Tube Talk - Tung Sol 12ax7 and a JJ ecc803s

[baytamusic]

I picked up a few current production preamp tubes for my Vox AC15c1 yesterday. I got two of the Tung Sol 12ax7 and a JJ ecc803s long plate. I put a Tung Sol in V1, the JJ long plate in V2, and the other Tung Sol in the V3 phase inverter spot.

Well, they are an improvement over the stock China B 12ax7 but I'm not sure how I feel about them. The amp lost some low end it seems, and the overdrive sounds really boring now. It's clearer sounding now, but there is something I don't like about it. It has no character. It's like kind of buzzsaw-ish. It's smoother, but has no dynamic range. I'm getting a lot of upper mids and not much else. The Chinese tubes were muddy as hell, but they seemed to have a more complex overdrive sound. I haven't put the back panel back on yet though, so that might be the problem as it's nearly a closed back. I think I might switch the long plate JJ to V1 later today.

Also, I still have the stock Chinese el84s in there so that's part of the issue.

Anyone used the Tung Sol reissues before? Any comparisons you can offer? One of the techs working at Schroeder Guitar and Amp repair said they load the Tung Sol into their custom amps, and Tim Schroeder had chose them over all other current production tubes because they feel they are the most musical.

How about the JJ ecc803s? I'm not quite sure how it's supposed to compare to a 12ax7. I kind of bought the long plate on a whim and the guy at Schroeder recommended I try one. I've always stuck to regular 12ax7 in my amps.

[Dunky]

I have the Tung sold in my TT and would agree that they are more 'musical' I do feel that some gain is lost but the TT has plenty anyway.
I tried them in my laney and didn't like them, sounded like your description, a bit lifeless with something missing.

[Dopp238]

I have Tung Sol 12ax7's and JJ EL84's in my AD30 and it made a HUGE difference to my sound. It feels much more alive and open than it did with the tubes that were in it when I bought it (EHX all the way through). I definitely don't find mine buzzsaw-ish, but I also have and AD30, not an AC15, so take that as you will.

[TESLA_EL34]

I like them (Tung Sol) in my Rocker 30

[Memmo]

I scored 2 NOS Mullard 12AX7's for pretty cheap

really smooth in my R30

Stockers in power section

[ECWeagles]

For what it's worth, the chaps at matamp are very down on jjs at present. Had lots of failed tubes come through.

[baytamusic]

Update:

Swapped the new preamp tubes around over and over. Tried the JJ long plate in V1, V2, V3, and and wasn't happy with any of the sounds really. If anything the JJ sounded better in V1 than the Tung-Sol.

Pulled an old Sylvania 7025 out of one of the Ampegs at my house and put it in V1 and the sound was instantly WAY better and this isn't even one of the more desirable brands of older 12ax7 types. Clearer note definition, louder, more headroom, more refined, just a much more quality robust sound. Made me realize I should upgrade V1 in my Rocker soon.

[pinkpunkcaddy]

Bayta,

Just curious, what tubes are you using in the Rocker 30? It's about time for fresh tubes in mine and I'm doing some research.

[baytamusic]

Bayta,

Just curious, what tubes are you using in the Rocker 30? It's about time for fresh tubes in mine and I'm doing some research.

I think they are still stock. I know it has JJ EL34s in the power section because I can see the red labels. I bought the amp used (but it only had been used about 6 hours in the studio). I'm usually a tube snob of sorts, but it has sounded great and I haven't felt the need to mess with them yet.

[pinkpunkcaddy]

Works for me! If it sounds good, don't mess with it.