• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: preamp tubes

Hello all,

I've heard up and down that JJ/Tesla EL34's are the way to go. So I'll be getting those when I come up on ordering power tubes. I used to have Svetlana's in my Rivera amp... I was happy with them, but am ready to try something else.

My preamp tubes are Groove Tubes right now. I really want to change those. I always had this theory that GT was more of a name brand than a quality product.  SO, I'm looking for recommendations on preamp tubes! 12AX7A's. Five of them.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: preamp tubes

Just bought some tungsol 12ax7 highly recommend them put them in my jubilee and ceriatone hrm
     definately a noticable imptovement on both amps

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: preamp tubes

If you end up with groove tubes again look for the A12x7 that has something in the tital about chineese.  I had it in  the first positon on my old custom vibroluxe reverb.  It their most popular for classic Rock sounds and it made my amp very bluesy in a good way.  BTW you don't have to have expensive preamp tubes for all the sockets.  The first on in line will color the rest of the A12X7's and if you have a A12T7 it shouldn't effect it.  So the first one is the nice one and the rest power the amp.  I read that in Vintage Guitar mag. and they said that is something that people have a miss conseption about and end up spending way more then they should on preamp tubes.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: preamp tubes

Preamp tubes last a lot longer and are more of a tone shaper than power tubes IMO.  That's why I would get the best NOS preamp tubes that you can afford.  I really like the vintage/NOS GE 12AX7'S in my Super Reverb and Bassman.  JJ makes a pretty good tube as well (as far as modern manufacturers go).  I would consider the JJ E34L vs the standard EL34 tube for the power section.  I put some in my Marshall DSL and it warmed it up considerably and I enjoyed the distorted tone a lot more.  I personally have never been floored by Groove Tubes and have actually witnessed a supposed matched set red plate right in front of my eyes right out of the box.  If JJ's are good enough for Joe, they are good enough for me!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: preamp tubes

I always use Eurotubes.  Top notch and fast shipping.  They know their stuff.  Also they sell tube kits for Rivera's as well as you Marshalls, Mesa's, Fenders, etc.....   Tell them what you are looking for and they will help you out with different options.  There is more to Preamp tubes than you think.  Its not as cut and dry as just slap a 12ax7 in there and be done with it.  Go through Eurotubes descriptions and it will open up your world of tubes like no other.  Trust me they are good people.

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph … ory_id=189

Ben

6 Reply by ken (edited by ken 2009-09-09 16:12:17)

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: preamp tubes

GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

I always use Eurotubes.  Top notch and fast shipping.  They know their stuff.  Also they sell tube kits for Rivera's as well as you Marshalls, Mesa's, Fenders, etc.....   Tell them what you are looking for and they will help you out with different options.  There is more to Preamp tubes than you think.  Its not as cut and dry as just slap a 12ax7 in there and be done with it.  Go through Eurotubes descriptions and it will open up your world of tubes like no other.  Trust me they are good people.

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph … ory_id=189

Ben

I like the idea of the tube kits for specific amps, great idea. I had a Rivera Suprema and was constantly trying different preamp tubes, kind of hit and miss...

  • Registered: 2008-10-10
  • Posts: 180

Re: preamp tubes

Tung sols are my fave but, tried them in the Jub and hated them.  I have a mess of 12ax7 so I experimented and found that the GT high gain kit sounded the best.  I have since replaced with NOS RCA blackplates,  which sound good, but will probably go back to the GTs and save the RCA for V1s in my live rig or for recording.

My main point: Buy a bunch and play around.  Try everything, you might be suprised at what works where.

Where the hell does one get a black-backed gold top anyway?
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: preamp tubes

GoT MuLe 31788 wrote:

I always use Eurotubes.  Top notch and fast shipping.  They know their stuff.  Also they sell tube kits for Rivera's as well as you Marshalls, Mesa's, Fenders, etc.....   Tell them what you are looking for and they will help you out with different options.  There is more to Preamp tubes than you think.  Its not as cut and dry as just slap a 12ax7 in there and be done with it.  Go through Eurotubes descriptions and it will open up your world of tubes like no other.  Trust me they are good people.

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph … ory_id=189

Ben


I agree.  Bob is a great guy and Eurotubes is where I get all of my new tubes as well.  Scary fast shipping and super customer support.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: preamp tubes

Can any1 from the UK pipe up here?

My new 1974x has a microphonic preamp and tbh I dunno what to replace it with, Marshall tech support said any ecc83 low feedback I wish he could of just sent me one out lol sad

I dont even know where to buy valves from tbh of all the guitar stuff I like checking out valves just seem to hurt my head :x

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: preamp tubes

StratPaul and GoT Mule,

i just sent an email to Eurotubes. Waiting to hear back.
Do you email them or call?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: preamp tubes

JohnTB wrote:

Can any1 from the UK pipe up here?

My new 1974x has a microphonic preamp and tbh I dunno what to replace it with, Marshall tech support said any ecc83 low feedback I wish he could of just sent me one out lol sad

I dont even know where to buy valves from tbh of all the guitar stuff I like checking out valves just seem to hurt my head :x


How about asking the guys at watford valves.

http://www.watfordvalves.com/

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: preamp tubes

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

StratPaul and GoT Mule,

i just sent an email to Eurotubes. Waiting to hear back.
Do you email them or call?


I placed my order over the phone, but asked all my Q's through e-mail.  I dealt with Eddie.  I always heard back within 24 hours through e-mail.

Ben

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: preamp tubes

I just pay with my debit card and order from their shopping cart system.  Very easy, well packed, and as mentioned shipped to your door very rapidly.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: preamp tubes

W O W

I got a huge email back with many options for my amp. very impressive, I also learned this about JJ/Tesla tubes:

"First I have to dispel one myth: JJ Electronic tubes are not JJ/Tesla. The JJ/Tesla designation is a misnomer being perpetuated over the internet. Essentially there is no such thing, but there are common threads. The Tesla company has not manufactured vacuum tubes for over 20 years. Jamona Jurcho, the owner of JJ Electronic had been a chief engineer and designer at Tesla for many years. He later acquired some of the equipment from the Tesla factory, relocated and started JJ Electronic in 1994. Therefore the current line of JJ Electronic tubes are commonly and incorrectly referred to as JJ/Tesla, but are in fact the best production tubes currently made anywhere in our opinion and certainly the closest you will find to NOS Tesla, and they compare nicely to many other coveted NOS brands as well. This is why we sell the JJ's exclusively."

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool