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Post by Lefty on May 19, 2005 10:08:38 GMT -7
Well, I got my extra quad of EL84's today for my Ghia and I ordered (for sh*ts and giggles) a couple of Tung Sol (Russian RI) 12AX7's. I just had a chance to A/B the TS with the JJ (stock in my Ghia). And the differences I heard where there was less distortion with the TS, less mids, more of a "Fender" type of tone. It sounded deeper a little less Voxy than the JJ.
I think this is a useful tube if you don't crank the Ghia for its distortion purposes and use a pedal to push it. But if you use the Ghia and crank it with no pedals stick the with the JJ. I have a couple of Sovtek 12AX7LPS laying about and I'll A/B the TS with them at a later time. But when compared to the JJ they seemed "Lifeless". Just my 2cents, YMMV. ;D
As soon as I get my Mini Z I'll have the try the GT12AX7M (Mullard copy) in my Ghia too
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Post by Seńor Verde on May 28, 2005 12:24:41 GMT -7
Being a tube swapper myself, I was looking for a way to make my Maz's a bit more Fendery. I ended up using Ei Elites in the first two sockets. I like a big, fat clean sound from the amp and getting overdrive/dist from pedals.
So far, I have not had issues with Ei microphonics many have complained about and the amp sounds just like I was hoping. I am interested in the Tung Sol 12ax7 as well, if it is Fender-like. It is good to have options if the Ei ever goes away.
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BigMike
Junior Member
The Mykkus Abides
Posts: 89
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Post by BigMike on Jun 4, 2005 11:04:11 GMT -7
I like the M's in my Ghia. Using it as a V1.
Biggest coolest change ever, Dario EF86 from Mike at KCA as the V1. The stocker's not bad, but the Dario is a bit warmer and more 3 dimensional in the Z28.
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Post by nathan38 on Jun 12, 2005 0:14:58 GMT -7
I didn't realy like the EH that much....the JJ worked much better in V1 for me...not so much down the line.
I like dthe M..but had some noise issues..never bought any more after the first couple..the price kinda bugged me.
I got a stash of old mullards that I pulled from old traynors and realy like them...not a lot of gain realy...but realy clear, lots of clarity in the high's and not harsh.
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sambo
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by sambo on Jun 12, 2005 22:42:02 GMT -7
I've got a Dario EF86 and agree with you, BigMike. I've also got a GEC EF86, same deal. Either one of those is a must-have upgrade.
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Post by UnclePat on Jun 15, 2005 12:05:30 GMT -7
Ditto on the Darios. HUGE difference when plugged into my Z-28.
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Post by twotontone on Jun 15, 2005 20:49:28 GMT -7
Hey Folks, Is anyone familiar w/ the "substi-tube"set up offered at GT? It's an adapter designed by Mark Sampson , allowing the use of a 12AX7 in place of an EF86.
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Post by pcrosta on Jun 18, 2005 9:28:51 GMT -7
For a tad more headroom in a Giah try a 5751 in the V1 position..My Z's and tubes..a big improvement in tone..mostly in the "sag" of the notes..replace the Sovtec rectifiers with good NOS like a Mullard if you can find one..it does improve things..and will last more than 2 yrs..Recently I bought a new Z-28 head..it came with groove Tubes JJ brand 6V6 tubes...they sound nice..my problem with all the JJ's I have tried in amps..6v6's and 6L6's..they rattle..Everyone seems so surprised at this and defend the build quality of the JJ's..I don't see it !! If you have a set that is noise free then great..otherwise back to the Russian tubes ..Also the bias on my Z-28 was set lower than Z recommends..I had to tweak it up a bit and the amp now has a fatter tone..
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Post by myles on Jun 27, 2005 12:54:19 GMT -7
I like the M's in my Ghia. Using it as a V1. Biggest coolest change ever, Dario EF86 from Mike at KCA as the V1. The stocker's not bad, but the Dario is a bit warmer and more 3 dimensional in the Z28. I have to agree on your Dario EF86 in the Z-28.
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Post by myles on Jun 27, 2005 12:58:10 GMT -7
Hey Folks, Is anyone familiar w/ the "substi-tube"set up offered at GT? It's an adapter designed by Mark Sampson , allowing the use of a 12AX7 in place of an EF86. I guess I have played with these more than most folks as I am at GT. Personally ..... I think these make the amp sound and play very differently. I keep a few in my tool box if I have to pull an EF86 on a touring amp that went microphonic and they do not have spare EF86's. They can be a life saver for that application. Maybe you will like the change. I personally do not like the change but that is just my personal take on things. I love the Z EF86 amps the way they were designed. Two triodes are not the same thing as a pentode no matter what you do.
