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Post by soulcall on Nov 7, 2006 22:42:38 GMT -7
I am picking up my Ghia this Friday and I am interested in tube substitutions in rectifier and power tubes especially that you have found pleasing.
I can hardly wait to get this amp home. I played it for a long time in the store and have never enjoyed an amp without any effects as much as this.
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Post by bustertheboy on Nov 8, 2006 1:07:17 GMT -7
Hi soulcall- fantastic name by the way! new old stock 12ax7 s and 5751 s also rectifier and the groove tubes el84 s are my favourites and you could try: www.kca.com and www.tubedepot.comTry the amp first and enjoy it for a while would be my suggestion Brett
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Post by zdogma on Nov 8, 2006 11:12:08 GMT -7
NOS in V1 I like the Telefunken, and Siemens 12ax7. Both are quite treble forward. For a softer warmer sound, tungsol 12ax7 or 5751.
New V1's I like the JJ ECC 803 (but the long plates may not work in a combo, can be microphonic) or the JJ ECC 83 for combos. Groove tubes makes a select grade of this, the ECC 83S which is excellent, as there are a lot of substandard tubes. It is probably worth the extra.
V2 I would only use NOS. They are pretty cheap and work well. Pay extra for a matched 5751 if this is offered, this is a very important tube. The sovteks are often substandard, and don't last.
Rectifers I would also get a NOS JAN, Mazda or RCA. Reliability is excellent.
Output tubes I like the GT EL84S that come stock. They aren't that expensive and sound good. If you're not sure how old they are get a new set, and keep what's in it for backup.
Filament rattle is often a problem with the EL84 combos. I have had it in my Ghia, in my Fender, and in my 18 watt. They're all pretty much the same. If you can afford it, get a set of tube rings, they improve this considerably, and last forever.
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Post by billyguitar on Nov 8, 2006 11:55:49 GMT -7
I put two 12AY7s in mine and I like it like that. Other people will disagree but that's where I'm at.
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 8, 2006 12:20:43 GMT -7
I just picked up a pair of NOS Tesla EL84's & an NOS 12BH7 for V2 from Mike that I'm going to pop in tonight & give a whirl. I'm currently using a JJ in V1, NOS 5751 in V2 and 2 GT EL84's. I just want to try something different. I really like the JJ in V1 though.
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Post by soulcall on Nov 8, 2006 20:55:18 GMT -7
Thanks for the tips and the web sites. I had no idea there were so many choices. I will take your advice and try it stock and start making changes.
I also can't believe how loud it is. We play small venues and it will be hard to get it up to 12:00
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Post by Dana {aka gp} on Nov 8, 2006 22:14:27 GMT -7
I am picking up my Ghia this Friday and I am interested in tube substitutions in rectifier and power tubes especially that you have found pleasing. I suggest you get a selection of the following NOS preamp tubes and let your ears make the decision as what's best: 12AX7A/ECC83 (get a few different versions, including at least one of the new Chinese ones and one of the Groove Tubes 12AX7M units) 5751 12BH7A For power tubes, though there might be some great NOS ones out there, you'll pay a fortune and have perennial trouble getting replacements for your favorites. For new production, I'd go with the JJ EL84's (available as matched and rated Groove Tubes model EL84S). As for the rectifier, get one of the Bendix 5Y3's from KCA and you'll be set for life. My favorite combination in my Ghia is Tungsram 12AX7, GE 5751, JJ EL84, RCA-made Hammond 5Y3GT (I haven't treated myself to a Bendix yet). Have fun! -Dana
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 9, 2006 8:49:06 GMT -7
I popped in that NOS 12BH7A that I got from Mike last night... WOW.. I love that tube in V2. It really smoothed things out, gave me a little more headroom and I was able to get a little more out of the power tubes it seemed. I tried the NOS Tesla EL84's as well and I have to say that I couldn't really hear much of a difference from the stock GT's. It seems that the preamp section is where you get the biggest tonal changes from the ghia. I highly recommend that 12BH7- Mike's got 'em for $24.
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Post by tjstrat on Nov 9, 2006 18:16:45 GMT -7
I have a Raytheon 12ax7 and a National 5751. New JJs from Bob at Eurotubes
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Post by Dana {aka gp} on Nov 10, 2006 17:59:46 GMT -7
I am picking up my Ghia this Friday and I am interested in tube substitutions in rectifier and power tubes especially that you have found pleasing. I can hardly wait to get this amp home. I played it for a long time in the store and have never enjoyed an amp without any effects as much as this. Did you get your Ghia today? If so, please give us a report on your weekend workout of your new Z! -Dana
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Post by Don on Nov 12, 2006 15:11:59 GMT -7
I am picking up my Ghia this Friday and I am interested in tube substitutions in rectifier and power tubes especially that you have found pleasing. As far as power tubes go, I have 2 Ghias, one came with GTs and the other with JJs. The difference was astounding. I even swapped the tubes just to make sure that it wasn't the amp, and again, I much preferred the Groove Tubes. To my ear, the GTs sound much brighter and give the amp more presence.
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Post by mrnybluesman on Nov 12, 2006 15:25:19 GMT -7
Hi Don, Ok..here is where things get complicated. Define brighter...I will be retubing the Ghia head I just brought home...I have gotten loads of differing opinions. I love warm tight tone...hate bright and brittle.
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Post by Don on Nov 13, 2006 15:47:54 GMT -7
Hi Don, Ok..here is where things get complicated. Define brighter...I will be retubing the Ghia head I just brought home...I have gotten loads of differing opinions. I love warm tight tone...hate bright and brittle. No, no, no. Not brittle or bright. Warm and fat is a better description. What power tubes came with your Ghia? C'mon Myles - help me out here!
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Post by mrnybluesman on Nov 14, 2006 6:22:23 GMT -7
I pulled out all the tubes when I got it home but paid more attention to the preamp. I figured the power tubes go no matter what because I have no idea how long they have been in there. I was all set to go with a matched pair of NOS Tesla's{not JJ's}...but I am after the best tone. The price difference is $20...$60vs$40...how are the reliability of Groove Tubes..have there been any problems?
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Post by johnnyl on Nov 14, 2006 11:27:11 GMT -7
Heey bluesman, I tried the NOS Teslas and couldn't really hear any noticeable difference. If anything the GT's were a little warmer to my ears. I think the Doc really built the amp around this tube.. It just seemed to sing a little more when I put the GT's back in. I'd say buy yourself a few different V2 tubes: 5751, 12BH7A etc..
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Post by mrnybluesman on Nov 15, 2006 4:57:45 GMT -7
Ok..you guys convinced me..I will go with E-84s GT's ....and try some different 5751's and 12ax7's..maybe some NOS in the preamp.
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Post by Curt on Nov 15, 2006 22:10:10 GMT -7
Try the 12BH7 in V2.
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Post by canes on Nov 15, 2006 22:26:40 GMT -7
Re: Rectifier tubes: I've tried two brands: Sovtek and NOS Mazda. In my findings the Mazda is much better. Let me explain, from what I read i thought that different brands/ etc would not have much difference but to me its quite a difference. The Sovtek actually seemed to increase the headroom but produce a more confined, less open sound, duller to my ears. The Mazda sounded more open, more dynamic, just plain better. So I went back to it and havent looked back.
Jason
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Post by ajlove on Nov 22, 2006 20:14:54 GMT -7
I have yet to find a new modern production tube that sounds as great as the best NOS tubes. As far as which particular tube, the Ghia is a truely stellar Amp that will sound fantastic but slightly different with every tube choice. Depends on which "flavor" you are going for...
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