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GB Shuttle 6.0 Tube Swap - done it/do it?

#21
Anyone try either the Tung-sol 12AX7 or the Mullard 12AX7 reissue in their Shuttle?

Edit: Visited the New Sensor website and saw a lot of these tubes we are discussing. Obviously this one company has a lot to do with the importing of these Russian tubes. Not much info there, though.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#23
deekay911 said:
Where did you see those for sale for $700? I just bought 2 of these for $60 plus shipping. They are the real thing, smooth plate and 1960's vintage...I can't believe I got that big of a bargain!
Click to expand...

www.tubedepot.com

Site said they're out of stock. Maybe we're talking about different tubes? The tube world is pretty bewildering. Maybe someone should do a comprehensive matrix on different options and how they color sound?
 
#27
OK, don't flame me because I was given this tube....

Would one of the Groove Tube (GT) 12AX7's be an improvement over the stock tube?

If not, I also have a NOS GE tube that is from the 60's that I got from my uncle, along with a bunch of other tubes but I'd rather keep it in the box.

Dan K.
 
#28
To my ears, the tube swap has changed the character of the Shuttle 6. If you detect any grittyness in the stock tube amplified tone, the grittyness will be diminished with the JJ ECC83 S. I bet that helps makes the new tone seem more polished and full. Not exactly a solid state tone, but there's definitely less grit. The new tone is deeper, smoother, and creamier than before. I like it, but it might not be what I would choose for an aggressive and in-your-face style of playing. (I use nylon tapewounds on my fretless and groundwounds on my Fender, so my personal bias is obvious.) I suppose if you need flexibility, the idea of using an external tube preamp makes a lot of sense. I'm going to leave the new tube in for a month or so and see how it goes. One thing is certain: the fundamental tone change is dramatic enough that my old EQ settings no longer apply.
 
#30
Sptz said:
So overall you guys think it's worth swapping the JJ with the default one? I'm really hyped on this, new stuff is always cool no matter how "tiny" it is :D
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I've only done one gig with the JJ. With that in mind I'd say "yes".

Ukiah Bass said ir very well:
To my ears, the tube swap has changed the character of the Shuttle 6. If you detect any grittyness in the stock tube amplified tone, the grittyness will be diminished with the JJ ECC83 S. I bet that helps makes the new tone seem more polished and full. Not exactly a solid state tone, but there's definitely less grit. The new tone is deeper, smoother, and creamier than before. I like it, but it might not be what I would choose for an aggressive and in-your-face style of playing. (I use nylon tapewounds on my fretless and groundwounds on my Fender, so my personal bias is obvious.) I suppose if you need flexibility, the idea of using an external tube preamp makes a lot of sense. I'm going to leave the new tube in for a month or so and see how it goes. One thing is certain: the fundamental tone change is dramatic enough that my old EQ settings no longer apply.
Click to expand...
 
#31
MichaelVee said:
Anyone try either the Tung-sol 12AX7 or the Mullard 12AX7 reissue in their Shuttle?

Edit: Visited the New Sensor website and saw a lot of these tubes we are discussing. Obviously this one company has a lot to do with the importing of these Russian tubes. Not much info there, though.
Click to expand...

MV, here's a Link Removed on another website that reviews a few tubes in the Shuttle.
 
#32
You guys ought to try Lord Valve. He's an odd ball but - every time I retube an amp I do it with him and damn if the guy doesn't know his stuff. I hardly even ask anymore. Just tell him what I have and what I want it to do, then pay the bill & install...

Last time around is was a mix of NOS JAN Phillips, Tung Sol Re Issues, a Mullard and a Chinese genric 'grey plate'.... the amp sounds sweet afterwards... He does seem to like the Tung Sol's a lot these days.

Weird website, you have to actually call him and talk ... he also usually has righteous prics on QSC gear ... IIRC he sells the specially treated Weberspeakers that Dereck Trucks uses... weird mix of stuff.
 
#33
Thanks for the link, Bruce! I spent some time yesterday Googling around different sites with user reviews and discussions on 12AX7 variants. I didn't see that particular message board, though.

Amazing how subjective the subject of tubes is!

I like the tone of the Shuttle as is, with the Ruby Tube. In fact, I could definitely live with that. I do know that when I put a JJ in my Alembic F-1X, it really made a difference in tone over the stock Chinese tube. So, I figure the Shuttle will manifest a similar tone gain, and it's worth a shot at a tube replacement. It might make a great amp head even better.

I hung out at the Tube Depot for a while. I had a variety of tubes in the shopping cart. I read up on the Black Sable cryo process. I looked at the Mullard and Tung-Sol Russian "reissues" and the Tung-Sol gold pin ECC803S. I thought briefly about going for one of the <$100 JAN NOS American tubes.

