Need some help with tubes.

mistermullens · June 17th, 2007, 07:12 PM

I've recently gotten a Fender Champion 600 and true to what I've heard, the stock tubes are awful. I pulled a 12AX7 and 6V6 out of my Deluxe Reverb RI, and immediately noticed a difference. I need some input on different tubes. My DRRI has a 12AT7 so I tried that one as well. It didn't take me long to figure out that the 12AT7 didn't have has much gain the 12AX7, so I knew that wouldn't work. The amp is very trebley. Are there different types of 12AX7s that will give different tones? I'd like to keep the gain and also have it a little warmer, and a little creamer. Are all 12AX7s and 6V6s created equal? This is my first time changing tube so sorry for the newbie questions. Thanks!

dibber124 · June 17th, 2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermullens

I've recently gotten a Fender Champion 600 and true to what I've heard, the stock tubes are awful. I pulled a 12AX7 and 6V6 out of my Deluxe Reverb RI, and immediately noticed a difference. I need some input on different tubes. My DRRI has a 12AT7 so I tried that one as well. It didn't take me long to figure out that the 12AT7 didn't have has much gain the 12AX7, so I knew that wouldn't work. The amp is very trebley. Are there different types of 12AX7s that will give different tones? I'd like to keep the gain and also have it a little warmer, and a little creamer. Are all 12AX7s and 6V6s created equal? This is my first time changing tube so sorry for the newbie questions. Thanks!

No, not equal, not at all.
Avoid going crazy with NOS stuff for now, try This:
Tung-Sol ressiue 12AX7, JJ 6V6. I get mine from http://www.tubestore.com
Use this combo over and over and it almost always works out. For cleaner sound you could try a E-H 12AY7.

soma5 · June 17th, 2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermullens

I've recently gotten a Fender Champion 600 and true to what I've heard, the stock tubes are awful. I pulled a 12AX7 and 6V6 out of my Deluxe Reverb RI, and immediately noticed a difference. I need some input on different tubes. My DRRI has a 12AT7 so I tried that one as well. It didn't take me long to figure out that the 12AT7 didn't have has much gain the 12AX7, so I knew that wouldn't work. The amp is very trebley. Are there different types of 12AX7s that will give different tones? I'd like to keep the gain and also have it a little warmer, and a little creamer. Are all 12AX7s and 6V6s created equal? This is my first time changing tube so sorry for the newbie questions. Thanks!

All tubes are different from one another. A guy I know retubed his Champion 600 with JJ tubes and noticed right off that the "fizzy" sound he was getting with the stock tubes when he turned up went away. The JJ 12AX7's are often described as a little dark sounding, but they sound good. I really like the JJ 6V6 tubes. You have a lot of different selections, but I'd just try one at a time until you find something that sounds good to you. Live with that for a while unless you get dissatisfied for some reason (like you hear someone else's Champion 600 with different tubes that sounds better to you). Tube "rolling" can get pretty expensive. Hmm, how do I know this?

So try some preamp tubes, try some 6V6's. Don't swap out more than one tube at a time so you can hear the difference. The choices range from all the different new production tubes to NOS tubes to used tubes that still test good. All will sound different. Have fun with it!

Bluesbob · June 18th, 2007, 04:24 PM

is it broken in yet?

JohnnyCrash · June 18th, 2007, 04:36 PM

I usually don't like JJ tubes, but they're my first choice for 6V6's. I generally prefer ElectroHarmonix 12AX7's... people all have different tastes though, so I'd suggest picking up a few brands (plus its always good to have backups on hand).

That 6" speaker may be partially to blame. Whether its the size or it needs to be broken in.

I'd also suggest staying away from NOS for now... it can get expensive (and addictive) very quickly.

Big Steve · June 18th, 2007, 04:51 PM

I you want to get into the old tube thing, consider buying used tubes from Ebay or the swap meet. Or ask you local amp tech to save some for you. What I usually do it buy used old tubes and then if they sound good in a particular amp, then I look for a NOS (New Old Stock) version of the same tube.

mistermullens · June 18th, 2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

That 6" speaker may be partially to blame. Whether its the size or it needs to be broken in.

