Help me buy tubes.

[nieh]

Alright, so instead of funding a new amp I'm just going to try replacing the stock tubes. My amp has 5 12AX7 Preamp tubes and 2 EL84 Power tubes. I don't know shit about tubes so I need your help. I'm looking for a bassier less bright sound with less gain and more volume. It would also be nice if they were relatively cheep because I have to buy 7 of them. Suggestions?

[Holy Schnikes]

What amp is it and how old? Preamp tubes are generally good for a long while. Unless you're experiencing microphonics or something, I'd be more concerned with switching out power tubes and seeing how that sounds first, before spending any more cash.

[nieh]

What amp is it and how old? Preamp tubes are generally good for a long while. Unless you're experiencing microphonics or something, I'd be more concerned with switching out power tubes and seeing how that sounds first, before spending any more cash.

Jet City JCA20. And it's less than a year but another forum member told me the stock tubes were terrible. And its been crackleing and getting unbearably trebley.

[sylnau]

Read tubes description there:
http://thetubestore.com/

[Holy Schnikes]

What amp is it and how old? Preamp tubes are generally good for a long while. Unless you're experiencing microphonics or something, I'd be more concerned with switching out power tubes and seeing how that sounds first, before spending any more cash.

Jet City JCA20. And it's less than a year but another forum member told me the stock tubes were terrible. And its been crackleing and getting unbearably trebley.

Yea, in that case, you may be better off doing a complete overhaul. I'd probably switch out the preamps one at a time and listen to the results, may just have one or two offenders in there.

As for what tubes, just start researching different characteristics of the brands you'd consider, you'll find they vary widely, really subjective but at least you can get an idea. Then worry about price checks. The Tube Store is a good resource, as mentioned above. You may want to check out these places too, pretty wide selection and I've had luck with both in the past.

http://www.tubedepot.com/?gclid=CJ2cqb7 ... KgodUUoZvw

http://www.dougstubes.com/

Here's some thoughts on tube swaps in your specific amp from HC, looks like he had luck with preamp swaps.

"OK, so I tried some tube changes and here's the results:

First, I changed the EL84's to JJ's. Nothing special, they were reasonably priced and have been well reviews, so I figured I can't go too wrong. I considered some other makes, but a lot of talk of larger bottle sizes concerned me, although I have measured and they probably would have all fit, but maybe not left too much clearance. Maybe next time...

So first up, I tried an EH 12AY7 in V1, Svetlana 12AX7 in V2 and an unbranded 12AT7 (NOS) in V3. Wow, what a difference from the stock tubes. I'm sure the JJ EL84's made a part of that difference, but I really noticed the pre-amp tubes when I dropped the Master and cranked the Pre-amp. The tone was better when I started all the tone stack at 12:00 and it didn't take a lot of movement to get a good tone. Even the presence, which was like evil icepicks tearing into my eardrums at anything above 3 was smoother. I still wouldn't turn it up past 6, but at least it can be used. A lot more headroom and a much better clean tone when the preamp volume is down and the master is up. As to be expected, you lose a bit of the modern high-gain sound of the top of the gain dial, but turned up to 9, it was still plenty of gain and worthy of the Soldano name. Everything dimed (or nine'd, I guess...the controls max out at 9) and it gives you as much gain as you should need without putting a pedal in front of it.

Next, I tried subbing a JAN Phillips 5751 in V1 and kept everything else the same. I didn't expect much as I have found these tubes to be a bit sterile sounding when pushed. They sound great clean and in a lower gain setting (I have used these in a SF Bassman and on the clean channel of a Vox AC100 CPH) they are great, but require a little tone control tweaking. In this amp though, it really was hard to get it sounding right and there wasn't really any difference compared to having a 12AX7 in V1.

Next up, I put the 12 AY7 back in V1 and put the 5751 in the PI. This combo gives the amp a little more gain at the top of the preamp dial and a little extra bump when dimed (less one penny...).

So there you go...I might try some different combos, but I think this one is the winner. It doesn't break up too much until between 3-4 then it gets into plexi crunch between 4-6 1/2, then gets into a nice high-gain sound the rest of the way. Pushing the EL84's gets you a little more bite and unless I start playing some serious nu-metal, it's as much gain as I would need...and I can throw a pedal in front of it if it's not.

BTW, this tube combination also takes a couple decibels off the max volume...which should be fairly obvious given that V1's gain has been reduced by more than half and V3 by 20%. But if you're planning on using this amp for playing anything more than a small club show with a "quiet" drummer (although, I have never met one), losing a couple decibels is the least of your worries."

[nieh]

I'm thinkin....

Power: http://thetubestore.com/teslael84.html

Preamp: http://thetubestore.com/ehx12ax7.html

[blahquaker]

I have a soldano astroverb that's pretty similar to your amp. I got a matched pair of JJ EL84s and put Tung Sol 12ax7 in the V1 spot. I like that setup a lot more than what was in there before.

but sound, especially regarding tubes, is very subjective. the reviews on the tube store are helpful, but individual opinions around the internet vary widely.

I had a very good experience buying from http://www.valvequeen.com - she doesn't have a huge selection but shipping was quick and if you order 2 power tubes, she automatically sends a matched pair.

[Muff Wiggler]

Mmm tubes

[sylnau]

I'm thinkin....

Power: http://thetubestore.com/teslael84.html

Preamp: http://thetubestore.com/ehx12ax7.html

For the preamp, you could also consider TAD

TAD 12AX7A-C
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_TA ... 2AX7WA_391

[nieh]

I'm thinkin....

Power: http://thetubestore.com/teslael84.html

Preamp: http://thetubestore.com/ehx12ax7.html

For the preamp, you could also consider TAD

TAD 12AX7A-C
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_TA ... 2AX7WA_391

I really like the description. Sounds just like what I'm looking for. The only bad this is that they're twice as much.

[MEC]

I'm looking for a bassier less bright sound with less gain and more volume.

The less gain more volume thing can have a lot more to do with bias than the actual tube itself. When you get new tubes you will need to (unless you can do it yourself) have a tech re-bias your amp. Let the tech know that you are looking for more volume and later break up and he'll set the bias accordingly.

The guys at http://www.eurotubes.com/ are fair and if you tell them what you are looking for, won't try and sell you anything you don't need.

[metalmariachi]

I’d go with TAD 12AX7s for a warmer sound.

JJ EL84s sound great in 18 watt Marshals.

MM

[darthbatman]

i don't know much about it but i am fascinated by this website http://www.watfordvalves.com/home.asp

[Holy Schnikes]

Have you considered a 5751 in the preamp gain stage? Usually safe to sub for 12AX7 and produces less gain. I've used them with great results in a couple amps to increase clean headroom.

[dubkitty]

get a NOS GE 12AX7 for V1. your amp will sound so much better it will boggle your mind. don't let any E-H or Sovtek 12AX7s anywhere near your amp...they're horrible, i don't care what the websites say. i like the modern-day Mullards OK; i also like the modern Tung-Sols, but the 5751 i had burned out kind of quickly (in fairness, it was in a Class A 1-preamp-tube/1-power-tube amp). it's also important to find a high-quality 12AX7 if your amp uses one to step up gain for a Drive channel or such, which typically uses half of a 12AX7 in the last preamp position and is noisy as all hell...this is where you want that Telefunken you have lying around in the parts drawer.