Sylvania 12AX7s...tone character?

[SonicProvocateur]

Ok, so the only Sylvania 12AX7 (a green label one, can't remember which kind, came in my amp) I ever used was in V3 and I didn't like it at all for high gain. It didn't have "it" for what I needed and seemed to break up mushy and fuzzy, however now I'm considering one for my V1 or V4.

Comparing the different types (WA's, 7025s, Yellow Labels, etc) How are the tonal characteristics? Can you guy's give me a rundown?

 

[yeti]

the ones with the longer, wider, wavy plate with 6 holes in them are the best sounding ones for high gain. i love them. usually but not always labeled baldwin.

http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/v/12AX7/Sylvania+12AX7+1960s+-+USA.jpg.html

http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/v/12AX7/Sylvania+12AX7WA+1965+and+12AX7+JHS+1959+-+USA.jpg.html

 

[SonicProvocateur]

Are they bright or dark sounding? Very articulate? Maybe mine had a bunch of miles on it... Are the WA's the military ones if memory serves me right? I think that's what mine was...I want to improve my clean tone or have a better phase inverter without sacrificing clarity. Right now i'm using old Mesa chinese SP12AX7's. They are bright and clear, but slowly losing gain.

 

[yeti]

i think they're kind of neutral sounding, and depend on the voicing of your amp. the gain is phenomenal in them.

have you tried a sovtek lps for PI? or a mullard cv4024?

 

[dodger916]

i think they're kind of neutral sounding, and depend on the voicing of your amp. the gain is phenomenal in them.

have you tried a sovtek lps for PI? or a mullard cv4024?

+1 on the neutral-sounding Sylvania. Also on the CV4024. My favorite PI tube for Mark amps.

 

[SonicProvocateur]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll look more into the Mullards. I've been using the older Silver special chinese tubes because of their high compression sound. I haven't tried to the Sovtek LPS yet, but I loved the WB. It was a monster in every position, i've loved the Sovtek sound in my blue stripe.