I have a Sovtek 12ax7wb In the phase interter,Can I use a regular 12ax7 instead. From what I read it can help with sound and gain if you choose the right tube.
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most tube places recommend a
Wed, 2008/08/20 - 10:41am — nomad100most tube places recommend a balanced tube for the PI. However if your going for PA distortion you might not want that a little off balance is supposed to make for a sweeter sound. A lot of old timers don't bother with balanced tubes for PI's.
Old timer here, I dont worry
Wed, 2008/08/20 - 2:53pm — guitarmikeOld timer here, I dont worry about balanced pi tubes. I do worry about really crappy super out of balance tubes, though. If you use a good 12ax7, youll be fine. I have a box of them and on special amps, I try several until I find the right combo. It depends on the amp. If your using a 5150 or some insane gain thing, I doubt seriously youll tell the difference. If your using an older amp, youll probably be able to tell a difference, but youll have to listen close. The first tube in the gain stage probably makes the biggest difference in tone and feel besides the out put tubes.
PS the wb at the end of 12ax7, I doubt you can any more or less difference between that tube and any other 12ax7. Believe me, there is so much hype surrounding tubes it is not funny. My qualifications for saying this--Eletrical engineer, years of experience repairing and building tube amps.
Thanks! I have a Carvin
Wed, 2008/08/20 - 3:51pm — ken374Thanks! I have a Carvin Belair 212 it has jj's 12ax7-4 then one Sovtek for the PI and 4 - el84's sovtek power tubes. I got it used so I dont know how good the tubes are. As you know im using the tonelab, So im playing through the clean channel and it sounds great. Im just trying to learn other ways to get the best tone and power out of this amp.What about putting a mullard 12ax7(newer mod) in the v1 postion that may give the clean channel more gain huh?
A mullard is a great tube,
Wed, 2008/08/20 - 7:14pm — guitarmikeA mullard is a great tube, but why do you want more gain?
Gain doesnt eqal tone, as a matter of fact, Ive had many people bring me there re-issue bassmans, wanting them to sound more like the originals. There are several reasons why they sound different but the first thing I do is put a 12ay7 in the first position. This is a lower gain tube than a 12ax7. It improves the tone and also the feel of the amp. Its not the only change I make but just one. I have found that there are minor differences in tone between tubes even from the same manufacturer. To really tweak in the tone and feel of the amp may require several different tubes and a very good ear.
Having said all of that, know that the difference you can actually hear in one good working 12ax7 and another is a very small in most amps. You would get more of a change in feel and tone from looking at the power amp tubes. El84's are probably my favorite sounding tube, by the way.
Also, the tweakability of the TL is far greater than the difference a pre amp tube will make.
Heres a quick caheck you can make to make sure your tubes are in descent working order, with the amp on and volume up a fair amount, preamp tube covers off (careful, they get HOT!), give them a slight tap with your finger nail. You will hear the thump through the speaker, but listen for a ringing after the thump. If you hear this ringing, the tube is microphonic and needs to be replaced. This is the main thing I find in bad tubes. works for the power tubes too.
On using the TL.(I have the
Wed, 2008/08/20 - 7:20pm — guitarmikeOn using the TL.(I have the LE) I amp currently going into the power amp of a roland jazz chorus amp. It has a clean solid state power amp. I tried several different amps, going from the TL to the front of the amp and into the poweramp. Even tried my marshall. My best results are with the clean, uncolored, solid state amps and a full range speaker with no tweater. I am able to get the basic amps sounds very close in tone and feel. Doesnt sound quite as great as my old marshall, but my marshall cant even get close to a fender twin. I like the versatility, and honestly, unless you do a side by side A/B test, I dont think you'd know the difference.
Sure, you can hear a
Thu, 2008/08/21 - 3:25pm — guitarmikeSure, you can hear a difference in different pre amp tubes, specially the v1 tube. I have always stayed away from the chinese tubes. I have always read that they are very inconsistant, and have a sound most people dont prefer. I dont have personal experience with them because I just dont use them. So, Im not surprised another tube sounded better. But, it might not be predominately the gain of the tube but the tone of the tube. 5881's are a type of 12ax7 that many people love because of its slightly different tone, but it actually has a little less gain. In any event, your ears are the best judge of what works best for you, sometimes you have to try a few different things until you find what works best for youe situation.
Well I mean like changing
Fri, 2008/08/22 - 8:25am — ken374Well I mean like changing the v1 tube to get a little more power. I noticed when i put a messa tube in replace of the stock china it was more brighter and louder.Also had a TungSole but I like the messa better.
Wow, hold on !!! Did I say
Sun, 2008/08/24 - 9:12pm — guitarmikeWow, hold on !!! Did I say 5881? No, not 5881, thats a type of 6L6 power tube! I meant to say 5751. Sorry for that!