Best sounding preamp tubes for Mark IIC+?
- Thread starter mreeve25
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Boogiebabies
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My preference:
Old Stock:
RFT ECC83's
Ei ECC83's
Newer Types:
GT 12AX7M V1 and V5
Ruby 12AX7C V2-V4
Old Stock:
RFT ECC83's
Ei ECC83's
Newer Types:
GT 12AX7M V1 and V5
Ruby 12AX7C V2-V4
JOEY B.
Well-known member
"Smokey" (serial #1413x) has Tungsram in V1 and V2, RFT in V3 and V4, GT12AX7M in V5. Power tubes are Sylvania (simulclass) 6CA7 and 6L6. When coupled with the EVM loaded cabs, it is a monster. :shock:
Boogiebabies
Well-known member
The Tungsram, and not the West German Tungsram relabeled RFT( Still the shnizzle !) is also a seriously good tube. Depending on the application,
the Tungsram and the RFT's are very smooth in the highs and have superb gain. The main reason I like to go
with the mid to late 80's Ei's is they have a tad less gain and more grunt or chunk per se.
the Tungsram and the RFT's are very smooth in the highs and have superb gain. The main reason I like to go
with the mid to late 80's Ei's is they have a tad less gain and more grunt or chunk per se.
JOEY B.
Well-known member
http://www.tubemonger.com/Tungsram_1964_65_ECC83_12AX7_Welded_Plates_NOS_p/996.htm
V1 and V2
V1 and V2
boogieslayer
Well-known member
JOEY B. said:
uh oh you have said the "S" word
i wouldn't be suprised if Jim's ears instantly perked up lol
anyway ...
the GT 12AX7M's seem pretty hard to find
Boogiebabies
Well-known member
boogieslayer said:
The 12AX7M is now discontinued, as well as the GT 6CA7GE. Man GT sucks !!!!
Boogiebabies
Well-known member
I bought 20 of them when they came out. GT had to warranty the first 10 for microphonics, but I still have about 10 unused for the stash. :wink:
The more I use the Ei, even in other more Marshall based amps, the more I like it. It's sad that a tube with such a bad rep that most guys threw out
or gave away in now $ 40+ per tube. I can't tell you how many I've pulled from the trash heap. They were also IIC+ stock for a period in 84.
Anyone tried the new Tung Sol yet ?
The more I use the Ei, even in other more Marshall based amps, the more I like it. It's sad that a tube with such a bad rep that most guys threw out
or gave away in now $ 40+ per tube. I can't tell you how many I've pulled from the trash heap. They were also IIC+ stock for a period in 84.
Anyone tried the new Tung Sol yet ?
dodger916
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I installed vintage Amperex in V1 and V3 for a little more bright and bite; vintage Tung Sol in V2. I also run a Mullard 12AT7Wa/CV4024 in the phase inverter/driver to smooth out some of the rough edges.
Boogiebabies
Well-known member
dodger916 said:
Ha !!! I've seen NOS Mullard ECC82's and CV4024's with gain readings of 100-110 !!!
dodger916
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Maybe that's why my C+ sounds so good with it, Ed! 8)Boogiebabies said:
boatright
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I covered this in another thread but I just put some new Tung Sols in my mark III. Granted, it's a different amp, but it totally woke it up. All of my initial complaints about the sound are gone and The amp sounds magical and sparkles where with the Mesa tubes it sounded dead. I have some JJs that I'll try as well, but I don't see a need to part from the tung sols right now.
boatright
Well-known member
they might be. I'm gonna compare. I really like the JJs in my V4s but in those amps I just want a powerful preamp and very little breakup since I push with the Rat.boogiemon said:
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Waking up an old thread, but when I had my IIC+ DRGX combo in at Mesa for new wood boxes, Mike B did a tube tune up and populated the entire preamp with Tungsrams from the mid 80s. He said that is what came stock in them, and what the big users back then wanted in them.
I've populated another IIC+ - my SRGX combo - with old RCA 12AX7As all through it. That is one sweet sounding amp and I think really sounds amazing. Very clear. The Tungsrams overdrive in a lush way whereas the RCAs overdrive with a lot of bite.
The other thing is that since both have the graphic EQ, I find that the GEQ is sensitive to these two sets of tubes. The Tungrams sound best with an even EQ, or with the EQ out. They mush up a bit if you scoop it - some would say it's just a smooth overdrive. The RCAs don't mush out at all and you can get some real great chug for rhythms, with a scooped EQ.
Speaker matters too. I like the RCAs with a G12-65 speaker, and the Tungsrams with an EV.
Also, anyone that has a Simul IIC+ should be aware that if the amp starts sounding mushy or weak, it's worth checking the outside tubes, or replacing them with new ones. I recently had this issue, and the middle STR415s were barely worn out at all, but the outside pair tested as heavily worn.
I've populated another IIC+ - my SRGX combo - with old RCA 12AX7As all through it. That is one sweet sounding amp and I think really sounds amazing. Very clear. The Tungsrams overdrive in a lush way whereas the RCAs overdrive with a lot of bite.
The other thing is that since both have the graphic EQ, I find that the GEQ is sensitive to these two sets of tubes. The Tungrams sound best with an even EQ, or with the EQ out. They mush up a bit if you scoop it - some would say it's just a smooth overdrive. The RCAs don't mush out at all and you can get some real great chug for rhythms, with a scooped EQ.
Speaker matters too. I like the RCAs with a G12-65 speaker, and the Tungsrams with an EV.
Also, anyone that has a Simul IIC+ should be aware that if the amp starts sounding mushy or weak, it's worth checking the outside tubes, or replacing them with new ones. I recently had this issue, and the middle STR415s were barely worn out at all, but the outside pair tested as heavily worn.
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