Has anyone tried to Electro Harmonix valves?

[Benjamano]

hey, im looking to replace the valves in my SVT 3 pro head, unfortunately they or some have blown. I've been looking around and fancy the Electro Harmonix valves. They had a pretty good write up but thought I would ask the peeps who know and see if anyone has used them. If so what they like?

Also can someone confirm that I need 4 x 12ax7 and 1 x 12au7 please?
Cheers

[Craig_S]

My son loves the 12AX7EH tubes in his Marshall guitar amp. I tried one in my old Hartke head, it sounded really good, but lacked the 'edge' I was looking for. I opted for a Sovtek 12AX7LPS (long plate). I've been told the long plate tubes can be a problem in high output amps, though. I never had an issue at high volume.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by Craig_S

My son loves the 12AX7EH tubes in his Marshall guitar amp. I tried one in my old Hartke head, it sounded really good, but lacked the 'edge' I was looking for. I opted for a Sovtek 12AX7LPS (long plate). I've been told the long plate tubes can be a problem in high output amps, though. I never had an issue at high volume.

The 12AX7LPS tubes are usually fine in a head, but can be microphonic in a combo amp, as it will likely be right next to a speaker.

[JimmyM]

ehx tubes are decent. people tell me jj's are the 12ax7's to get nowadays, but i can't tell the difference with any of them so i'd go with whatever's cheapest.

however, for pre tubes, i always go nos...mainly because there's a great nos shop 20 minutes away. but also because i trust nos tubes more.

[Floyd Eye]

You couldn't give them to me.

[murphy]

I use them in my F-2b
I think they sound good.
But wouldn't mind trying some others

[lbwdog]

Originally Posted by Benjamano

Also can someone confirm that I need 4 x 12ax7 and 1 x 12au7 please?
Cheers

You sure those are bad? Preamp tubes normally hold up very well, but power tubes are generally the first to fail.

At least that was my experience when using tube amps long ago!

[seamonkey]

I wouldn't worry too much about brand names.
There's only a few factories left making audio tubes, look for them here, then look for audio tubes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_tube
Many are made in the same factory and just silk screened on logos.

You can try testing your tubes - or swapping them. Swapping them you will hear a difference, better or worst. There's no convenient place to test your tubes except in circuit and this can be dangerous except for an experienced tech.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

I wouldn't worry too much about brand names...........

and this advice is from a tube expert. (NOT!)

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

and this advice is from a tube expert. (NOT!)

Again, poisoning the well

Read the links and evidence, quit spending your time discrediting opinion. Come up with some facts.

I need to get a roll of heavey duty TP to keep these Klingons from hanging around.

[Craig_S]

The difference between tubes is this: EH (or whomever?) buys millions of tubes and tests them to make sure they are within a certain spec. They cost a bit more as a result, but you're getting what they believe to be the best of the batch. Tube specs can be all over the place, from what I understand. Feel free to correct me.

There are also several different internal designs for 12AX7 tubes. They all sound slightly different.

[JimmyM]

btw, nobody confirmed it yet but yes, 4 12ax7, 1 12au7.

as for no convenient place to test tubes, any tech worth his salt has a tube tester. however, it's not really necessary for pre tubes. most people can tell a good one from a bad one by using their ears or looking to see if the amp comes on when you flip the switch. just get a spare or two and swap them out one at a time. if there's a big improvement, you've found a culprit.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Again, poisoning the well

Read the links and evidence, quit spending your time discrediting opinion. Come up with some facts.

most of the modern reissue tubes are made in the czech republic, russia, or china. the last time that i checked, those are different countries. and if you look at every one of those tube designs, the internals as well as the glass envelope and basses differ dramatically. all of these ingredients have a effect on their sound, but since you can't tell the difference, you'll continue to try and discredit anyone that can.

IMO, you really should have your ears tested, (and do more research).

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

most of the modern reissue tubes are made in the czech republic, russia, or china. the last time that i checked, those are different countries. and if you look at every one of those tube designs, the internals as well as the glass envelope and basses differ dramatically. all of these ingredients have a effect on their sound, but since you can't tell the difference, you'll continue to try and discredit anyone that can.

IMO, you really should have your ears tested, (and do more research).

There still are only a few audio tube factories left, even if they are in different countries.

I did recently have my ears tested. My ears are fine, thanks for asking.
The equipment the doctor used was all high tech Solid State flat screen stuff.

Now if you can walk away from a double blind test showing that these tube manufacturers do have different sound and you can identify by factory them you might be able to win some golden ear award.

[johnk_10]

i don't need a golden ear award.
i just try to give people advice from having 40 years of real-world, hands-on experience playing thru, servicing and restoring tube amplifiers, as opposed to posting links and opinions from others that i've read on the internet. but if it works for you, that's great.

[Craig_S]

You guys trying to get this thread closed, too?

[johnk_10]

darn, i wasn't trying to in the other one.

[Craig_S]

I like cheese!

[johnk_10]

cheese is good. especially cheese bikinis.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

cheese is good. especially cheese bikinis.

devo's yellow tyvek protective suits look like cheese.