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Post by Fabio on Apr 24, 2019 10:56:04 GMT -7
Hey guys,
I'm still rocking the Ghia, still loving it. I have received today some EL84's I had ordered (some 6n14n russian ones) and I really like what I'm hearing so far. I also have a good old (won't say nos) rectifier, so I'm down to rolling preamp tubes. I currently have a Tung Sol in V1 and a GT 5751 (although also says 12AX7 on the side) in V2. These preamp tubes were in the amp when I got it. I used to have a good stash of NOS 12AX7 but I don't anymore, so just wanted to inquire what you guys tried and liked. I know different tubes will give different results, but I'm looking for a nice warm, 3D quality tube in V1, very low microphonic. I'm running the Ghia clean ish, and hit it with some pedals, compressor, RAT, Precision drive, and I am stacking for higher gain tones. I mainly play a strat these days but also have a Les Paul. Also my Ghia is a head, going into a 1x12 cab with a V30, and I am possibly thinking of trying a WGS ET-65 soon, just to give the full context.
So for the long time Ghia users that would have gigged with the amp, or played at decent volume, what do you recommend ?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by digs57 on Apr 24, 2019 11:50:32 GMT -7
Going to install nos rectifier today...tick tock (snailmail)...I think docs latest batch of stock with amps sound really good (jj's,tungsolv2)...but ive been doing a lot of reading up on this and rft 12ax7 is one that I do want to try,nos jan 12ax7 would be one on my shortlist...but as long as your at it look into rectifier as well...on the et-65...have it in both maz 18 and its wonderfull...full,never harsh or over articulate...
Did just put a gold in my ghia 110... wow its a little slayer...cant wait to do more nos rolling...
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Post by Fabio on Apr 24, 2019 11:56:02 GMT -7
Going to install nos rectifier today...tick tock (snailmail)...I think docs latest batch of stock with amps sound really good (jj's,tungsolv2)...but ive been doing a lot of reading up on this and rft 12ax7 is one that I do want to try,nos jan 12ax7 would be one on my shortlist...but as long as your at it look into rectifier as well...on the et-65...have it in both maz 18 and its wonderfull...full,never harsh or over articulate... Did just put a gold in my ghia 110... wow its a little slayer...cant wait to do more nos rolling... Thanks a lot for the answer. One of the (many) great things about the Ghia is that since there are fewer tubes, it doesn't cost a fortune to try and swap them. So I wouldn't mind paying a bit of $$ for a great V1. Thanks for the comment on the ET-65, I'm pretty sure I'll give it a try in a week or two.
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Post by Faze on Apr 24, 2019 12:03:40 GMT -7
I sometimes like a Tung-Sol 12AX7 In V1 depending on the amp. I tried one in my Z-Master and it sounded pretty good but went back to the EH 12AX7 that came with it. The EH seemed to sound better with my Fuzz pedal.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 24, 2019 12:54:53 GMT -7
Another 12ax7 tube this guy raved about was an EH 12ax7...he said he wished he had two ghias so he wouldn't have to swap all the time...its a lot cheaper than nos,alternative.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 24, 2019 14:23:27 GMT -7
My Nova shipped with EH 12AX7 tubes and Tung Sol outputs. They sound great. And Digs is right on about the Gold 10". Sounds killer with a Ghia.
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Post by Fabio on Apr 24, 2019 14:32:17 GMT -7
My Nova shipped with EH 12AX7 tubes and Tung Sol outputs. They sound great. And Digs is right on about the Gold 10". Sounds killer with a Ghia. Thanks. I'll check out some EH, might be able to pick some locally for cheap.
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Apr 25, 2019 4:17:48 GMT -7
Like digs said, I put a GE JAN 12ax7 in v1 of my Antidote. I liked the results. I'm not sure if I did the same in my Ghia, but I did add one in my former MAZ I think it was $80 at Tube Depot. There are occasional sales.
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Post by John on Apr 25, 2019 4:57:49 GMT -7
With the manufacturing tolerances being so poor these days for tubes, I recommend:
Turn your back to the amp, and have someone switch out tubes (without telling you what is what) while you play and listen. Find one you like.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 25, 2019 6:58:57 GMT -7
nosvaccumetubes.net...this site will get your nos jones going
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Post by captainron (Ron) on Apr 27, 2019 8:19:33 GMT -7
Hey Fabio, I've gone back to a JJ ECC83 in V1, and a Tung Sol 12AX7 in V2. I use the Ghia a little more on the clean side (slight "hair"-meduim "hair") and use pedals for drive/dirt. I have a CG in a head and recommend using a 1x12 Gold. Tone for days! I must add that I'm not a big-time tube roller.....though I have done it much more with the Ghia than any other amp I own. (Due to the low # of Tubes).
Ron.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 27, 2019 9:48:50 GMT -7
Played a fairly large room last night (vol 1)...and ghia was struggling a little (vol/headroom)...really great drummer but he doesn't hold back...wont be going with anything softer of lower gain after seeing what the gold/stock tubes are doing...(that was with humbuckers as well)...
