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PREAMP TUBES:
These tubes have the most dramatic effect on tone and the wrong tube, or a bad tube can make a fantastic amp sound like
crap.I have bought amps from guys who hated the tone of them only to open them up and find them improperly tubed.It happens
all the time, stcok tubes in new amps are often bulk Chinese lots with poor consistancy, some some rather good others are
just perfect for target practice at your favorite shooting range.
The V-1 position(first gain stage) has the single greatest impact on tone(this can be argued by guys that know a lot
more than I do BUT I know what my ears hear).
| My favorite Tube for the V-1 position |
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| GT 12 ax7-M "Mullard copy" |
My favorite current production tube for the V-1 position in Marshalls is the GT 12ax7-M, also known as the Mullard copy.These
tubes add clarity and definition without taking away the Marshall bark.There is one down side to these tubes in my opinion
is that they rob some gain( even though they claim they are high gain tubes) which isnt a problem in a JCM2000 BUT can
leave me a little naked on the 1959SLP.Once again tone perception is a very individual thing and I dont claim to have
enough hearing left to hear the finest qualitys that a tube may offer. I just know what works for me.
| Trio of Vintage Tone |
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| Telefunkin,Mullard,and Brimar 12ax7/ecc83 |
These are several tubes from the 1950-65 era that are often the best choice for V-1 in many guitar
amplifiers. Problem is that they command a high dollar figure and a used tube with an unknown life expetancy starts at about
$50 dollars and if you can find a NOS(new old stock) you could pay $300 and up.
| Mullard |
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| I bought this one used off e-bay for $59/Sounds GREAT!!! |
A MUST HAVE for those that collect old tubes and for use clumsy guys that are known to bend preamp tube pins in a failed
attempt to insert them in dark locations(or us old dudes that cant see crap anymore) is a tube pin straightener. Here is mine.
Its a bench mount style and they can be found IF you look hard enough in the right places. They can be had for around $15.
| With a tube inserted |
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| Top and Bottom view |
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| hole is larger at at top and narrows to align tube pins |
Take the time to place a pin where you are, so we can keep an eye on ya!!!! Also we can watch my
business grow or shrink into oblivion..........
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