Well, I think this is the case. The "new" tubes helped, but I ran it into my cab w/10in speaker and it sounded amazing! Its pretty amazing the difference a broken in, bigger speaker can make. I'm still going to get some more tubes for experimentation, but it looks like I'm just going to have to break this baby in.

angelcoon · June 18th, 2007, 09:50 PM

Never have ANY two different brands of tubes sounded the same to me, although I cant yet speak for 6V6s.

12AX7s are quite varied in sound. I prefer JJs in my Mayfly Vox clone (crunchier-more gain), and yet I don't care for their tone in my Deluxe Reverb Reissue, preferring the stock (Sovtek?) sound. E-H 12AX7s also sound good in thre DRRI to these ears. Perhaps this is why some prefer the Tung-Sol 12AX7.

Anyway, it's fun to experiment!

'coon

mistermullens · June 18th, 2007, 10:05 PM

I think I'm definitely going to order a Tung-sol and JJ 12AX7. The way I figure it, at least one will sound good in my C600 and DRRI.

JohnnyCrash · June 19th, 2007, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistermullens

Well, I think this is the case. The "new" tubes helped, but I ran it into my cab w/10in speaker and it sounded amazing! Its pretty amazing the difference a broken in, bigger speaker can make. I'm still going to get some more tubes for experimentation, but it looks like I'm just going to have to break this baby in.

I am completely spoiled.

After I built my tweed Champ head and played it through a 2x12" cab - I sold my SF Champ to a fellow TDPRI'er. I haven't played a Champ through anything smaller than a 12" since. I really dig my 1x15" Jensen AlNiCo P15N too.

Some speakers don't really change after being "broken in," some really need it. Tubes can only take you so far sometimes.

June 17th, 2007, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
mistermullens Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 1,682 56 Photos	Need some help with tubes. I've recently gotten a Fender Champion 600 and true to what I've heard, the stock tubes are awful. I pulled a 12AX7 and 6V6 out of my Deluxe Reverb RI, and immediately noticed a difference. I need some input on different tubes. My DRRI has a 12AT7 so I tried that one as well. It didn't take me long to figure out that the 12AT7 didn't have has much gain the 12AX7, so I knew that wouldn't work. The amp is very trebley. Are there different types of 12AX7s that will give different tones? I'd like to keep the gain and also have it a little warmer, and a little creamer. Are all 12AX7s and 6V6s created equal? This is my first time changing tube so sorry for the newbie questions. Thanks! __________________ Jonathan - Demos@purevolume.com When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi All I need is my Esquire - MM

June 18th, 2007, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bluesbob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East Suffolk L.I. Posts: 971 20 Photos	About the speaker... is it broken in yet? __________________ What, me worry?

June 18th, 2007, 04:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,134 39 Photos	I usually don't like JJ tubes, but they're my first choice for 6V6's. I generally prefer ElectroHarmonix 12AX7's... people all have different tastes though, so I'd suggest picking up a few brands (plus its always good to have backups on hand). That 6" speaker may be partially to blame. Whether its the size or it needs to be broken in. I'd also suggest staying away from NOS for now... it can get expensive (and addictive) very quickly. __________________ . Learn about safety before building/repairing/modding an amp. When in doubt, take it to a shop. Never drink yellow snow. Have fun.

June 18th, 2007, 09:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
angelcoon TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: East Prospect, PA Age: 51 Posts: 51	Not all created equal! Never have ANY two different brands of tubes sounded the same to me, although I cant yet speak for 6V6s. 12AX7s are quite varied in sound. I prefer JJs in my Mayfly Vox clone (crunchier-more gain), and yet I don't care for their tone in my Deluxe Reverb Reissue, preferring the stock (Sovtek?) sound. E-H 12AX7s also sound good in thre DRRI to these ears. Perhaps this is why some prefer the Tung-Sol 12AX7. Anyway, it's fun to experiment! 'coon

June 18th, 2007, 10:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
mistermullens Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 1,682 56 Photos	I think I'm definitely going to order a Tung-sol and JJ 12AX7. The way I figure it, at least one will sound good in my C600 and DRRI. __________________ Jonathan - Demos@purevolume.com When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi All I need is my Esquire - MM

June 18th, 2007, 04:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Big Steve Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 454	I you want to get into the old tube thing, consider buying used tubes from Ebay or the swap meet. Or ask you local amp tech to save some for you. What I usually do it buy used old tubes and then if they sound good in a particular amp, then I look for a NOS (New Old Stock) version of the same tube.