots.

Looking at one of the preamp tubes side by side with a JJ ECC83S, it admittedly looks identical. But I still wonder if it not have JJ branding because it failed QC?

I have inquiries in with the retailer and with Fender / EVH. But does anyone here with an LBX have similarly unlabeled tubes?

 

[JMP/HBE]

OEM's pay to have thier logo's printed on cheap tubes that spread like a virus.
And frankly its no surprise the JJ tries to hide their tubes from unsuspecting consumers.

 

[jeremy]

i know youve had issues with them, but i really havent. gz34, 6v6, el84, ecc83... theyve all been decent tubes

 

[misterwhizzy]

How does it sound? Isn't that the real issue here? I know you want to get what you pay for, but I doubt the labeling (or lack thereof) on the tube will have any significant bearing on that.

 

[AniML]

How does it sound? Isn't that the real issue here? I know you want to get what you pay for, but I doubt the labeling (or lack thereof) on the tube will have any significant bearing on that.

+1 It sounds good, but IDK - does it sound like its supposed to? When 12AX7s were < $10 I had no problem flipping tubes, but $30-$40 each is another story

 

[beaubrummels]

Fortunately, JJs are relatively inexpensive IME to get a set as replacements, if you really want to make sure it's 'stock'. But if it sounds good, just rock it until it blows.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yes, they're unbranded JJ's.

No, it's not because of QC they're unbranded.

They're OK, but my EVH came to life when I replaced all the tubes with Chinese, minus V1 (Svetlana 12AX7SV) and the PI (Sovtek 12AX7LPS) and the power tubes with old Russian military 6P14P-EV's.

But everyone has a different opinion. Like I said, JJ's are fine.

 

[GuitarStv]

i know youve had issues with them, but i really havent. gz34, 6v6, el84, ecc83... theyve all been decent tubes

+1

I really like their 6L6s, they're what I'm using right now.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I like their 6V6's a lot, but I've personally never had any JJ power tube that didn't fail on me. Literally. I've had at least 10 sets of powertubes by them

I'm sure I've just had bad luck, though. JJ has pretty decent reputation. And they're a pretty well-established brand as far as current production tubes, at least. Even moreso than Shuguang (even though I feel Shuguangs are better, but that's JMO/JME).

I don't love their ECC83S's tone, but I've also found they're the most consistent and least microphonic of all CP 12AX7's I've tried, Russian Gold Lions included. And their ECC803S's sound really killer, too bad they're long plates and not usually suitable for V1's on high-gain amps.

It's honestly just their power tubes I've had bad luck with. But honestly, tone-wise, I don't love their power tubes either. They're usually "middle-of-the-road" tone-wise. I prefer my tubes with more character, so I usually lean towards Russian or Chinese power tubes. But I can't say I've tried anything but their usual suspects: 6L6GC's, E34L's (I hate those, they destroyed my Peavey XXX), EL84's, and 6V6S's (I do like those).

 

[strat dude]

I can't speak for your amp but I did get a Marshll Or 20 that came with what were supposed to be JJ's and they were crap. Now mind you I have been using JJ's for a long time but these were microphnic and failing right from the start. I replaced them with (other JJ's) and all is well. So I wonder if what comes from them as the OEM factory tubes are substandard or just defects, whatever. I always figure I am going to have to retube an amp when I get it anyway.

 

[Explorer84]

I would suggest getting a full labeled set of JJ's. That way you'll have peace of mind of knowing exactly what you have. I use them in my 5150 212 combo and I've never had a problem with them. It was suggested to me, by a well known amp builder, that the JJ's sound the best in the 5150's and it's variants. I totally agree.

 

[AniML]

I would suggest getting a full labeled set of JJ's. That way you'll have peace of mind of knowing exactly what you have. I use them in my 5150 212 combo and I've never had a problem with them. It was suggested to me, by a well known amp builder, that the JJ's sound the best in the 5150's and it's variants. I totally agree.

The retailer I bought from is reaching out to their Fender / EVH rep to find out what is going on. He told me he opened another amp, and also had unlabeled tubes.

A mentioned, the amp sounds great but I would like to resolve or at least get to the bottom of the "generic" tube mystery.

In the interim, (because why not?) I have a Tung Sol and Sovtek LPS on their way, and have a couple JJ / Ruby (Shuguang?) and an old RCA 5751 to swap in.

