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Ashdown ABM pre-amp valve

M

matito

Sep 25, 2005
370
5
melbourne, australia
#1
tried searching...couldn't find any info :hmm:

So lately i have been running the valve drive up full and keeping the input low, at about 11 o clock, and i have been getting absolute beautiful valve sound out of my amp, which has made people think its an all valve amp.

What pre amp valve came with my ashdown, is it anygood, and would it be worth investing in a better brand valve to get a noticeable nicer valve sound?

thanks
 
#2
I think its a Sovtek tube, when I played a EVO at BassNW I looked to see what kind of tube it had. Look ed like a Sovtek but im not completely sure. I almost bought a EVO myself because they sound great but I bought a Mesa for only $500!!! I couldnt pass that up
 
#3
Mine came with an Electro-Harmonix 12AX7. Try looking through the rear fans with the amp on (the VU meter backlight illuminates the inside of the amp nicely ;) ), or failing that, undo the 4 screws on the top of the case, pull the chassis out, and take a look. I haven't experimented with different valves, so I don't really have an opinion there. Hope that helps.
 
#9
Both of my ABMs came with the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH fitted. Don't be disappointed with the Edicron in yours, though. It's a good brand - and, as you said yourself, you're getting some lovely tone out of it.

By all means experiment with different brands, but don't be tempted into spending silly money, will you? Especially, steer clear of "cryogenically treated" tubes. This concept is total snake-oil, with the sole purpose of allowing dealers to charge a big fat mark-up on perfectly ordinary tubes that have been ever so slightly ruined by supercooling them.

Have fun!
 
#10
Espidog said:
Both of my ABMs came with the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH fitted. Don't be disappointed with the Edicron in yours, though. It's a good brand - and, as you said yourself, you're getting some lovely tone out of it.

By all means experiment with different brands, but don't be tempted into spending silly money, will you? Especially, steer clear of "cryogenically treated" tubes. This concept is total snake-oil, with the sole purpose of allowing dealers to charge a big fat mark-up on perfectly ordinary tubes that have been ever so slightly ruined by supercooling them.

Have fun!
Click to expand...

well i ordered a JJ tesla tube for AU$17, which isn't much, just heard alot of good about this brand.

just curious to experiment see if theres a different sound i can get, and which ever one i like better, the other will be a spare til the one i use blows. :)
 
#12
I put a 12ay7 in mine. That way, I can turn the gain up alittle higher before the sound gets too distorted. It was an Ei tube I think. Those are my favorite and sound almost identical to some old telefunkens I have. The gain of the 12au7's were alittle too low. Otherwise I would have put in a Jan/Phillips 12au7.
 

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