Pre tube suggestions pleez

[phoenixmusician]

I have 2 SPAX7's, 1 mesa russian 2, 1 GTecc83, 2 GTecc83-$, and 3 gt12ax7R's. Given the cathode follower slots, what would you guys do.
Tonal goal is the best clean I can get.
Dirty is prefered to be more open and articulate. I usually use the blues mode with the gain at b/w 7 and 8.
Pwr tubes are jjel34L on bold.

 

[wta]

I have 2 SPAX7's, 1 mesa russian 2, 1 GTecc83, 2 GTecc83-$, and 3 gt12ax7R's. Given the cathode follower slots, what would you guys do.
Tonal goal is the best clean I can get.
Dirty is prefered to be more open and articulate. I usually use the blues mode with the gain at b/w 7 and 8.
Pwr tubes are jjel34L on bold.

Depending on budget I'd get a variety of preamp tubes that have unique tonal qualities and mix and match until you're dialed in. Thats what I did and I couldn't be happier!!! I have 2 trems and it sounds like we have similar sonic goals so here are some that I tried...

• $44 - MATCHED PAIR RFT ECC83
• $32 - Vintage Raytheon 12AX7 Tube - Black Plates - Test NOS.
• $43 - 2 Vintage RCA 12AX7 ECC83 - Grey Plates - Test NOS
• $23 - Vintage Sylvania 12AX7 Tube - Test NOS
• $28 - Vintage RCA 12AX7 ECC83 Stereo Tube

 

[phoenixmusician]

well, when it comes time to buy, for v1, im looking at tung sol RI. lots of peeps tend to be mostly happy with them. I have had great results from my spax7 as well as the gt ecc83. I have noticed that the tubes you put in v1 and 2 do influence each other. For the PI, im thinking sovtek lps or maybe a 12at7.
I will most likely stay with newer production tubes. Thank u for the reply.
Vic

 

[droptrd]

For V1 most people overlook the Sovtek LPS. Its killer in rectos. Great in all positions including V1 and especially V5

Im assuming these are for some kind of recto?

 

[mylo]

I'm gonna have to throw in a vote for the Tung Sol in V1. I use JJ'12AX7's in the rest. I have used Chinese in Cathode follower positions IMO The JJ's sound best. Some will argue that but tone is subjective. I also am currently using JJ 6l6's power tubes and JJ 5 U4 rectifier tubes.

 

[phoenixmusician]

So for reference I'm using a quad of JJ el34L's on bold/diodes (rec tubes are out). I've tested it with both my prs and vintage schecter strat.
The pre tube combo that I have now that actually doesn't sound to bad is as follows: spax7, regular gtecc83 (this one surprises me a bit), mesa russian2 which is eh, gt labeled jj's (ecc83-s), gt12ax7r, and for v6 its the gt labeled jj.
The cleans are surprising, especially from the prs, I like to use the blues mode for dist with the gain at about 2-3 oclock. But i've been stuck with mod hg for the test.
I will probably get my hands on both ts and the lps, also looking at the 9th gen chinese

 

[fluff191]

For V1 most people overlook the Sovtek LPS. Its killer in rectos. Great in all positions including V1 and especially V5

+1000

The LPS are awesome tubes. Very big and warm.

 

[phoenixmusician]

Btw the lps and the TSri, which one is better suited to open up the cleans. I've read some complaints that the ts can sound fizzy. I know its a tverb, but I want a killer clean sound. Maybe I need some SED 6L6

sorry for the new thread. new cell phone. not used to this smartphone stuff. glad to have a phone again tho

 

[droptrd]

I personally think the TS is too bright. Ive also had inconsistent results (gain) with them as well. Im not really a big fan of it. Id choose the LPS everytime. The LPS is my go to PI tube in every amp. One of my favs for rectos in all postitions. Didnt do to well with my MTS gear. It was good in my 5150 and marshalls.

I did like the TS in the MTS modules.

 

[fluff191]

I personally think the TS is too bright. Ive also had inconsistent results (gain) with them as well. Im not really a big fan of it. Id choose the LPS everytime. The LPS is my go to PI tube in every amp. One of my favs for rectos in all postitions. .

+1

Couldn't agree more. I have gotten a total of (4) Tung-Sol preamp tubes one 4 separate occasions and each one of them was a different degree of noisy. Hell one of them was completely DEAD right out of the box.


I actually just changed out the NOS RCA for the LPS and am loving it. Great tube!

 

[phoenixmusician]

I guess its coming down to the lps and the 9th gen shuguang. Right now the.ecc83-s (jj) on the pi,.and it sounds great. So for the pi, I'm looking at the, theLPS at as my 1st choice. For v1, I will xo the preamp swap and test. V3&4 I'm looking at the 9th gen, i'll Rr prob get the groove tubes version. What do you recto users have on both pre and power and why? I know it's all opinions for the most part, but I value any feedback.

 

[phoenixmusician]

Oh yeah. Would the lps pose a prob in my high powered combo? I understand the long plate structure can make it more prone to be noisy. Thoughts please.

 

[droptrd]

The LPS actually is very lopw noise and low microphonics with high gain

 

[fluff191]

FWIW I am currently running an LPS in V1 and Ruby 12ax7c7's (high grade Shuguang) in the rest of the amp. Sounds killer.

 

[cscotto]

In my Tremoverb, I use the TSri in V1. Earlier TSris were inconsistent, but the later produced tubes are very good. Lots of gain and a big open sound, especially for cleans.

I just picked up a triple rectifier, and it had Sovtek LPSs in every position. I have to admit it sounded good. Nevertheless, I went with a cocktail of tubes, and a TSri in V1.

I do use LPSs as the PI in all my amps. I think they work well in that position.

 

[Neptical]

Let me add that I just put a few Electro Harmonix Goldpin 12AX7's in one of my Mark IIIs (V1/V3) and they are freakin' awesome. Very balanced, full, and musical. I'm gonna grab a few more of those pups. And they're easily obtainable right at the TubeDepot.

~Nep~