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Genz Benz Streamliner Tube Rolling

#421
Oh and just a heads up on the Armor Gold cable situation, I let them know what happened and they apparently have a few of their original cables which used G+H plugs, so they're sending one over to me to replace the broken one. They said that's only been reported as happening twice in about 5 years...regardless, I'm spooked from using amphenol plugs...that cable was only 1 year old.

JimmyM said:
But now you owe her a crochet needle. That could be a dollar or two!

:D
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Oh well...you know what's next though: "What's the best crochet needle for Metal?"
 
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#425
Total newb question....

Ive been thinking about doing the whole Jan Phillips 5751 in V1 and Tung Sol's in V2, 3 as it seems very popular....

In regards to the Jan Phillips 5751 - most that I can find are on the somewhat expensive side. Not prohibitively so but.... Is the Jan Phillips 5751 worth the extra cash compared to any of the other various 5751's? Jan GE? Sylvania? RCA? JJ? Sovtek? Tung Sol? etc?

Also, black plate, grey plate, large plate, small plate, triple mica, double mica, gold pins, matched triodes - any of this worth paying extra for?

I know discussing vacuum tubes is likely more complex than discussing the subtlties of craft beers or wine... Just looking for a few opinions especially on the alternatives to the Jan Phillips 5751...
 
#426
letsgethandsome said:
Total newb question....

Ive been thinking about doing the whole Jan Phillips 5751 in V1 and Tung Sol's in V2, 3 as it seems very popular....

In regards to the Jan Phillips 5751 - most that I can find are on the somewhat expensive side. Not prohibitively so but.... Is the Jan Phillips 5751 worth the extra cash compared to any of the other various 5751's? Jan GE? Sylvania? RCA? JJ? Sovtek? Tung Sol? etc?

Also, black plate, grey plate, large plate, small plate, triple mica, double mica, gold pins, matched triodes - any of this worth paying extra for?

I know discussing vacuum tubes is likely more complex than discussing the subtlties of craft beers or wine... Just looking for a few opinions especially on the alternatives to the Jan Phillips 5751...
Click to expand...

I put an OOS (old old stock) Sylvania 5751 that tested good in V1 in my 900. I like what it did. Cost about $10 - $12 (plus shipping). As for your other questions, I really can't answer much more than the fact that "JAN" stands for "Joint Army Navy" which means a more rugged mil-spec tube. I'd like to try an original Mullard ECC83 in V3 to see if it will boost mids, but not for the hefty price those tubes go for. You have to be careful with any of the new reissue tubes because they often are not "exact" reproductions of their original namesake/models and often don't have the same qualities as the NOS/OOS.

Edit: I just found this comparing the construction of a reissue Mullard to an original.

Invalid Link Removed
 
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#427
ahc said:
I put an OOS (old old stock) Sylvania 5751 that tested good in V1 in my 900. I like what it did. Cost about $10 - $12 (plus shipping). As for your other questions, I really can't answer much more than the fact that "JAN" stands for "Joint Army Navy" which means a more rugged mil-spec tube. I'd like to try an original Mullard ECC83 in V3 to see if it will boost mids, but not for the hefty price those tubes go for. You have to be careful with any of the new reissue tubes because they often are not "exact" reproductions of their original namesake/models and often don't have the same qualities as the NOS/OOS.

Edit: I just found this comparing the construction of a reissue Mullard to an original.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info -- I wondered what JAN stood for. Now I know! Interesting article about the Mullard... Not surprising.
 
#428
Bumping an old thread.

I've had my STL900 for a couple months now--played a couple gigs, had a few band sessions, gotten to know it a bit. I'm at least the 3rd owner so I decided that a tune-up was in order for the new year. After reading this thread I decided to go with new JJ 5751 and ECC83, all standards from Bob at Eurotubes. I know everyone's been buying NOS JAN but I felt that some good quality standard tubes will get me what I need for a fraction of the price.

So far I like the sound. Much more solid in the lows and I'm able to push harder without the breakup. We're having band practice tomorrow so I'll hear how it sounds in our practice studio.

Interesting note, the amp had a couple GT tubes in it--12ax7r in v1 and 12au7 in v2.

stl900%20hood%20up_zpsu4tnxlqw.jpg
 
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#429
Rugaar said:
Bumping an old thread.

I've had my STL900 for a couple months now--played a couple gigs, had a few band sessions, gotten to know it a bit. I'm at least the 3rd owner so I decided that a tune-up was in order for the new year. After reading this thread I decided to go with new 5751 and ECC83, all standards from Bob at Eurotubes. I know everyone's been buying NOS JAN but I felt that some good quality standard tubes will get me what I need for a fraction of the price.

So far I like the sound. Much more solid in the lows and I'm able to push harder without the breakup. We're having band practice tomorrow so I'll hear how it sounds in our practice studio.

