Best brand of 12AX7's

Volitan · January 10th, 2008, 09:40 PM

What, in your guys' opinion if the best brand of 12AX7's. NOT NOS....

simonc · January 10th, 2008, 09:48 PM

EHX or Tung Sol.

Simon.

JimiBryant · January 10th, 2008, 09:57 PM

JJ or Chinese silver plates that have been screened by a reputable supplier

Volitan · January 10th, 2008, 10:08 PM

The reason I ask is because my amp is starting to lack definition and clarity and is just starting to sound bad. I'm guessing it's time for a tube change....I've had it for just over a year, and sometimes (most times) I leave it on standby all, which I'm sure helped with the decline of my tubes, but I don't know if I should just change the Pre-tubes just because I've heard that Power tubes last longer, so I'm assuming they're still fine...

11 Gauge · January 10th, 2008, 10:16 PM

All of them.

None of them.

It depends on the application, playing style, amp, etc. etc...

Even within the same manufacturer, no two will give you the same sonics.

Some are gainier, some more microphonic, some hum more, some rattle...

The best news? Current production 12AX7's are cheap. And since they're preamp tubes, you don't need them matched.

The only ones that I'd steer clear of are rebranded ones, like GT's. It helps to know about the true origin (and therefore spec's) of the particular tube, in case you want more in the future.

To be painfully honest, I run a mix of almost all brands (except for GT), both new and NOS, in all of my amps that use more than one preamp tube. That's how I've personally gotten the best results. YMMV.

11 Gauge · January 10th, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volitan

but I don't know if I should just change the Pre-tubes just because I've heard that Power tubes last longer, so I'm assuming they're still fine...

You've got it backwards.

Preamp tubes can last seemingly forever. I have a Telefunken from '67 (with a lot of miles on it) that I just put in a new build. It sounds great, IMO.

New production power tubes are good for roughly a year or two, depending on usage. If they are current production, biased hot, and used regularly, it's probably time for a fresh set.

If your highs are going, it's probably your power tubes.

skeksis · January 10th, 2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volitan

The reason I ask is because my amp is starting to lack definition and clarity and is just starting to sound bad. I'm guessing it's time for a tube change....I've had it for just over a year, and sometimes (most times) I leave it on standby all, which I'm sure helped with the decline of my tubes, but I don't know if I should just change the Pre-tubes just because I've heard that Power tubes last longer, so I'm assuming they're still fine...

first, you've got it a little backwards from conventional wisdom... preamp tubes can last a very long time, while power tubes wear out in the right circumstances. it's probably the power tubes that need a change in your amp (jj el84's are pretty good). the tubes that came with your amp are probably the worst of the worst, and you'll probably see a big improvement by changing 'em all. lastly, don't leave your amp on all the time :-) turn it on to standby some twenty seconds before flipping over to play. don't know if that's what killed your tubes, but I'd bet it didn't help any.

Volitan · January 10th, 2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

You've got it backwards.

Preamp tubes can last seemingly forever. I have a Telefunken from '67 (with a lot of miles on it) that I just put in a new build. It sounds great, IMO.

New production power tubes are good for roughly a year or two, depending on usage. If they are current production, biased hot, and used regularly, it's probably time for a fresh set.

If your highs are going, it's probably your power tubes.

Well then in that case....What's the best EL84's. I play a lot of funk so I do a lot of high's and almost no bass, so I guess I do need new Power Tubes. Are the Ruby's good?? A duet is only $20, but this is the first time changing tubes, so I'm a newb at changing them. Will I need to have the biased or anything like that????

skeksis · January 10th, 2008, 11:20 PM

lotsa folks like the jj's, I also had good results with some TAD (tube amp doctor) branded el84's. $20 for a pair is near the top of what you'll want to pay.

you're probably ok to simply plug-and-play the new tubes, as long as you buy a matched pair. I don't know your amp, but you may get some very small benefit from getting the amp biased, like longer tube life. BUT there's probably not much point in it for you. like I said before, you can only get better from the stock tubes, so enjoy.

Volitan · January 10th, 2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeksis

lotsa folks like the jj's, I also had good results with some TAD (tube amp doctor) branded el84's. $20 for a pair is near the top of what you'll want to pay.

you're probably ok to simply plug-and-play the new tubes, as long as you buy a matched pair. I don't know your amp, but you may get some very small benefit from getting the amp biased, like longer tube life. BUT there's probably not much point in it for you. like I said before, you can only get better from the stock tubes, so enjoy.

