Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Tricalibur on December 03, 2006, 11:48:21 PM
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Ok, I am going to be replacing the 12AX7's in my DHA Fatguts OD/Preamp and am not sure which brand and model will get me the results im looking for. Basicaly I want a High quality tube that will tighten up the sound (esp the bottom end) and supply me with a lil more gain. Currently the pedal has two Electro Harmonix 12AX7's in it and I am currently considering a duo of the following; EI Gold Elite 12AX7(sounds like a fantastic tube, but im not sure if its what I need), Svetlana Winged "C" (specificaly read "tight Bass" on some webpage), Tungsol 12AX7/ECC803-S(Most likely just a reg. tungsol 12ax7 but with even better microphonics due to gold pins), RFT ECC83 (VERY expensive but in the tubestore.com description it says it has great gain and crunch, both of which i want more of out of the pedal). I think thats all that have caught my eye so far, theres alot of them and I realy dont know where to begin so any help would be appreciated.
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You only live once and preamp valves last for AGES. Do yourself a favour and get some quality old valves, I'm talking Mullard, Brimar, GE, Amperex, RCA etc... all are WAY better than anything currently made - I'm not talking a 'little' better either. This is one time where 'old' really IS better.
Have a look on ebay, even used valves will generally have years of use left in 'em.
:twisted:
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Well how do I know which ones sound best for my needs?
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you're just gonna have to try some - trust me, they're all better than current production stuff by a LONG way.
:twisted:
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Well im thinkin Mullard would prob be the best place to start since they were used in all the old marshalls right?
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Well im thinkin Mullard would prob be the best place to start since they were used in all the old marshalls right?
Hi,
On stage I have a few of my own pedals but always end up just using a VT1-Purist fitted with very old Mullard ECC83. I know quite a few of my customers that have swapped valves to adjust the tone, it's part of the fun :D
Don't go for the new so called Mullard copies or remakes as they are very poor and beware of fake NOS Mullards on ebay.
I would suggest you buy from a dealer to avoid getting ripped off. Watford valves are great in the UK but there will be lots of good ones in the US as well. Talk to them before you buy and tell them what you want as I have found this will help.
Let us know how you get on.
Dave at DHA
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Well how do I know which ones sound best for my needs?
Call Watford Valves and discuss your requirements. I revalved my Harly using Mullard NOS 12AX7's and a Brimar EL84- the difference was like night and day, much more clarity with a nice tight bass response and no more harsh highs etc.
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i got my valves from watford valves - they do a set called harma that are drive tested & you can specify high gain (I did & it made a HUGE difference to my amp)
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Pr-Mullard-12ax7-Short-Plate-Great-Britain-tested_W0QQitemZ200056690213QQihZ010QQcategoryZ50598QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200056690213 how do these look? IM not sure what the difference is between short plate and long plate but its prob not much?
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Pr-Mullard-12ax7-Short-Plate-Great-Britain-tested_W0QQitemZ200056690213QQihZ010QQcategoryZ50598QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200056690213 how do these look? IM not sure what the difference is between short plate and long plate but its prob not much?
they've seen a fair bit of use but most likely have plenty of life in 'em - can't argue for the price really.
for my money these are better though...
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Tubes-Philips-Miniwatt-ECC83-12AX7_W0QQitemZ130057773451QQihZ003QQcategoryZ50598QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
don't get caught up with long or short plates - the earlier ECC83s had longer plates but were prone to microphonics so they shortened the plates. like everything with guitars, the older ones 'must' be better :roll:
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how about the groove tube mullards?
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how about the groove tube mullards?
waste of time - you can get some NOS (or lightly used OS) ECC83s on ebay for that kind of price.
:twisted:
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So are mullards better than E~H 12ax7's in that they have better musical qualities or smoother gain or what?
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I think in general terms old-stock ECC83s are more musical overall - less gainy, less fizzy. I put some NOS Mullard ECC83s in a Fender Tonemaster years back and it TOTALLY transformed that amp. I've been a vintage valve nut ever since.
:twisted:
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On a similar note to this thread, does anyone have any tips for telling which NOS tubes are genuine and which are fake?
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I'd go for some JJ Tesla tubes over any! They are truly top dog, mullards and phillips are very good but I think the JJ tubes have the sonic edge and richness in tone over the lot. Depends on your tone preference but as I use mules, which are quite bright, the JJ tubes round out the tone (like a low pass filter on a synth or mixing desk) therefore balancing out the guitars harmonics, which is what electric guitar is all about! Pickups and tubes very much so go together, bear this in mind before buying! Just like the way some girls are sexier than others, whatever turns you on mate.
cheers, from Ben.
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I think in general terms old-stock ECC83s are more musical overall - less gainy, less fizzy. I put some NOS Mullard ECC83s in a Fender Tonemaster years back and it TOTALLY transformed that amp. I've been a vintage valve nut ever since.
:twisted:
so then whats better, a 'matched' set or just a couple valves? What is a 'matched' set anyways?
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i'd be interested in trying some NOS 12ax7's but I think the Mullard Reissue EL34 and Svetlana EL34's are top dog anyway so no need to change those.
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Power tubes must be matched (at least each pair must be) & your amp then "Re-Biassed" to work with them. pre amp tubes are not important to be matched.
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preamp valves are self-biasing - you just plug in and play.
output section valves do require biasing (even cathode-biased and class A amps do to some degree).
Matched pairs or quads are important for getting the most output from your amp and also for low hum levels (unmatched EL34s will hum LOUD).
:twisted:
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well I have the highest bid on these now http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270070443158 1967 Mullards, hardly used.
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JJ.