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Post subject: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 7:31 pm
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I need to get new tubes for my 64 Tremolux.

Going with a 5751 Sovtek to replace to 7025 preamps.

The phase invert 12at7 with a 12AT7WC JAN Philips.

The vibrato is a 12ax7... Sovtek 12AX7LPS?

Ready to be educated. Thanks guys!


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:28 pm
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Looks good thus far.

A matched brace of Electro-Harmonix 6L6EH's would be a good choice for durable-and-nice-sounding power tubes.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:12 pm
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Matt, I like the Phillips PI. Not sure I'd choose the Sovteks for input tubes. but if bucks are the crunch, then OK. Can I ask you why the 5751 choice? Art

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:01 am
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Look here;

http://www.tubesandmore.com/tech_corner ... made_tubes


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:34 am
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I am relatively new to this but I have plunged into it. I am unemployed and have nothing but time and interest on my hands. I will keep my opinion focused on pre amp tube that your guitar signal first encounters. I have a SCX2 so there is only one choice. I have also ordered the Bugera V-5, a similar situation. The type a amp and one power EL-84 power tube. That will let me play with some power tube configuration and not have to deal with biasing.

Back to preamp. After listening to many a comparison in both clean and dirty amps as well as devices that make use of a single 12ax7 family of tubes, I have come to some conclusions of my own. My personal favorite, and one that the tube store is fond of, is the Tung-sol tubes. They bring a little bit of hi-fi clarirty to the mix while still make a joyful noise. They are also very full and loud. I like their very full, but not at all boomy, bass. I find them more melodic than the others in the down to earth price range. They are still a musicians preamp tube, instead of an audiophiles.

I may opt for the 60% power of the 12at7s. I am going to get a T-S Ax7 and At7 and play with them. In either case my preamp should get some nice full tone. The Bugera having the At7 might give me a little more clean before it rolls in the dirt. Same thing with my SCX2. If I wanted to use the clean channel and get more of a twin sound, then the At7 might allow me to do that. It is all conceptual at this stage. The experimenting will be part of the fun. Swappong out depending on the gig is another possibility. Some times the earlier crunch will be what I want.

JJ's seemed the bluesiest to my ear. I can see why they are popular. EH's were a little sloppy with detail and frequencies for my taste. We are talking personal preferences here, so there is no final word on this stuff. EH may be exactly what someone is looking for. The personalizing of our amps is just another extension of our art, IMO.

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:53 pm
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aclempoppi

Money is not limiting my decision. From what I have read Sovtek is a very good tube company.

5751, I want e preamp to distort earlier. From my reading SRV used 5751 to get an earlier breakup and warmer tone.

Thanks for your reply.


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:41 pm
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Matt, in GENERAL a 5751 will not "break-up" or OD sooner than a healthy 12AX7. What it does do, is stay clean longer and let the output tubes break-up or OD before the windows shatter. :D

There is a dintinct tonal difference between gain stage crunch and output stage crunch.

Now, how the input and gain stage are setup (plate voltage and bias) --- has as much to do with response, as the specific tube. So, it's difficult to say 5751s are going sound this-way-or-that-way in all amps. Trial is the best test for your amp. If you like the tone of the 5751 versus 12AX7, there are a many other 5751 makes that offer a range of tonal responses.

Also, you may want to pickup a 12AY7 (like the gold EH 12AY7), to try out and keep in your tonal arsenal.

Good luck!

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/12AY7 ... -6072-Gold


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:56 pm
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The 12AY7 is pretty anemic in terms of its mu factor.

I'd first start with a 12AT7 in V1 and/or V2 and see what that does in terms of pre-amp compression and distortion. In combination with a 12AX7 as a phase inverter to heat up the final drive, that may provide a rather pleasing vibe.

JMOOC

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:56 pm
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Arjay, with no intend to derail this thread, I just ordered an EH set for my '65 Bandmaster.
I had mixed emotions on JJs, couldn't afford SED Winged Cs and certainly couldn't pay to
replace the orig. RCAs with NOS even if I could find 'em.
Electro Harmonix seemed the way to go. The Tube Depot also had the Tube Cube Pelican Case to store those (holy sheet) expensive original RCAs.
Your wisdom, along with a few of the other gurus here, is always appreciated.
I'm looking forward to the fresh tube sound.
Vin


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:18 pm
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Let us know how they sound, Vin.

Mebbe post a pic or two as well......?

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 2:28 am
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Hey Matt, what have you looked at for those pre-amp tubes ? You might want to call Greg Levy at, hitestguitars.com...IMO That amp really deserves the best!! Art

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:03 am
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I have read these two books, The Guitar Amp Handbook by Dave Hunter and How to Hot Rod Your Fender Amp by Jeffery Falla and many web sites.

Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:10 pm
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My hearing is not what it used to be. I can barely tell the difference in tone from one tube to another. If everything else is equal, which is increasingly the case for my ears, then I'd go for the tube that is the most reliable.

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Post subject: Re: Tube selection - Opinions wanted
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:16 pm
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I'd call/email Mike Kropotkin at www.kcanostubes.com. Tell him your tonal goals and budget and he'll recommend some excellent NOS, ANOS or new tubes. I've used him for over 10 years and this guy knows Fender amp tubes.

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