Smoothest 12A? preamp tube?

[surfingbird1]

I have a EHX 12ax7 tube in my Flip Bass Driver.

It is pretty harsh, although not unbearable.

I was wondering if there is a smoother overdriving tube out there, or is what i am looking for not going to drastically change per tube.


thx for the help in advance again fellow tb'rs

 

[KarateKid25]

Check this list to see rough gain differences between the 12a** family:

http://cydathria.com/fdm/12AX7_sub.html

 

[Mark Olson]

It's not the tube so much as just that it's just a tube preamp (I use EHX's in my Marshall, the amp sounds great). Most standalone tube preamps tend to get a little harsh and buzzy. What you're looking for is power tube drive, from power tubes, much smoother.

 

[steamthief]

Tube preamps can get a lot better sound with tube rolling, with or without tube power, some are just more responsive to it than others. Get a vintage Telefunken 12AX7 if you can find one. I used two to replace the stock Sovteks in my Fender TB-600 and the improvement was immediate. Smoother across all frequencies, especially the highs, better clarity, and a slight uptick in volume. They made a killer pre even better.

 

[Mark Olson]

The Flip Bass Driver is a pedal, not an integrated tube preamp on a hybrid amp. That's a very big difference.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I replaced one of the 12ay7 tubes with a 12au7 (both EHX tubes) in my English Muff'n and it really smoothed out the response. At the highest end of the gain it still has some buzz to it, but it is a much more gradual process and the in-between is really nice.

 

[Frost.Blast]

Check this list to see rough gain differences between the 12a** family:

http://cydathria.com/fdm/12AX7_sub.html

This page helped me a lot with my own questions relating to what tube I should try for my EBS Valve Drive.

Thx.

 

[tsunami1052]

I had good results with "thetubestore" Preferred Series 7025 $24.00.

 

[bongomania]

The Flip Bass Driver is a pedal, not an integrated tube preamp on a hybrid amp. That's a very big difference.

Such a broad statement doesn't stand up. Some pedals run the tubes at high voltage, some integrated preamps run them at low voltage. Some pedals have an ideal output impedance for connecting to the instrument input of an amp, some don't. Every type of preamp-tube gain stage that has ever been incorporated into an integrated head has also been built and sold as a pedal.

 

[JimmyM]

telefunkens are almost as much as a decent tube od pedal, but you can find good deals on other brands like rca and ge and whatnot. if you go for a new tube, try jj.

 

[Ben Clarke]

yep. In my experience, any 12ax7 type made before c1980 is an improvement over EH.

I use teles in critical slots like my Demeter and first stage of guitar amps, but I have a stash from my hifi insanity days.