Sounds good. So I guess I'll order the Rubies then (just buying from MF, and all they've got are Rubies and GT's)....

So are there any kind of safety precautions I should take before I go on...

tazzboy · January 10th, 2008, 11:53 PM

Volitan · January 11th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazzboy

JJ

They don't have them

Anyway, are there any kind of precautions I should take. I've read that working on amps is serious stuff with all the electricity and what not....

JimiBryant · January 11th, 2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volitan

They don't have them

Anyway, are there any kind of precautions I should take. I've read that working on amps is serious stuff with all the electricity and what not....

you can burn your fingers pulling out HOT tubes, but as long
as you're not messing with the actual circuitry you'll be fine.

you'll prob'ly find a new pair of tubes will do wonders.

teleman55 · January 11th, 2008, 12:10 AM

I'd go for JJ EL84's. They're nice. If you gotta go the groove tubes route, their EL84-S is a JJ run through they're selection process. Cost 'ya more than a JJ though. Ruby's probably got one like that too. 12ax7...try EH, JJ, or Tungsol. One Groove Tube I like is a 12ax7C, but that was in a 6l6gc kinda amp.

TexGoneNW · January 11th, 2008, 12:25 AM

"They" don't have 'em?

Order some. Plenty of online resources.

Volitan · January 11th, 2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexGoneNW

"They" don't have 'em?

Order some. Plenty of online resources.

MusiciansFriend doesn't have them Music123 doesn't have them....

teleman55 · January 11th, 2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexGoneNW

"They" don't have 'em?

Order some. Plenty of online resources.

+1.

Volitan · January 11th, 2008, 12:53 AM

Anyway, I took out the old ones, and they're Sovtek's....

I thought I broke them at first because I just pulled them right out and they came out pretty easily....

They have 9 pins. Do all EL84's have 9-pins or is that a special designation or anything???

Guitar_Ninja · January 11th, 2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volitan

MusiciansFriend doesn't have them Music123 doesn't have them....

http://www.tubedepot.com

http://www.tube-shop.com/

http://www.newsensor.com/

And that's just the tip of the iceberg...

fenson · January 11th, 2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonc

EHX or Tung Sol.

Simon.

+1

teleman55 · January 11th, 2008, 01:20 AM

also try dougs tubes, kcanos tubes, tube depot, there are more also.

captain gorgeous · January 11th, 2008, 05:46 AM

EL84s. JJs. totally. easy to find. affordable. tough and really good sounding.

tried EHs but they sounded very brittle and went microphonic really fast. as did sovteks.

have a set of JJs that have lasted years now and sound as good as new.

the best set i ever tried were "HARMA" branded from watford valves here in the UK. I've since discovered these were pretty much selected and tested JJs!

so to sum up:

JJs.

al

11 Gauge · January 11th, 2008, 06:07 AM

Triode Electronics is another great source, and you can check out all of their EL84 offerings.

FMA · January 11th, 2008, 06:27 AM

Good source of JJ tubes is Eurotubes.com. Just e-mail Bob there and he'll hook you up. No affiliation, but I've dealt with Bob and he provides excellent service...

bowlfreshener · January 11th, 2008, 07:07 AM

As others have said, I like the EH 12ax7s...

January 10th, 2008, 09:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Volitan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa Bay Age: 18 Posts: 204	Best brand of EL84's What, in your guys' opinion if the best brand of 12AX7's. NOT NOS.... __________________ ==GUITARS: The Green Machine: 2007 Homebrew Tele, Mighty Mite neck, Seymour Duncan pickups ==AMPS: Epiphone Valve Standard ==FX: Monsterpiece MK.II Fuzz Last edited by Volitan : January 10th, 2008 at 11:04 PM.

January 10th, 2008, 09:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,434 4 Photos	EHX or Tung Sol. Simon. __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

January 10th, 2008, 09:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 46 Posts: 1,495	JJ or Chinese silver plates that have been screened by a reputable supplier __________________ I am very proud of the fact that I'm so humble!

