12AX7WA, 12AX7WB?

flea · Post by **flea** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:34 am

As mentioned in a previous thread, I bought a Sovtek Mig 100. It has two 12Ax7Wa's, and one 12Ax7Wb. What is the difference between them and a regular 12Ax7 tube, and can I swap them for regular Ax7's?

Neiloler · Post by **Neiloler** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:17 am

I have no idea, but Flea man, it's so good to hear from you! How's life, liberty, and the pursuit of music?

MaxProphet · Post by **MaxProphet** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:29 am

The Sovtek 12AX7WB is very similar to the 12AX7WA - but has a noticeable bump in the low-end

GOOGLE FTW

Orphin · Post by **Orphin** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:55 am

There is so many different combinations of letters and they all mean something, but you can swap any 12ax7 for any other 12ax7.

I think it is 12AX7WC that is the same thing as E83CC which is a better quality tube. At least what I've heard.
Then E34L is on the other hand a tube that is not the same good quality as a standard EL34.

My tech also mentioned that an "M", like in ECC83M stands for military, and not "Marshall" as I read on the net somewhere.

flea · Post by **flea** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:25 am

Neiloler wrote:I have no idea, but Flea man, it's so good to hear from you! How's life, liberty, and the pursuit of music?

It's going pretty good, just spending a little more time playing and a little less time talking about playing.

How you been?

flea · Post by **flea** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:26 am

Orphin wrote:There is so many different combinations of letters and they all mean something, but you can swap any 12ax7 for any other 12ax7.

I think it is 12AX7WC that is the same thing as E83CC which is a better quality tube. At least what I've heard.
Then E34L is on the other hand a tube that is not the same good quality as a standard EL34.

My tech also mentioned that an "M", like in ECC83M stands for military, and not "Marshall" as I read on the net somewhere.

Ok, thanks, I thought I could interchange them, but I wanted to make sure.

Optimus Grime · Post by **Optimus Grime** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:45 pm

"I think it is 12AX7WC that is the same thing as E83CC which is a better quality tube. At least what I've heard."

The ECC83 is just the European designation for that tube variant. All 12ax7's are interchangable with Ecc83's. The WB and WC (WA too) are largely considered undesirable. The Sovtek LPS (large spiral plate) is HUGELY FAVORED as a phase inverter (PI) due to its quite charecteristics. Most peope use a 5771, 12at7, 12ay7 or whatever variant in this position and I have to. None of them give you the presence or attack of a ax7 though. The trouble with ax7's in the V3 is noise and with LPS it has the hum of most 12at7's I've tried. Not as many but still alot of people prefer them in the V2 (drive tube) position as well. I have personally used a V1 JJ (ECC83) and V2 and V3 LPS with excellent and unversially superior results no matter what amp I am using. On a bonus note the LPS is only like 10 dollars or something and they won't put you under. Most website say that they are't good for combos either because of the plate design but that is a load of crap. I use them in my Peavey Classic 50 loaded up with Greenback's! That freaking amp is a warzone of distorion, hell and vibration and I usually get at least a year of service from the LPS's

Military tubes are generally less "musical". They do however in most cases provide a longer service life.

Long story short is can any variant of Sovtek that isn't a LPS. DO NOT stick a LPS in the V1 of a amp. It rarely works for some reason .... at least in my Peaveys and Fenders.

Knuckle Bones · Post by **Knuckle Bones** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:45 pm

Orphin wrote: Then E34L is on the other hand a tube that is not the same good quality as a standard EL34.

You mean the JJ E34L? Funny, Gerald Weber told me he swears by them as the tube closest to the old Mullards....yes, told me on the phone when I was talking to him about my OR120.

flea · Post by **flea** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:09 am

Ok, thanks guys, I may have to find a 12Ax7ALPS. I have a few 5751's, a 12At7, and several 12Ax7's, so I should be alright though as soon as I can get it retubed. The shop I use doesn't open till wednesday morning, and I won't be able to get it back till friday. Talk about being anxious!

Neiloler · Post by **Neiloler** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:54 am

flea wrote:
Neiloler wrote:I have no idea, but Flea man, it's so good to hear from you! How's life, liberty, and the pursuit of music?
It's going pretty good, just spending a little more time playing and a little less time talking about playing. How you been?

I hear that, I don't get much time to crank it up these days. I'm working on that here and there. I'm just enjoying a summer away from school and all that.

12AX7WA, 12AX7WB?

12AX7WA, 12AX7WB?

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