• macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Topic: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

So HoosierRock perked my interest by mentioning how replacing one tube really gave him a lot of overdrive in his vintage Bassman.  I am looking to do the same to my 66 Bandmaster.  Any suggestions for currently manufactured tubes that can give me this result.  Currently I am running all JJ 12AX7's and a JJ12AT7 (in the phase inverter).

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
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Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

You sure that wasn't my Bassman you are referring to?  tongue   Current production tubes, at least for me, are "bleh" at best.  A NOS preamp tube will run you roughly $12.  Not bad considering that they sound at least twice as good and last maybe four times as long.  Buy NOS if you can, you'll get a better sounding tube that'll last longer.  I like the Svlvannia ones and also my current fav the Blackplate RCA 12AX7.  I'd get that JJ crap out ASAP and put some NOS glass in there, your ears will thank you!  BTW V1 has the most dramatic impact on overall gain.  You'd want to put your "hottest" tube their for maximum gain.  V1 if you didn't already know is the preamp tube furthest from your power tubes (at the end of the chassis).  With my '58RI Les Paul and '65 Bassman cranked it's very close to Joe's tone off of "Last Kiss".  Huge, fat, aggressive, and just a hint of saggy compression from the 6L6's being pushed hard.  No doubt my favorite straight ahead rock tone out of any of my amps!  cool

'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.
  • macg1
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Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

Ooooops!  One million pardons for the confusion stratpaulguy86!  Totally got my peeps mixed up.  Thanks for reading the thread and the suggestions.  Time to search for a couple of tubes and try it out. 


stratpaulguy86 wrote:

You sure that wasn't my Bassman you are referring to?  tongue   Current production tubes, at least for me, are "bleh" at best.  A NOS preamp tube will run you roughly $12.  Not bad considering that they sound at least twice as good and last maybe four times as long.  Buy NOS if you can, you'll get a better sounding tube that'll last longer.  I like the Svlvannia ones and also my current fav the Blackplate RCA 12AX7.  I'd get that JJ crap out ASAP and put some NOS glass in there, your ears will thank you!  BTW V1 has the most dramatic impact on overall gain.  You'd want to put your "hottest" tube their for maximum gain.  V1 if you didn't already know is the preamp tube furthest from your power tubes (at the end of the chassis).  With my '58RI Les Paul and '65 Bassman cranked it's very close to Joe's tone off of "Last Kiss".  Huge, fat, aggressive, and just a hint of saggy compression from the 6L6's being pushed hard.  No doubt my favorite straight ahead rock tone out of any of my amps!  cool

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

No problem dude!  I'll probably do an updated video because the old one does not really show the gain capabilities of the amp in it's current state.  Probably the coolest thing about that particular amp is that I have roughly $300 invested into it and to me it smokes almost any boutique amp that I've played.

'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: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

When I sent my 1965 Bandmaster head to David Allen at Allen Amps for a checkup,  it was returned to me with Tung-Sol 6L6's in the power tube section.  I had JJ's in it when I sent it off. I also have a 1965 Bassman head which also had JJ's in the power tube section.  So I ran them side by side, slightly different amps but close enough in my book for a tube comparison.  The Tung Sol tubes sounded much better than the JJ's.  The JJ's sounded brittle in comparison. I had my Bassman to a local tech for a check up awhile back.  When I went to pick it up, the tech said "Listen to this."  He put an NOS Mullard 12ax7 in V1 and I could not believe the difference.  A completely different texture with a smooth gain.  He wanted $30.00 for this tube and I got cheap and did not buy it.  I regret it and plan to get one in the near future.  I got tied into the JJ route because they were reasonably priced and easy to get.  They are a decent tube but there are better options out there if you are a tone hound. Speaker cabs also make a huge difference with these old heads, but you are probably already aware of that.

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
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Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

For new production tubes I'd think the Tung-Sol 12AX7 is great for the V1 and V2 slot. It's supposed to be quite a "hot" tube. What does everyone think?

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

While we're at it: what do you guys think of the SED Winged "C" 6L6 power tube? Does anyone use them? How would you describe their tonal character?

  • macg1
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Re: Question about high gain 12AX7's: Calling HoosierRock/blackface owners

Mmmm... I have a couple of those laying around.  Will try it as soon as I get the amp back form the tech.

Bluesbreaker wrote:

For new production tubes I'd think the Tung-Sol 12AX7 is great for the V1 and V2 slot. It's supposed to be quite a "hot" tube. What does everyone think?

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint