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Post by scottunzicker on Jul 27, 2022 7:16:52 GMT -7
Short Version: Are a matched quad of Tung Sol 5881s from the Tube Store rated as “21” in their “Perfect Pair” system going to be similar (enough) to a quad of Apex Matched Tung Sol 5881s rated as Current: 34 Transconductance: 4520 in terms of being “medium grade"?
Slightly Longer Version: I was finally able to get a matched quad of Tung Sol 5881s (at more than double what I paid for the last set, but such are the times in which we live). The quad I’m replacing are Apex matched rated at a current of 34ma and a transconductance of 4520. As Dr. Z recommended, I asked for a “medium” set from the Tube Store, and they use a different set of metrics for grading than Apex; their “Perfect Pair” system. The quad they sent me are labeled as “21,” which, from what I’ve read on their site, is their plate current draw. Are those two sets comparable? Given the limited supply, I’d be happy with knowing they both qualify as “medium” grade, for the Z-Lux’s purpose.
Thanks.
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Post by DRZ on Jul 27, 2022 7:33:10 GMT -7
I'm sure they will be fine. Not exact but close enough.
Z
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Post by scottunzicker on Jul 27, 2022 7:45:32 GMT -7
I'm sure they will be fine. Not exact but close enough. Z Thanks, Doc. You're the best! I got a last minute call to co-host a local jam here in Austin last night, and every guy that got to play through the Z-Lux raved about its tone. Cheers!
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Post by doctorice on Jul 28, 2022 6:59:04 GMT -7
I'm sure they will be fine. Not exact but close enough. Z Thanks, Doc. You're the best! I got a last minute call to co-host a local jam here in Austin last night, and every guy that got to play through the Z-Lux raved about its tone. Cheers! Scott, did you have the eq bypass partially/fully engaged? Just curious as I like to run mine partially bypassed, at least with a Tele. Sounds fabulous.
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Post by scottunzicker on Jul 28, 2022 7:59:43 GMT -7
Thanks, Doc. You're the best! I got a last minute call to co-host a local jam here in Austin last night, and every guy that got to play through the Z-Lux raved about its tone. Cheers! Scott, did you have the eq bypass partially/fully engaged? Just curious as I like to run mine partially bypassed, at least with a Tele. Sounds fabulous. Heya! In short, yes, when using a single coil guitar, I will usually dial in a little bit of the bypass (or should I say, I dial OUT a little bit of the tone stack???). With a humbucker, though, I usually do not, unless I wat to rawk out. Ah, I should also mention I'm running a NOS Mullard 12AT7 (CV4024, to be exact) in V1 as opposed to a 12AX7. After I got the Z-Lux Mk. II update, I found the amp to be a little bit gainier than before, so I started fiddling with tubes, and found that I can get the clean headroom I want out of the AT7. In that configuration, I almost, but not quite, dime out the preamp (which is why I find it necessary to have a really high quality, low-microphonic tube in there), and adjust master volume to taste.
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Post by nmz on Jul 28, 2022 8:45:56 GMT -7
Scott, did you have the eq bypass partially/fully engaged? Just curious as I like to run mine partially bypassed, at least with a Tele. Sounds fabulous. Heya! In short, yes, when using a single coil guitar, I will usually dial in a little bit of the bypass (or should I say, I dial OUT a little bit of the tone stack???). With a humbucker, though, I usually do not, unless I wat to rawk out. Ah, I should also mention I'm running a NOS Mullard 12AT7 (CV4024, to be exact) in V1 as opposed to a 12AX7. After I got the Z-Lux Mk. II update, I found the amp to be a little bit gainier than before, so I started fiddling with tubes, and found that I can get the clean headroom I want out of the AT7. In that configuration, I almost, but not quite, dime out the preamp (which is why I find it necessary to have a really high quality, low-microphonic tube in there), and adjust master volume to taste. Ooo, I might try that!
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Post by scottunzicker on Aug 11, 2022 11:42:48 GMT -7
Short Version: Are a matched quad of Tung Sol 5881s from the Tube Store rated as “21” in their “Perfect Pair” system going to be similar (enough) to a quad of Apex Matched Tung Sol 5881s rated as Current: 34 Transconductance: 4520 in terms of being “medium grade"? Slightly Longer Version: I was finally able to get a matched quad of Tung Sol 5881s (at more than double what I paid for the last set, but such are the times in which we live). The quad I’m replacing are Apex matched rated at a current of 34ma and a transconductance of 4520. As Dr. Z recommended, I asked for a “medium” set from the Tube Store, and they use a different set of metrics for grading than Apex; their “Perfect Pair” system. The quad they sent me are labeled as “21,” which, from what I’ve read on their site, is their plate current draw. Are those two sets comparable? Given the limited supply, I’d be happy with knowing they both qualify as “medium” grade, for the Z-Lux’s purpose. Thanks. So I'm finally getting around to installing the new 5881s (work, gigs, laziness, etc.) and, while swapping out the old ones, I noticed that the new bottles are a good 2-3mm taller and that the external construction differs slightly (old pins are pointier, and the end of the socket guide is different). I'm doing a short burn in right now to make sure nothing cherries before testing. Has anyone else noticed the change in form factor? Old one on the left, new one on the right:
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Aug 11, 2022 15:19:15 GMT -7
Looks like they got new molds for the glass envelope, or a new supplier. Same thing with the pins and base. Internally from what I can see they look the same. Same mica insulators, at least.
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