Dual Rectifier Tube Question

[poke01]

I notice my Dual Rectifier Solo head seems to be a bit dull sounding. Would like it to have a touch more mids and a crisper top end. I would like to put some new tubes in the power and pre-section. Currently I have stock Mesa 12ax7's and 6L6's. I was going to put (4) 6L6 JJ's in the power and wanted to see what others thought I should try in the Pre. Any thoughts, suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[rectofried]

these are what i use but others may differ. leave your stock power tubes.. and use a sovtek 12ax7lps for v1 and v5 (phase inverter).. i get more clarity and crispness with those pre tubes. and i play anything from skynard to godsmack.

 

[fluff191]

The JJ 6L6's are a good start. Good sounding tube that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I personally use a Mullard 12ax7 in V1 for warmth, and Electro-Harmonix 12ax7's in V2 and V3 for crip highs and full mids and lows.

A Tung-Sol in V1 also sounds great, but either way I highly recommend the Electro-Harmonix tubes. They really sound good no matter where you put them. Just my 2 cents.

 

[poke01]

Thanks guys for your response. I take it V1 to V5 is going left to right (looking at the back of the head)? I have a Mullard 12ax7 I tried in V1 and could tell a bit of difference. Little more hi's. I have two more. Could I throw one in V5 for taste? I'll have to find some Electro Harmonix tubes to try the other way. Thanks again for you help.

 

[mikey383]

The JJ 6L6's are a good start. Good sounding tube that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I personally use a Mullard 12ax7 in V1 for warmth, and Electro-Harmonix 12ax7's in V2 and V3 for crip highs and full mids and lows.

A Tung-Sol in V1 also sounds great, but either way I highly recommend the Electro-Harmonix tubes. They really sound good no matter where you put them. Just my 2 cents.

+1

I'm running JJ 6L6s in mine now. I also have a Mullard (original, not a reissue) 7025 in V1, followed by JJ ECC83s in V2, V3, and V4, then a cheap Chinese 12AX7 in V5.

I haven't got around to trying the EH tubes, but they're on my list. A band I saw a while back used a Dual Rec with all EH tubes, and he had a killer tone.

 

[fluff191]

I also have a Mullard (original, not a reissue) 7025 in V1

I know I asked you a long time ago Mikey, but now that I absolutely love the reissue Mullard, what can you tell me about the 7025?

I really dig how warm and smooth the reissue is. I imagine the original is better?

 

[mikey383]

I can't tell you how they compare, since I still haven't tried a reissue Mullard.

The only thing I can really say is that the original Mullard is smooth and buttery. The top end isn't as sharp as the Mesa 12AX7s, the low end is fuller, and there are more mids. It's also a low noise 12AX7. The Chinese I have in V5 was a close second though. I have a boatload of NOS and new production tubes, and the Mullard won hands down in V1, followed by the cheap Chinese, then an old Silvertone 12AX7.

If you look on eBay, you can find them fairly cheap. It doesn't have to be a NOS. You can find them used with a lot of life left. I bought mine with a Mullard 12AT7 for something like $25 shipped.