Best preamp tubes at the minute?

[_tom_]

I have my Laney GH50L in for retube and bias at the minute (Svetlana Winged C EL34s) and I think I should get some new preamp ones to finish it off. Dunno what to go for though. A while ago Tung Sol Russia seemed to be the best, apparently they can tame the fizz on Laneys and make it clearer. gwEm recommended Mullard RI but I dont really want to ship from america as thats just even more risk of them breaking on the way here! James healey is recommending the Tung Sol as well. Someone on HC with a VH100R recommends Ei Elites now as well!

So confused as theres so many options. I'd say if there was anything I want to change about the amp I'd want it to have less fizz and harshness (though I get most of the harshness away by turning the treble control all the way off)..

[the_bleeding]

jj's are dark for preamp tubes and will get rid of the fizz. So will tungsols. I'd say buy like 2 of each and play around. But honestly, the best way to tame the harshness of a gh50l is to turn the treble all the way off, and use the presence control as your treble control.

However i wouldnt recommend using all jj's because that can have muddy results.

mind you, preamp tubes make barely any difference, so all of what i just said should be taken with that consideration.

[Twinfan]

If you want less fizz and more smoothness, which is what I look for in pre-amp tubes, I'm currently loving the JJ Gold Pin ECC83Ss.  Less bass flabbyness and fizziness when compared to stock JJs, very balanced tone, and would be great for what you want.  Think fattish and smoothish for a general tone summary, great for an early Marshall sort of tone.

The Tung Sols are brighter and clearer to my ears.  Very transparent and more Fender-like in tone if that makes sense?  Great for higher gain stuff and clean tones.

I get my JJ Golds from here:  http://www.hotroxuk.com/store/erol.html#2188X6964

[the_bleeding]

If you want less fizz and more smoothness, which is what I look for in pre-amp tubes, I'm currently loving the JJ Gold Pin ECC83Ss.  Less bass flabbyness and fizziness when compared to stock JJs, very balanced tone, and would be great for what you want.  Think fattish and smoothish for a general tone summary, great for an early Marshall sort of tone.

The Tung Sols are brighter and clearer to my ears.  Very transparent and more Fender-like in tone if that makes sense?  Great for higher gain stuff and clean tones.

I get my JJ Golds from here:  http://www.hotroxuk.com/store/erol.html#2188X6964

do you actually find a difference between the regulars and the golds? I mean, they're the exact same tube inside but the golds have gold plated around the pins so they dont oxidize with age... (added:) i was under the impression the gold is only there as a preservative o_O

[Twinfan]

They're definitely different.  They're not just gold pins, each triode is better balanced and I think I read somewhere they ARE a little different inside?  Even if they're not, they must selected off the line as the 'better' tubes.  I find them much nicer sounding, but I do have quite sensitive ears.

[_tom_]

jj's are dark for preamp tubes and will get rid of the fizz.

Yeah I allready do that, it only helps so much though. Was talking to james healey on msn earlier, he reckoned something bright/clear like a Tung Sol or EH in V1 then JJs later on in the preamp might work well because it starts clear then gets warmed up a bit by the darker JJs?

[Twinfan]

Yeah, that can work.  Depends how clear you want it?  Some un-clear-ness makes gives it musicality  ;)

[_tom_]

Yeah true, I dont want it all hifi sounding! So long as the bass doesnt go all mushy and cr@p and the mids dont get scooped I'm not too bothered. Is it even worth changing out the stock TAD preamp ones if I have some decent power amp valves going in?

[hunter]

I have very good experience with the Mullard RI tubes.

Because they are expensive I would get one of these for V1 and the rest standard ones, both can be ordered from Tubeampdoctor.

Alternatively you could try the GT 12AX7M which is also a mullard reissue, but no experience with them. These can be gotten from hotroxuk.

If you want real good advise you could get in touch with Doug from Dougstubes. He is pretty awesome when it comes to retubing amps. And the shipping from US thing, I mean they are usually wrapped up really well, shouldn't be an issue.

[MrBump]

I have very good experience with the Mullard RI tubes.

Because they are expensive I would get one of these for V1 and the rest standard ones, both can be ordered from Tubeampdoctor.

Alternatively you could try the GT 12AX7M which is also a mullard reissue, but no experience with them. These can be gotten from hotroxuk.

If you want real good advise you could get in touch with Doug from Dougstubes. He is pretty awesome when it comes to retubing amps. And the shipping from US thing, I mean they are usually wrapped up really well, shouldn't be an issue.

Good call with the TAD site - I've not seen it before, and it's great.

[_tom_]

Is this the Mullard RI I should be looking at - http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?products_id=1456 ? Shipping to the UK from there is expensive though - 15.90 euros according to their chart. They do a cheaper one that isnt insured, tracked etc but I dont know if I want to risk it with a fragile thing such as valves.

[gwEm]

I have very good experience with the Mullard RI tubes.

Because they are expensive I would get one of these for V1 and the rest standard ones, both can be ordered from Tubeampdoctor.

Alternatively you could try the GT 12AX7M which is also a mullard reissue, but no experience with them. These can be gotten from hotroxuk.

If you want real good advise you could get in touch with Doug from Dougstubes. He is pretty awesome when it comes to retubing amps. And the shipping from US thing, I mean they are usually wrapped up really well, shouldn't be an issue.

philking and i compared the GT 12AX7M with the Mullard RI. The GT ones aren't as rich sounding, but they're still very good.

Mullard RI V1, with GT 12AX7M in the other positions ought to be pretty awesome.

[_tom_]

Yeah I remembered you saying that before gwEm.. I'm tempted to order one of those RIs from TAD but I really dont want it to come DOA. Anyone got TAD experience and how well was it packed etc? How hard is it to break preamp tubes in transit anyway?

[hamfist]

Yeah I remembered you saying that before gwEm.. I'm tempted to order one of those RIs from TAD but I really dont want it to come DOA. Anyone got TAD experience and how well was it packed etc? How hard is it to break preamp tubes in transit anyway?

Having received hundreds of tubes from around the globe by mail, I have never once had a broken one. Even though many have simply come in a padded Jiffy bag.

So, I'd say they're pretty tough.

[hunter]

Yeah I remembered you saying that before gwEm.. I'm tempted to order one of those RIs from TAD but I really dont want it to come DOA. Anyone got TAD experience and how well was it packed etc? How hard is it to break preamp tubes in transit anyway?

I had an EL84 with a bent leg, when I straightened it, it broke. An email to TAD with the specs of the quad and they sent a replacement within a few days free of charge. I wouldn't worry and use the cheapest shipping option.

Somehow it's a relief to particopate these discussions as this is all behind me now, being completely digital (Axe FX convert) :O)