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Post by onestop on Apr 15, 2006 13:39:12 GMT -7
Just recently became the proud owner of my first Dr. Z amp and I love it! So of course now I'm ready to start experimenting with tubes but before I do so, was hoping to get some opinions my way on tubes. I have cranked the amp and can't stop thinking about the amazing tone that you get with a Strat loaded with Fralins straight into a Ghia...just awesome! But then I realize that my band, nor any venue in their right mind, would ever let me dial the amp up past say...oh 2! Anyhow, I've experimented in some of my other EL-84 amps with swapping the preamp tubes (say 12AX7s) for EC83s or EC803s. I've found with this simple swap that my tone started to break up a little sooner. Essentially, for an 18 watt amp, I'd like the Ghia to start getting dirty a little quicker. Now before anyone says or suggests that I get an Airbrake....already have one. And I love it as well but not on my Ghia. So with all that said, let the suggestions rip! THANKS!
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Post by bustertheboy on Apr 17, 2006 1:56:07 GMT -7
welcome onestop! my favourite combo in my ghia- 212 greenbacks- is v1- ist tube NOS GE12ax7- detailed lots of drive- quiet v2- phase inverter second tube- nos JAN GE 5751- detailed and lots of drive for the el84s
if u want a bit more headroom and slightly less harmonics and detail try a 12bh7 in v2- it drives the el84s a bit less hard- better if using effects or humbuckers and u want less drive contact KCA or tubedepot i'd advise the first set up- many nos tubes are quieter and have more consistent drive of the new tubes i quite like the GT12ax7m- mullard reissue, but to my ear nowhere as good as the old GE s all the best
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Post by onestop on Apr 17, 2006 6:27:46 GMT -7
Thanks for the recommendation bustertheboy! I had done some additional research over the weekend and heard similar suggestions toward the use of the GE 12ax7 NOS tubes. Now with these V1 & v2 replacements, am I cool staying with the stock power tubes? Also, anyone one the net that you'd recommend for tubes? I've seen places like tubedepot.com and a few others but I'm always looking for other happy customers out these. I tend to find a handful of online and local shops that I stick with and do all my business with.
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Post by bustertheboy on Apr 18, 2006 1:12:19 GMT -7
www.kcanostubes.com or tube depot are both great- i like the GT el84 s it came with others like trying others
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Post by bustertheboy on Apr 18, 2006 1:16:36 GMT -7
hi onestop- quick succession of posts- here is an earlier post of mine- hope it helps:
an idea for tubes on a budget? i just got a couple of NOS valves from tube depot- JAN 5751 and a real surprise - a 'preowned' GE electronic 12AX7 what an amazing sound- in my carmen ghia the 5751 gets swapped with a 12BH7, depending on head room needed the Ge 12AX7 is in input valve- the tone is incredible- crisp and lots of gain- it has replaced the new GT mullard reissue (which is the best new 12AX7 i've heard) while the mullard reissue is great, the GE is absolutely amazing- all at $11.95 look out for these you won't be disappointed
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Post by onestop on Apr 18, 2006 6:44:19 GMT -7
I'll check out kcanostubes.com right now. So for the V2 position, you're suggesting a 12BH7 in place of the 5751? Will I have less headroom with the 12BH7, which I'm totally cool with. Let's see if I can track those down right now. I can't wait! Thanks again!
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Post by kruzty on Apr 18, 2006 6:58:50 GMT -7
I have a balanced 12BH7 I got from KCA that I will sell. I tried it out and it, but went back to the 5751. It probably has 2 hours on it. I had it on the Buy/Sell board, but that post isnt' on there anymore (it looks like the posts get deleted on that board after awhile).
It is a balanced NOS RCA 12BH7 - $20.
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Post by onestop on Apr 18, 2006 7:02:48 GMT -7
What didn't you like about the 12BH7 versus the 5751? Just curious.
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Post by kruzty on Apr 18, 2006 7:36:37 GMT -7
I think it was just a little too much clean headroom for me. It's not that I don't like it, but I just think the 5751 is better for my needs.
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Post by onestop on Apr 18, 2006 8:12:31 GMT -7
AAHH. Thanks for the offer but that helps me in my search. I'm in the same boat....looking for less clean headroom which I'm hoping to achieve through the use of different tubes and not my AirBrake. Thanks again for the offer and good luck!
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Post by bustertheboy on Apr 18, 2006 15:07:07 GMT -7
hi again - for less clean headroom my best yet is from www.tubedepot.com the anos (almost new old stock- tests as new) GE 12ax7 and nos jan GE5751- detailed lots of crunch ridiculously detailed upper harmonics- my fave
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Post by onestop on Apr 18, 2006 18:18:18 GMT -7
Thanks again bustertheboy! I'll check out the tubedepot. Also thought I pass this along. Prior to joining this forum, I had sent an email to the Dr. and his reply was for less headroom, to try a 12AX7 in V2 to accompany the 12AX7 in V1. For what it's worth but I thought I'd share.
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Post by onestop on Apr 18, 2006 18:19:07 GMT -7
Sorry...one more possibly silly question - any need for rebiasing with the "new" tubes? Thanks again for all the help!
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Post by bustertheboy on Apr 19, 2006 5:13:52 GMT -7
two things - preamp tubes never need to be biased -the carmen ghia is cathode biased- via a big resistor from the output tube's cathode to earth- unlike fixed bias tubes which need to be biased with each new set of output tubes, the most u might do with self biasing (cathode bias) is try a few diff sets if u can yes i had heard about 12ax7 in v2 and more drive- some suggest it is a little more harsh- maybe so- for me it was a compromise between drive and being able to use effects
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Post by onestop on Apr 19, 2006 9:37:35 GMT -7
That's for that info on biasing I got hooked up with Mike @ kcanostubes.com, who actually operates his business about 5 minutes from my house (small world). Anyhow, I'm looking into some NOS RFT 12AX7 tubes that apparently a little less bright with an earlier breakup. I also snagged a couple of GE 12AX7s so I'm going to try using both RFTs first and then I may try the RFT in V1 with one of the GEs in V2. Let's see what happens! Probably won't be until this Sat with the RFTs and I won't see the GEs for another week.
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Post by ajlove on Nov 25, 2006 17:18:06 GMT -7
I like a NOS Tesla (Not JJ!) E83CC (12AX7) in V1 alot. Very balanced in tone, VERY low microphonics, great overall tone. Got mine from Mike at KCA, he doesn't have many left...
I'm thrilled with NOS Mullard EL-84's in my Ghia. They added a smoother, earlier overdrive and great natural sustain, and more "3-D swirl". Really killer...
Haven't sttled on which 5751 to use though. Anyone know what the original 5751 in the Ghia is, in V2? Mine is a GE 5751 "Made in USA". Just wondering, is that a NOS tube? I'm going to try an RCA Command Series eventually and a 5 Star GE as well. I have a "National 5751" made by RCA here to try, as well
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 25, 2006 18:18:04 GMT -7
Hi aj, don't rule out one of the 12BH7A's for V2. I picked up one from Mike and I love it in my Ghia. If you like smooth, it's a great tube to try.
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