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Post by GratefulNed on May 21, 2019 23:57:41 GMT -7
Hey folks,
I want to replace my preamp tubes and I see the recommendation from the doc about the V3 reverb tube (“This tube must be a NOS 6201 NOT a new production ECC81/12AT7”).... And yet when I look at the tube sets offered by the tube store, euro tubes, etc. unfortunately they do seem to be selling just the 12AT7s... Anyone have a hint for me on this?
And just to doublecheck, looking at the amp from the back with the amp upright, the preamp tubes are numbered V1 thru V6 from right to left, correct?
Thanks in advance. Love this amp, best I’ve ever heard.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 22, 2019 0:57:22 GMT -7
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on May 22, 2019 6:17:12 GMT -7
My advice is if you like the way your amp sounds, don't change out your preamp tubes as a matter of course. They last a really long time. Especially don't change all of your preamp tubes at once. It will sound different afterwards and you won't know which tubes did it. If you feel you must change them, change them one at a time and see how it affects the sound, better, leave it in, no change, don't need to change it, keep it for a spare. Only one that may be different is the phase inverter, which does wear quicker. Some folks change it every other power tube change. I do the put a new one in and see if it sounds better thing.
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Post by scottunzicker on May 22, 2019 7:06:52 GMT -7
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Post by Stephen on May 22, 2019 7:28:27 GMT -7
I bought a 6201 from Amplified Parts last year. When it came, the box was labeled 12AT7WA.
I never cared for it. It was noisy and the reverb was just not as good. So I reinstalled the original tube and haven’t looked back.
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Post by captainbeeflat on May 22, 2019 7:35:35 GMT -7
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Post by GratefulNed on May 22, 2019 8:41:33 GMT -7
You folks are amazing, thanks for all the prompt input. Interesting about the different experiences with the 6201’s. What’s happened is that I bought the ZLux from someone who I think made some interesting choices with a tube replacement, and I think things actually got switched around as well. That was the reason for my question about the real V1-V6 map. Also the amp is more gain-y than I expected and I wonder if some of these AX7s are the “hot” version. So I was just going to start over.
Tempted to go for the link that Dr. Z offers to the tube store, which uses a JAN-Philips 12AT7WC (and refers to it as a NOS 12AT7) for that V3 spot. Still open to other thoughts.
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Post by mrdannyboy on May 22, 2019 10:59:39 GMT -7
I’ve got old stock 6201’s If you need N as well I have an ad placed here for a bunch of Amperex 12AX7’s. I can provide you lotta references if you need them would be happy to help you out
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Post by scottunzicker on May 22, 2019 11:38:21 GMT -7
You folks are amazing, thanks for all the prompt input. Interesting about the different experiences with the 6201’s. What’s happened is that I bought the ZLux from someone who I think made some interesting choices with a tube replacement, and I think things actually got switched around as well. That was the reason for my question about the real V1-V6 map. Also the amp is more gain-y than I expected and I wonder if some of these AX7s are the “hot” version. So I was just going to start over. Tempted to go for the link that Dr. Z offers to the tube store, which uses a JAN-Philips 12AT7WC (and refers to it as a NOS 12AT7) for that V3 spot. Still open to other thoughts. This forum is, indeed, one of the better gear communities out there, in my experience. You mentioned the amp is gain-ier than you expected. Are you using any of the boost, and what tube are you running in V1? Tube choice for V1 makes a HUGE difference in gain on the Z-lux, I've observed. As an example, I used to always dial in a little bit of the "boost" circuit when I played single coil guitars through the Lux with Dr. Z's recommended Mullard in V1 (no boost with humbuckers, though). Being an unrepentant tinkerer, I naturally tried a variety of tubes in V1, and ended up putting a new Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 in there. The Genalex is so much "gain-ier" that I now no longer "need" to dial in boost with single coil guitars (though, when I really want some crunch, I'll dial some in to get me there). I'm sure you already have this info, but just in case, here's a link to Z's recommended tube page: drzamps.com/support/tube-info/
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Post by GratefulNed on May 22, 2019 12:39:49 GMT -7
Again thanks, Especially for the tip on the importance of the V1 position for gain. Right now (presuming the one is on the far right of the chassis, looking from the back, right behind the guitar input) there is a JJ EC83S, with ‘1400’ in small print. I’m not using the Dr. Z boost yet. I do have both humbucker and single coil guitars, both pretty high-end. Goal is to run the amp kinda loud yet a little closer to the ‘edge of breakup’ than I can currently get it. Not excited about keeping the Volume control so low (and Master high) that I’m not bringing in any preamp color. Sounds like for me maybe that Mullard 12AX7 is a good idea.
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Post by mrdannyboy on May 22, 2019 13:20:11 GMT -7
Again thanks, Especially for the tip on the importance of the V1 position for gain. Right now (presuming the one is on the far right of the chassis, looking from the back, right behind the guitar input) there is a JJ EC83S, with ‘1400’ in small print. I’m not using the Dr. Z boost yet. I do have both humbucker and single coil guitars, both pretty high-end. Goal is to run the amp kinda loud yet a little closer to the ‘edge of breakup’ than I can currently get it. Not excited about keeping the Volume control so low (and Master high) that I’m not bringing in any preamp color. Sounds like for me maybe that Mullard 12AX7 is a good idea. Best tube for V1 that I have ever used and strongly suggest are either 7025 or 7025a which is a low noise industrial ruggedized 12AX7. That’s been my finding, I usually ave them to sell to boutique amp builders. I have a Holland 7025 too if you need anything. Cheers
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Post by GratefulNed on May 22, 2019 13:42:14 GMT -7
Again thanks, Especially for the tip on the importance of the V1 position for gain. Right now (presuming the one is on the far right of the chassis, looking from the back, right behind the guitar input) there is a JJ EC83S, with ‘1400’ in small print. I’m not using the Dr. Z boost yet. I do have both humbucker and single coil guitars, both pretty high-end. Goal is to run the amp kinda loud yet a little closer to the ‘edge of breakup’ than I can currently get it. Not excited about keeping the Volume control so low (and Master high) that I’m not bringing in any preamp color. Sounds like for me maybe that Mullard 12AX7 is a good idea. Best tube for V1 that I have ever used and strongly suggest are either 7025 or 7025a which is a low noise industrial ruggedized 12AX7. That’s been my finding, I usually ave them to sell to boutique amp builders. I have a Holland 7025 too if you need anything. Cheers Any hint on where those are in the gain spectrum? Certainly sound good in terms of production quality (with price to match)
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Post by mrdannyboy on May 22, 2019 14:40:53 GMT -7
Best tube for V1 that I have ever used and strongly suggest are either 7025 or 7025a which is a low noise industrial ruggedized 12AX7. That’s been my finding, I usually ave them to sell to boutique amp builders. I have a Holland 7025 too if you need anything. Cheers Any hint on where those are in the gain spectrum? Certainly sound good in terms of production quality (with price to match) Yes there are 100% gain factor just as the 12 AX7
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