12AT7 in V1

[mudder]

How many folks have tried this here? 12at7 in V1?

I was having a hard time dialing in my newer single rec solo, seemed like a lot of fizz/fuzz, spikey characteristics. Someone on another board said they had good luck swapping the v1 tube so I tried it.

Penta Labs balanced triode, about $12, and while overall gain is lower it seems a lot more useable and easier to adjust. Smoother gain cotrol, the clean channel is excellent, vintage on ch2 is still thick without some of the fuzz I had before, modern is still crushing with no fizz at higher preamp gain settings, though you do have to turn up the gain to get to the compression point, it's closer to 3:00 than 1:00 now.

Anyway, the difference was dramatic and good. I'm wondering if they should come from the factory like this.

 

[loudguitars]

Mudder, I use 12AT7s, old NOS Mullards, Amperex and RCAs in a lot of my amps. If I have a jazz or blues gig, they work great in V1 and V2 to "gain down" the amp.

I also use them in all of my amps for reverb and effects loop circuits. The Mullards are about $30 each, last for years and sound fantastic.

 

[dodger916]

I like AT7s too in early preamp stages. I also installed a new balanced Mullard 12at7 (CV4024) in the phase inverter with good results. I am always trying different combinations of NOS tubes, mostly recently Mullards (long and short plates), Amperex, Raytheon and RCA.

 

[mudder]

I'm glad to see other tube tester guys here. I've also heard the 5751 is a good option as well, just a bit hotter than a 12at7.

The rest of my tubes are stock Mesa, do you guys have favorites for the other spots?

I haven't tried EL34's since the V1 swap so I haven't decided what to do with power tubes. I tend to favor 6L6's (normally =C= SED) because I like the cleans better, but I understand the bias can make some tubes not work as well as in other amps.

 

[212Mavguy]

12ax7 is hotter than 5751...5751 is roughly 70% gain of a 12ax7. +1 for posts of loudguitars and dodger916.

Fun to smack a lower gain v1 with clean boost.

 

[rvschulz]

to really reduce gain - try a nice 12au7 - 50% of AX, while AT - 70% of AX

 

[MusicManJP6]

Interesting. I might try that out in my RoV combo...

 

[trem]

to really reduce gain - try a nice 12au7 - 50% of AX, while AT - 70% of AX

Gentle correction:
AU7 - 20%
AT7 - 60%
5751 - 70%

 

[dodger916]

to really reduce gain - try a nice 12au7 - 50% of AX, while AT - 70% of AX

I tried a nice 12AU7 (Mullard or Raytheon) in a Mk IIC, but it was a little too anemic for me. The AT7s do a nice job of smoothing the tone, allowing the voice of the instrument to become more prominent.

 

[EvoLove 34]

I'm glad to see other tube tester guys here. I've also heard the 5751 is a good option as well, just a bit hotter than a 12at7.

The rest of my tubes are stock Mesa, do you guys have favorites for the other spots?

I haven't tried EL34's since the V1 swap so I haven't decided what to do with power tubes. I tend to favor 6L6's (normally =C= SED) because I like the cleans better, but I understand the bias can make some tubes not work as well as in other amps.

im using a JAN Philips 5751 in my Carvin right now. Im really please with the results it gave me. really helped to up the clarity and definition. seemed to kind of thicken the sound.

thats what ive noticed anyway.