Preferred replacement for 12AX7’s in Ampegs?

[Dan Bozek]

I remember some mention where you said you liked your old SVP better after it was retubed. I haven’t gotten around to picking one of those up yet, but I need to swap out the 12AX7 in the pre of my SVT-5.

I’m looking at a JJ ECC802S from thetubestore.com. Looks like that is what they’re suggesting… Dunno too much about it, and I’m sure you’ve tried a variety of things with all your gear over the years. Thoughts?

 

[jmjbassplayer]

I haven't a clue, sorry. I hear those JJ's are good. I'm not savvy with types/brands, I have to rely on others to have my back with their knowledge.

 

[Dan Bozek]

I haven't a clue, sorry. I hear those JJ's are good. I'm not savvy with types/brands, I have to rely on others to have my back with their knowledge.

Right on. Thanks.

 

[TheControlled]

Isn't there 4 ax7s and 1 au7 in the SVT/SVPs? I retubed my SVT3-pro with Tung-Sols in the preamp ax7 slots and and a JJ au7 in the driver slot and it made a huge difference in clarity and the ability for natural tube compression. I ended up getting rid of that amp in favour of Ashdown ABm500s though, which to me sound far more SVT-like when pushed, and only 1 preamp tube to consider.

 

[JimmyM]

I'm not seeing the appeal of JJ tubes, to be honest. They sound decent but I can't get any of them to last longer than about a year, and I've had two sets of their 6L6's that died early deaths. So I usually use NOS tubes for preamp tubes now. I've had pretty good luck with Sovtek and Groove Tubes tubes, too. For some reason, they get a lot of bad press on the net but I don't see why.