 

[Ascension]

I can't speak for your amp but I did get a Marshll Or 20 that came with what were supposed to be JJ's and they were crap. Now mind you I have been using JJ's for a long time but these were microphnic and failing right from the start. I replaced them with (other JJ's) and all is well. So I wonder if what comes from them as the OEM factory tubes are substandard or just defects, whatever. I always figure I am going to have to retube an amp when I get it anyway.

Have seen this also. Most likely the amp manufacturer buys the tubes in bulk from JJ and doesn't screen them as well as many of the tube retailers do is all. JJ's in bulk are notoriously inconsistent now according to a couple tube retailers I have talked to. If that batch sounds good and isn't microphonic there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[AniML]

Have seen this also. Most likely the amp manufacturer buys the tubes in bulk from JJ and doesn't screen them as well as many of the tube retailers do is all. JJ's in bulk are notoriously inconsistent now according to a couple tube retailers I have talked to. If that batch sounds good and isn't microphonic there shouldn't be a problem.

A MV control in the loop (homemade like a JHS black box) works fine. However, I am noticing a significant drop-off in the adjustability of my delay and reverb when put in the loop (with or without the MV control) versus out front.. so now wondering if the effect loop tube is weak

 

[Ascension]

A MV control in the loop (homemade like a JHS black box) works fine. However, I am noticing a significant drop-off in the adjustability of my delay and reverb when put in the loop (with or without the MV control) versus out front.. so now wondering if the effect loop tube is weak

I don't know those amps well enough to speak on this. My first gen PRS Archon is the opposite the loops pretty hot and can be a little noisy so I dropped a 12 AT 7 in mine. Would hit some of the facbook groups and forums for those particular amps and ask about the loop.

 

[moshpit817]

An original EVH 5150-III head I bought brand new had the un-marked / un-labeled JJ's preamp tubes and their un-labeled 6L6 GC's as well..sounded great but I replaced them anyway because I was not sure either..my EVH Stealth 50 watt head had un-labeled Shuguang 6L6's in it and they failed within 2 hours of use..that really surprised me.

And I bough a EVH Iconic 80 watt head and the 2 preamp tubes had the JJ's red logo's on them and 1 of them was cooked..apparently cracked and had the white junk all in it.
.
I always just put a Tungsol 12ax7 in first preamp slot and a 12ax7B in the second slot and sometimes the third slot..absolutely crushing harmonics etc...sorry I went off topic but I get what you are saying about the un-labeled tubes.

 

[Explorer84]

The retailer I bought from is reaching out to their Fender / EVH rep to find out what is going on. He told me he opened another amp, and also had unlabeled tubes.

A mentioned, the amp sounds great but I would like to resolve or at least get to the bottom of the "generic" tube mystery.

In the interim, (because why not?) I have a Tung Sol and Sovtek LPS on their way, and have a couple JJ / Ruby (Shuguang?) and an old RCA 5751 to swap in.

I completely understand what you're saying. If I was in your position I'd want JJ labeled tubes in my amp also.
What JJ's did you order?

 

[AniML]

I didn't order JJs. I got a Sovtek 12ax7lps for the PI and Tung Sol for the remaining preamp spots. Have not done anything with the EL84s so far

 

[Explorer84]

I didn't order JJs. I got a Sovtek 12ax7lps for the PI and Tung Sol for the remaining preamp spots. Have not done anything with the EL84s so far

My mistake. The JJ's that you have are they the 83s or the 803's? The Sovtek LPS is a standard tube for the phase inverter. In my experience, the Tung Sol's are going brighten your amp up considerably. I put one in the V1 slot and couldn't pull it out fast enough. I tried it in the V2 slot but didn't like the sound of it there either. They're good tubes. Very clean/clear sounding but too bright for me. Good luck.

 

[AniML]

My mistake. The JJ's that you have are they the 83s or the 803's? The Sovtek LPS is a standard tube for the phase inverter. In my experience, the Tung Sol's are going brighten your amp up considerably. I put one in the V1 slot and couldn't pull it out fast enough. I tried it in the V2 slot but didn't like the sound of it there either. They're good tubes. Very clean/clear sounding but too bright for me. Good luck.

They are ECC83s. I immediately noticed the difference in changing the PI a nd V1 only - much more open, less grainy and congested, Brighter? not sure but I am still waiting delivery of the other 2 to swap in. I can always dial it out if it gets too spikey, but I am liking what I hear much more now.