January 10th, 2008, 10:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Volitan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa Bay Age: 18 Posts: 204	The reason I ask is because my amp is starting to lack definition and clarity and is just starting to sound bad. I'm guessing it's time for a tube change....I've had it for just over a year, and sometimes (most times) I leave it on standby all, which I'm sure helped with the decline of my tubes, but I don't know if I should just change the Pre-tubes just because I've heard that Power tubes last longer, so I'm assuming they're still fine... __________________ ==GUITARS: The Green Machine: 2007 Homebrew Tele, Mighty Mite neck, Seymour Duncan pickups ==AMPS: Epiphone Valve Standard ==FX: Monsterpiece MK.II Fuzz

January 10th, 2008, 10:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,760 10 Photos	All of them. None of them. It depends on the application, playing style, amp, etc. etc... Even within the same manufacturer, no two will give you the same sonics. Some are gainier, some more microphonic, some hum more, some rattle... The best news? Current production 12AX7's are cheap. And since they're preamp tubes, you don't need them matched. The only ones that I'd steer clear of are rebranded ones, like GT's. It helps to know about the true origin (and therefore spec's) of the particular tube, in case you want more in the future. To be painfully honest, I run a mix of almost all brands (except for GT), both new and NOS, in all of my amps that use more than one preamp tube. That's how I've personally gotten the best results. YMMV. __________________

January 10th, 2008, 11:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Age: 30 Posts: 223	lotsa folks like the jj's, I also had good results with some TAD (tube amp doctor) branded el84's. $20 for a pair is near the top of what you'll want to pay. you're probably ok to simply plug-and-play the new tubes, as long as you buy a matched pair. I don't know your amp, but you may get some very small benefit from getting the amp biased, like longer tube life. BUT there's probably not much point in it for you. like I said before, you can only get better from the stock tubes, so enjoy. __________________ '86 mij '62 Custom Tele ----> '08 Marsh 5F4 Super kit or 60's Silvertone guitars (Harmony-made) ----> '66 Princeton Reverb http://www.myspace.com/jswattsmusic

January 10th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 2,677	JJ __________________ tazzboy Guitar: 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard AMP: 59 Bassman Reissue. EFFECTS: 2 Boss TR-2 Tremolo, Boss CE-2 Chorus, and Boss DM-3 Echo Delay.

January 11th, 2008, 12:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
teleman55 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: fox lake, il Age: 53 Posts: 98	best brand of 12ax7 I'd go for JJ EL84's. They're nice. If you gotta go the groove tubes route, their EL84-S is a JJ run through they're selection process. Cost 'ya more than a JJ though. Ruby's probably got one like that too. 12ax7...try EH, JJ, or Tungsol. One Groove Tube I like is a 12ax7C, but that was in a 6l6gc kinda amp.

January 11th, 2008, 12:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 50 Posts: 907 4 Photos	"They" don't have 'em? Order some. Plenty of online resources.

January 11th, 2008, 12:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
Volitan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa Bay Age: 18 Posts: 204	Anyway, I took out the old ones, and they're Sovtek's.... I thought I broke them at first because I just pulled them right out and they came out pretty easily.... They have 9 pins. Do all EL84's have 9-pins or is that a special designation or anything??? __________________ ==GUITARS: The Green Machine: 2007 Homebrew Tele, Mighty Mite neck, Seymour Duncan pickups ==AMPS: Epiphone Valve Standard ==FX: Monsterpiece MK.II Fuzz

January 11th, 2008, 01:20 AM	#21 (permalink)
teleman55 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: fox lake, il Age: 53 Posts: 98	best 12ax7's also try dougs tubes, kcanos tubes, tube depot, there are more also.

January 11th, 2008, 05:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
captain gorgeous Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Angel, North London Posts: 1,871 38 Photos	EL84s. JJs. totally. easy to find. affordable. tough and really good sounding. tried EHs but they sounded very brittle and went microphonic really fast. as did sovteks. have a set of JJs that have lasted years now and sound as good as new. the best set i ever tried were "HARMA" branded from watford valves here in the UK. I've since discovered these were pretty much selected and tested JJs! so to sum up: JJs. al __________________ "What is it with chimpanzees and that middle parting? It's so 1920s." www.myspace.com/daddylonglegsuk http://www.myspace.com/thetacticians

January 11th, 2008, 06:07 AM	#23 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,760 10 Photos	Triode Electronics is another great source, and you can check out all of their EL84 offerings. __________________

January 11th, 2008, 06:27 AM	#24 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,052	Good source of JJ tubes is Eurotubes.com. Just e-mail Bob there and he'll hook you up. No affiliation, but I've dealt with Bob and he provides excellent service...

January 11th, 2008, 07:07 AM	#25 (permalink)
bowlfreshener Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 32 Posts: 1,356 6 Photos	As others have said, I like the EH 12ax7s... __________________ RAMA LAMA FA FA FA