Eventually, I decided to toss the shopping cart, and found a seller on eBay who is selling a reportedly very special batch of older Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes. Sounded promising, so I did a Buy-It-Now. They are selling for quite a bit more than current LPSs, but I'll give this tube a whirl on Saturday when it should get here, and I'll let you guys know if it was worth the premium. If it's as hot as the seller says, I'll post a link to his auction and anybody who's interested can check them out.

BTW- I'm glad you kept the Bag Ends, Bruce. I debate selling them sometimes myself, as I'm not playing out enough to justify all the gear I have, but then I know I would regret selling them down the road. Just good, solid, small cabs that sound like bass!

I just spent about 15 minutes playing my XZ-25 with the Varitone harness into the still-Rubyed Shuttle into the Bag End S15-D. I set a good Varitone tone and cranked the Shuttle into warmth zone, then just dittied around for a while. Nice!
 
#34
In addition to the previously mentioned sources for tubes, I would also recommend Doug Preston (www.dougstubes.com). He has been just great to deal with, and if you call or e-mail him, he always seems to have some killer tubes that aren't listed on the website. His prices are quite reasonable, as well.

Tom.
 
#36
MichaelVee said:
Tom, thanks for the recommendation. I might order some other 12AX7 options from Doug next week. I'm still interested in the Reflektor Tung-Sol and the Russian Mullard. Do you have a current favorite tube model to throw into the mix in this thread?
Click to expand...

When in doubt, I normally start with a NOS Telefunken. But of the new tubes, I find that JJ's work great in some units, and not as good in others. I like the Tung-Sols pretty well, too. And actually, the relatively mundace EH 12AX7 is a consistently good performer.

I've had some really amazing results with some other NOS tubes, like JAN Philips/RCA, etc., and Mullards, too. But it does seem to me that some tubes just work better in different units. Plate voltage and biasing certainly vary from unit to unit, and they can affect tone.

Tom.
 
#37
This was on the www.tubedepot.com site.

12AX7 / ECC83 Tube Types Reviewed
Reviews performed with a Mesa Boogie Mark IV thru 2x12 Celestion speakers with SED 6L6GC power tubes. Tubes were listened to with both clean tone and overdrive channels using a US made 1993 Fender Strat.


EH 12AX7 - The spiral wound filament makes this a very quiet tube, perfect for modern high-gain. Crispy highs and great frequency response throughout the spectrum. All around great choice for all styles of music.


Ei (Standard) - Great, warm tone. Headroom and action! These tubes are great for both guitar and hi-fi. Excellent response through all frequencies. Clarity and joy, especially if you order with the microphonics test, for all systems. Also, come in gold pin version.


Ei 12AX7EG - Coming Soon!


JJ / Tesla ECC83 - great for vintage amps and clean tone players. A flat response that doesn’t drastically affect any one frequency.


JJ / Tesla ECC803s ‘high gain’ - Hotter and fatter than the regular JJ, this tube gives more headroom once in the circuit. Creamy tones and great low end.


Sino 12AX7 - good tone at an affordable price.


Sovtek 12AX7 Versions


12AX7WA / 7025 - lower gain than other 12AX7s. Flat response and saturated overdrive.
12AX7WB / 7025 - Coming Soon!
12AX7WC - a little more headroom than the Sovtek 12AX7WA.
12AX7LP - even more headroom. Big warm sounding long plates.
12AX7LPS - spiral wound filament for extra quiet performance, recommended for modern, hi-gain amps. This is our favorite Sovtek 12AX7 with maximum output.


Tung-Sol 12AX7 new production - Beefy, clean and quiet. clean mid and treble response with plenty of headroom. Lush overtones, especially when overdriven.


GE 12AX7 NOS - very quiet and tame medium gain tube. These were very well constructed back in the day and will provide hours and hours of vintage tone.


Sylvania 12AX7 NOS - Old-school warmth and tone with an affordable price...“Its like butta baby!”


RCA 12AX7 NOS - Great gain, perfect clarity and frequency response. Awesome! Our favorite American NOS 12AX7.


Telefunken Smooth Plate ECC83 - Premium quality performance in every way. Quiet tone exuberance for every setting.
 
#38
This might be another interesting tube to try in the Shuttle 6.0. I played Eden for years and liked that tone.

E70000 - Eden 12AX7 (7025) Tubes $15.00 EACH
These tubes are inspected and tested by our technicians to meet our exacting standards. If you want your amp to have its full, original tone, this is the tube to use. Temporarily out of stock.
 

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