Orange Amps Forum

Hey! First time Orange owner and poster experiencing some problems regarding fitting a couple of Tung-Sol 12ax7 tubes.

Decided to change out the stock tubes after acquiring a used Terror Bass 1000: managed to squeeze in one of the new tubes, but it seems to be a much tighter fit than the stock JJ tubes. I think the pins are connected (since it still works), but it's definitely stuck. It was the input near the jack - didn't dare to change the second one.

Did I do something wrong? Should it be so tight that it's stuck? It's Tung-Sol 12ax7 tubes, shouldn't be a problem right?

You definitely have the pins lined up properly?

Definitely: it's the "ring" around the base of the amp that doesn't fit/is really tight, which make the Tung-Sol seem too thick. Is it the tube or the amp?

Gjeddekake wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:09 pm

Definitely: it's the "ring" around the base of the amp that doesn't fit/is really tight, which make the Tung-Sol seem too thick. Is it the tube or the amp?

It'd be useful to see a picture of what you describe.

12AX7 usually have a pretty standard size. By ring, do you mean the aluminium base on which you screw on the shield?

Yeah, that's the spot!

I realised I should have taken a photo, but at that time I've had just screwed on the cover.

Les Paul Lover wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:45 pm

[quote=Gjeddekake post_id=655294 time=<a href="tel:1500494941">1500494941</a> user_id=21076]
Definitely: it's the "ring" around the base of the amp that doesn't fit/is really tight, which make the Tung-Sol seem too thick. Is it the tube or the amp?

It'd be useful to see a picture of what you describe.

12AX7 usually have a pretty standard size. By ring, do you mean the aluminium base on which you screw on the shield?
[/quote]

I know what you mean about these.
The Tung-Sol 12AX7s I have are a bit of a tighter fit than the other 12AX7s!
Really nice low microphony tubes though.

Ah, okay! So nothing is broken/done wrong? Looking forward to taking them out, because they're pretty crammed in there.

First impressions were good though, more defined and less "boomy" than the stock tubes!

jontheid wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:08 pm

I know what you mean about these.
The Tung-Sol 12AX7s I have are a bit of a tighter fit than the other 12AX7s!
Really nice low microphony tubes though.

Not all current production tubes I found out are the same size, I had the same problem with my 2204. Two choices, stick to tubes that fit or replace your tube sockets with bigger ones. Kind of bummed me out, one of these days I'll replace my sockets so I wont be limited to what tubes I can use. Most tube manufacturers have their tube dimensions available so just check out sizes before you buy.