Interesting note, the amp had a couple GT tubes in it--12ax7r in v1 and 12au7 in v2.

stl900%20hood%20up_zpsu4tnxlqw.jpg
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Thats pretty much exactly what the 5751 will do for you in V1. It's a great easy "mod" to make on these. I go back and forth between that and a full set of Vintage RCA 7025's. Either seems to tighten the bottom (the 5751 a bit more), just sometimes I like the extra gain. I've been gigging mine steadily for over three years now without a single issue. Love it!
 
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#430
Alright! So at band practice last night the amp was awesome! It still had the STL tube feel and sound but it was much clearer (less 'cloudy') and very punchy! I spun the knobs a bit through the night to try out some different tones. I ended up similar to where I started but with the bass and mid knobs both turned up a bit from before and it was strong and clear; not too muddy or thick sounding.

I'm very happy with the tube swap! Thanks to everyone before me for recommending this combination! Thumbs up!

tubes_zpssys99nkb.jpg
 
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#434
ValeriusCrow said:
One more vote for JAN Philips NOS 5751 in V1 - got three JJ ECC83S before - definetely more musical and transperent sound without noticeble gain reduction.
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I don't really care for the JJ ECC83S in most amps. In many circuits this tube seems to have a bit of crunch in the upper mid range that cannot be dialed out. The crunch can be a good quality if your looking for OD but not if your looking for clean. The only place I like it is when I need reduced gain and a bit of high frequency roll off. IMHO this tubes sounds good in V2 of a Marshall Super Lead and in the Top Boost circuit of a vintage Vox AC30. I have rolled it into a few bass amps and thought it sounded terrible.

If you find the Streamliner a touch too woolly, you might like a JJ ECC803S. This tube has a relatively even frequency response that reaches a little higher and lower than the ECC83S. It has a nice, subtle shimmer in the upper mids but it's clean rather than crunchy. I find the mids to be very articulate and the lows tend to be lean and tight.

I haven't selected the JJ ECC803S for V1 in any of my amps yet, but it is one of my favorites for all other positions. Don't get me wrong, it sounds great in V1, but so far I have preferred a tube with different qualities in that position.
 
#435
Wasnex said:
I don't really care for the JJ ECC83S in most amps. In many circuits this tube seems to have a bit of crunch in the upper mid range that cannot be dialed out. The crunch can be a good quality if your looking for OD but not if your looking for clean. The only place I like it is when I need reduced gain and a bit of high frequency roll off. IMHO this tubes sounds good in V2 of a Marshall Super Lead and in the Top Boost circuit of a vintage Vox AC30. I have rolled it into a few bass amps and thought it sounded terrible.

If you find the Streamliner a touch too woolly, you might like a JJ ECC803S. This tube has a relatively even frequency response that reaches a little higher and lower than the ECC83S. It has a nice, subtle shimmer in the upper mids but it's clean rather than crunchy. I find the mids to be very articulate and the lows tend to be lean and tight.

I haven't selected the JJ ECC803S for V1 in any of my amps yet, but it is one of my favorites for all other positions. Don't get me wrong, it sounds great in V1, but so far I have preferred a tube with different qualities in that position.
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JJ ECC803S can be only ordered via eBay in Russia, i' really like results of JAN 5751 in V1 and JJ ECC83 works finefor the money in V2 and V3. Tung Sols died, Tungsrams NOS died - but JJ don't seem to go dead since I got them) Maybe i'll try something later - but change of pups or strings will be wiser investment IMHO
 
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#436
ValeriusCrow said:
JJ ECC803S can be only ordered via eBay in Russia, i' really like results of JAN 5751 in V1 and JJ ECC83 works finefor the money in V2 and V3. Tung Sols died, Tungsrams NOS died - but JJ don't seem to go dead since I got them) Maybe i'll try something later - but change of pups or strings will be wiser investment IMHO
Click to expand...

Something I have found with tube rolling is sometimes the qualities of two tubes combine and create synergy. I.E. "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts." Your amp is dialed in; so spend your rubles elsewhere.:thumbsup:
 
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#440
tink9975 said:
I think my 5751 is on the way out, I keep having to turn down the tube drive and turn up the gain to keep it from breaking up, and when it is breaking up, its not very pleasant.
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My guess is that something else may be going on there - preamp tubes last for a LONG time... If I were you, I'd swap in a "known to be good" 12ax7 in the V1 slot, and if that doesn't make a difference, make arrangements to have it serviced by Agedhorse - it will be money well spent on what is one of the best bass amps ever made, IMO... He looked mine over last year, and I'm glad I took advantage of his offer to service these amps - not much money, quick turn around, and it came back better than ever... Look at it this way: how often do you get the chance to have the guy who designed an amp give it a clean bill of health for only a few bucks?
 
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