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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Dec 24, 2020 20:22:17 GMT -7
I noticed one of my amps had started to sound congested and kind of dark and a bit noisy too. I decided to break out some 12AX7 tubes to see what I could do. I started with V1. The first tube I tried sounded too bassy to me. The second was much better balanced. The third was slightly brighter and much more puah/volume. So I had my V1. I then tried my second favorite in V2 and the amp just came alive. Punch, grind, and an extended high end. The amp sounds so good. I tried the first tube in V3 and the amp suddenly sounded quite dark. Using the original V3 tube really helped keep the bass down a tad and the mids smoothed out some more. Took a good bit of experimenting. Now I am loving the sound again. It was fun to see how different one or two tubes can make. Merry Christmas folks.
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Post by John on Dec 27, 2020 10:16:47 GMT -7
.... had started to sound congested and kind of dark and a bit noisy too.
Sounds like an ex girlfriend of mine!
What amp were you working with?
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Dec 27, 2020 11:41:46 GMT -7
It is a Germino Classic 45 (JTM45).
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Post by zpilot on Dec 28, 2020 10:07:03 GMT -7
I've had some occasions where customers have brought me amps claiming there was something wrong with them. While the customer was still there I would play through it and not be able to detect anything wrong. I would test all the tubes and check bias and everything still seemed OK. I would even do a quick check on the scope. I would then say, "Let's try a few different tubes." This almost always was limited to the 1st and 2nd gain stages. I would then "roll" an assortment of tubes in those locations. We would usually find one specific tube they liked. It might not be one that I thought was an improvement in tone but the customer would like it and consider the amp "fixed". One case that particularly comes to mind is when someone picked a Sovtek 12AX7LPS to go in V1 in a JCM 900. That tube has never been my choice in that position. He was happy and went on his way. It's all a matter of personal taste.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 5, 2021 21:21:45 GMT -7
Paul (TRANE) good on you for tuning up your amp. Have you ever tried RFT preamp tubes? They sound great in M style amps, especially if you live in the crunchy side of things. Last time I bought them they were still reasonable. They are my favorite all around preamp tube especially in British type amps. I have enough to out last me I think lol. I forgot how many of these I had! Speaking of tubes, I was going through organizing my "gear closet" this morning. Is this normal to have?
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Feb 5, 2021 21:31:38 GMT -7
Edward,
I have some RFTs around here. But my favorites are old Brimar CV4004. I got them way back when at a decent price. I keep all my tubes in Tube Cube case. Helps me stay organized.
I will have to try some RFTs in there one day. Right now I love the Brimars. So many good tubes out there, if you can find them. You have a great collection of glass. So much good tone in those piles of glass. Killer!
I am always looking for good NOS EF86 preamp tubes too.
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Post by nicholas on Feb 6, 2021 10:33:11 GMT -7
I should grab one of those tube cubes. At least for the tubes I'd feel bad about accidentally dropping or getting mashed.
I looked up that Brimar. I'd hang on to the ones you got! They seem to be unobtanium.
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Post by zpilot on Feb 7, 2021 0:03:20 GMT -7
Paul (TRANE) good on you for tuning up your amp. Have you ever tried RFT preamp tubes? They sound great in M style amps, especially if you live in the crunchy side of things. Last time I bought them they were still reasonable. They are my favorite all around preamp tube especially in British type amps. I have enough to out last me I think lol. I forgot how many of these I had! Speaking of tubes, I was going through organizing my "gear closet" this morning. Is this normal to have? I think it is absolutely normal if you are going to play the tube amp game. I have two of the old boxes that TV repairmen used to carry tubes in that are full of tubes. Mostly NOS that I bought 15 to 25 years ago when prices were reasonable and quality still good. Probably around $3000 worth in the current market. I used to offer these as options to repair customers but not anymore. It's somewhat comforting to know I probably will never have to buy another tube for my own use. I've got some stuff though that I will probably never find a use for. Like 6 matched pairs of coke-bottle Sylvania 6V6G's. Probably would be sweet in an early '50's amp of some sort.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 7, 2021 12:05:00 GMT -7
Ive been enjoying amperex's/v1 lately..and yeah i could probably get way more obsessive..."stage 1 compulsive right now"
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Post by loucardguitar (Johnathan) on Apr 7, 2021 18:47:33 GMT -7
Ive been enjoying amperex's/v1 lately..and yeah i could probably get way more obsessive..."stage 1 compulsive right now" Right there with 'ya. I have an Amperex in the V1 of my Cure. I've tried to buy up what I can of Amperex 12AX7's.
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Post by digs57 on Apr 8, 2021 8:33:22 GMT -7
Ive been enjoying amperex's/v1 lately..and yeah i could probably get way more obsessive..."stage 1 compulsive right now" Right there with 'ya. I have an Amperex in the V1 of my Cure. I've tried to buy up what I can of Amperex 12AX7's. me too...and it's got to stop...won a nice treble clef/bb last night ebay... ...dun...lol
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