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Post by digs57 on Apr 29, 2019 14:36:46 GMT -7
I had ordered a rft ecc 83 for my ghia...got it today...it was noisy in the v1 slot...was going to return it...but I ended up putting it in my maz 18 reverb...wait just a minute...really sound nice...it will stay in maz v1 fwiw.
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Post by Fabio on Apr 30, 2019 8:52:23 GMT -7
I had ordered a rft ecc 83 for my ghia...got it today...it was noisy in the v1 slot...was going to return it...but I ended up putting it in my maz 18 reverb...wait just a minute...really sound nice...it will stay in maz v1 fwiw. Nice, I found a guy locally that was selling a few old stock 12AX7 tubes. I bought an RFT (short plate), an RCA (long plate) and a Sylvania (long plate). I've tried them in different positions but so far the RFT in V1 and the RCA in V2 is the best tone I think I had. I think flavors of preamp tubes is a never ending quest, but I like what I'm hearing at the moment!
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Post by Fabio on May 10, 2019 6:53:24 GMT -7
Guys, I'm so excited, I wanted to update this thread with the tubes I ended up putting in the Ghia. First let me say in the last few weeks I've been on a total tube chase, mainly locally but also looking at online stores that could have what I wanted. I found a local guy that had a few good NOS 12AX7 to sell, and just last week, found another guy that was selling a few tubes from his collection and also happened to have a good tube tester. So, long story short, went to this guy's place, and it just so happened I had met him few years ago as we had traded some amps and cabs (small world). So I brought my Ghia to his place, and a bunch of 12AX7's from my collection that I had never tested. We tested all the tubes. This guy has killer knowledge of tubes, brands, makers and properties of each tubes. After about two hours rolling out different tubes in V1 and V2, I ended up putting a tube I had, an unmarked, believe to be Mullard in V2, the tube was perfectly balanced and gave the amp a little something. And the grand finally, in V1, I now have a crazy nice Amperex Buggle boy. This guy had 4 of these and was willing to sell one, and made me a very good deal. Like I said earlier on, I'm very excited about these tubes and the tone I am getting, so I'll try not to over hype anything, but man it sounds great! That guy had been around tube amps for a very, very long time and was also was super impressed with the tone we were getting out of the Ghia. The Ghia is so responsive to tube changes. Once again, everyone here is saying it, but such a great amp, and a great design! Kudos DRZ
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 10, 2019 11:43:05 GMT -7
That's cool, Bugle Boys are really nice. Getting pretty expensive nowadays!
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Post by John on May 10, 2019 14:07:06 GMT -7
Do you ever get ear fatigue when doing this? Not because of excessive volume, but rather just listening to some many tubes. And I figure they're probably small changes. I would think you need to just walk away for a while.
for years I used a Carvin X amp. It has B/M/T and presence..then it had the 5 band graphic eq on it. That's a LOT to contend with. There were times I would play and play..thinking I've really dialed in my tone. Only to come back the next day, fire up the amp, hit a chord and think: "What was I thinking??" All due to ear fatigue. And then there were times I just took the 5 band out of the signal....and you know what...it actually seemed better. Maybe that's why I really bonded with the Ghia. Make it simple.
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Post by Fabio on May 10, 2019 14:40:06 GMT -7
Do you ever get ear fatigue when doing this? Not because of excessive volume, but rather just listening to some many tubes. And I figure they're probably small changes. I would think you need to just walk away for a while. for years I used a Carvin X amp. It has B/M/T and presence..then it had the 5 band graphic eq on it. That's a LOT to contend with. There were times I would play and play..thinking I've really dialed in my tone. Only to come back the next day, fire up the amp, hit a chord and think: "What was I thinking??" All due to ear fatigue. And then there were times I just took the 5 band out of the signal....and you know what...it actually seemed better. Maybe that's why I really bonded with the Ghia. Make it simple. You are exactly right. After a long period of time playing, even if not at super loud volume, we do get some kind of ear fatigue and can hear things differently. That is why we didn't do 2h non stop of tube rolling, we did take some breaks, chatted and checked other stuff. But I do agree that from one day to another the same exact gear can sound different to us. And that is also why I love the Ghia, such a great basic tone, and all I do with the tone knob is slightly change the smiley face as Doc said it.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 10, 2019 16:16:58 GMT -7
Do you ever get ear fatigue when doing this? Not because of excessive volume, but rather just listening to some many tubes. And I figure they're probably small changes. I would think you need to just walk away for a while. for years I used a Carvin X amp. It has B/M/T and presence..then it had the 5 band graphic eq on it. That's a LOT to contend with. There were times I would play and play..thinking I've really dialed in my tone. Only to come back the next day, fire up the amp, hit a chord and think: "What was I thinking??" All due to ear fatigue. And then there were times I just took the 5 band out of the signal....and you know what...it actually seemed better. Maybe that's why I really bonded with the Ghia. Make it simple. Absolutely John, that happens to me all the time too when I'm trying to compare any difference in tone. The ear gets fatigued and I know what you mean EXACTLY! You spend hours to get something set 'just right' and come back the next day and it sucks. That's the same reason I couldn't ever love my Boogie. Too many ways to make it sound BAD. I've got an old Carvin amp and I usually keep the graphic turned off too, unless I just need a quick cut or boost here or there. But then it starts all over again, right? I love Doc's amps because even with the three band eq models w/presence, it's hard to get a bad tone out of them.
