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12AX7 Tubes
- Thread starter dustinfennessey
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
I have tried so many 12AX7s in all of my amp builds, of all different makes. NOS, UOS, TAD, EH, Olympic, RCA, philips, Tung Sol, CHINA, JJ, Sovtek, GE, ad nauseam.
You can waste a lot of time rolling tubes. Sometimes a tonal difference is discernable, usually it is due to listening with your eyes and not your ears......
An older used tube is a little, or a lot, worn out. It will sound different. Otherwise there is not much to distinguish one from another. That is my empirical opinion.
You can waste a lot of time rolling tubes. Sometimes a tonal difference is discernable, usually it is due to listening with your eyes and not your ears......
An older used tube is a little, or a lot, worn out. It will sound different. Otherwise there is not much to distinguish one from another. That is my empirical opinion.
bongomania
Commercial User
I don't sell cables.
Since you need help, I'll give you a hand: I do sell one compressor pedal, and I do review compressors. In the review of the one comp I sell, I specifically and clearly explain the potential conflict of interest.
Next, look up "expectation bias", which is even more powerful than confirmation bias. And yes, I have written publicly about the struggles I have with expectation bias--as any reviewer SHOULD, but most don't--especially when their livelihood depends on it. Mine doesn't.
Bong, My lively hood isn't depend on this site. I have been slandered by people on this site and find that sad.
I've actually refered people to store front venders, who are not me since I don't have a store front. But a "discount on any pedal" in stock sound like you'd be selling more thatn just one compressor.
Just saying.
I've actually refered people to store front venders, who are not me since I don't have a store front. But a "discount on any pedal" in stock sound like you'd be selling more thatn just one compressor.
Just saying.
Many 12AX7s are pretty good - but some are better than others (not all tubes are equal). Personally I have friends who work at factories that deal with hundreds of tubes regularly that "hand pick" my tubes for me. 
BTW, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ps&field-keywords=12ax7&sprefix=12ax7,aps,381 carries a good selection of 12AX7s at fair prices.
Note: to those involved with engineering, manufacturing, distribution, marketing/selling or financially involved in anyway whatsoever - us bassist customers need all of you and we learn much (the most) from good debate/discussions on TB - but nothing from disrespect.
Cheers
BTW, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ps&field-keywords=12ax7&sprefix=12ax7,aps,381 carries a good selection of 12AX7s at fair prices.
Note: to those involved with engineering, manufacturing, distribution, marketing/selling or financially involved in anyway whatsoever - us bassist customers need all of you and we learn much (the most) from good debate/discussions on TB - but nothing from disrespect.
Cheers
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
WOH....slow down a minute. What exactly are you accusing Bongo of? Bongo is a wealth of knowledge on this site, a leading contributor (30,000 posts since 05'), his website is the most comprehensive database of compressor pedal reviews anywhere on the entire WWW. What have you done to contribute to this website, let alone the entire bass playing community. Just saying.
FWIW....there are a good number of retailers who offer a TB discount. Nothing shady about that. Again, just saying.
BTW, I do know that if you swap a 12AX7 with a AU7 or AT7, you will get a signficant tonal change. I just hear less of it or none at all with tubes of the same spec.
Absolutely!!!
OP- the JJ 12AX7 is probably the best of the new tubes. If you can find one that's authentic (a mighty big "if"), NOS RCA or NOS Telefunken are the best 12AX7s money can buy. Of course, you'll pay for the quality, too.
Don't be telling me to slow down gstring. I find your tone offensive. I have no doubt that it's a TOS violation. All I've seen from bong is snide comments that the moniters should have removed. I find them offensive.
Understand?
Understand?
bongomania
Commercial User
JimmyM said:
Certainly, those 12A*7 categories (U, T, Y, etc) all represent different amounts of gain--so by design they have to sound different when you swap them in any one particular preamp.
Well, since you have decided to throw out the "O" card right away....I am left with nothing to do besides offer you the politically correct obligatory non-sincere un-heartfelt apology for offending you. With that, I am sorry my words and tone were so harsh that I offended you. PLEASE, and I do mean please, accept this as my official apology.
Getting back on track.....
OP....dont waste your money with NOS tubes right away. Buy a couple/several new production tubes like the Tung-Sol, JJ, EH, etc and do some tube rolling. If your amp responds well to tube rolling, THEN you can think about venturing in to the NOS world. Why waste the money on NOS tubes when you do not know how well your amp will respond to new tubes. If your amp doesn't respond well, your only out the little cash you spent on the new production tubes. You can turn around and sell them in the classified and recoup some/most of your cash. If your amp responds well enough to the new tubes, you might like the results enough to keep the new-production tubes in the amp in lieu off rolling in NOS tubes. At least then you will know any future ventures will yield a positive result....from there, you can decide if going NOS will be worth the extra cost.
so, anyways, back to tubes...
Eurotubes sells a high gain 12ax7 that should be right up your alley... they are the highest gain 12ax7s they find when they screen their incoming tubes. I put on in the PI on my amp and got a noticeable volume boost. In V1 you should get more distortion.
Bob @ Eurotubes is very friendly and will any questions you have.
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Eurotubes sells a high gain 12ax7 that should be right up your alley... they are the highest gain 12ax7s they find when they screen their incoming tubes. I put on in the PI on my amp and got a noticeable volume boost. In V1 you should get more distortion.
Bob @ Eurotubes is very friendly and will any questions you have.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (scroll down for high gain option)
OP.....give this read. Stolen from The Tube Store
Guitar amp tweak - change the gain factor of your pre-amp
Guitar amp tweak - change the gain factor of your pre-amp