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Post by myles on Jun 27, 2005 13:00:34 GMT -7
For a tad more headroom in a Giah try a 5751 in the V1 position..My Z's and tubes..a big improvement in tone..mostly in the "sag" of the notes..replace the Sovtec rectifiers with good NOS like a Mullard if you can find one..it does improve things..and will last more than 2 yrs..Recently I bought a new Z-28 head..it came with groove Tubes JJ brand 6V6 tubes...they sound nice..my problem with all the JJ's I have tried in amps..6v6's and 6L6's..they rattle..Everyone seems so surprised at this and defend the build quality of the JJ's..I don't see it !! If you have a set that is noise free then great..otherwise back to the Russian tubes ..Also the bias on my Z-28 was set lower than Z recommends..I had to tweak it up a bit and the amp now has a fatter tone.. Try a 12BH7 in the phase inverter position. The tube shield will no longer fit (the BH7 is about half way in height between a 12AX7 and EL84) but it will give you much more clean headroom and a really great tone. I keep one of these in a box inside my amp with different 12AX7s for V1 and two different matched phase inverters for V2.
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Post by jzguitar on Jun 27, 2005 14:40:22 GMT -7
Hey Myles
Would the 12BH7 be a good choice for the Mazerati as well? How does it compare to a 5751? Thanks for the info.
jz
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Post by myles on Jun 28, 2005 11:20:19 GMT -7
Hey Myles Would the 12BH7 be a good choice for the Mazerati as well? How does it compare to a 5751? Thanks for the info. jz The Ghia uses a fixed bias for the phase inverter that seems to lend itself to BH7 use. I prefer the 5751 in the Mazerati.
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Post by Buzz Fretwear (Ignatius) on Aug 17, 2005 18:54:46 GMT -7
I'm really intrigued by the idea of swapping around different preamp tubes in the V1 and PI slots, etc. I know tone is entirely subjective, but for those of us who aren't really knowledgeable about what combinations (i.e. 5751, 12AT7, 12BH7, etc.) are possible and what the results would yield, it would be cool if we could somehow put together a chart or reference guide.
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Post by guitarman1 on Aug 18, 2005 7:44:15 GMT -7
Hi all. I'm new to this forum, but man I'm glad it exists. I live in Charleston, SC and I know of only one other Z amp besides my MAZ Jr. that exists in the entire county. It's great to have some Z lovers to talk to. Great idea about compiling a tube chart. I wish I had the expertise to contribute.
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Post by myles on Aug 19, 2005 17:37:52 GMT -7
Hey Myles Would the 12BH7 be a good choice for the Mazerati as well? How does it compare to a 5751? Thanks for the info. jz I do not care for it in the Mazerati. The Ghia actually has a fixed bias phase inverter which is very unusual.
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Post by terryg on Sept 9, 2005 5:41:24 GMT -7
Getting back to the EF86...I replaced the capable and happening Dario with the GEC last night in my Z28 and got a new amp. I didn't know they came in small bottles I went with the GEC due to over-the-top positive experiences with a GEC in my 6545, which is permanently implanted there. Anyway, I'm finding that I've got a much smoother response, a fuller sound, and if I thought the Z28 could "hear" my guitar before, now it's "awesomer." +1 to Mike @ KCA for providing these, +1 to Dr.Z for building amps around them, and +1 for Myles for teaching me so much about this technology.
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Post by myles on Sept 13, 2005 10:24:16 GMT -7
You really would find it hard to chart as there are so many sonic differences between just various 12AX7 tubes.
There is a lot of info on this on my GAB website.
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Post by mikekca on Sept 16, 2005 5:42:41 GMT -7
When I saw the topic I thought the thread would be about "tube thoughts"...you know, what tubes are thinking, a subject I've often pondered. ;D Move on, nothing to see here. Mike K www.kcanostubes.com
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Post by jzguitar on Sept 17, 2005 10:24:37 GMT -7
When I saw the topic I thought the thread would be about "tube thoughts"...you know, what tubes are thinking, a subject I've often pondered. ;D Move on, nothing to see here. Mike K www.kcanostubes.comMy guess would be "sure is hot in here". My second guess would be "why are those old English broads getting all the attention?"
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