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Post subject: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:21 pm
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Hi all,

I have a Fender Blues Deluxe amplifier (that I've referred to here a few times). I just got a hold of some vintage 12AU7's, and I'd like to try one on the preamp section, as I've heard it might give a little more headroom to the tone.

Which of the three 12AX7's should I replace (left to right) in the back?

thanks for the help

-Ryan


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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:37 pm
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I think you'll find the 12AU7 to be big disappointment.

Arjay

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Last edited by Retroverbial on Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:13 pm
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Yeah, I agree. 12AU7 aren't noted for linearity or great tone. Though a 12AY7 has mu = 40 (12AU7 = 20), it's a MUCH BETTER tube, tone-wise. Try an EH 12AY7. They are fairly cheap.

http://thetubestore.com/ehx12ay7.html


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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:31 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Try an EH 12AY7. They are fairly cheap.


+1

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:00 pm
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I agree, 12AU7 will not sound good, especially for V1 or V2. I have a few RCA 12AU7s, and they suck in every amp that I've tried, in any position. You might try V3 (PI), but I never use any tube lower than a 12AT7 there either. A 12AT7, or 12AY7 as suggested, in V3 might get you what you want. I am a big fan of the 5751 for V1 and sometimes V2 also.

You won't hurt anything, (maybe your ears will be disappointed :lol: ), but try the tube in each position, one at a time and hear for yourself.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:22 pm
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I agree with Arjay, BMW, and shimmilou, but I did not like the EH 12AY7 in V1 of my BDRI. An NOS JAN 12AY7 sounds much better.

https://www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-jan-ge-12ay7

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:26 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
An NOS JAN 12AY7 sounds much better.

https://www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-jan-ge-12ay7



Yes it does! I bought this exact 12AY7, for V1, back in January. I tried a 12AT7 in V3 also. Those two gave me alot more headroom. The 12AT7 took a crap and I put in one of stock GT 12AX7's. I then realized I had been missing something. You can cut your tone by trying to get to much headroom.

Bluesky636 tried to tell me, but I had to learn the hardway. :oops: Like my wife says is typical for most males! I don't know what she's talking about. :lol:

Arjay, BMW, shimmilou, and bluesky636 know what they are talking about. They might not always agree, but they will never steer you in the wrong direction. Just giving credit where credit's due guys.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:36 pm
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TEXASBLUEZMAN wrote:
Bluesky636 tried to tell me, but I had to learn the hardway. :oops: Like my wife says is typical for most males! I don't know what she's talking about.


No harm, no foul.

Sometimes a practical demonstration is the best teaching aid of all.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:04 pm
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TEXASBLUEZMAN, thanks for the compliment. I am just an Old Fart passing on info I learned long ago from Old Farts.

:lol:


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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:47 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
TEXASBLUEZMAN, thanks for the compliment. I am just an Old Fart passing on info I learned long ago from Old Farts.

:lol:


We're all a bunch of Old Farts just trying to help out wherever we can. :wink: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:51 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
We're all a bunch of Old Farts just trying to help out wherever we can. :wink: :lol:


Yeah. But some of us are fartier than the others.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Blues Deluxe - 12AU7 replacement
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:37 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
We're all a bunch of Old Farts just trying to help out wherever we can. :wink: :lol:


Yeah. But some of us are fartier than the others.

:mrgreen:

Arjay


And some are just older. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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