Preamp Tube suggestions for Studio .22 amp

[larry_emder]

Hi all...first post.

I'm thinking about changing the tubes on my studio .22....my one and only amp!

The tubes are at least a few years old. In the 1st position (closest to the input) is an electro harmonix12 ax7. The rest are Mesa 12ax7's.

Do you think i'll hear a noticeable difference with new tubes?

What preamp tubes would you guys recommend?....i'd like the amp as a whole to sound a bit more cleaner and well defined.

Thanks.

 

[tetsubin]

Hi,
you'll definitely hear a difference - if you can hear the differences between guitar cables.
As you can't say who's the manufacturer of the Mesa branded tubes, I'd suggest Chinese tubes for clarity and definition. They tightenen up my DC-5 a lot, but I'd experiment with a JJ in V3 or whatever the last lead channel gain stage is in the Studio - it thickens the tone a little bit and gives it more strength.
For the clean channel the JJ gives you a very warm, mid-pronounced tone with less treble and a slightly compressed bass - which you might like or not. For really clean sounds I'd prefer a Chinese tube here, too. For warm jazz or overdriven sounds the JJ might just be what you want.

 

[larry_emder]

Thanks for the advice.

I have no idea what chinese tubes to look for though! Have very little experience with changing out tubes.

Any specific models?

 

[tetsubin]

I buy my tubes from Tube Amp Doctor.

This is their selected Chinese 12ax7: http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?products_id=391&language=en&osCsid=aa4d174b6e9a65652b8a17d4e4865be2

An this is their selected JJ: http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_60_63&products_id=393