Author Topic: Lets Talk Tubes... (Read 5354 times)

Tricalibur · « **on:** December 03, 2006, 11:48:21 PM »

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.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:01:10 AM »

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:

Tricalibur · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:07:25 AM »

Well how do I know which ones sound best for my needs?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:10:25 AM »

you're just gonna have to try some - trust me, they're all better than current production stuff by a LONG way.

:twisted:

Tricalibur · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:20:46 AM »

Well im thinkin Mullard would prob be the best place to start since they were used in all the old marshalls right?

DHA · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 09:10:01 AM »

Quote from: Tricalibur

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

DeanS · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 10:33:01 AM »

Quote from: Tricalibur

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.

stuckin93 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:20:00 PM »

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)

Tricalibur · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:00:36 AM »

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?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2006, 01:46:50 AM »

Quote from: Tricalibur

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:

CJ · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2006, 05:28:09 AM »

how about the groove tube mullards?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2006, 10:42:24 PM »

Quote from: callme.nasty

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:

Tricalibur · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2006, 12:35:43 AM »

So are mullards better than E~H 12ax7's in that they have better musical qualities or smoother gain or what?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2006, 09:44:35 PM »

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:

Fubar · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2006, 10:03:04 PM »

On a similar note to this thread, does anyone have any tips for telling which NOS tubes are genuine and which are fake?