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Post subject: Replacement tubes for Blues Deluxe
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 10:30 am
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Hi, I bought a used Blues Deluxe, and the previous owner had swapped some of the tubes to different types. I want to get a set of replacement tubes that are close to the original specs, just to get back to a sound that is closer to the original sound of the amp from the factory.

Does anyone know what tubes to recommend? I think that Fender uses Groove Tubes, but there are lots of variations. E.g. 12Ax7-C, 12AX7-R, etc


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Post subject: Re: Replacement tubes for Blues Deluxe
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 2:56 pm
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Leem, welcome to Board. Happy Turkey Day!

Of the new issued tubes IME, the Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 seems to have tone closest to the OEM RCA 12AX7, of yester-years.

https://www.amazon.com/Genalex-Gold-Lio ... lion+12ax7

I like the EH 6L6GC. Solid tube, good tone. Long lasting.

https://www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix ... s=eh+6L6GC


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Post subject: Re: Replacement tubes for Blues Deluxe
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 11:21 am
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Often times, pickers use different tubes to change the dynamics of an amplifier. If there are preamp tubes other than 12AX7 or ECC83, this is an indicator of an amp with tuned dynamics.
Before removing the preamp tubes, I would closely note the positions and type of each preamp tube before rejecting the tuning work of the previous owner.
The 12AX7 has the highest gain at 100
The 12AT7, 12AY7, 12AZ7, 12AU7 ECC81, & ECC82 types all have gains below that.
Experienced pickers choose lower gain tubes to reduce dynamic punch and improve sustain.
When you drop a string on a guitar, you create a dynamic envelope of sound.
At string release, the volume is much greater than the resulting decay.
The ratio of peak to sustain in the envelope is controlled by the internal gain characteristics of the amp. The volume control does not change this ratio in a tube amp.
The easiest way to change it is with different gain tube types.

Also, at each preamp stage, each tube circuit is designed to run at a specific gain.
Input stages have the highest gain, phase inverter the lowest. So a low gain tube in a high gain circuit will make more difference than the same low gain tube in a lower gain circuit.
This invites pickers to spend endless hours fine tuning the gain of each stage for the dynamics desired.
So when you go back to 12AX7s, the dynamics will revert to stock.
As far as replacement tubes are concerned. You pay for what you get. If you spend less than $50 for the V1 tube, you aren't getting all the amp is capable of. Telefunken Black Diamond, NOS Telefunken, Amperex Bugle Boy. AmperexNOS.
JJ gold pin ECC83 are acceptable for V2 & V3
EI smooth plates are good in the distortion tube V2.


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