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Post by prspastor on Sept 7, 2009 8:31:16 GMT -7
I just had to pull a Tung Sol 12AX7 from my Ghia - I had isolated it as the cause of a low hum present at all times in the amp, even when no guitar was plugged in.
Is this common for a Tung Sol? It is a shame, I really liked the tube, but I couldn't stand the hum.
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Post by foxx on Sept 7, 2009 8:54:25 GMT -7
I just got two, installed in Ghia and Mini, no hum.
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Post by Eddie on Sept 7, 2009 9:50:56 GMT -7
Maybe you got a bad one? I have a couple of those reissue Tung SOL 12AX7 that I like a lot for a loud/clear tone in V1 and just as a decent 12ax anywhere.
Oh well, they can't all be winners, right? :-) Maybe save it as a backup for a different position in another amp. Eddie
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Post by prspastor on Sept 7, 2009 10:01:06 GMT -7
Hey Eddie, you think that it might be okay for PI or tone stack positions, hopefully without a hum? Outside of NOS, what is your favorite V1 tube of current manufacture? Or did I just ask a silly question?
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Post by Eddie on Sept 7, 2009 11:30:15 GMT -7
Pastor,
In V1 of the MAZ, I like all sorts of new-production tubes - but like Myles always says, it's a matter of personal taste, so YMMV.
TESLA/JJ ECC803S from Mike at KCA NOS tubes are just $9 each. To my ears, they have a good tone with a very slightly scooped mid. I got a bunch of them and they all work great, but that could be because of Mike's quality control, not TESLA's. :-) They break up nicely.
The TUNG SOL reissues are nice as stated above, but you may have had a bum one. Seem pretty balanced tone-wise to me and they have a "tight" feel when driven. I bought 5 of them from an amp builder that was closing shop and all 5 are winners.
GT 12AX7 I think Z sends some amps from the factory with this tube in V1 - but don't quote me on that. I bought my MAZ new and it had a GT in V1. I think they sound good with good bass (I have a few and they all sound the same - so something to be said for consistency of tone there).
JJ ECC83S These have really compact short plates. I like them a lot because they have a thicker-sounding midrange. In fact, Phil came to my house to demo a MINI Z head that he bought from me and after playing for a couple of minutes he guessed that I had a GT in V1 and said he prefers the JJ in that amp for the thicker mids! Eric Johnson's ears got nothing on Phil's!! :-)
My own summary:
JJ/TESLA ECC803S = Slightly scooped mids. TUNG SOL Reissue = Balanced tone. GT = Good tube with nice bass. JJ ECC83S = Punchy tone with thick mids.
As always, this is just me and my amp/ guitar etc., but it might help you make a decision next time you want to stock up on some new production 12AX7's.
Have fun! Eddie
ps - and yeah, you might find that tung-sol that was noisy in one spot would be fine in another like the PI. I just hate to throw out tubes until I'm sure they are a dud everywhere. I try to set them aside with a note on the box if they had issues in a particular spot i.e. - "not for v1/2 - ok pi"
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Post by prspastor on Sept 7, 2009 18:32:05 GMT -7
Thanks Eddie, awesome information - I appreciate the info and your time. I'll mark that Tung-Sol down for PI and hope for the best...
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