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Post by 63fenderman on May 26, 2019 6:18:39 GMT -7
In my ghia, I have enjoyed using a 5751 in V1. An NOS GE 5751 is what I have in now. Gave a little more headroom and when it does breakup, smoothed it out just a touch. I have an old sylvania 5ar4 rectifier. I have used and also really like a solid state rectifier plug as well.
I think V2 is a Russian groove 12 ax7.
Been wanting to try a set of 6n14n's in mine but, havent needed to replace my sylvania 84s yet.
Running my head into a 1x10 cab with a gold. The gold is THE speaker for the Ghia. Unbelievable how great that speaker is.
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Post by mrdannyboy on May 26, 2019 10:21:53 GMT -7
For me hands down a 7025 or 7025a/12AX7a or Amperex like the 12AX7 in my ad here or Mullard 12AX7. Siemens are a real treat as well.
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Post by mrdannyboy on May 26, 2019 10:26:12 GMT -7
Guys, I'm so excited, I wanted to update this thread with the tubes I ended up putting in the Ghia. First let me say in the last few weeks I've been on a total tube chase, mainly locally but also looking at online stores that could have what I wanted. I found a local guy that had a few good NOS 12AX7 to sell, and just last week, found another guy that was selling a few tubes from his collection and also happened to have a good tube tester. So, long story short, went to this guy's place, and it just so happened I had met him few years ago as we had traded some amps and cabs (small world). So I brought my Ghia to his place, and a bunch of 12AX7's from my collection that I had never tested. We tested all the tubes. This guy has killer knowledge of tubes, brands, makers and properties of each tubes. After about two hours rolling out different tubes in V1 and V2, I ended up putting a tube I had, an unmarked, believe to be Mullard in V2, the tube was perfectly balanced and gave the amp a little something. And the grand finally, in V1, I now have a crazy nice Amperex Buggle boy. This guy had 4 of these and was willing to sell one, and made me a very good deal. Like I said earlier on, I'm very excited about these tubes and the tone I am getting, so I'll try not to over hype anything, but man it sounds great! That guy had been around tube amps for a very, very long time and was also was super impressed with the tone we were getting out of the Ghia. The Ghia is so responsive to tube changes. Once again, everyone here is saying it, but such a great amp, and a great design! Kudos DRZThat one you believe is a Mullard - look close at the bottom of the glass and there should be a code there ie: i61, i63, i65 then four letters/numbers below that. Also Does the top of that tube have four seams is in it? Does the tube flash when you turn on your amp from a cold start up ? I’ll Try to help you identify it. Good choices. If you’re happy with the bugle boy there’s an ad here that I’m selling Amperex Canada with Electrohome label on it , from high fidelity stereos They are just relabeled bugle boy tubes. Very reasonable compared to actual labeled bugle boys but the same tubes. Glad you are happy.
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Post by Fabio on May 28, 2019 6:43:19 GMT -7
mrdannyboyThank you for the info. I'll go try to look on the tube and see if I can find some numbers. Also, I've sent you a PM regarding those tubes, I'm interested Thank you
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Jan 13, 2020 19:32:19 GMT -7
Like digs said, I put a GE JAN 12ax7 in v1 of my Antidote. I liked the results. I'm not sure if I did the same in my Ghia, but I did add one in my former MAZ I think it was $80 at Tube Depot. There are occasional sales. I would have never spent that on a preamp, but somehow ended up with one (think it came with my used Swart STR). I have it V1 in my Maz JR and it’s great. My Ghia is on the way, so I’ll try it there too.
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Post by Faze on Jan 14, 2020 9:27:49 GMT -7
Just and update I went back to the Tung-sol In my Z-master. It warmed things up and really made the amp sound even more lush.
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Post by digs57 on Jan 14, 2020 13:53:31 GMT -7
The ghia went back to stock everything...(tungsol 84's though)which do sound great (bendix 6106 rect at some point)...maz 18's get the jan ge or Sylvania 12ax7 wa v1 and still remain a nice (my choice)voicing with the 6n14n,nos rectifier (mullard).
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Post by guitarcrusher on Apr 26, 2020 13:13:25 GMT -7
Ei
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Post by helmi on Apr 27, 2020 14:21:10 GMT -7
Turn your back to the amp, and have someone switch out tubes (without telling you what is what) while you play and listen. I’m not burning my fingers switching out my buddy’s tubes. That’s his wife’s job! LOL
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